Field Trip to County Council
Joan Smith | Published on 9/4/2024
On August 19th, in lieu of a Kayak Point field trip, I asked members to join me at the public hearing of the Snohomish County Council on the adoption of the Urban Tree Canopy Policy as well as other portions of the Comprehensive Plan for 2024. The importance of a League presence at this meeting cannot be understated! Kate Lunceford and Karen Crowley strongly defined the League positions on the adoption of the Policy as well as holding firm on the expansion of the Urban Growth Area. I also had the opportunity to let our views from the Natural Resources Committee be known, although I did not speak with the authority of the League, but rather as a citizen. Having Julie Martinson present from our committee bolstered our view.
Uplifting in what was a lengthy meeting were the many views expressed by local citizens. This is an experience for all members! Heartening, of course, were the number of views similar to the League’s coming from the Pilchuck-Audubon Society, but also other less “group connected” individuals. Increasingly clear is how significant an understanding of the new county zoning maps is. Painful testimony came from the Monroe City Council about injustice being done in their area; others spoke about Maltby and the area surrounding a new Everett High School. Crafting a plan for county development that will guide the next twenty years required far reaching details. Puzzling was the responsibility felt for getting those details out to the citizens. Has it been done as well as possible?
On a final note, I left with a smile on my face as the voices for passing the Urban Tree Canopy Policy came across strongly!
You can find a recording of this meeting on the Snohomish County Council website