I am extremely disappointed with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s appointment of Dave Earling to the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board.
My concern is that the governor and her staff must not have done a complete review of his past record on the Edmonds City Council. Had his record been scrutinized, it would have been found that Mr. Earling opposes “citizen participation” in the planning process related to growth and development of our community.
One of the key elements of the Growth Management Act (1990) is to provide “citizen participation” in the planning process of development of land-use regulations. The major purpose of the quasi-judicial Hearings Board is to provide a venue for citizens and governments to resolve their conflicts prior to lawsuits. Goal 11 of the Act states: “Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to reconcile conflicts.” RCW 36.70A.020(11)
Mr. Earling prefers zoning and development issues be decided in our courts rather than in a quasi-judicial forum such as a City Council meeting. To cite one example, on August 5, 2003, as Edmonds Council President, Dave Earling voted in favor of Ordinance 3465, granting final decision-making authority to the Hearing Examiner for planned residential development in Edmonds.
Now citizens opposed to a planned residential development in their neighborhood cannot have their concerns addressed before their elected City Council members. Rather, the opponents have the high cost of hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit in Superior Court to resolve their issues and conflicts. On July 1, 2003, Mr. Earling opposed a motion to have additional public comment on this same land-use regulation. He favors limited public comment prior to adopting new development regulations.
I hope that it is not too late for the governor to correct her mistake.
Finis Tupper
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
