FAQs for the Methow Conservancy
1. Is the Methow Conservancy now an affordable housing organization?
No, but we are partners in two distinct projects that will provide permanently affordable housing for Methow Valley residents:
a) The gift of the 6-acre Larkspur Flats parcel to the Methow Housing Trust (MHT); and
b) Making 12-24 acres of land available for permanently affordable housing on a dryland field of the Sunny M Ranch. LEARN MORE
2) Why are you involved in affordable housing for local residents?
The Methow Valley is in an affordable housing crisis, particularly for local workers. We believe that housing security is an essential component of a diverse, thriving community and a resilient, sustainable economy. As a land trust, we recognize that we need to find ways to provide land for wildlife, for farming, for trails, and for community.
In our land protection projects over the past 27 years (which include more than 12,000 protected acres, with 31 miles of protected shoreline) we have always encouraged clustering development near towns, while protecting larger open spaces in the outer reaches of the Methow Valley.
3) You've owned this parcel for six years. Why are you giving it now, specifically?
The need for affordable housing in the Methow Valley has become dire and the Methow Housing Trust will be ready for its next building project relatively soon. By giving these six acres to them now, the Methow Housing Trust can plan ahead for Larkspur Flats to be their next neighborhood project, after Cascade Meadows North is completed.
4) Did you put any restrictions on Larkspur Flats before you gave it to the Methow Housing Trust?
The Methow Conservancy and the Methow Housing Trust share a vision for Larkspur Flats, which is for an attractive, thoughtfully planned, permanently affordable neighborhood that adds to the vibrancy of the Town of Winthrop, fits with the scale and feel of nearby Town neighborhoods, is compatible with the Meadowlark Natural Area and public use of its trails, and ensures protection of wildlife.
Our gift agreement with the Methow Housing Trust includes a few basic restrictions: permanent affordability, no nightly rentals, and a neighborhood design that incorporates walking access to the trails in the Meadowlark Natural Area.
5) How many houses will there be on this parcel?
The Methow Housing Trust has not yet begun neighborhood design. The final number of homes will be determined by a combination of Town policy, design considerations and conditions on and around the site. MHT’s intention is to create a plan based on what is possible, safe and appropriate for this property. MHT will manage all aspects of planning and building the neighborhood.
6) Will the Methow Conservancy have any ongoing involvement in the Larkspur Flats land gift to the Methow Housing Trust?
No. The Methow Conservancy will not be involved in the planning, designing, or building of the Larkspur Flats neighborhood.
7) Will the gift of the parcel affect the user experience of the Meadowlark Natural Area?
No. This project won't change the recreational use that residents and visitors enjoy on the Meadowlark Natural Area trails; those 139 acres are owned by the Town of Winthrop and are protected for free public use in perpetuity.
In the short term, the parking area for Meadowlark will remain as it has been for years. Longer term, once construction of the neighborhood begins, the parking area will shift to a piece of the parcel that we set aside for parking, in the same general area but a bit closer to the cemetery. The trailhead will not change; like the Meadowlark Natural Area, it is owned by the Town of Winthrop.
The Meadowlark Natural Area trails will remain open to the public throughout the planning, design, and construction of the affordable neighborhood (except during the usual temporary closure for deer migration in March).
As we have since 2018, we will continue to be the stewards of the adjacent Meadowlark Natural Area: maintaining trails, managing the early spring closure for deer migration, and providing opportunities for community engagement through weeding and restoration work parties.
8) Are you still planning an affordable neighborhood on Sunny M Ranch?
Yes, but not immediately. We are continuing to work on our vision for making a small portion of the Sunny M Ranch available for permanently affordable housing for local residents and workers in the future. As you may recall, in the summer of 2023, with significant community support, we purchased 1200 acres of the Sunny M Ranch. In addition to securing important wildlife habitat, preserving farmland, and protecting trail access, one of our goals for the purchase was to make 12-24 acres available for an affordable neighborhood near town.
That is a much more complicated project, given some of the unique circumstances of Sunny M. We remain committed to continuing to work on the Sunny M affordable housing neighborhood and are actively engaged in the research needed to create a feasible housing parcel, but we can help play a role in addressing the Valley’s housing crisis more quickly with Larkspur Flats. By giving Larkspur Flats to the Methow Housing Trust now, we ensure that they can get started on planning that neighborhood right away.
We have always said that the specifics--including timing-- of the Sunny M neighborhood would be data-driven, based on current inventory of affordable housing, community demand, and other housing projects in the pipeline. This remains true.
9) I have a question about annexation plans, neighborhood design, ingress/egress, or timeline. Who should I talk to?
For all aspects of planning, infrastructure, and neighborhood design, please contact the Methow Housing Trust HERE.
10) I'd like to go walk the Meadowlark Trails--how can I learn more?
Great idea! Those trails are beautiful year-round. You can learn more about Meadowlark HERE.