The forum will begin by allowing a representative from each "side" of this issue present their positions, with a Q&A period for residents following. Please come with your questions in hand.

Tom Beckwith, the City's consultant on Sultan's Comp Plan, will review the responses he's prepared on behalf of the City to comments received on the Draft EIS comp plan. (see a link to our front page for these responses, as well as written comments on our 2003 comp plan page link at the top of our home page).

Based on a quick review of the City's responses to comments, it's clear that many issues raised in the comments on the Plan are being white-washed and/or watered down, especially those related to the "public" process, as well as ecologically sensitive areas of Sultan and its current and possible UGA.

Dr. Hines, head of the Snohomish County Health Department, will be on hand at 6:00 pm to present a "workshop" on infectious diseases.

Our contention on this 5-year-old plat (it was approved by Council July 30, 1998) is that it expired August 1, 2001. No extension was ever granted. The sewer and water connections were done several years ago, and recent work has begun again, without this extension. (And to those who argue state law prevails in this case, which grants a five-year plat "life", we direct them to state and Sultan code law that states that, in this case, Sultan code will prevail.

Also, despite our public information requests to obtain copies of the building permits that were issued, copies inspection/approval reports on sewer/water hook-ups and documentation on all fees paid on this project, the city has thus far stonewalled us. (See our Land Use page for a link to the Broughton Formal Plat for other specific details on this plat.)

A "council workshop" was held April 23^rd on how the landowner/developer-hopefuls can obtain water (and sewer shortly thereafter) along 132^nd Street. Primary movers and shakers for these improvements are Bert Arndt, Margaret Skogland and Planning Commissioner Tom Green. The workshop was a surprise, since the council had rejected the Berryman & Henigar design work contract during their December 18, 2002 meeting. But when a landowner begins to "smell the green" (and we DON'T mean this in an environmental context!), it's like trying to slow an elephant stampede. The City obtained a $1 million loan approximately three years ago for this work, which is tied into the Sultan-and-eastward PUD line improvement, yet the council has never approved a route for the water line, despite the presentation of several alternatives during a September, 2002 water workshop. The sensible method, one would think, would be to use the current route from the water treatment plant on 124^th that travels southward to the sewage plant, then eastward.

It's difficult to determine how much of this $1 million loan the city has already spent, although we know for certain that, for starters, Berryman & Henigar was paid almost $50,000 for preliminary work on this project between late December, 2000 and June 1, 2001, with considerable work and workshops on this subject since then. Added to any guesstimate one might arrive at for their services alone, is a $200,000-plus amount to install a PRV (Pressure Release Value) station along Sultan Basin Road just north of 132^nd last year (we do not recall any council approval on this project or contract, but it might have simply skipped our notice, or approval may not have been required; we do not know for certain, but believe approval was required.). This new PRV was to replace the "old" one at SBR/138^th Street, but the reasons for a newer, larger one are unclear.

(And, oh, and while we're talking about 138^th Street, has anyone considered the possibly more cost-effective alternative of improving 138^th street with a sewer line to enhance the already-existing water line along that un-improved road, and securing easements by which to access the southern end of properties of owners wishing to develop their land? This would not help property owners on the north side of 132^nd Street, but it should be far less expensive alternative for those located on the south side.)

Whatever happens, property owners wishing to develop will not be content with water only. They must also have a sewer line installed along 132^nd or they won't be able to develop. The estimate for both water and sewer lines to supply the North Wagley area (as of mid-summer 2001 owner workshop), was $3.5 million.

One more thing while we're on this subject…We heard through the grapevine that the Grange was reserved for a meeting between North Wagley Creek owners and the development firm, Barclays North early in the week of April 27^th. Now, I wonder what that was all about….?

This land will obviously be developed at some point, but why is the City and landowners pushing so hard to make a decision on this NOW, with Sultan's General Comprehensive Plan still -- as Planner Rick Cisar would say -- "a work in process"? Under any growth alternative, the city's sewer plant is rated for a population maximum of 4,819. The plant's design flows were based on historical data for 1,504 people in 1994, and used a figure of 100 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) for residential, "with no separate allowance for commercial and industrial connections." Also, any future commercial/industrial/retail growth would be of similar type that existed during the design (1997/1998). I think we can all agree that that assumption was foolish. (A bit of amusing historical perspective contained within Sultan's "Preliminary Engineering Report" attached to the Rural Business Enterprise Grant for LID 97-1, wherein it stated, "No major construction problems are anticipated…" but, "It will be essential to complete construction along the Wagley Creek alignment before the rainy season starts in the fall…." because of possible permit violations in wetlands and stream buffers. The bottom line is, with so many long-time landowners desiring to develop their property now, shouldn't we let the comp plan guide us before we dive into any expensive, long-term projects and before we're fully aware of the long-term cost-benefit ratios (ballpark, at the very least) for each project?

Enjoy your week,

Loretta Storm

(Co-founder, G.R.I.T.)

360-793-6683