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Linda Gately
711 Robbins Road
Nordland,WA 98358
360-385-5774
June 27,2017
To:
Stephen K. Causseaux, Esq.
Dear Mr. Causseaux,
Good afternoon. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to give testimony regarding the
issue of the marijuana production and processing operation that has been proposed for
Marrowstone Island.
I am Linda Gately and my husband and I have lived on Marrowstone since 1977 and
bought our home and property on Robbins Road in 1979. We raised 2 daughters here.
We also own a 5 acre woodlot on Schwartz Road very close to the proposed marijuana
operation.
I am going to address the effect on property values as a result of having a marijuana
production and processing business on our island.
The 9.73 acres to the south of Austin Smith's land is being sold by a family to help
support the care of an elderly mother. The price for this property has been lowered from
$195,000 to $185,000. A realtor lost a sale after hearing that there was a planned
marijuana growing operation next door. Allen Gustafson has written a letter on behalf of
his family.
Realtor.com November 7, 2016 found that "neighborhoods in Colorado 1/2 mile from
grow houses are the least desirable with an 8.4 percent price decrease due to the literally
stinky business of growing cannabis even with use of air purification systems." This
grow house not only fronts Flagler Road but is very close to Schwartz Road.
Fort Flagler State Park has been an asset to property values, but not so much with a
marijuana factory.
Spokane County has lowered property assessments as much as 10 percent on properties
near marijuana growing operation.
Austin Smith's representative Kevin Coker at the Marrowstone Island Community
Association meeting on May 15 stated that the reason for Mr. Smith choosing our island
for his business was because he saw the sign at the Nordland Store which most of us
consider a bit of humorous island sentiment:
Marrowstone
A tiny Island Nation Slightly Off
The Coast of North America
Where the living is easy,
the water is sweet,
and ALL the beaches are clothing optional.
The Canna Law Group of King County July 28,2016 gave this advice. "Make sure you
know your local laws before pursuing a marijuana business license or taking a major
business step". And I would add local values.
Values are not all monetary. Austin Smith could have learned the values of our island by
reading the Marrowstone Island Community Development Plan which is an adopted Sub-
Plan of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan.
His representative, Kevin Coker, should have had Austin Smith read the Marrowstone
Island Plan rather than the silly sign at the Nordland Store to understand the real value of
our island and our people.
Please deny the building and cottage industry permits
Respectfully,ffr'-'&4
Linda Gately
71
Linda Gately
711 Robbins Road
Nordland,WA 98358
360-385-5774
June 27,2017
To:
Stephen K. Causseaux, Esq.
Dear Mr. Causseaux,
Good afternoon. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to give testimony regarding the
issue of the marijuana production and processing operation that has been proposed for
Marrowstone Island.
I am Linda Gately and my husband and I have lived on Marrowstone since 1977 and
bought our home and property on Robbins Road in 1979. We raised 2 daughters here.
We also own a 5 acre woodlot on Schwartz Road very close to the proposed marijuana
operation.
I am going to address the effect on property values as a result of having a marijuana
production and processing business on our island.
The 9.73 acres to the south of Austin Smith's land is being sold by a family to help
support the care of an elderly mother. The price for this property has been lowered from
$195,000 to $185,000. A realtor lost a sale after hearing that there was a planned
marijuana growing operation next door. Allen Gustafson has written a letter on behalf of
his family.
Realtor.com November 7, 2016 found that "neighborhoods in Colorado 1/2 mile from
grow houses are the least desirable with an 8.4 percent price decrease due to the literally
stinky business of growing cannabis even with use of air purification systems." This
grow house not only fronts Flagler Road but is very close to Schwartz Road.
Fort Flagler State Park has been an asset to property values, but not so much with a
marijuana factory.
Spokane County has lowered property assessments as much as 10 percent on properties
near marijuana growing operation.
Austin Smith's representative Kevin Coker at the Marrowstone Island Community
Association meeting on May 15 stated that the reason for Mr. Smith choosing our island
for his business was because he saw the sign at the Nordland Store which most of us
consider a bit of humorous island sentiment:
Marrowstone
A tiny Island Nation Slightly Off
The Coast of North America
Where the living is easy,
the water is sweet,
and ALL the beaches are clothing optional.
The Canna Law Group of King County July 28,2016 gave this advice. "Make sure you
know your local laws before pursuing a marijuana business license or taking a major
business step". And I would add local values.
Values are not all monetary. Austin Smith could have learned the values of our island by
reading the Marrowstone Island Community Development Plan which is an adopted Sub-
Plan of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan.
His representative, Kevin Coker, should have had Austin Smith read the Marrowstone
Island Plan rather than the silly sign at the Nordland Store to understand the real value of
our island and our people.
Please deny the building and cottage industry permits
Respectfully,ffr'-'&4
Linda Gately