On Dec. 11 I was proud to participate in a public forum to implement Snohomish County’s Comprehensive Plan. A standing room crowd was there to testify for or against proposed zoning changes before the county council. I was there to comment on the proposed zoning change for a 9-acre piece of land north of Stanwood off I-5, Exit 215.
More than a dozen citizens (one carrying a petition signed by more than 250 people) gave testimony to the council for this docket item. Of the people who testified, only two spoke in favor of the zoning change. Opposition focused on concerns that this type of development would negatively impact the environment – specifically to nearby wetlands and salmon-bearing Church Creek – increase ground water, air and noise pollution, and greatly reduce community safety.
Despite an overwhelming majority of testimony in opposition and recommendation from the Snohomish Planning Board against the rezoning, the council unanimously approved rezoning this property along with all the zoning changes on the docket.
What makes this decision even more disheartening is Councilman John Koster’s comment, “We heard a lot of NIMBYS” (“Zoning changes OK’d amid controversy,” Dec. 19). While I do not expect my representative to always agree with me, I do expect my representative to respect my concerns.
Stanwood
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