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HomeMy WebLinkAbout056 StoryZON18-00036 Dear Planning commission, Thank you for taking the time to review and consider my position related to the above noted ZON18-00036 I will attach the document but also put it in the text of a second email. Thank you, Rob Story Rob Story Brain and Sensory Support Co/ Move Play Thrive PO Box 676, Chimacum, WA 98325 (360) 732-4356 www.moveplaythrive.com Rob Story <storyrc@gmail.com> Thu 11/15/2018 10:11 PM To:Planning Commission Desk <PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us>; 1 attachment zon18-00036.docx; Page 1 of 1ZON18-00036 -Planning Commission Desk 11/16/2018https://owa.co.jefferson.wa.us/owa/ November 15, 2018 To: JeffCo Planning Commission Re: ZON18-00036 Dear Planning Commissioners and Board Members, Thank you for taking the time to read my statement regarding the above noted zoning issue. I have attended most of the meetings given related to the issues surrounding the land use proposals near Old Tarboo Lake. I agree this is a highly charged issue that has unique complications and complexities that require thoughtful and non-rushed consideration. My personal stance regarding the proposed changes to the county building/zoning codes are from the perspective of a resident located a very short distance from Old Tarboo Lake as well as a business owner in the region. My feelings about the proposed zoning change are not affected nor influenced by any individual or business applying for or asking for this zoning change. I have thoroughly read the document written by Bricklin & Newman LLP that was given to your group at the most recent meeting at the Chimacum High School. I 100% agree with their findings and proposals. So in short, I am against making ANY zoning changes that would open up Jefferson County to future industries that would adversely affect our environment and financial stability. There have been many people more policy informed and eloquent than I whom have talked in public testimony and submitted documents supporting the moratorium and the foresightedness to protect our way of life and still support those who choose to use guns. I would like to talk about the negative economic and social impact a change to ZON18-00036 would cause. My concern starts with public statements by Jefferson County Chief Civil Deputy Philip Hunsucker at several of the public hearings. What I have heard is that concessions have been made to avoid litigation. I can understand his concern for spending county funds in litigation. The reality is that this complicated situation will end in litigation no matter what and will cost the county money. We could move forward and make changes to our county codes to allow a company to move in who has used threat of litigation as a ramrod to get what they want. The county can avoid litigation from this direction but litigation will most likely ensue from those who oppose the change of codes as proposed, because this is a change of code and not a “Harmonization”. For me Harmonization or harmonizing means to work together and that is not what is happening here. If this code change does occur there will be a significantly larger financial cost to the county that will last for decades. This will come in the form of lower property taxes due to the devaluation of properties in the area. Furthermore there will most likely be a loss of business revenue in the area. Many local agencies including the Chamber of Commerce have spent significant time and monies to promote the tranquil area in our area and especially in the Chimacum Valley. It would not take long for visitors coming to the Chimacum Valley to realize it is not so tranquil anymore. Living in the Chimacum valley we all know how sounds travels and Old Tarboo Lake it in this valley. I can just picture Blackhawk helicopters flying down the valley past Finnriver Cidery as 800 people stand there and cover the ears and look up. I think about how an economic downturn would affect Finnriver Cidery as well as my place of employment at Chimacum Corner Farmstand. Between our two companies we employ over 100 people. It is not a stretch to say that we could very well have to lay people off. There are so many costs to our community that would come with a change of code as proposed. My deepest hope is that you as a group can look to the future and make the choice to hold fast to changing this code. It would open us up to something that would change the character of our area forevermore. I admit that I do not know all of the options possible. I do know that this proposal is being ramrodded through. It is obvious and as a community we are deeply upset and angered by this situation and the answers we are being given by the people making the decisions to duck and cover. Thank you for your time. Robert C Story Eaglemount Rd, Chimacum ZON18-00036 November 15, 2018 To: JeffCo Planning Commission Re: ZON18-00036 Dear Planning Commissioners and Board Members, Thank you for taking the time to read my statement regarding the above noted zoning issue. I have attended most of the meetings given related to the issues surrounding the land use proposals near Old Tarboo Lake. I agree this is a highly charged issue that has unique complications and complexities that require thoughtful and non-rushed consideration. My personal stance regarding the proposed changes to the county building/zoning codes are from the perspective of a resident located a very short distance from Old Tarboo Lake as well as a business owner in the region. My feelings about the proposed zoning change are not affected nor influenced by any individual or business applying for or asking for this zoning change. I have thoroughly read the document written by Bricklin & Newman LLP that was given to your group at the most recent meeting at the Chimacum High School. I 100% agree with their findings and proposals. So in short, I am against making ANY zoning changes that would open up Jefferson County to future industries that would adversely affect our environment and financial stability. There have been many people more policy informed and eloquent than I whom have talked in public testimony and submitted documents supporting the moratorium and the foresightedness to protect our way of life and still support those who choose to use guns. I would like to talk about the negative economic and social impact a change to ZON18-00036 would cause. My concern starts with public statements by Jefferson County Chief Civil Deputy Philip Hunsucker at several of the public hearings. What I have heard is that concessions have been made to avoid litigation. I can understand his concern for spending county funds in litigation. Rob Story <storyrc@gmail.com> Thu 11/15/2018 10:11 PM To:Planning Commission Desk <PCommissionDesk@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Page 1 of 2ZON18-00036 -Planning Commission Desk 11/16/2018https://owa.co.jefferson.wa.us/owa/ The reality is that this complicated situation will end in litigation no matter what and will cost the county money. We could move forward and make changes to our county codes to allow a company to move in who has used threat of litigation as a ramrod to get what they want. The county can avoid litigation from this direction but litigation will most likely ensue from those who oppose the change of codes as proposed, because this is a change of code and not a “Harmonization”. For me Harmonization or harmonizing means to work together and that is not what is happening here. If this code change does occur there will be a significantly larger financial cost to the county that will last for decades. This will come in the form of lower property taxes due to the devaluation of properties in the area. Furthermore there will most likely be a loss of business revenue in the area. Many local agencies including the Chamber of Commerce have spent significant time and monies to promote the tranquil area in our area and especially in the Chimacum Valley. It would not take long for visitors coming to the Chimacum Valley to realize it is not so tranquil anymore. Living in the Chimacum valley we all know how sounds travels and Old Tarboo Lake it in this valley. I can just picture Blackhawk helicopters flying down the valley past Finnriver Cidery as 800 people stand there and cover the ears and look up. I think about how an economic downturn would affect Finnriver Cidery as well as my place of employment at Chimacum Corner Farmstand. Between our two companies we employ over 100 people. It is not a stretch to say that we could very well have to lay people off. There are so many costs to our community that would come with a change of code as proposed. My deepest hope is that you as a group can look to the future and make the choice to hold fast to changing this code. It would open us up to something that would change the character of our area forevermore. I admit that I do not know all of the options possible. I do know that this proposal is being ramrodded through. It is obvious and as a community we are deeply upset and angered by this situation and the answers we are being given by the people making the decisions to duck and cover. Thank you for your time. Robert C Story Eaglemount Rd, Chimacum Rob Story Brain and Sensory Support Co/ Move Play Thrive PO Box 676, Chimacum, WA 98325 (360) 732-4356 www.moveplaythrive.com Page 2 of 2ZON18-00036 -Planning Commission Desk 11/16/2018https://owa.co.jefferson.wa.us/owa/