11/26/08 Letters to the Editor

Law and justice center

To the editor -- Clarification is needed regarding the Nov. 23 letter, "Let's keep the work local."

First, no one knows the final cost of the proposed Yakima County Law and Justice facility.

Second, Yakima County forthrightly advertised proposals from all potential bidders. We did not receive a local bid for consideration. This project is complex and extensive. The selected architectural firm, DLR of Seattle, was selected in part for using the local firms of Traho Architects and PLSA.

Finally, this project has come forth as a result of findings from a 2020 Facilities Task Force comprised of eight independent citizens, including local architects and eight county leaders. This task force convened for nearly two years and was formed in part to avoid the past shortcomings of the Correctional Center on 18th Street (since mitigated). More importantly, the recommendations regarding all county facilities serve as accountability standards for the county commissioners. These recommendations, adopted by commissioner resolution, can not be exceeded without clear justification and a complete public process.

The current Law and Justice facility process has just started. The new BOCC will be extremely diligent in its oversight before any proposal comes before the taxpayer.

This is not a "done deal." Perceptions to the contrary are premature and in error.

MIKE LEITA

Yakima County commissioner

Land-use 'permit creep'

To the editor -- Re: The Nov. 18 article, "Neighbors appeal county OK for all-year gravel crushing." Yakima County Comprehensive Plan 2015, the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance and other ordinances protect you and your land. Rules and regulations are in place, and necessary, to ensure everyone has the same rights for building, business creation and land-use opportunities without infringing on neighbors.

Permits define the specific land use, and limitations, for the zoning area where the land use takes place. These neighbors are having a problem with what might be called "permit creep," meaning an expansion of land-use activities beyond the level and definition of the original permit. If a permit holder wants to alter, exceed or expand the land use beyond the limits of the original permit, a higher level of review and permit must be required. Existing permits are not carte blanche to engage in land-use activities that would have required a higher level permit from the outset.

For Yakima County planners and staff to ignore land-use activities that have exceeded the original permit is irresponsible land-use planning. After all, at the heart of the planning and permit system is protection for the permit holder and, at the same time, to keep improper, nonpermitted land uses from infringing on neighbors.

KAREN MEROLA KRUEGER

Yakima

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