Relax, be happy.
That’s what the recent “Friends” advertisements in the Journal would have property owners do, as the county deliberates the rewriting of the critical areas ordinance.
Don’t worry if your house or farm is designated “non-conforming” after the new regulations are written. Don’t worry that you may not be able to build your dream home where you wanted it, so that you could enjoy the stunning view that made you say, “This is it!”, when you decided to purchase your piece of paradise years ago.
Don’t worry that you won’t be able to garden or build that necessary tool shed so that you can use your property in ways you have always considered responsible, because you love your land and the environment that brought you here.
Seems the Friends are saying: “why not just relax and enjoy what little you may have left of your diminishing dreams?”
Ah, but don’t be misled. Pay attention to what is going on in your government.
Ask yourself the question: by what authority and/or intimate knowledge do the Friends have about regulations yet unwritten? They must be kidding.
Fact. At this time the county council hasn’t decided upon or implemented any new CAO regulations. The council’s goal is to pass a new CAO in late March, 2012.
As of this writing, the San Juan County Council and the planning commission are engaged in critical deliberations that, ultimately, will determine where you may build and how you may use your property.
New restrictions will be implemented as determined by the size of new buffers to be established around critical areas, as well as the council’s definitions of such terms as, “non-conforming” and “reasonable use.” Contrary to pronouncements by the Friends, the terms of these definitions and restrictions will affect your use and value of your property.
We sincerely hope that the Friends aren’t privy to official information that isn’t available to us ordinary citizens. Otherwise, it seems that they would like us to stay home and blissfully enjoy the ride, while our rights are swept away. Are the Friends really our friends?
Stay informed. Speak your mind.
Dave Cable
San Juan Island
