Letters

Mayor’s column

PRDs violate spirit

of state growth act

In his monthly column (Oct. 4) Mayor Haakenson summarized the history and purpose of PRD’s in relation to growth management. The Mayor asked if we agree that the legislative approval of “The Growth Management Act” was for the good of the people?

Which “people”? PRD’s are simply another term for “sprawl” which developers have used to promote their own agenda under the disguise of “growth management.” This is not good for the people who live in the area, make up the community culture, pay for community services, and elect the officials who are responsible for overseeing “growth management” programs.

The concept of PRDs sounds nice. However, the most important aspect, “planned,” is typically absent in many projects leaving “the people” with “residential developments” which are allowed significant zoning variances under the umbrella of a PRD. Is obtaining multiple zoning variances to build five houses/acre with less than 10 feet between each house in every open, undeveloped piece of land “good for the people?”

The role of the Planning Board was described as an objective advisory panel to the Council. However, in a recent City Council meeting, the Planning Board’s presentation to the council was far from objective. It was downright appalling. The senior planner’s support for a proposed PRD, which fell significantly short of meeting requirements, was so skewed, that many of the meeting attendees thought he was actually the developer. Is that “good for the people?”

One would expect the Planning Board to provide residents with the opportunity for input in their council-mandated reevaluation of the PRD code. However, according to a Sept. 25 Edmonds Planning Board’s agenda memo: “…we (Planning Board) could not take the time to develop or hold public hearings on new code language.”

Is any of this “good of the people?”

DEAN R. KESSLER

Edmonds

Election

Letter on Chase was speculation only

Brian Donennebrink gets a big fat “F” for his failed empirical effort to discredit Maralyn Chase. In the October 4 Shoreline Enterprise he states, “I’ve done some historical research” regarding Chase’s appointment by the Democratic Party to the Washington State Legislature in the 32nd District.

The results of his learned inquiry, he states, “In summary, Chase was ‘appointed’ by about 40 people, some of whom probably no longer live in the new boundaries of the 32nd District.” And, “likely included people who may never (have) attended a meeting.”

Someone needs to explain to Donennebrink the purpose of research is to establish verifiable facts, not the wild, spurious and politically driven speculation which Donennebrink has made no effort to legitimize.

BILL MONROE

Shoreline

Van Hollebeke better

on Brightwater issue

One could argue that state Rep. Jeanne Edwards of the First Legislative District attendance at the announcement of King County Executive Ron Sims’ preferred route for the Brightwater project in August was not involvement in the route selection process. At the two largest assemblies, held in Mountlake Terrace, our First Legislative District representative was missing in action.

However, her challenger Leo Van Hollebeke, who was in attendance of said meetings, revealed the cold and hard facts. “Brightwater will not be stopped, the direction it takes can be,” he said. When a person campaigning for office makes an unfriendly statement like this it denotes a strong belief in core principles. It’s my view that Leo Van Hollebeke, a candidate for the First Legislative District, is a candidate whose view of government reflects an understanding of foundational principles of local control.

Van Hollebeke says current legislators are failing as leaders and haven’t demonstrated the fortitude to make the tough decisions that may cost them politically. He promises to take tough positions on issues, even if it makes him a one-term legislator. That’s a refreshing attitude that more candidates and incumbents should have.

The incumbent, Jeanne Edwards, is now taking credit for King County Executive Ron Sims’ decision as she actively seeks Mr. Sims’ support in her campaign. Could this support she is asking for reverse the temporary decision that Mr. Sims has made, all for the sake of re-election? The citizens of Bothell, Mountlake Terrace, and Edmonds did the yeoman work, not Representative Edwards. At least Leo Van Hollebeke isn’t trying to take credit where no credit is earned.

I urge those of you in South County who really care about honesty in public office elect Leo Van Hollebeke as your First Legislative District choice in November.

JOHN ZAMBRANO

Mountlake Terrace