Heads up, Town of Friday Harbor residents

 

The Town Council is currently considering new ordinances aimed at stopping long-term living in RVs within the Town of Friday Harbor except in established RV parks. However, the proposals might also ban the storage of RVs, boats, fifth-wheel trailers, trucks with campers, and vans on private property.

They are still in discussion and now is the time for public comment before they decide on the actual ordinance. It is important we give our input to help them make their decisions.

 

I am sharing my opinion with you all and I encourage you to speak up and let the Council know what you think too.

 

 

Here is a letter I wrote to our Town Council members:

 

Dear Council Members

 

I’m writing to share some concerns about the proposed ordinance that would restrict the storage of RVs, trailers, and boats on private property in Friday Harbor.

 

While I understand the intent behind abolishing long-term RV living within town limits, I want to be absolutely clear that boats should not be included in this ordinance under any circumstances. We live on an island. Boating is a vital part of island culture, daily life, and recreation. Many of us own boats. Personally, and I am sure I am not alone, I simply cannot afford to store my boat anywhere other than on my own property. Part of the reason I can afford to have a boat is that I can store it at home. Including boats in this ordinance would be an unreasonable and unnecessary overreach.

 

More broadly, restricting residents from storing RVs and trailers on their own land continues a troubling trend of making Friday Harbor less accessible for regular working people. These kinds of policies are moving the town away from being a real, functional community and turning it into something more like an HOA, only affordable for those who have the money for permits, storage fees, and added restrictions. That is not the kind of place most of us want to see Friday Harbor become.

 

I agree that people should not be living permanently in RVs. But if I have enough space and want to let a friend stay for a week or two in their own RV while visiting, or if I want to store my own personal fifth-wheel trailer, RV, or truck with a camper on my property, that is an inherent part of my private property.

 

I hope you will take these concerns seriously and work to ensure that Friday Harbor remains a place where islanders can actually live affordably. Let us not continue to create a place where private property rights are gradually stripped away through expanding permits and code restrictions that give the government more and more control over how we use our own land.

 

Sincerely,

Jeremy Nash

Town of Friday Harbor resident

 

We all need to let our voices be heard. Let the Council know if you agree or disagree with me. Here are the Town council’s email addresses.

 

bstarr@fridayharbor.org

anna@fridayharbor.org

richardg@fridayharbor.org

stevehushebeck@fridayharbor.org

masont@fridayharbor.org