Dear Friends,

This email is to share recent information and it requests your attention. 

First, in order to redirect the focus of an airport out of rural Pierce County, we need to support HB 1791. The sponsor is Representative Jake Fey and co-sponsored by Representative Tom Dent. You may recall they attended the grassroots meeting at GKHS last month to share their agreement that an airport in rural Pierce County was not feasible. This new bill puts the state on the right track for analyzing its aviation needs. A very astute constituent just sent this article on infrastructure designs for vertiports. The technology of the future is beyond amazing. It looks rather prophetic.

HB 1791 will be in the House Transportation Committee Thursday, Feb. 16. You can indicate your position here (select transportation, 2/16/23, 4 p.m.) and choose one of four ways to participate—testify in person or remotely, note a pro or con position, or submit written testimony. Your engagement in your government is needed, if not necessary.

Second, on yesterday’s (2/14/23) consent agenda for the 3 p.m. Council meeting was Ordinance 2023-5. This is the amendment that will allow for shared housing villages in the Residential Resource Zone of the Frederickson Community Plan Area, Mid-County Community Plan Area, Parkland-Spanaway-Midland Communities Plan Area, and South Hill Community Plan Area of Unincorporated Pierce County by Amending Title 18A of the Pierce County Code, "Development Regulations - Zoning". Here is the staff report.

As an FYI, the “Consent Agenda” is a list of Council actions that the entire Council agrees with. These actions refer legislation to a future committee meeting, a future date for Council action, or an appointment to a board or commission. The shared housing ordinance was referred to the Community Development Committee, Monday, March 6, at 1:30 p.m., and scheduled for a final vote on Tuesday, March 21 during the 3 p.m. Council meeting.

The amendment to allow shared housing in the Residential Resource zone was reviewed by the Planning Commission. You can find links to their agenda, meeting packet and/or listen to that Planning Commission meeting here in the 2023 Meeting Materials. 

Third, the Pierce County Conservation District is having an election for a new board member. The Conservation District is a special purpose district and responsible for its own elections. You must request a mail-in ballot by February 22 to vote in the election by mail. To learn more about this process or how you can vote in person, click here. 

Sidebar:  I need to correct the record.  Yesterday, after Study Session, we were discussing how we defined “accountability”.  I mentioned the story of a legislator who passed the hat when Congress was asked to fund the building of a barn.  I said Representative D. Boone, and I meant to say Representative D. Crockett.  Here is the story “Not Yours to Give”.

You are the keeper of our Republic. I know it is daunting to filter through the impacts of federal, state and local legislation. It is my goal that you can be better equipped to engage in, or learn about, current issues through these e-letters. 

As always, grateful for you!