In a community our size, the location and scale of any given industry matter. We have before us the possibility of a large-scale marijuana manufacturing operation in the biggest building on our island and in a spot that could hardly be more high-profile. This is a watershed moment for our island. It’s important that we think hard about it. That we discuss it. That we vet the implications, the pros and cons, the full meaning of this.
And fortunately, thanks to our town plan, we have that opportunity. Our town plan, crafted by hundreds of islanders over the course of a multi-year process, is one of those defining documents in a region known for good government and citizen engagement. Even though we’re not really a town— and perhaps because we’re in unincorporated King County where our government effectively sits a ferry ride away — county officials realized some time ago that we needed a more direct say in our destiny. So in 1996, the Vashon Town Plan came into being, a document that lists what can and cannot happen within the boundaries of an area defined for land-use and planning purposes as the Vashon Town.
And it’s no small matter. When our town plan — and those of others — became law, the ordinance made clear the meaning. “The Vashon Town Plan Area Zoning … is adopted as the official zoning control for that portion of unincorporated King County,” according to Ordinance 12824. The King County Council passed it with an 11-2 vote in July of 1997.
Pot production, the infusion of THC into cakes, cookies and candies, and the wholesale or retail distribution of commercially produced recreational marijuana were not among the uses listed in our town plan. Little wonder. It was illegal in 1996. Now, county officials have proposed that our town plan be changed. Under their proposed amendment, “recreational marijuana growing, processing and retail uses” would be added to our town plan. And they want to forward that amendment to the King County Council by March 3, after one public meeting for which the community received a 12-day notice. In government, that’s a remarkably fast pace and very little notice. It’s how zoning happens in some of the darker corners of our country. It’s not how we expect it to happen here.
Some of us are making a simple request to county officials. We’re asking that they push the pause button. Give us some time to figure out what this might mean for our community. Let us go through the process that we have every reason to expect when a significant change to our town plan is under consideration.
The off-island investors who want to buy the K2 building want the amendment to move forward quickly. It’s understandable. There’s a lot of money to be made in this new market, and getting in on the ground floor is a huge advantage to them. But those of us who live on Vashon have had to work within the dictates of the town plan for years. So, too, should this handful of investors.
A public meeting to discuss the county’s proposed amendment will be held tonight at McMurray Middle School. We’ll have a petition on hand that will ask simply this: Push the pause button. Give us some time. This is a matter we, as a community, need to discuss.
Steve Abel
Tom Bardeen
Craig Beles
Leslie Brown
Amy Carey
Jeff Hoyt
Kevin Joyce
Yvonne Kuperberg
Bill Moyer
Todd Pearson
John Runyan
Merrilee Runyan
Edie Ulatoski
Joe Ulatoski
Kari Ulatoski
Greg Wessel
