Raft Island

About...

A Private Island...

...just ten minutes (5.5 miles) from the city of Gig Harbor, Raft Island is located on the Puget Sound with spectacular sunsets and views of Henderson Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and Cutts Island or "Deadmans" (pictured above). Connected to the mainland by a new, modern concrete bridge (which replaced the 788-foot timber bridge in 2014), there are approximately 200 homes on 160 acres. Islanders enjoy two community beaches, a boatlaunch, park areas and a tennis court. The Island is managed by the Raft Island Improvement Association (RIIA) and an Island Manager.

Notices...

Raft Island Bridge Gate Exploratory Committee

A vote by the membership to determine if the island favors a gate or not, if it is determined to be feasible with resepct to (per the ballot) "potential locations, potential costs, potential legal requirements, potential permits, or any other related questions" was conducted at a special meeting on March 21. The vote was Yes (in favor of gates) 87, No (opposed to gates) 75.

Currently the committee is meeting with the USDA to determine if they have objections.

Here are the minutes for the January 09 2023 meeting of the committee, whose charter is to determine the feasibility of installing a gate at the bridge.

View the letter from the USDA regarding a gate.

Historical Documents Related To Gate Discussions

RIIA GATE COMMITTEE TIMELINE

USDA_20100601

USDA_20121009

USDA_20140701_Deed&PromissoryNote.pdf

USDA_AWARD_LETTER_2011

Island residents can contact the board (via the island manager) to obtain a zip file of email correspondence on the gate issue as of 02/13/2023 until arrangements are made to make it securely available from a cloud service.

NEW: Roadway, Roadside and Ditch Policies

The intent of this policy is to provide clear definitions of roadways, roadsides (right-of-way) boundaries and definition of ownership for trees and shrubs along roadways. This policy shall also define ownership and responsibilities for tree and shrub care and removal within and outside roadway and right of way.

The policy was approved at the last board meeting.

Roadway, Roadside and Ditch Policies

Raft Island Residents Message Board

If you are a current user of the message board, please log in to groups.google.com and select the RaftislandResidents group to update your preferences for receiving emails from the group. With few exceptions, everyone's preference has been set to "no emails" (i.e. you just want to view the group online). However, you can also choose to receive every email, a digest, a periodic summary.

Want to become a member of the group? Choose "Community" in the menu, then choose Message Board to get started.

Update On Camp Road Construction

There is construction work taking place at a private residence on Camp Rd. The crew will be removing dirt from that site and placing it on RIIA property near Raft Island Rd and Camp Rd. The goal in having them do this is to widen the shoulder that runs along the road for pedestrian safety and driver visibility. This is a blind corner and has been a complaint for people on foot/bike and motorists alike.

Please be patient with the mess. As this is also benefiting the project, the contractor will be making sure it looks presentable and is ready for pedestrian traffic. It will be finished with either gravel or grass seed.

Events

RIIA Board Meetings

Board meetings are held at 7 pm on the third Monday of every month (except in unusual circumstances), including the Annual Meeting, which is in May.

Annual Election Results

The votes were tabulated and these are the Board members effective July 1:

President - Mike Hirko
Vice President - RJ West
Secretary - Katherine Walsh
Treasurer - Anne Scea
Trustees - C.W. Middleton, Jim Cushing

The Budget was approved by the membership.

Please review the Annual Meeting Agenda (DRAFT). Check the Calendar of Events (on the Menu) for the next date and time.

If you would like to have an issue discussed at the next Board meeting, please contact the Island Manager and have her add it to the Agenda.

Review the current Agenda shortly prior to the next meeting.

View the Projected Plan for restoration and enhancement of the tennis court, developed May 2022.

The USDA requires these two documents be displayed at meetings. Please examine them:
EEO Poster Justice for All

From The Island Manager

Pay Your Dues Online Read more in Menu >> Community Page >> Member Dues

All vehicles parked at the South Beach parking area must display a Raft Island Parking Permit affixed to the glass on the driver's side of the windshield in the lower corner. Any vehicles without a permit properly displayed will be towed at the owner's expense.
Do not stick the permit to a piece of plastic, laminate it, tape it or use any other method of display other than sticking the permit itself directly to the glass.
If you need to get a permit, please call HOA Community Solutions at 253-985-3812. Each property owner is allowed a maximum of two permits per lot owned.
If you have lost a permit, replacements can be purchased for $5 each and the lost permit will be inactivated. Damaged or worn out permits will be swapped out for no charge, but you must bring in the old permit with you.
Owners with tenants are responsible for providing their tenants with the parking permits for that property. We will not issue permits to tenants directly.

There have been reported thefts from vehicles at the South Beach. Please lock your vehicles and keep all valuables out of sight. Report any suspicious persons, activity or vehicles to the Sheriff Department by calling 911.

Break-ins on the island are an unfortunate fact of life. It is important to take every precaution to prevent theft and burglary. Keep doors locked and garage doors closed, even during the daylight hours!

Policy

Other policies (such as boat launch, parks and recrecation, parking and street maintenance) can be found on the Community page.

Maps

Area

Aerial Photo of Raft Island

Lot Map

To add or change your email on the RIIA EMAIL LIST please contact the Island Manager

To join the Raft Island Community Message Board see the Community page, >> Message Board >> and follow the instructions.