Freeland provides a very healthy and diverse economic base for South Whidbey. We have a strong professional service industry, along with manufacturing and some retailing; but all these businesses are demand specific. To diversify our economy and increase the business base we need to change from being a ten-minute stop on an errand list to a place where people can spend the day.

For most, the car is their primary mode of travel causing most visitors and many residents to bypass our smaller businesses. It used to be that buildings combined to form outdoor collective spaces where people could stop and visit, a place for social interaction. Where are our outdoor courtyards and meeting places? How do we get more people out of their cars for visiting and shopping in downtown Freeland?

Being able to park in one place and stroll about town increases shopping time and dollars spent. How do we improve the appearance of all the older buildings, and provide interesting spaces for social interaction?

One conclusion is that for Freeland to expand its base of economic activity, it has to change the flow of people and cars through the town, increase walkability and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

1. How do we improve our economic infrastructure without losing our uniqueness?
2. What type of businesses do we want to attract?
3. How will our changing demographics impact our retail/service economy?
4. What incentives are needed?
5. How do you manage in-fill development?
6. Where can we have additional access roads for circulation yet provide for centralized parking?
7. How can we enhance our downtown to encourage more pedestrian traffic will make Freeland an inviting afternoon excursion?

Pathways

1. How do we get more connecting pathways and trails throughout town?
2. What safety issues need to be addressed?

Incorporation

1. Should Freeland be a city?
2. What will it cost me as a tax payer?
3. What boundaries will we have?
4. What are the benefits?
5. Who pays for Police & Fire protection?
6. Will it improve traffic conditions
7. Will it improve economic conditions?
8. Who should be managing our growth – the county or our community?
9. Will the zoning guidelines in the Freeland Sub Area Plan be adequate for managing future residential growth?
10. Where can we put apartments for affordable housing?
11. What about condos and townhouses?
12. How will we ensure population density is in the right place?
13. What about ensuring adequate commercial development space is available for future growth?
14. Will we need more light industrial land zoned?
15. What about medium industrial land?
16. What about surface water run off and protections for Holmes Harbor?
17. If we incorporate will we be able to improve traffic circulation?
18. What about sidewalks and trails? Pedestrian paths through town?
19. Can we increase our parks and open space?
20. Where would we put city hall?
21. An activity center?
22. What about a performing arts center?
23. Who takes over street maintenance?
24. What about a planning department?
25. Where can we put additional shopping facilities? \Retail space for tourism
26. Recreational facilities?
27. Who will own Freeland Park?
28. Who will control development along the Harbor?
29. Who will own the Library?
30. Will we need to build our own schools?
31. What will it cost to become a city?
32. Where will the money come from to pay for all this?
33. What would be our population base?
34. Who gets to vote on the issue?
35. What is the impact to the county?
36. How do we keep our rural heritage in the face of growing demand for residential land?
37. We don’t want to be another Lynnwood, but we already are – with businesses from SR525 & Scott Rd all along Main St to Fish Rd & SR525
38. What can we do to develop our downtown intelligently without losing our unique character?
39. If we remain under the jurisdiction of the county, where decisions on managing growth and development occur in Coupeville, will we have the community we want in twenty years?”