I attended the land use meeting for the new Vashon community plan. I came away scared.

The committee is trying to meet the need for affordable housing here. But the proposals they are considering far exceed the water capacity of this island.

The Vashon Town upzoning proposals on the table would add, at buildout, between 844 and 2,945 new dwelling units. Water District 19, with expected improvements, estimates they could supply 280 new water units. This is a major mismatch.

Water District 19 has attempted to meet water demands by drilling nine deep wells, maximizing creek withdrawals, and implementing steep usage rates. The result: some new water and very high water rates.

Affordable housing, yes. Broad upzoning of Vashon Town, with major impact on water, traffic and livability, no. We have a limited water resource. Upzoning and water degradation are irreversible, and this is how it all starts.

— Frank Jackson