Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor
If you moved to Sequim, you made it grow
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How Sequim is going to grow and what it will look like in the future is being seriously debated. The proposed development of the Booth family farm located on North Sequim Avenue has become a part of this discussion.
I would like to clarify some details about the status of this property and share with you my observations regarding the most recent events surrounding it. I own one-third of the property and its value constitutes a major component of my retirement.
With the collapse of the housing market, the buyer decided not to continue the Sorrento project proposed for the property. Materials developed in support of the subdivision reverted to the Booth Family Partnership.
The original preliminary approval of the subdivision was for a three-year period, which was to expire this year. We requested a one-year extension for the project from the city of Sequim. After much debate and with some reluctance, the city council granted the extension at the July 27, 2009, meeting.
Public comment at this meeting was essentially the same as in 2006. The people made statements that they liked the status quo and the comments were very passionate and consistently against the development of the property. They liked the open space it provided and they did not want to see it changed.
These feelings and opinions, however, do not supplant the right of a landowner to sell or develop the property. The property was contained in the original urban growth area for the city of Sequim. It has never required any reclassification of land use.
The preliminary plat approval is on the low end of allowable density. It has available water and sewer service. It is what it is because of prior city action. It is the result of an established land-use planning process and the proposed development is the legal use of the property.
I think that the city council should have presented this information to the audience prior to taking public testimony. This might have resulted in everyone having a better understanding of the situation and led to a more productive discussion.
The city council has a responsibility to facilitate an orderly process for future development that is open, unbiased, fair to all parties and based on factual information. I don't think that this proceeding hit the mark in this regard and the process needs to be improved.
Sequim has a number of outstanding problems such as needing to improve revenues, dealing with budget deficits and satisfying the need for affordable housing. Regardless of efforts to slow down population growth and future development, change is going to occur. This will generate revenue, which could help solve some of the existing problems.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my views on this
important topic. I was born in Sequim in 1941, graduated from high school in 1959 (go Wolves!) and my family has owned the property proposed for development on North Sequim Avenue since the late 1940s. Although I no longer live there, I still feel a fond connection with the area.
Sequim has come a long way from the time when there were more cows than there were people. Those who have moved to Sequim need to remember that as they came here they caused development to occur. In fact, many of them are living on land that was actively farmed when I was a kid.
I am happy that other people are able to enjoy the area, I just don't think they are right in how they are trying to curb all development now that they are here.
Jim Booth lives in Aberdeen.
I would like to clarify some details about the status of this property and share with you my observations regarding the most recent events surrounding it. I own one-third of the property and its value constitutes a major component of my retirement.
With the collapse of the housing market, the buyer decided not to continue the Sorrento project proposed for the property. Materials developed in support of the subdivision reverted to the Booth Family Partnership.
The original preliminary approval of the subdivision was for a three-year period, which was to expire this year. We requested a one-year extension for the project from the city of Sequim. After much debate and with some reluctance, the city council granted the extension at the July 27, 2009, meeting.
Public comment at this meeting was essentially the same as in 2006. The people made statements that they liked the status quo and the comments were very passionate and consistently against the development of the property. They liked the open space it provided and they did not want to see it changed.
These feelings and opinions, however, do not supplant the right of a landowner to sell or develop the property. The property was contained in the original urban growth area for the city of Sequim. It has never required any reclassification of land use.
The preliminary plat approval is on the low end of allowable density. It has available water and sewer service. It is what it is because of prior city action. It is the result of an established land-use planning process and the proposed development is the legal use of the property.
I think that the city council should have presented this information to the audience prior to taking public testimony. This might have resulted in everyone having a better understanding of the situation and led to a more productive discussion.
The city council has a responsibility to facilitate an orderly process for future development that is open, unbiased, fair to all parties and based on factual information. I don't think that this proceeding hit the mark in this regard and the process needs to be improved.
Sequim has a number of outstanding problems such as needing to improve revenues, dealing with budget deficits and satisfying the need for affordable housing. Regardless of efforts to slow down population growth and future development, change is going to occur. This will generate revenue, which could help solve some of the existing problems.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my views on this
important topic. I was born in Sequim in 1941, graduated from high school in 1959 (go Wolves!) and my family has owned the property proposed for development on North Sequim Avenue since the late 1940s. Although I no longer live there, I still feel a fond connection with the area.
Sequim has come a long way from the time when there were more cows than there were people. Those who have moved to Sequim need to remember that as they came here they caused development to occur. In fact, many of them are living on land that was actively farmed when I was a kid.
I am happy that other people are able to enjoy the area, I just don't think they are right in how they are trying to curb all development now that they are here.
Jim Booth lives in Aberdeen.
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Letters Policy
Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words are returned to the writer for revision. We strive to publish all letters.
• Letters are subject to editing for spelling and grammar; we contact the writer when substantial changes are required, sending the letter back to the writer for revisions. Personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are not printed.
• All letters must have a valid signature, with a printed name, address and phone number for verification. Only the name and town/community are printed.
• Deadline for letters to appear in the next publication is noon Friday. Because of the volume of letters, not all letters are published the week they are submitted. Time-sensitive letters have a priority.
• Letters are published subject to legal limitations relating to defamation and factual representation.
• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.
Your opinions on issues of community interest and your reaction to stories and editorials contained in your Sequim Gazette are important to us and to your fellow readers. Thus our rules relating to letters submitted for publication are relatively simple.
• Letters are welcome. Letters exceeding 250 words are returned to the writer for revision. We strive to publish all letters.
• Letters are subject to editing for spelling and grammar; we contact the writer when substantial changes are required, sending the letter back to the writer for revisions. Personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are not printed.
• All letters must have a valid signature, with a printed name, address and phone number for verification. Only the name and town/community are printed.
• Deadline for letters to appear in the next publication is noon Friday. Because of the volume of letters, not all letters are published the week they are submitted. Time-sensitive letters have a priority.
• Letters are published subject to legal limitations relating to defamation and factual representation.
• To submit letters, deliver to 147 W. Washington St., Sequim; mail to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim, WA 98382; fax to 360-683-6670 or e-mail news@sequimgazette.com.