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MAR 2 92012
JEFFERSON COUNTY
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Bob Newmon
P.O. box 543
Brinnon, Wa. 98320
March 27, 2012
Stacie Hoskins
Planning Manager -Jefferson County Development
621 Sheridan St.
Port Townsend, Wa. 98368
Dear Jefferson County Development Department;
I own a boat slip at Pleasant Harbor marina -location 308913 US Hywy 101,
Brinnon, Wa. 98320. 1 understand that The Statesman Group/Garth Mann has
applied to Jefferson County Development for a permit to change parking at PHM. I
disagree with this proposal for the following reasons.
I am currently 65 years of age and retired. I use my boat at the marina for both
exercise and recreation. The current parking lot is approximately 50 ft from my
dock. The new requested parking lot would be in excess of approximately 2,000 ft,
up or down a steep grade depending on my direction of travel. If it is necessary for
me to walk to and from my boat I will be forced to travel a path along side Hywy 101
which has no sidewalk -only a gravel shoulder. Traffic on Hywy 101 while posted at
50MPH often travels much faster -often observed to be 55-70MPH. This traffic
includes log trucks -chip hauler semi -tractor trailers -tourists in motorhomes that are
unfamiliar with curves in the road -narrow lanes and a lack of safe shoulders and
walkways for pedestrians. In fact, in the areas of PHM the shoulder is gravel and
less than two (2) feet approximately, on the edge of a steep bank leading down to
the forest below. That means persons walking have only two (2) feet of safety
before being in traffic or down the embankment. There is also no street lighting and
the heavily forested roadside makes visibility difficult, with our typical NW rain
making seeing a person on the side of the road almost impossible. The other
option for my traveling to and from my boat is a gravel driveway that leads up and
down a steep hill. Both of the described paths include multiple dangers including
tripping, sliding, stumbling over uneven surfaces.
The proposed parking areas outlined in the Statesman Request is unsafe. There
is a history in this proposed area of vehicles having the glass shattered -property
stolen from inside them and also arson. In well over 10 incidences, I have
witnessed the remains of vehicles with all windows broken out. In one recent
incident -a large number of beds were placed in a pile -then ignited. Making a 911
call for police assistance has in the past taken over one (1) hour to get a officer to
the scene. The temptation of unattended vehicles in an area that already has a
history of these occurrences will only be more tempting targets. Placing the parking
in this area will increase the crime rate in Brinnon. So, whether vandalism, arson or
even assault of I or a tenant of PHM, there will be no one to help. Persons required
to park in the proposed lots will be losing not only their property but also their
personal safety.
One of the requirements of the new parking that Statesman lists is a 'shuttle
service'. I do not own a cell phone. I do not have the money to pay someone to
drive me down to my boat or back to my car. It will be impossible for me to call for a
ride -call for police assistance -call for any medical needs for myself or others.
In the past, PHM has shut down their office operation from fall through and into
Feb -March. This means that there was no employees around or visible, no security
of any kind -the office was closed if help was needed ie emergency response -
assistance with some problem. During this 'off season' there will be a considerably
larger area where things can happen, with even less chance of a victim being
discovered and helped should there be an accident or worse.
I understand that there will occasionally be a shuttle available at cost to give
rides to and from the marina to parking areas. I am retired and on a fixed income.
this will create a financial hardship on me. If I can't afford to pay for shuttle service, I
will have to walk up and down steep hills, walk along a busy narrow unlit highway
in order to gain access to my boat and the slip that I purchased.lf I need to move
supplies, food etc there will be an even greater risk of tripping or injuring myself in
some way.
Sincerel .
C
Bob Newmon