Disqus - Latest Comments for Orcaman

Re: County to move ahead with commercial-only LAMIRD - Islands' Sounder

Orcaman — Sun, 17 May 2009 00:13:56 -0000

Colin,
After looking over the complexity of the Olga Hamlet Plan I got an idea of where you are taking us in our meetings. I know I am not a planner but it seems this sort of planning is rather cumbersome for our situation. After all this is only 5 lots we are talking about. The lots are already developed with their commercial use while existing in a rural residential area. They are obviously not conforming to the rest of the neighborhood. You as a planner know of these things but for me when I read the following definition everything seemed to make sense.

Nonconforming

Continuing use of real property, permitted by zoning ordinances, in a manner in which other similar plots of land in the same area cannot ordinarily be used.
Most municipal governments have enacted zoning ordinances that regulate the development of real estate within the municipality. The municipality is divided into zoning districts that permit a particular use of property: residence, business, or industry. Within these three main types of zoning districts, population density and building height may also be restricted. Zoning attempts to conserve the value of property and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout a particular locality.
When zoning is established, however, the ordinance cannot eliminate structures already in existence. Thus, if a district is zoned residential, the corner grocery store and neighborhood service station become nonconforming use sites. These businesses may remain even though they do not fit the predominant classification of real property in the zoning district.

I hear the county has lost some staff recently including a senior planner. You must be very busy picking up the slack. I just don’t understand why you would want to go through the complex process that Olga went through when we are only dealing with 5 lots. If you are concerned about the rights of these property owners I’m sure if we are careful we can avoid removing any rights they may have. From the above definition I see that it is not at all unusual for gas stations and corner grocery stores to be given the non-conforming designation.
Four of these lots are fully developed. If they wish to add on or change in the future the variance process is available for them to try. The Barn Storage lot has a commercial use in one small corner. In order not to “take” future development rights from this owner while preserving the character of the neighborhood I propose the county allow the subdivision of this lot to create a 5 acre residential lot and an acre lot for the non-conforming commercial use. This property owner has been planning to subdivide this lot and has already purchased a 2nd water membership.
All five lots under consideration can then be zoned residential non-conforming use. The whole neighborhood can then continue on as a rural residential (R-5) neighborhood and we are done. Simple, saves you time, saves the county money, accomplishes the desires of the majority of owners and residents and preserves the current level of commercial activity for the surrounding communities. It also allows, through the variance process, the opportunity for growth or change of use.
The sewer district has declared that it is not financially feasible to extend their sewer line to only five lots so the LAMIRD designation is not a requirement.
Please find attached a map of the proposed non-conforming use lots and some information I gleaned from the internet about non-conforming use.
Thanks,
Chris

Re: Orcas Library postpones possible expansion - Islands' Sounder

Orcaman — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:28:48 -0000

I applaud this responsible action on the part of the library board. I hope the school district will likewise drop their bid for a new school. Also it would be prudent for the ESWD to slow down on their plans for expansion. HEY, YOU INSULATED RICH GUYS WITH NOTHING BETTER TO DO BUT SIT ON THESE BOARDS, EASE UP ON REGULAR FOLKS. WE ARE HURTING DOWN HERE IN THE REAL WORLD! It's nice you can make good plans for the future and all but now may not be the best time to shove them down our throats. Slow down take a breath. Give it 5 years and see what happens.

Re: Clear choice for Country Corner LAMRID - Islands' Sounder

Orcaman — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:01:43 -0000

Storm water in San Juan County is now a big problem. Storm water does not have a chance to soak into the ground where it falls. The ground may be sloped so the storm water runs off without soaking in. The ground may have clay in it so the water runs off. The ground may have been covered with some impervious surface such as roads, parking lots, roofs, or any area where the vegetation has been removed and the ground is compacted by foot or vehicle traffic.
Storm water is more of a problem now than it used to be because of the increased development in recent years. Mountains where the ground is sloped shed storm water at a much higher rate than other areas. Add developments to a mountain and you have compounded the problem. The areas most affected by storm water runoff from mountains are the flat areas at the base of the mountains.
No where in San Juan County has as much development occurred on the side of a mountain than the west side of Buck Mountain. The flat area at the base of this runoff producing development is the neighborhood now being considered for more intense development.
The folks who live in this neighborhood deal with the flooding and excess water the best they can. They feel that continuing to compound this problem by removing vegetation and adding more impervious area and increased intense commercial development is impractical and irresponsible.
The option of having no LAMIRD in this area at this time is a responsible way to manage growth because it would require the area to be zoned R-5. Existing businesses would be allowed to operate at present levels. Once the storm water issues on Buck Mountain have been mitigated this issue could be revisited. Right now, from the storm water perspective alone, the responsible path to take is to stop more intense development in this area.
NOPE ( Neighbors Organized to Protect our Environment)

Re: EWSD sets the record straight EWSD sets the record straight - Islands' Sounder

Orcaman — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:54:33 -0000

First let me include my original letter:
I have been researching a conspiracy theory about Country Corner Laundromat that is being passed around. I am writing this letter to let everyone know that it is not true! Country Corner did not start the global economic meltdown to divert attention from the fact that they wish to have a sewer line run to their store and that every one else in their neighborhood will have to pay to hook up to it.
Once again, do not believe this rumor as Country Corner is completely innocent in this matter and has been completely open about how they would bring in a sewer line, (that would require nearly 50 of their neighbors to have to pay at least $6000 and perhaps as much as $12000 each), to help them run their commercial enterprise.
Nope, no conspiracy here. Although for awhile there, it felt like something was going on but I’m sure it was somebody else that started that global economic meltdown thing. Not Country Corner, they wouldn’t do anything that big.

Now I will reply to ESWD letter "setting the record crooked"

I have been accused by ESWD of writing a letter to the editor about a “nefarious” scheme by Country Corner. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact my letter said, “Country Corner is completely innocent and has been completely open”. ESWD pointed out in their letter that they have been planning for years to extend the sewer line to the Country Corner area. The rules and money have prevented them from doing it so far. They must follow a preset path in order to extend the sewer line.
There are two options available to them; 1.) They must show proof of a health concern or environmental damage. 2.) A LAMIRD must be created and then a developer with money within the LAMIRD must ask for the line to be brought in.
ESWD cannot use option one because there is no proof. ( Proof is hard to come by when there is no evidence) ESWD is pursuing option two and so far they have two of their ducks in a row; They have a developer who will request that the line be brought in. The developer will provide the initial funds required to bring in the line after which he will be reimbursed by subsequent hook ups. All that is needed now for ESWD to proceed is the creation of the LAMIRD.
Is this a nefarious plot? It might seem so to people in the neighborhood but it is the process by which ESWD hopes to be able to extend the sewer line and complete the plans that they formed long ago. This process is not yet complete. In a poll of lot owners within the Lamird area 80% rejected the LAMIRD. Planner Colin Maycock said, ”This isn’t about what I want to do, it needs to be what the neighborhood wants.”
ESWD has two options; 1.) Get proof that their line is needed for some other reason than to facilitate the expansion of commercial interests, or 2.) Wait 5 or so years and try to create a LAMIRD again. Will they still have a developer with money then?
How long does Country Corner want to truck their laundry waste to the ESWD treatment plant every day? Is ESWD giving Country Corner special consideration to encourage them to be the developer with the money? Why are we being required to hook up now, five years before ESWD told the Dept of Ecology on their plan update that we would be? ESWD is looking at this neighborhood to be a cash cow and hopes to charge us for services we do not require. While some might consider that nefarious, ESWD and Country Corner probably consider it to be fortuitous. Chris Butler 376-6468

Re: No decision in sight for County Corner LAMIRD - Islands' Sounder

Orcaman — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:51:49 -0000

Good story Colleen. However I would have liked it better if the first paragraph was stated in a more accurate way such as: " 80% of property owners would prefer it stay just the way it is, while several business owners the ESWD and some planners from Eastsound see it as a new commercial hub and activity center to be used by Eastsound."
Just a couple of other things: The primary disadvantage of hooking up to ESWD maybe the the cost for lower income people ( prorated or whatever it still comes to about $100 a month) but for many of the people living in million dollar homes in the area it is a quality of life issue. Would you want to own a million dollar home in a light industrial area?
Also you said, ESWD would require homeowners to hook up if certain criteria were met. Fact is if ESWD brings the line in they plan to hook up everyone no matter what because that is their policy.
You might have added that if the LAMIRD is not created the area will be zoned R-5 effectively preventing any more growth, preventing pollution of the aquifer, and making the need for a sewer nonexsistant except for commercial concerns who want to bring in more traffic, noise and other sources of pollution. Not to mention stormwater runoff.

Re: Letters – April 8 edition - Islands' Sounder

Orcaman — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:41:41 -0000

I have been accused by ESWD of writing a letter to the editor about a “nefarious” scheme by Country Corner. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact my letter said, “Country Corner is completely innocent and has been completely open”. Actually Country Corner is only a pawn in their game. ESWD pointed out in their letter that they have been planning for years to extend the sewer line to the Country Corner area. What has been preventing them from doing it so far? The rules and money have been in their way. As much as ESWD claims to be above the rules, they are not. They must follow a preset path in order to extend the sewer line into our area. There are two options available to them; 1.) They must show proof of a health concern or environmental damage. 2.) A LAMIRD must be created and then a developer with money within the LAMIRD must ask for the line to be brought in.

ESWD cannot use option one because there is no proof. ( Proof is hard to come by when there is no problem) ESWD is pursuing option two and so far they have two of their ducks in a row; They have a developer who will request that the line be brought in. The developer will provide the initial funds required to bring in the line ( he will be reimbursed later when you and I are hooked up). All that is needed now for ESWD to proceed is the creation of the LAMIRD. Is this a nefarious plot? Maybe not but it is the process by which ESWD hopes to be able to extend the sewer line and complete their plans that they formed long ago. This process is not yet complete. If we can stop the LAMIRD ESWD will have to follow option one and get proof that their line is needed here for some other reason than to facilitate the expansion of commercial interests in the area. Their other option would be to wait 5 or so years and try to create a LAMIRD again. Will they still have a developer with money then? Who knows? How long does Country Corner want to haul their laundry waste to the ESWD plant? (That sounds a little nefarious). Is ESWD giving Country Corner special consideration to encourage them to be the developer with the money? While we might consider that nefarious I’ll bet ESWD and Country Corner consider it to be fortuitous.