Big Lake Residents Challenge Housing Development Over Environmental Concerns

Residents file appeal over county's approval of revisions to Overlook Crest development plan near Big Lake

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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For years, Big Lake residents and environmental groups like Friends of Skagit County have raised concerns about the impact of development on the lake's water quality and wildlife. Now, a resident named Jan Edelstein has filed a Land Use Petition Act appeal against Skagit County over its approval of revisions to the Overlook Crest housing development plan, which she says will negatively impact Big Lake.

Why it matters

The Overlook Crest development has been a source of contention for over 15 years, with residents worried about the environmental impact of stormwater runoff and other issues. This appeal represents an ongoing battle between local residents trying to protect the lake and county officials who have approved the development plans.

The details

Edelstein claims the county did not properly notify the public about revisions to the Overlook Crest development plan in 2025, which she says significantly changed the layout and infrastructure. She filed an appeal, but it was dismissed due to untimely filing. Now she has filed a Land Use Petition Act appeal that will be heard in court on March 6. Edelstein hopes the judge will rule that her original appeal should have been heard, and that the county will have to reevaluate the development's permits to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

  • In 2007, Overlook Crest LLC began planning the 105-home development near Big Lake.
  • In June 2025, the county hearing examiner dismissed Edelstein's previous appeal due to untimely filing.
  • On April 2, 2025, the county approved revisions to the Overlook Crest development's land disturbance permit.
  • On April 11, 2025, the county notified Edelstein of the revisions, over a week after they were approved.
  • Edelstein filed an appeal 13 days after learning of the revisions, but it was dismissed as untimely.

The players

Jan Edelstein

A Big Lake resident who has filed a Land Use Petition Act appeal against Skagit County over its approval of revisions to the Overlook Crest housing development plan.

Friends of Skagit County

An environmental organization that has challenged the county's implementation of state laws like the Growth Management Act and State Environmental Policy Act, and commissioned a report critical of the Overlook Crest development's stormwater management plan.

Overlook Crest LLC

The developer that began planning the 105-home Overlook Crest housing development near Big Lake in 2007.

Jack Moore

The Skagit County Planning and Development Services Director who emailed Edelstein about the revisions to the Overlook Crest development plan.

Richard Horner

A University of Washington professor with 44 years of experience researching stormwater runoff, who wrote a report concluding the Overlook Crest development's stormwater plan would degrade Big Lake.

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What they’re saying

“I and all the folks I work with are not out to stop the project. We just want to protect Big Lake.”

— Jan Edelstein, Big Lake resident (Bellingham Herald)

“The new plans changed the entire layout of the subdivision and its infrastructure.”

— Kyle Loring, Edelstein's attorney (Bellingham Herald)

“It is my opinion that the Overlook Crest development stormwater management plan as proposed will result in substantial increase in the discharge of phosphorus and other pollutants to, and degradation of, Big Lake.”

— Richard Horner, University of Washington professor (Bellingham Herald)

“The county staff has to follow the state law, and the state law requires transparency. We're questioning that transparency.”

— Ellen Bynum, Director of Friends of Skagit County (Bellingham Herald)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Friday, March 6 whether or not to allow Edelstein's original appeal to be heard, which could lead to a reevaluation of the Overlook Crest development's permits and their compliance with environmental laws.

The takeaway

This ongoing dispute over the Overlook Crest development highlights the tension between local residents concerned about environmental impacts and county officials who have approved the project. The upcoming court hearing will determine whether the county's approval process was transparent and followed state laws designed to protect the environment.