Back To Issuing Updates. We evidently missed a busy week in Illahee while on vacation. From the emails the bulk of the efforts were planning for the upcoming Timbers Edge Hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2008. We will try to quickly catch up on what is happening. There was also an Illahee Community Plan meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 that took place. We will cover the Plan in a later update.
Request for a Continuance DENIED. On August 15, 2008, the community appealed the SEPA mitigated determination of non-significance (MDNS) and also requested on continuance based on the unavailability of expert witnesses. In spite of the County Code allowing for continuances, the request was denied and because "Both the Department of Community Development (DCD) and the project applicant strongly object to the continuance and desire the case proceed to hearing as scheduled." The examiner in denying the request will keep the record open and allow for written testimony/reports
Editorial Comment. It is interesting that in a complex project like this that DCD, the people we pay to make sure projects are done right, strongly objected to the Illahee Community's request to have expert testimony at the hearing.
Request for a New Hearing Date DENIED. On August 22, 2008, the community sent in a "Motion To Dismiss Hearing" based on the fact the County failed to properly post legal notice of the hearing. The county published the notice in the Port Orchard Independent, but not in the Bremerton Patriot or the CK Reporter, the two papers of general circulation in Illahee. The request was clearly written and is attached as a pdf file.
Editorial Comment. This seems to us a clear cut legal requirement was not followed. It is interesting that the county produced a 38 page staff report quoting Kitsap County Code, but when the code is quoted back to them by the community, it is ignored, and the motion was DENIED.
Hearing Preparations. We are trying to wade through numerous emails from citizens trying to prepare for the hearing in the absence of expert testimony on some crucial topics. We have heard that several experts will be available on other issues. We will provide more information as it becomes available to us.
Community Representation is Requested. This is late notice for many on our email list. The hearing is tomorrow, Thursday, August 28, 2008, at 9 am in the Commissioners Chambers in the new county administration building. As many people as possible are hoped to be in attendance. You will have an opportunity to speak, for or against, with no time limit being imposed. We heard the community response is going to organized by topics, such as transportation, sewers, storm water, etc, so a person can speak on whatever topic or topics they wish.
Jim Aho
Where the hell is our County Commisioner Josh Brown?? Shouldn't he be helping us here? What is he being paid to do? Sit around like a lump?
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