tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5109719784602609028.post6880469635533884693..comments2023-04-11T02:20:52.151-07:00Comments on carl votes: Carl Weimerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11749916040026874581noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5109719784602609028.post-2718213957130667712010-03-02T16:45:05.585-08:002010-03-02T16:45:05.585-08:00Carl, I urge you and Council to support the Planni...Carl, I urge you and Council to support the Planning Commission recommendations on the Long Range Work Program; passed unanimously on February 25 and forwarded to County Council.<br /><br /> I do not speak for the other Commissioners, but I support those projects dealing with the public health, safety and welfare and that have statutory mandates. Whatcom County has been out of compliance with GMA long enough. We need to get our house in order. <br /><br /> I do not support docketing Yew Street and Caitac. To do so is redundant; we conducted a thorough review of these areas during the Bellingham UGA process several years ago. The costs for Yew Street improvements are considerable ($15 million) and so far unfunded.<br /><br />There is no groundswell of public opinion to upzone the over 1,000 acres of undeveloped land represented by the Yew Street and Caitac proposals. Nor is there a present need to accomodate the additional growth that may, or may not happen in the next planning cycle.<br /><br />The City of Bellingham does not support inclusion of these areas in their UGA.<br /><br />On the contrary, the COB has supported the County's action in removing this area. Plus, the cost of docketing this matter is $12,000, funded by taxpayers.<br /><br />The money could be better spent elsewhere.<br /><br />Thank you for your consideration.<br /><br />John LesowJohn Lesowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08433050323254009508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5109719784602609028.post-12776393373934854172010-03-02T15:00:22.248-08:002010-03-02T15:00:22.248-08:00Re: Long Range Planning Work Program
Carl, I wou...Re: Long Range Planning Work Program<br /><br />Carl, I would appreciate your support for the County Planning Commission recommendation of February 25 to exclude Yew Street and Caitac from consideration in the work program; to be voted on at your March 16 meeting. <br /><br /> PDS has indicated that they do not have sufficient resources to review these applications without removing higher priority items from the program.<br /><br />Caitac and Yew Street were extensively reviewed by the Commission as part of the Bellingham UGA review. The Commission, and the majority of citizens who testified during those hearings, did not support adding these areas to the Bellingham Urban Growth Area.<br /><br />The City of Bellingham has more recently indicated they do not support further review of these areas at this time.<br /><br />There are more pressing issues before Council, and the Planning Commission, that relate directly to the health, safety and welfare of Whatcom County citizens. Particularly capital facilities planning for fire protection. These matters have been on the back burner far too long. They need to be resolved and should be given priority.<br /><br />Caitac and Yew Street can wait. Regarding Yew Street, the report states that the required extension of public facilities and services to support urban growth has not been demonstrated. Nor has it been funded. No funding source has been identified to pay for $15 million worth of necessary improvements for Yew Street. <br /><br /> Staff resource cost for adding Yew Street to the Work Plan is estimated at $12,000. That public money could be better spent elsewhere.<br /><br />Thank you for your consideration.<br /><br />John LesowJohn Lesowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08433050323254009508noreply@blogger.com