A public forum, “San Juan County’s Critical Areas: Common Sense and Land Use Regulation,” is Friday — tonight — 5-7 p.m., in Friday Harbor High School’s Turnbull Gym.
The forum is presented by the Common Sense Alliance.
Among the speakers and topics:
— “What You Should Know About the Critical Areas Ordinance/Shoreline Master Plan Updating Process.” Presenter: Timothy P. Blanchard, first vice chairman of the Common Sense Alliance, Orcas Island.
— “Questions on the Integrity of Best Available Science: Is There a Solution Looking for a Problem?” Presenter: Dr. Don Flora, PhD.
— “Give Me One Good Reason: A Presentation on the Precautionary Principle, and Why We Should Reject It.” Presenter: Daniel A. Himebaugh, Pacific Legal Foundation.
— “Now Illegal, but Temporarily Tolerated: Our Homes in the Crosshairs of Non-Conforming/Reasonable Use — It Can Happen Here If We Let It.” Presenter: Dennis Reynolds, DDR Law, Bainbridge Island.
The forum will include questions from the audience.
The Common Sense Alliance has an online library documents related to the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Plan updating process. Visit the Common Sense Alliance website.
The Common Sense Alliance was founded in 2009 “to encourage and assist the San Juan County Council to insure that the proper processes are followed in reviewing the existing ordinance, and to consider thoroughly the many economic impacts upon our citizens and to our community relevant to the little, if any, environmental benefits proposed in the draft Amendments to the CAO.”
Its goals are to educate property owners and elected officials about:
1. How proposed changes to the CAO may affect the use and the value of our properties; and
2. How proposed changes may or may not impact the environment and the economic welfare of our entire county.
The Common Sense Alliance hosted a forum in July 2009 and has participated in county meetings and workshops related to the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Plan.
The Common Sense Alliance’s officers are Mike Carlson, chairman; Tim Blanchard, first vice chairman; Sam Buck, second vice chairman; Alex Gavora, secretary/treasurer. David Cable is executive director; Jane Cable is executive assistant. Directors are Richard Civille, John Evans, Ed Kilduff, John Lackey, Bob Levinson, Gordy Peterson.
