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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 27, 2005
| Contact: |
Diane
Oberquell,
Thurston
County
Commission Chairman, 360-786-5440 |
|
Bob Macleod,
Thurston
County
Commissioner, 360-786-5440 |
|
Cathy Wolfe,
Thurston
County
Commissioner, 360-786-5440 |
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Don
Krupp, Chief Administrative Officer, 360-786-5440 |
Commissioners
Ask Reconsideration of Growth Management Ruling
OLYMPIA
– Thurston County Commissioners have asked the State Growth Management
Hearings Board to reconsider a ruling made earlier this month, that declared
the county out of compliance with some parts of the state Growth Management
Act. (GMA) The hearings board for
Western Washington
ruled that the county’s urban growth areas near the cities were too large,
that the county’s rural zoning was not varied enough and that more
agricultural lands needed to be set aside.
Thurston Commission Chairman Diane Oberquell says there
are grounds for reconsideration. “We
have been a statewide leader in efforts to encourage logical and orderly
growth that allows for expansion while doing the most to protect the
environment. The decision issued
by the Growth Management Hearings Board acknowledges that
Thurston
County
achieves the goals of the Growth Management Act in creative and impressive
ways.”
Commissioner Cathy Wolfe agrees that the county
has done a good job managing growth but understands that the hearings board
decision may mean more work lies ahead. “I
feel we need
to work with the state to clarify some issues.
For example, there may be discrepancies in population forecasts and
inventories of land available for building that need to be reevaluated.”
Until the issues are worked out, a majority of
the board of county commissioners has declared a moratorium on new
subdivisions. Commissioner Bob
Macleod says the temporary ban is a reasonable response to something the
county has no control over. “The
Growth Management Hearings Board has directed the county to make major changes
in zoning that would impact all of the citizens of the county and many
property owners and developers. None
of us likes moratoriums but this gives us time to consider all the options,
including a potential court appeal, without a huge rush of folks trying to
file subdivision applications.”
Commissioner Diane Oberquell supports the
petition for reconsideration but opposes the moratorium.
The moratorium on new subdivisions is set to last
six months. A public hearing will
be held within 60 days. County
officials say the ban may be adjusted or lifted early depending on progress
with the state in reaching an agreement.
County
Administrator
Don Krupp says county staff work will be realigned to ensure that work on the
GMA issues is a top priority. “We
will have to cut back on some planning projects in order to make this happen,
but it is necessary to do this. Deciding
where growth will happen and where it will not is always a very sensitive
issue. We will work closely with
county residents, our city partners and with the state to ensure that what
comes out of this process is as fair and equitable to everyone as possible and
best balances growth with environmental protection.”
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