Saturday Election Update

Jeff Wilmot continues to be 14 votes ahead of Craig Carter for Fire District Commissioner.  According to the Secretary of State's office (Washington State), "Mandatory recounts are required if the difference between the two candidates concerned is less than ½ of one percent and less than 2000 votes. "

Since there are only a total of 386 votes cast so far, and since it is a difference of 52% to 48%, there would not be a required mandatory recount.  A candidate can request a recount, but he/she has to pay a fixed cost per vote in order to have it conducted.  

Election News Revisited

The most recent Whatcom County Auditor figures show Jeff Wilmott ahead of Craig Carter by 195 to 183.  Could certainly change again, but the next ballot count will be posted late tomorrow afternoon.  (Today, it was posted at 5:30 pm, I thin.)

Seabright Farms Hearing: Review by Ed

Ed Park of Getthewholepicture's Bellingham Bureau filed this special news report on November 7, 2013.  He reports on the public hearing concerning development plans for Seabright Farms.

                                  Council Chambers, Whatcom County Courthouse, November 6, 2013

The public was heard, formally, under oath, Wednesday, in Bellingham, regarding the proposed development of Seabright Farms at Lily Point.  To what effect?  I would guess the answer is "precious little."

Most of the public testimony (mine included) was about what we, the public, want -- wetlands, trails, eagles, trees, setbacks.  For example: "We love the APA maple canopy, and want it protected."  For the most part, Michael Bobbink, the hearing examiner listened patiently to the testimony, but he occasionally interrupted to explain how things really work.

How things work is like this: State and County codes place numerous requirements and prohibitions on the developer.  If plans for the proposed development follow all of the dos and don'ts, the hearing examiner will (must) approve the plans.  If a staff report or public testimony convinces the examiner that the plans are out of compliance with one or more of the requirements, the examiner will order changes to bring them into compliance.

However, testimony like the following has no force: "The plans show drainfields just south of APA Road.  To construct the drainfields, all the trees in those areas must be cut down.  When the trees are cut down, the canopy trees immediately adjacent to APA will be exposed to strong southerly winds and will likely blow down in a big storm.  We want the canopy trees protected."

That testimony just begs the question "Is there anything in the code to prohibit the developer from cutting down those trees?  If so, cite the code section and convince me that the plans are out of compliance.  Otherwise, I have no choice but to approve the developers' plans."

Fortunately, in this instance, the developer shares our love of the canopy and is actively investigating ways to relocate the drainfields away from APA.  But it appears that it's all up to him to do what he chooses to do; the public has no standing to request things that are not already required by code.

If the hearing examiner's ruling ends up being reviewed by the Whatcom County Council, public opinion may carry more weight in that more-political forum.

There may be a lesson here for opponents of the proposed radio towers on MacKenzie Road.  Most of the arguments against the towers seem to be of the form "We think they will be harmful, and we don't want them built."  My experience in Bellingham yesterday makes me think such arguments are unlikely to carry much weight.

The final ruling from the Hearing Examiner on Seabright will be issued next Friday.

Community Center Levy Passes

And it passed handily with an overwhelming majority.  Good work, voters!

At the Fire District, Stan Riffle appears to have defeated Rob Dean, but Jeff Wilmot is within 4 votes of Craig Carter.  Next County Auditor count is 3:30 pm tomorrow.  Usually, it takes a week or two before they issue a final tally.

Correction: I must have misread the number 40 for the number 49, because wilmot is behind by 13 votes not 4 votes.  Very sorry about that.  I'll update after 4:00 pm.  

Update, 11/7, 5:20:  The new count still has Carter ahead, but now by 14 votes, 151-165.

Seabright Farms Hearing Examiner Hears and Examines Tomorrow/November 6

It's going to be down in Bellingham and there will certainly be a contingent of local people (mostly from the Conservation Society, I'd guess) who will be hoping that the outcome leans toward the conservation side rather than the development side.

I was surprised to hear that the project is proposing a full 62-lot project, because it appeared that providing septic systems for that many houses would be problematic.  But perhaps they have a solution that the Hearing Examiner (HE) will be able to live with.

Most people here, I think, are primarily concerned about the preservation of the tree canopy.  There is talk of a conservation easement on the APA side of the property that would preserve the maples, but perhaps not the smaller trees and brush behind them.  Although there is also talk of the developers being willing to plant new conifers in the space where the smaller trees will be removed.

Nevertheless, there is a big area at the northeast corner of the property, alongside APA, where the developer's maps show drainfields for septic.  It appears from the map that all that area will be cleared to within 20 feet of the road.  That would destroy most or all of the canopy along almost half of the development's frontage on APA.

We've marked the developer's map to show the drainfields in blue, backyard areas subject to clearing by the new property owners in green, and in red, a 125- foot conservation easement that could prevent tree and habitat destruction within its boundaries.

It's never been clear to me how much local desires are to be taken into account when dealing with private property.  This is a country that gives great reverence to doing what you want on private property as long as you meet whatever regulation exists and those on the property consent.  (Well, not so big on private property when it's peoples' bodies, maybe.)  So, sometime after tomorrow we'll see where we are.  But I do hope that the houses that may be built there will be safely out of view of those who drive by under the canopy and that the overarching, continuous maple canopy will be preserved for all of us, including people who move into the development.  They would surely not want to see its loss, any more than those of already living here want to see it.

Bring Back the 60's: Demonstration in P.R.!

Here is the word from the group that is organizing against the radio towers planned for Point Roberts:

"December 1st, 2013, at 12:00, high noon.  This means we are assembled along the streets at 12:00 pm so when the TV camera come we are ready for them.  This entire event should take about an hour.  Your job is to make the crowd look monstrous."

This demonstration is to be held on the shoulder of Tyee, beginning at McKenzie (first street to the west, south of the border).  Maybe wear tie-dye?  I guess bring signs.

REMEMBER TO VOTE

You need to do it right away if you haven't already.  Just a kindly reminder from your kindly blogger.

And please vote for the park and rec district bond levy so that the community center can get fixed for us and for the next generation...