Pea Patch Property

Aerial view of property for sale with bubble diagram overlaid

During the pandemic, OICF, OPAL Community Land Trust (OPAL) and Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) worked together to provide a Shelter program, serving those community members who were unsheltered. 

This experience increased our collective awareness of the challenges rural communities face addressing homelessness. We formed the Coalition for Housing on Orcas (COHO), to focus on finding housing solutions. We hired a local coordinator and secured a Rural Technical Assistance (RTA) grant from Washington State. This grant provided a team of three experts with vast experience in housing and services in rural communities and facilitated the process to develop a Community Campus plan.

We became aware of the impending sale of an 11 acre property on the north side of Enchanted Forest Road, the last portion of what was the Lavender Family Farm in late 2022. The property is part of the estate of Lina and Dave McPeake, listed as “55 Pea Patch Lane.” The property borders the Funhouse Commons, Children’s House, Salmonberry School and the Senior Center. 

In January, 2023, the group secured a contract to purchase, with OICF as the initial purchasing agent. As the process moved forward, the contract was assigned to OPAL Community Land Trust, as owning land for community benefit is the heart of their mission.

The Pea Patch property was envisioned to become a Community Campus, providing permanent space for the Orcas Island Food Bank, the Orcas Community Resource Center and a neighborhood of affordable rental homes. Environmental Works was engaged to guide site and building design. They are the non-profit architectural firm that designed April’s Grove with OPAL.

The team spent seven months doing due diligence to ensure the property is a good fit for the plans. Working in concert with the neighboring nonprofits, the development plans aim to include sufficient buffers, potentially shared parking and pathways, and carefully sited housing providing much needed homes for individuals and families with lower incomes. There is good potential for alternative energy sources to be included in the design as well.

The Pea Patch Property was successfully purchsed in late 2023, after raising sufficient funds and securing a long term loan for the housing portion. The dreams of realizing a community campus are in motion. Thank you to all who have contributed so far.

Please reach out to Lindsay Jennings, 360-376-6423, or Lisa Byers, 360-376-3191 if you would like additional information or a tour of the property. 

Project Timeline:

  • Community Site Design Workshops: Spring – Summer 2024
  • Site Design Complete: October 2024
  • Site Permitting: Winter 2024-2025
  • Site Work: Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
  • Housing Construction: Spring – Summer 2026
  • Food Bank Construction: Spring 2027

In July of 2025, the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC), had an unexpected opportunity to purchase the building they currently occupy on North Beach Road in Eastsound Village and as a result, the OCRC decided to stay in their current location. 

Please visit the Pea Patch project website for more updates.

Donate Now