There was an emergency Design Review Board meeting in Coupeville this week. The purpose was to approve the demolition of a Class II historical home. It was an emergency because the destruction had already begun due to the fact that Town Planner Larry Kwarsick had not noticed that this property is a contributing structure to the town’s historic fabric.

No one from the town staff had taken the time to inspect the site in person at the time the demolition permit had been filed. Could there be something wrong with the current process?

Coupeville has an ordinance regarding the demolition of historically significant properties. However, at this time it has no ordinance or plan pertaining to the preservation of these structures. Do we have the cart before the horse?

The Town Council approved that a Historic Preservation Plan be written almost two years ago and it has not been finished and submitted. I urge the town officials and council to ask the person they hired, Mr. Cort, to expedite this plan as soon as possible.

Margaret Storer

Coupeville