HomeMy WebLinkAbout39 Carol Gonnella_21
Carol Gonnella
120 Beach Drive
Nordland, WA 98358
February 10, 2021
Jefferson County Planning Commission
dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us
plancomm@co.jefferson.wa.us
Dear Planning Commissioners of Jefferson County:
I appreciate you once again taking on the task of considering a recommendation
to the Board of County Commissioners to change the Jefferson County Code to
prohibit recreational marijuana facilities in all Rural Residential zones of Jefferson
County.
I am singing to the choir when I say Jefferson County is one of the most unique,
pristine, and special places in our country. You would not have taken on the
onerous job of serving on this commission if you did not have a passion to
enhance and protect our County.
I want you to know that over these past three…going on four years, we feel you
have listened to us. Even when some of you may not have sympathized with our
position, you gave us respect, courtesy, and your precious time. Some of you met
with us in coffee shops, some met with us in our homes, some met over zoom.
We feel you cared.
You now have the DCD staff report before you. I was impressed by the research
and effort that Austin Watkins and DCD put into this report. It addresses the
learning curve the county has experienced with marijuana production and
processing facilities from the time it lifted the moratorium on June 8, 2015 and
enacted Ordinance #04-0608-15. Much has been gleaned in these five plus years
about the impacts of these facilities and where their location in the County can be
the least detrimental. I was surprised that the staff report recommends not only
prohibiting these facilities in all Rural Residential zones, but also on Forest
Resource lands. I feel that is a wise recommendation, as the County has many
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very suitable locations for marijuana operators in zones designated Agricultural,
Rural Industrial, and Urban Industrial. The idea of protecting both our forests and
the places where we live is a good one.
I urge you to make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to
change the Jefferson County Code to prohibit marijuana production and
processing facilities not only in Rural Residential zones, but also in Forest
Resource zones.
I again thank you for not only listening to us but also hearing us. I truly
appreciate your service.
Warm regards,
Carol Gonnella