A plan is in the works, approved by the county, to allow the Discovery Bay Golf Club to develop 48 parcels surrounding the course with “market rate” (expensive) homes on about 46 acres. There are glaring downsides.

This development would destroy a natural wildlife corridor along the Larry Scott Trail running parallel to Douglas Way and Discovery Road. This abuts natural wetlands and habitat for nesting birds and a multitude of mammals, with runoff and sewage risks to the water table and Discovery Bay. The project will negatively alter the Larry Scott Trail experience for walkers, bikers, equestrians, and joggers. 

Affordable housing and environmental protection are the county’s true needs. This proposal does nothing to address these huge problems. Costs for parcels, septic/sewer, water, permits & hookups, and construction make affordable housing on this site untenable. Why not save “bonus density” classification for units that are affordable, in areas that are more developed, near essential services, and won’t destroy habitat?

Cost to existing taxpayers will be high. Developing high-end housing causes tax increases for all. Yes, property values will go up, but so will annual real estate tax assessments, but not by enough to pay for the additional county services required. For those of us on fixed or limited incomes, it just makes our lives all that less affordable.

This development will reduce our quality of life – less natural beauty in a rural setting, less affordability, higher taxes.  

We don’t think it is appropriate to deforest and to destroy natural habitat, just to make summer homes for the wealthy around a golf course. There is still time and energy to stop it.

Donate whatever you see fit to the GoFundMe page of the Discovery Bay ACTION Alliance or to DBAA, PO Box 164 Chimacum, WA 98325.

Chuck Johnson
PORT TOWNSEND