I am one of the lucky ones notified of a planned 479,200-square-foot warehouse located on 40 acres on 199th Street and Northeast 10th Avenue. It seems it is customary for our county planners to notify the neighbors within 300 feet of a planned site plan and not only that but be given two weeks to voice comments about the planned project.
Something seems quite fishy when you submit questions before the end of the public comment time period and receive the notice that the planner is out of the office for an additional week. Is this a done deal then? Why is the area to be notified only 300 feet?
We already have a warehouse and business building on the opposite side of the road on 199th Street that is mostly finished. Most of us on the north side were not notified of this building, as we are not within the 300 feet area to be notified.
Our county seems to be on a runaway notion that what they think should happen is good for the area and the developers and the residents be damned. The traffic impacts will already be horrific in this area with the 400 unit apartment complex to the east of 179th Street and close to 400 unit homes on 11th and 179th. The roads from the 179th Street freeway exit are deplorable with much needed repairs. Just imagine what it will be like once these additional homes are completed and supposed roundabouts are placed on 179th Street, which is the poor man’s way to traffic control. More trucks/cars for warehouses and business buildings and just imagine throwing the safety issues in the mix, the partially manned fire station on 179th Street, Gee Creek Waterways close to the planned building area, narrow roads with partially completed sidewalks and bicycle areas from the planned buildings.
The elementary school on the west side of the freeway on 199th Street will be impacted as well for bus routes, parent drop-offs and pick-ups. All this equates to “wow.”
Since when does our county decide on these things without reasonable public notice and input? This proposed project alone impacts more than us that are within a 300 foot range area. Don’t you agree? I believe this project needs another look at all the impacts to the area and letting all residents know about it since it impacts us all.
Karen Levens,
Ridgefield
