Welcome to Spring, and here at Snohomish County we are off to a busy start to a wonderful season. I hope you and your family are finding ways to get out and enjoy the beautiful parks and recreational areas that make Snohomish County such a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
If you have questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to contact my office using the information located at the bottom of this newsletter.
Panel Discussion
As part of an ongoing effort to gain more insight relating to the Critical Areas Regulation, the County Council hosted a panel of experts to discuss the impacts of development on our critical areas and the importance of critical areas as we continue to grow. The County Council will continue to hold conversations on this topic in the coming months.
Clearwater Commons Tour
Part of my own due diligence in understanding critical areas and their importance has included visiting sites across the county that are directly impacted by critical areas. One site that I visited is called the Clearwater Commons in Bothell, and it is an excellent example of low-impact design near North Creek and adjacent to a wetland site. With its impressive design features and consideration for the natural environment that surrounds it, it was really cool to see the community that Tom Campbell and his wife created there.
Last week, I attended and participated in a community discussion regarding a local zoning issue relating to a cannabis shop. The Clearview community is a great group that genuinely cares about its community, and I'm always so impressed with the turnout at their meetings and the fruitful conversations we have to discuss issues important to their community.
Last month, I met with the City of Brier leadership to connect on updates, opportunities for collaboration, and projects on the horizon. I always greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with the District 4 local leadership. Connecting with our local leaders is a better way to work for our constituency when we have a good working relationship.
Recently, I visited a busy Penny Creek crosswalk with representatives from the City of Mill Creek and WSDOT to evaluate solutions for a precarious crosswalk that elementary students travel through during peak commute hours. I am working with our partners to find a solution that keeps kids safe getting to and from school. Stay tuned for more updates!
On Tuesday, March 18th, the County Council hosted a panel discussion to invite childcare representatives from across the County to discuss the need for childcare and how a streamlined permitting process would improve capacity for childcare in our county. The panel was part of an ongoing effort to create more capacity for affordable childcare in the county. In response to the panel, the Council unanimously passed Ordinance 25-015, co-sponsored by Councilmember Nehring and myself. The ordinance will reduce barriers for providers permitting new facilities.
Earlier this month, I had the great pleasure to visit the Hope Creek Charitable Foundation at the Gold Creek Church. You might remember from earlier newsletters that my office has been doing a lot of work to help support Hope Creek's food bank and backpack program. I am incredibly grateful for the work that Hope Creek and their volunteers do for our community.
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