We don’t want to be another Leavenworth, but what do we want? This isn’t just about design standards, what do we want our community to look like?

1. If rural character is one of Freeland’s most valued assets, then
2. How do we define diversity, yet keep a sense of community?
3. How can we provide more community gathering places, including public improvement projects?
4. How does design help us improve and encourage economic growth?
5. Provide basic consumer needs and convenience shopping?
6. Enhance arrival points and gateways?

Design standards for Freeland should:

1. Provide predictable and defined land use patterns that support the community vision:
2. Build a sense of community
3. Improve and encourage economic development opportunities
4. Protect environmental quality
5. Enhance the unique visual identity of the Freeland community
6. Improve traffic conditions

But design standards don’t tell developers what we want to look like as new construction is put in place. We need to define an overall image of what our town could and should look like:

1. Most of the recent construction seems to have a maritime feel
2. Are we a town of lighthouses?
3. What is your sense of how we should look?
4. Can you define it?
5. Can we become a shopping experience?
6. Should we have a town square?
7. A statue of some past explorer or town founder?
8. Do we want interconnecting walkways for people to get around town?
9. Should we have our own performing arts center?
10. What about special training facilities to ensure a steady source of future employees?

What other questions do we need to address when discussing our future look and feel? If you are interested in addressing these issues, please contact Michael Seraphinoff at 360-678-4168 or mjseraph@whidbey.com.