Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, March 24, 2008

GROWTH

Trace problems to overdevelopment

 I hope folks did not miss the irony in The Herald's March 16 Local section, where the front page declares "Health of Port Susan Bay at risk" and the inside guest commentary by County Councilman John Koster, who proclaims that people concerned by such issues are "hysterical."

I'm not sure what alternate universe he lives in, but it is apparent to some of us around Stanwood and Port Susan that there are water quality problems, traffic problems, density problems, poor roads and limited funds to fix these problems. Most of this is caused by overdevelopment in rural areas. His refusal to put a moratorium on allowing fully contained communities being placed in the middle of this rural environment (which lacks even the most rudimentary infrastructure) demonstrates he is more committed to representing land speculators and developers from south county than his constituents in north county.

Koster grandstands that he delayed the McNaughton Developers' rezone, and then refuses to take one of their most intimidating bargaining chips off the table. The developers continue to be in a position to threaten the community with developing an FCC if we oppose their ravishing the farm/forest land with more cluster developments. The legislation he has championed such as LU6A (which specifically exempts the SoundView development from rural land use zoning) and FCCs are not only bad legislation, but contrary to the wishes of the local communities that are impacted by the legislation.

I would also like to point out that the Port Susan Bay watershed is in Koster's district, whereas the land speculators in south county are not in his district, and we would much prefer him represent us rather than them.

Dave Ridgeway
Stanwood
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