Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 
It is difficult to compartmentalize all of life’s details, especially when the details are regulatory in nature. We were given wisdom in The Federalist #51: If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.
 
The purpose of this e-newsletter is to inform you of your county government’s need for your advisement on consolidating the Comprehensive Plan (the county’s massive land-use plan for your property), 2015-33. This review exercise is required by the Growth Management Act every two years.
 
A series of Community Development Committee hearings will be held in June, each meeting covering specific topics. The schedule is below. I hope you will be able to attend. If not, please send your comments to me or click on the “comment on legislation” button in the ordinance.

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Monday, June 1, 2015 – 1:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – Testimony will only be accepted on the following topics.
Introduction and Overview such as:

• Overview of this 2015 update – Why is the update necessary?  
• Key Growth Management Act requirements – State and regional policies.
• Summary of the Plan Elements.
• Committee Questions.
• Public Comment.

Thursday, June 4, 2015 – 1:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – Testimony will only be accepted on the following topics.
Urban Area Issues such as:

• Urban land use and land use map changes.
• Urban Growth Area sizing and relationship to buildable lands, cities and towns.
• Annexation and potential annexation area policies.
• Economic Development Element.
• Parks, Recreation and Open Space Element.
• Capital Facilities, Transportation, and Utilities Elements.
• Implementing regulations related to urban issues.
• Committee Questions.
• Public Comment.

 
Monday, June 8, 2015 – 5:30 p.m.
HARBOR RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL,  9010 Prentice Ave., Gig Harbor, WA 98332
PUBLIC HEARING – Testimony will only be accepted on the following topics.
Rural Areas and Resource Lands such as:

• Rural land use and map changes.
• Rural commercial areas – Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development (LAMIRDs).
• Resource lands – Forest, Mineral, and Agriculture (including resource land use maps).
• School facility siting in rural areas.
• Detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in rural area.
• Implementing regulations related to rural and resource lands.
• Committee Questions.
• Public Comment.

Monday, June 15, 2015 – 1:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – Testimony will be accepted as follows:

• Committee changes proposed by Committee members (Individual amendments to the Ordinance and Exhibits).

Committee recommendation to the Full Council (The Ordinance and Exhibits as amended).

Sincerely,