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Home My WebLink About7a-Chimacum Commons ProspectusChimacum Commons Project Prospectus Summary Jefferson Land Trust and the Olympic Housing Trust are in partnership to explore innovative housing development possibilities upon the land known as Chimacum Commons, while stewarding the agrarian and riparian values. In 2014, Jefferson Land Trust purchased property in the heart of Chimacum as part of a farmland conservation and habitat restoration program. The 16-acre site is historic farmland that has been relatively underutilized and only recently leased to a small farm operation. A portion of Chimacum Creek runs adjacent to the property, where Jefferson Land Trust has helped to replant a riparian habitat. The potential for the site to serve and enhance the local food system led Jefferson Land Trust to develop a vision for a future use of the property that would include habitat preservation and productive farming while providing much needed housing for food-system workers in Jefferson County. In order to execute on this approach together, the Jefferson Land Trust and Olympic Housing Trust (OHT) entered into partnership to explore the feasibility of a project. Additionally, OHT has secured an MOU with the neighboring property owned by Michael and Arthea Gould to explore extending the project into their lots. The Olympic Housing Trust is pursuing a plan to identify affordable housing solutions that will reflect the rural character, meet Jefferson County’s housing challenge, optimize the benefit of residents upon this property and steward the agrarian and riparian values. Property Details Property Owner: Jefferson Land Trust (outlined in red on map) Updated 2/7/2024 Agenda Item 7A1 Parcels: 901142010, 901113013 Acreage: 16.03 Property Owner: Michael and Arthea Gould (outlined in blue on map) Parcels: 901142023, 901142018, 90113017, 901142031. Acreage: 1.77 The project is centrally sited in unincorporated Chimacum within Jefferson County. The property is zoned Rural Residential-5 (RR-5). Need Jefferson County is ranked as the 3rd most unaffordable county in Washington State. With an exceptionally low vacancy rate, rapidly increasing home and rent prices, and a persistent lack of safe rental options for a wide range of incomes, the need is great for many residents in the County. Food system workers in particular are often challenged by housing insecurity which can hinder their ability to stay in the area. Surveyed members of the food system workforce show a clear desire to live and work in Jefferson County into the future. Initial Survey Responses: “I think one the most important parts is making sure it’s supportive of both short term seasonal workers who are crucial here, and more permanent residents who would like a pathway to being able to pursue their creative endeavors on some land…I think the Commons would be most helpful as a mix of different types of housing for different needs. Thanks so much for doing what you’re doing!”- farmer, 11/7/23 “I really appreciate this happening. So many people have had very poor living conditions, high rent, no security in housing. Many young people have come with vital skills and had to leave due to nothing in their price range.”- produce sales, 12/29/23 “We lose out on good farm workers because we don't have reasonable housing options for them. Thank you for helping bring affordable farmworker housing to our area!”- farm manager, 7/27/23 Updated 2/7/2024 Agenda Item 7A2 Development Plan The project will likely produce a mixture of permanent and temporary housing solutions for qualifying residents of Jefferson County. These units may be for ownership or for rental. These options may include: ● Detached single-family houses ● Duplexes ● Community houses ● Satellite bedrooms ● Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) permitted as park model units ● Communal facility with laundry, shared kitchen, and other amenities. Units will meet their respective standards including the IRC 2021 (building) and NFPA 1194 (RV park) standards. KEY PROJECT DETAILS Number of homes TBD Level of affordability TBD, generally below 80% AMI Type of housing Permanent ownership or rental with a 99-year, deed restricted ground lease Community ownership model TBD, possibly utilizing a co-op model Agrarian aspects Leased to land stewards and farmers Project Goals The Olympic Housing Trust is determined to find a development pathway for the Chimacum Commons project. In Phase One of the project, OHT has outlined six objectives with Jefferson Land Trust, followed by Phase Two beginning in March 2024: Phase One (August 2023 - February 2024): ● Craft a shared vision between organizations ● Determine best housing types that will best suit needs of the community, with a particular emphasis on food system workers ● Draft basic site plan and design documents ● Initiate discussions with Jefferson County Department of Community Development ● Draft project timeline and construction budget ● Outline eventual ownership model Updated 2/7/2024 Agenda Item 7A3 Design Goals Jefferson Land Trust has set out five design features to steer the project’s development: 1. Design with future generations in mind 2. Respond to needs of residents and the agriculture economy in the area 3. Respect, enhance, and highlight the scenic values of the property 4. Design to have low environmental impact, and build with local and low-impact materials 5. Maximize the number of permanently affordable housing units and the number of people living in them If Olympic Housing Trust is able to develop upon the land the team intends to observe these design parameters, in addition to JLT’s: a. Utilize low-impact development practices, including clustered housing, low-embodied energy and green materials, considerations of alternative wastewater management, passive solar design, b. Community labor project to enhance learning and participation in building. c. Cooperative or cohousing governance for tenant self-governance. d. Integration of the surrounding public with a walking path and educational opportunities Affordability and Housing Model OHT will utilize its community land trust model of permanent affordability through ground lease agreements and deed restrictions to ensure the project meets its affordability goal. OHT has not yet determined the scope of housing options available to the project. Both ownership and rental housing are being considered, and in a variety of configurations. Additionally, it may be necessary to form a co-operative model to ensure residency requirements for food system workers. Project Team Property Owner Jefferson Land Trust Prospective Project Developer Olympic Housing Trust Design Team Lauren Ehnebuske Inhabit Design Richard Berg Terrapin Architecture Development Assistance Angie Lopez and Erika Holzhauer RCAC Updated 2/7/2024 Agenda Item 7A4 Advisory Committee Crystie Kisler Richard Tucker Erik Kingfisher Amit Sharma Kate Dean Katy McCoy Francesco Tortorici Funding The project will utilize a variety of funding from private and public sources. OHT will seek public funding from sources including the Department of Commerce’s Housing Trust Fund and CHIP funds, and will explore use of the USDA Off-Farm Labor Housing program. Private individuals and philanthropies will also be approached to support this unique new project. Milestones and Timeline Together the Jefferson Land Trust, the Olympic Housing Trust, and their advisory team are consistently making progress for the Chimacum Commons project. Key activities that have been completed or are upcoming include: ● Property purchased by Jefferson Land Trust…2014 ● Early preliminary analysis…2015 - 2018 ● Housing organizations invited to submit LOI…January, 2023 ● MOU signed with Olympic Housing Trust…July, 2023 ● Schedule 1 Project Plan begun…August, 2023 ● Initiate contact with Jefferson County…October, 2023 ● Design Team assembled…November, 2023 ● Community stakeholder engagement…February, 2024 ● OHT completes Phase 1 with initial recommendations… February, 2024 ● Phase 2 begins…March, 2024 Contact Jefferson Land Trust:www.saveland.org Richard Tucker:rtucker@saveland.org Erik Kingfisher:ekingfisher@saveland.org Olympic Housing Trust:www.olympichousingtrust.org Board President, Jesse Thomas:jesse@olympichousingtrust.org Outreach and Development Manager, Kellen Lynch:kellen.lynch@outlook.com Updated 2/7/2024 Agenda Item 7A5