A plan to develop the publicly owned M&E property into a “bioregional food forest” and growing space/education center for new farmers, design students and apprentices has prompted harsh criticism from the woman who donated the farmland to the city 15 years ago.
The 13.3-acre property on NE Lovgreen, once home to the M&E Christmas Tree Farm, is part of 60 acres of public farmland on Bainbridge Island that is owned by the city but managed under lease by Friends of the Farms.
Friends of the Farms is seeking city permission to sublease the M&E property to Lone Pine Farm & Studio under a no-rent, three-year lease.
Lone Pine Farm & Studio, a self-described “agri-cultural incubator,” hopes to use the land for small-scale farming, orchards and animal grazing, while also restoring some areas with native plants. Tent platforms, a lab/studio and a network of public trails are also possible at the site, according to Lone Pine’s website.
Bainbridge council members were briefed on the proposal in May, but did not give the plan the OK, waiting instead for tours of the property in July.
City officials also asked Friends of the Farm, which supports the Lone Pine proposal, to contact the original donor of the property for feedback on the project.
In a recent email to the city, however, Elizabeth Rice Grossman, the original owner of the property, questioned whether the city should have ownership of the property given the proposal currently under consideration by the city council.
“I donated the tree farm to the city to be a park with trails, etc. I’m very disappointed that the city would turn it over to [Friends of the Farms] who is proposing a semi-business,” Grossman wrote in a July 25 email to Deputy City Manager Morgan Smith.
“Had I wanted my property to be developed, I would have done it myself!” Grossman added.
Grossman noted that the land was donated so it could be used by the public, and said she opposed any development on the property.
“Please assist us with making sure that there is zero development on M&E. [Friends of the Farms] has already cleared part of the property according to my brother,” Grossman wrote.
“My intention was spelled out when we made the gift to the city. There was supposed to be public access, not a locked gate. Trails and picnic tables.
Seriously, please put our farm in the Parks and Rec. Department where it belongs, not with the Friends of the Farm.”
City council members will consider the proposal at their meeting Tuesday, Aug. 8.
If the council approves the idea, Friends of the Farms will develop a three-year sublease with Lone Pine, which could be renewed for an additional 15 years.
In an earlier letter to the city, Heather Burger, executive director of Friends of the Farms, said Lone Pine would operate the land as a nonprofit and would abide by the restrictions set in the quit claim deed that transferred the land to city ownership in 2003.
“Ryan Montella, co‐director of Lone Pine Farm & Studio has created a holistic approach to the property through the implementation of a comprehensive management plan to increase the non‐commercial agricultural, recreational, and educational viability of the land,” Burger said in the letter.
“Lone Pine will serve as an incubator to create and implement strategies
to ensure a thriving agricultural presence on Bainbridge Island and beyond through community partnerships and opportunities for emerging farmers, researchers, and designers to work in‐residence,” Burger noted. “Friends of the Farms is excited about the potential of Mr. Montella’s proposal to preserve the unique Conservation Values of the M&E property, while creating a valued community and agricultural resource for generations to come.”
