Letter to Community Development Services

As an observer of Growth Management in Washington state since it was passed into law thirty-three years ago, I cannot recall a more egregious example of the intentional subversion of both the letter and spirit of the law by a city than what has transpired in Blaine. Not only did Community Development Services (CDS) fail to convene public participation--as required by law--in deciding how to go about creating a new economic development plan for downtown, but they also predetermined the desired outcome in cahoots with developers.

My Comprehensive Plan Timeline might help you in comprehending the mess you find yourselves in. As I noted in my post Culture of Exclusion, "The significant changes to zoning and development regulations by Blaine City Council—absent from public participation—a​re not just ten-year updates to our comprehensive plan, cumulatively they are a once-in-a-century major makeover of our community. Expediting planning amendments by resolution to build momentum absent public participation is contrary to the law."

Over the last nine months, I have sent dozens of letters to Blaine City Council and CDS on Growth Management issues, with an emphasis on encouraging public participation--to no avail. In my August 10, 2023, Letter to the Editor at The Northern Light, I discussed the implosion of CDS in the aftermath of the downtown zoning fiasco, and the need for public participation as required under Growth Management to get the city on track. My January 11, 2024, letter to the editor at The Northern Light elaborates.

Having read the January 15, 2024, Key Recommendations to Blaine City Council from Glen Pentland--former member of the Downtown Advisory Committee--I am appalled at the official misconduct by CDS that led to a corrupt and illegal recommendation by the Downtown Advisory Committee to the planning commission regarding parking requirements and building heights. Rather than have a public discussion about how to conduct the planning process, CDS rigged the game. 

Sadly, no one in city government seems the least bit concerned about following the law as they know from experience that people in Blaine go along to get along, living in fear of retaliation. 

Going along to get along is how city government corruption continues in Blaine. I refuse to live in fear, but many people prefer that to exercising their duties as citizens. Keeping quiet about wrongdoing out of fear of retribution is common, speaking out overcomes fear. It all depends on how committed one is to democratic values. You can learn more in my letter to the county prosecutor.

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