Local council does well while County Council needs change

Record Editorial

Last week was an interesting week for Valley residents with regards to councils. First the Metropolitan King County Council. In a 7-6 vote, land rights for county residents took a nose dive. The council, touting best available science and fish habitat preservation, passed the highly questionable Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). The CAO, the name for a group of ordinances that restrict the amount of property a landowner can develop and set stream setbacks among other things, is another example of the county run amuck under it’s current leader Ron Sims.

Property rights organizations are lining up to take a shot at overturning the county’s land grab, and let’s not forget that an initiative could make short work of Sims’ work. When we did a story about the CAO we had to go outside the Valley to find an affected property owner that agreed with the proposed regulations. Yes, there were vocal local proponents, but none were impacted by the proposed regulations. If the CAO is allowed to stand, the only type of housing developments built in East King County will be large, planned unit developments such as Snoqualmie Ridge. Large developers will be the only ones that can afford to set aside large portions of their land.

But the bigger question is this, if the goal is to preserve the environment and help fish habitat, why are the rural county property owners bearing the bulk of the new regulations impacts? Fair is fair and if the county had taken into account a true desire to preserve the environment, all landowners would have the same regulations.

If you feel this county regulation unfairly targets your property rights, then get involved. There are several organizations that provide information. Search the Internet for property rights in King County. I realize that, in writing, the latter it is an oxymoron. It is also likely that a referendum will be created and that will be in need of both volunteers and signatures.

On a final note about the county, it will take a change in elected officials to keep rural areas from becoming the poster child for urban officials. We desperately need a county executive and their staff that will treat all areas of the county equally and limit the burden that rural county residents pay relative to urban residents.

On another note, the Snoqualmie City Council should be applauded for their decision to select Charles Peterson, former Snoqualmie mayor, to the council. His experience and no-nonsense approach to issues will make a cohesive council even stronger. Local government experience is an important element of the decision-making process and Mr. Peterson brings a wealth of such experience to the table. Kudos to the Snoqualmie City Council.