Henry Lane project approved

The county signed a sale and purchase agreement with property owner Corinne Hieb last December. The sale became official last week. Hieb wanted a legacy created for her late husband, Henry. Island County Board of Commissioners approved the use of Conservation Futures Funds to purchase 3.18 acres of waterfront property off Henry Lane, Camano Island.

The board met Monday morning for their regular meeting, where they voted in favor of using conservation funds to pay for one of the last pieces of waterfront property on Camano.

The total cost of the property was about $978, 000.

Commissioner John Dean said the project has been in the works for about two-and-a-half years, and he has no doubt the property “will become a landmark at some point in our future.”

Commissioner Angie Homola cast her favorable vote on the condition the board examine options for recouping some of the monies spent from the funds. One idea she proposed was selling pieces of the upper parcel, which are not waterfront.

Dean said the board will look into recouping some if the funds, but he’s not sure it can be done.

“The upper parcel was paid for by a state grant,” Dean said. “Subdividing and selling it off is out to the question. If we did that, we’d have to repay the state.”

Still, Dean said, the board will look into options for replacing some of the conservation funds used to purchase the property.

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629- 8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews.com. agreements