tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post1484481951279813236..comments2023-11-22T22:04:17.326-08:00Comments on Get Whatcom Planning: County Planning ChallengesJean Melioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15759730663769578269noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-60239679897959177002011-04-21T15:41:39.064-07:002011-04-21T15:41:39.064-07:00Wendy, David's the one with hopes and expectat...Wendy, David's the one with hopes and expectations for SEPA in the County -- this is his blog entry. I have noticed that he has a strange tendency to think that laws ought to be applied in Whatcom County the way they are in other parts of Washington. Or, should I say "in the parts of Washington that acknowledge that they're part of Washington, unlike Whatcom County."Jean Melioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15759730663769578269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-81928078905716069922011-04-21T14:48:15.109-07:002011-04-21T14:48:15.109-07:00Dan Mc: They are trapped in a crazy bubble, the bu...Dan Mc: They are trapped in a crazy bubble, the burst housing bubble that they're desperately trying to reinflate through force of will. Talk about social engineering and employing government to poor purpose—the very thing these clods ran against.<br /><br />At least Tony had the presence of mind to note just how terrible the economic multipliers for home construction truly are. Now if he could only commit that knowledge to action.Anonymous36noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-17772641290924331442011-04-21T12:26:27.051-07:002011-04-21T12:26:27.051-07:00But Jean, shouldn't you be giving the County c...But Jean, shouldn't you be giving the County credit for understanding that SEPA does not any provide environmental protection? In fact, they excel at ensuring that SEPA does not provide environmental protection. <br /><br />And they clearly have a policy they rely upon for SEPA review...all development, of any nature, results in "no net loss." Apparently, they can just feel it in their bones. Besides, most County development vests under prior environmental laws. <br />If that is good enough for me, my buddy Jack Swanson and the County Hearing Examiner, why isnt it good enough for you?<br /><br />Wendy HarrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-13193443714148327562011-04-21T09:23:46.592-07:002011-04-21T09:23:46.592-07:00These latest twists to what is being called planni...These latest twists to what is being called planning by my county is simply stunning. I feel they are trapped in some sort of crazy bubble.Dan McShanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17044037213245602667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257022282747854387.post-8056969517362177812011-04-21T07:37:43.265-07:002011-04-21T07:37:43.265-07:00Zoning is the way that the County's Comprehens...Zoning is the way that the County's Comprehensive Plan gets implemented on the ground. Many of the key issues relating to the Rural Element -- setbacks from agricultural land, building sizes out in rural areas, increasing housing density on the shore of Lake Whatcom -- appear in the Zoning Code, not in the Comprehensive Plan. <br /><br />By cutting the Planning Commission off from these issues, the County couldn't make it any clearer that it views the Planning Commission hearing as a meaningless formality. Or that it begrudges every last bit of public participation and will only provide what it believes that it is absolutely required to do. <br /><br />I feel sorry for the Planning Commission. Imagine spending Monday from 1-6:00 in a "work session," and then spending the rest of the evening in a public hearing, when you aren't even allowed to address the most important issues. <br /><br />If the Planning Commission recommended changing any Comprehensive Plan policies (which it clearly isn't expected to do), the Zoning Code likely would have to be changed in order to make it consistent. There wouldn't be any Planning Commission recommendation about how to change the Zoning Code. How does that make sense?Jean Melioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15759730663769578269noreply@blogger.com