Ferndale Homeowners Advocacy Group

By Sara Teller

IN MAY 2019, JUST BEFORE THE ANNUAL FERNDALE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, residents of W. Saratoga, located behind The DOT Garage in the downtown area, decided to band together and start the Ferndale Home Owners Advocacy Group (FHOAG).

Many of the members had already attended The DOT informational planning meetings to voice their concerns about the mixed-use parking, retail, and office development. They took issue with its design, an anticipated increase in noise, the need for a parking deck, and the potential for pollution and vandalism. They were also worried that Ferndale’s restaurants and bars are drawing in more traffic than the city can handle and were looking for a space to discuss this.

After the group’s initial formation, American and Gay Pride miniature flags were planted in many lawns in Ferndale that parade weekend to draw awareness.

“I still see some of them in the lawns and gardens during my walks,” said resident and group member Dave Cottrill who regularly attends City Council meetings regarding planning issues and new developments requiring variances from the zoning regulations. He also reads through Council and Commission agenda packets and alerts citizens about upcoming Planning Commission issues.

“With the flags were invitations to join FHOAG’s Facebook group.” It worked. Drawing the attention of many, the social media platform now consists of more than 300 members and, as a united voice, FHOAG has declared its mission to be representing the homeowner in a way that every resident “can lead a healthy and happy quality of life in the city they've chosen as home, Ferndale.” They regularly communicate changes in city leadership and announces upcoming board and planning commission meetings.

SINCE THE INCEPTION OF FHOAG, members have gotten actively involved in upcoming affairs that often not only affect the city as a whole, but their own well-being. They attend meetings and ask the tough questions, publish meeting minutes in the Ferndale Forum Facebook group, speak directly to agenda items, and contribute to the Plan Ferndale discussion boards. FHOAG members have also applied for open seats.

Cottrill said, “At first, citizens were only permitted to speak during the Call to Audience portion of the Council meetings. We were not permitted to talk, question or comment after the developer or city staff presentations. We figured the only way to speak on these items was to deeply understand the council agenda packet [ahead of time] and then ask questions during the Call to Audience that would be better asked after the presentation rather than beforehand. We got our strictly enforced three-minute time limit per person.”

On applying for seats on the city’s board or planning commission, he added, “Getting appointed can be difficult because we make our views known. We ask such questions such as ‘Why are you allowing a new development to use a gravel alley for regress?’ or ‘Although the majority of property owners contacted by the developer say the project is fine, the homeowners who live next door didn’t sign the developer’s petition.’” Asking these types of questions routinely means members are met with an unfavorable response from Ferndale’s leadership. However, those involved in FHOAG continue to be passionate about getting involved and haven’t let this deter them.

“Being an involved citizen in Ferndale is a full-time activity,” Cottrill explained. “Some citizens directly affected by developments have attempted to get appointments with the Downtown Development Authority but were denied.” However, he said, “We at FHOAG look for the long-term enjoyment of Ferndale, our Good Neighbor City” regardless of the time commitment.

When asked to comment about FHOAG and the group’s mission, City Council’s Director of Communications Kara Sokol responded, “City Council does not have a formal opinion on social media groups. Rather, [we] are focused on the issues that matter to all residents—owners and renters— including ethical government management, delivering quality city services, managing the regional and national impacts that impact the cost of living, thoughtful sustainability of infrastructure, public safety, diversity of housing stock, and more.”

For more information on FHOAG or to get involved, please join the Ferndale Home Owners Advocacy Group on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/4105429529480623.