Bruce Barnbaum’s Jan. 3 letter, “Three Stooges run afoul of the law,” included a number of inaccuracies and misrepresentations regarding Snohomish County’s adherence to the Growth Management Act.
First, the County Council decision he attacks was made on a 4 to 1 vote, with a Democratic councilmember favoring the proposal with Republicans. Further, expanding Arlington’s urban growth area originated as a request from the City of Arlington and was forwarded to the county as a recommendation by the growth management advisory board representing Snohomish County cities. It enjoys regional support from a number of local groups involved in planning decisions in our county, including the tribes. This was not a unilateral action taken by the council on behalf of the 25 property owners in the area. Finally, expanding the area for potential annexation by Arlington is the right thing to do in a jurisdiction that has previously been developed and includes existing water, sewer and other urban infrastructure.
It appears some folks will take their arguments to the extreme with name-calling and reckless accusations. They appear willing to surrender local control and accountability by having the governor force an appeal to his self-appointed growth board after the decision has been unsuccessfully appealed through every local venue.
Other appeals initiated by interest groups, of which Mr. Barnbaum is a member, have not resulted in success. The County Council has prevailed in two out of three appeals. The court has sided with the county in what can truly be considered a test of whether the state will determine all local land use decisions, or if, as the Growth Management Act intended, counties and cities will determine how and where their population and businesses will grow. In the end, the special interest groups to which Barnbaum belongs have had the prosecuting attorney’s staff pursuing court actions. I would encourage citizens to follow this issue on the county Web site at www.co.snohomish.wa.us and the subsequent opinions of the court rather than accept distorted rhetoric from an uninformed source of letters to the editor.
GARY NELSON, CHAIR
Snohomish County Council
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