We are writing to express our support for several issues being
addressed in the current update of King County’s Growth Management Plan.
First, we support the prohibition against allowing residences to be
built within the Forest Production District. These unique and irreplaceable
lands have been zoned for long-term commercial forestry activity, an
industry that provides jobs locally and also safeguards agricultural activity in
the Snoqualmie Valley by preventing runoff from flooding our low-lying
farms and fields. We believe areas zoned for specific economic activities, like
forestry, agriculture and industry, should be consistent in restricting the
practice of residential development in these areas. We urge the council to
make sure this issue is addressed in the final version of the plan.
Second, we believe that new high schools and middle schools should
not be built in the forest lands, but instead should be located near the children
in the urban and suburban areas where the number of new residences
and demand for infrastructure is increasing. To take children from their
neighborhoods and bus them out to the country to attend school just
doesn’t make sense.
Third, we believe that the proposed rezoning of properties adjacent to
the forest production area to one house per 20 acres is both appropriate and
necessary for the long-term protection of our environment and sustainability
of rural life in the Snoqualmie Valley. King County rural policies call for
this level of density, and it is time the county’s plan was brought into
compliance with its own policies.
Since 1995, cities in King County have been taking on greater density
to help keep rural areas rural. This is part of a comprehensive effort that also
includes incentives for rural property owners, such as allowing them to
receive cash compensation in exchange for not developing their rural lands.
We urge our King County councilmembers to adopt all of
these provisions, which will benefit all Valley residents over the long term.
Michael and Jane Stoccardo
Duvall
