On Monday, County Executive Aaron Reardon vetoed the County Council‘s recent legislation which would have removed Fully Contained Communities from county code.
As a 30-year citizen of Snohomish County, I have attended many hearings on land use issues. In all the testimony I have heard, and even in discussions with ardent property rights advocates, the only pro-FCC statements I recall were from representatives of proposed FCCs and the Master Builders Association. These representatives, attending hearings as paid consultants or employees, consistently fought against any and all proposed changes to FCC codes that would protect the public against development excesses.
The implied promise of livable wage jobs and affordable housing has yet to be fulfilled in the “fully contained community” developed in and regretted by King County. The Snohomish County Council’s vote to remove FCCs is the only reasonable solution.
Those of you who live in urban or suburban areas of Snohomish County may think an FCC development doesn’t impact you. However, if an FCC is built, taxpayers will bear the burden. New schools, roads, fire departments and utility infrastructure are all necessary for a new city. Developers decry the fees they pay, but their fees do not begin to cover all the costs of new development. There will also be increased pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and loss of wildlife habitat.
The power of money over the interests of common citizens is demonstrated once more. Snohomish County government is still owned by real estate developers.
Shame on you, Mr. Reardon.
Barbara Judd
Snohomish
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