A GRAPHIC VISIT WITH NEIGHBORS AND BUSINESS ON OUR ISLAND.

Our committment includes slowing down and recycling

THE GREENBANK COMMUNITY

The sprawling community of Greenbank sits on a rolling sweep of land at Whidbey's narrowest point. From here, with just a turn of the head, you can see Admiralty Inlet to the west and Saratoga Passage to the east.

This rural hamlet, with a population of 1200 is located at the southern part of what is known as Central Whidbey.

Michael and DAN (his donkey) make their trek hauling hay from Petry's.

By 1908 several Finnish families settled here. As land was cleared,

The GREENBANK LOGANBERRY FARM, once home to Phillip's prize Holsteins,

became the world's largest loganberry farm by 1946, ushering in the Washington wine industry.

Best in the west!

The tightly knit community built GREENBANK PROGRESSIVE CLUB and THE COMMUNITY HALL which are used for meetings and social events.

The Greenbank Store

Stop and have coffee with Mary. The three generations of Coupes' that operate the family business, add to the charm and beauty of Greenbank.

Friday, June 30, 2000

Be careful at 10:00am if you are cruising HWY 525 on a weekday.

This is the HOUR for most "old timers" to come to the postoffice and "check their box" say "goodmorning " to our marvelous

Postmistress,

Roxie.

.

My favorite expression for this time of day is.."it's an accident waiting to happen...." Dont be one of them!

Ask most anyone in Greenbank "Whats so great about Greenbank?" and the might say..."it's the life style choice." For myself maryamo@coupeville.net the reasons are far too many to list. Just say "it's the people."

Leona Aaker has been at this same site for....how many years! She wont tell. Leona knows everyone , knows who owns what and who wants to sell and who wants to rent. She will take care of your realty needs.

Leona and Bob

Another "Service with a smile" @ downtown Greenbank.

And across the road from the BEST AROUND PIZZA is Millie's better half..David Williams.

David has been the Island's Mr. Mechanic for over 25 years.  Dave is happy with hsi new DIAGNOSTIC center.  It can diagnosis the ills of the newer computer chip autos.  

678-4716

OF COURSE he makes house calls:)

Considering I was visiting in Dallas, broke a tooth and flew home to Whidbey, phoned my dentist in Freeland, ...Pat Halligan and his able assistant , Brenda.

"Just waiting for you Mary!"

Pat has a way of saying you need" a crown, root canal and cleaning"..and a smile on his face..."dont worry, Ill use ANESTHESIA for you."...!

C

Tranquility.

The lake at Greenbank Farm

Beauty

Sassafras Herb Farm

History

Crowfeather Blessing the land.

.

Modern conveniences with "running water".

Mary and Rachel Morris

Dont forget GAS at the Greenbank Store. Next station is Coupeville Prarie Market.

Here is the INFORMATION CENTER for Coupeville.

Visitors from Idaho and Rita hiding behind them:)

A drive by Ebey's prarie

and the loop through the park....

maryamo@coupeville.net  Photos  are by Mary Amo using a DC20 Kodak Digital.

Vision statement

Some districts of Island County are, by preference of the residents and gifts of nature, best left rural and sparsely populated. Greenbank/Lagoon Point is such a district. Nature has blessed this district with tall trees, green vistas and serene shores. There are urban centers of population to the north and south of Greenbank. There are no urban growth areas or rural activity centers in the Greenbank/Lagoon Point district, only a small highway commercial district within a predominately rural zone. The majority of the people in our district prefer their rural life, embracing rurall, forest and agricultural activities and cottage industries in rural residential settings. The contrast will serve both visitors and residents of Island County well. The sustainability and delight of life on Whidbey Island require such rural set-asides.

To accomplish this vision we first need to describe what constitutes "rural" for the Greenbank/Lagoon Point district as it exists today in l996. We find:

• Minimal highway commercial development.
• Many sections of land designated as agricultural or forest management lands.
• Large (20+acres)parcels of land in single ownership.
• Home-based work situations.
• Continuity of wildlife habitat to support such species as deer, racoon, otters, eagles, and other animals as welll as the existing native plant community.
• Awareness of our limited water resources (no central water or sewer system).
• Limited services available in the immediate area with freeland, Coupeville and beyond providing most of ourmedical , social and commercial serices.
• Lack of noise and light pollution (current Greenbank farm parking lot is the exception to the light pollution).
• Lack of highway signage.
• Surface mining limited to one activity and that is screened from the highway.
• Emphasis on and appreciation of the beauty of the natural world rather than the commercial activities favored in urban areas.

TO RETAIN THIS RURAL CHARACTER OF THE GREENBANK/LAGOON POINT AREA WE ENCOURAGE:

• Alternative forestry practices emphasizing a sustainable harvest.
• Farmers and local merchant markets to allow an avenue for locally made goods and services.
• Enhanced/expanded public transportation links to Coupeville and Freeland.
• Minimum parcel size in rural residential zones of one housing unit per ten acres of land while encouraging retention of larger parcels, in other words, an end to short platting with in-filling as the basis for receiving our share of regional growth.
• NO importation of water by pipeline.
• Commercial development along the highway corridor limited to the designated existing area.
• Any additional commercial activity should be compatible with the rural character or of our community.
• Protection of the land itself from degradation, notably steepslopes, watersheds, wetlands, shoreline, animal habitat and forested areas.
• Single home owners/builders to keep a substantial portion of their land in vegetation, preferably existing trees and shrubbery.

GREENBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Greenbank Community Council was formed in accordance with Washington State Law, RCW Chapter 36.105, "COMMUNITY COUNCILS FOR UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF ISLAND COUNTY. As stated in the legislation , the Council is "a governmental mechanism to adopt proposed community comprehensive plans and proposed community ordiances that are consistent with an overall guide and framework adopted by the county legislative authority. In addition, it is the purpose of this council to serve as a community forum for the discussion of local issues."

maryamo@coupeville.net