Dear King County Council members:

As a Redmond Ridge father of two elementary school kids, I am writing to express my strong opposition to and demand a “no” vote to zoning ordinance 2013-0472, scheduled for hearing and vote tomorrow (1:30 p.m., public hearing start time, at the King County Courthouse, Room 1001 – 10th floor – 516 Third Ave., Seattle. People can sign up to speak for up to two minutes. Comments may also be submitted to council@kingcounty.gov.).

I appreciate that the ordinance validating a proposed marijuana processing facility follows the letter of the law and is compliant with the legal requirement for a 1,000-foot setback from public areas. However, just with all other legislation, I assert that the following two common principles should apply as essential filters in consideration of any legislation:

1. “In best public interest,” i.e. the interests of the people who voted you to make decisions on their behalf and in their best interests and,

2. Common sense, i.e. full consideration of the impacted community’s views and any unintended consequences

As I read with ridicule the proposed legislation granting license to a marijuana processing facility across the street from well-regarded schools and a popular pediatric medical center, I can only assume that most of you on the council have not visited this growing and vibrant community of several thousand single-family homes, two apartment complexes, a retirement community, a golf course, several parks and public trails. Let me take the time to share some basic facts with you!

1. The proposed facility is right across the street from the well-regarded Godard School and Pediatric associates – the popular pediatric medical facility in this area.

2. The well regarded Rosa Parks Elementary school is within close proximity to this proposed facility. This school, which is ranked among the top 10 schools in the state, is bursting at the seams with 800 kids in a school designed for 600, requiring the Lake Washington School District to propose temporary rezoning to relieve pressure as well as a bond measure to construct a second elementary school.

3. The King County – presumably with the knowledge of this council sanctioned a recently completed several-million-dollar multi-year project to add new roads, two traffic circles and widening of the two approach roads into the community, to deal with the growing traffic congestion.

4. The community’s miles of public trails are well used by the thousands of children within the community all through the year. The trails are in fact so well regarded that many friends and family come to use them. Now, here is a fact that you will not know through a cursory glance at Google/Bing maps – one of these well used trails is probably much closer than the required 1,000-foot setback requirement. Does the fact that this trail is not maintained an incorporated city mean, kids using this trail should be at peril?

5. Last but not the least, the average price per square foot in this community has steadily grown to more than $228/square foot in just the last year, way above the state average. Despite the above-average taxes that this community has been sending to the county, public safety is lax, resulting in several well-publicized breakins over the past 18 months. We have had to reduce it mostly through grassroots efforts like community watch. Has this council considered how you would address the impact from increased presence and pass through of individuals under the influence while you have so far not been able to provide protection against the simplest of crimes such as burglary?

Redmond Ridge is a fast-growing community with a population density akin to most suburban King County cities such as Redmond, Bellevue, Sammamish and Kirkland. It is not a rural area with 10-acre primarily farming lots, horses and gravel roads, as you may choose to project to pass this legislation through.

Let me ask you this, would you vote yes to a piece of legislation that puts thousands of kids, the schools, a popular pediatric medical facility and a popular trail at risk in any of these cities? I suspect the answer is “no”! Then why single out Redmond Ridge or any other high-population density area of unincorporated King County, just because it falls in an area of unintended legislative oversight?

As you cast your vote, consider if you would be able to look into the eyes of an elementary school child and tell him/her that he/she cannot walk home alone with his/her friends after school now, or to that stressed parent trying to take their child in distress in to see the doctor – “we cannot guarantee the safety of your car anymore” or to that young family that enjoys a nice trek through the woods all year round that two-thirds of their favorite trail is now off limits to them?

With respect, I submit to you that a marijuana processing and distribution center within a high-density population area such as Redmond Ridge, as this legislation proposes to legalize does not meet the basic tenants of “in best public interest” and “common sense.”

As people’s representatives, I am expecting a unanimous “no” vote from you as it is the only vote that is in the best interest of those that you represent.

Sabrinath Rao, Redmond Ridge resident

Editor’s note: According to Redmond Ridge resident/parent Julianne Bogaty: “The Redmond Ridge community is highly opposed to this issue, which has in only the last couple days generated more public outcry than even the school reboundary or past library closure.”