| Councilmember Dave Gossett |
September 9, 2008 |
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County Budget |
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"BUDGET TESTIMONY"
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Snohomish County Council
3000 Rockefeller Ave. M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201 |
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Dave Gossett's eNews
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201
Office: 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building
Phone: 425-388-3494
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IMPORTANT MEETING
Preserving Trees &
Improving Urban Design Standards
Snohomish County Council
Wednesday, Oct. 15 - 10:30 AM
Jackson Board Room, 8th Floor
Robert J. Drewel Building (Admin East)
The County Council will hold public hearing Oct. 15 to consider substantial changes to the county's urban residential design standards for developments within unincorporated urban growth boundaries.
Tree Retention
"We need to preserve trees and open space when creating urban neighborhoods," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "Old style developments that often striped the land of most vegetation before construction began took years for new mature growth to return. It doesn't have to be that way if we preserve as many significant trees and open space as possible from the get go."
The proposed ordinance requires that all significant trees (those larger than a 10 inches in diameter) be retained within required landscape areas, critical areas and buffers. Other significant trees on the site must be either retained or replaced. All developments with over seven units must also meet greater open space standards.
Landscaped buffers would also be required between dense and less dense developments.
Improved Home Designs
"Good urban design standards allow new development to better fit into existing neighborhoods," said Gossett. "The garage should not be the dominate feature of the home. Building heights and roof lines should match the existing neighborhood."
The proposed changes allow builders to choose between varieties of features. To reduce the dominance of the garage, design options include placing the garage door to the rear of the house or setting it back from the front facade of the house. Other design features such as porches, cantilevers, dormers, and varied roof heights will also be required to provide variation in home style to create a more appealing neighborhood.
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Reminder!
County Budget Forum Wednesday, Sept. 10
The county council is holding a series of community forums to take public testimony on the council's county budget priorities for the 2009-2010 fiscal biennium.
Residents of the Fourth County Council District are invited to attend and speak at the Sept. 10th forum to be held in Gary Weikel Room at the Willis Tucker Community Park, 6705 Puget Park Drive, east of Mill Creek. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m.
The County Council has identified "Sustaining and Enhancing the Quality of Life for Snohomish County Residents" as the over-arching theme for development of the 2009-2010 budget - emphasizing transportation and infrastructure improvements that will keep the county moving; maintaining safe, healthy and affordable communities; and working to secure the public's trust in its government through the delivery of quality services in a manner that is both fiscally responsible and financially sustainable.
Driving Directions:
Take the 128th Street east from I-5 approximately four miles to Snohomish-Cascade Drive. 128th Street becomes 132nd and then 134th as you drive east. Turn right onto Snohomish-Cascade Drive. At the first stop sign, turn left onto Puget Park Drive. The park entrance is at the end of the street. (Map)
See the entire county council budget priorities document: MOTION NO. 08-485 - Stating the Priorities of the Snohomish County Council for Deliberation and Decisions on the 2009-2010 County Budget and Requesting Information from the County Executive |
| Council-Funded Pre-Prosecution
Diversion Program Working Well
Full blown court trials and subsequent jail sentences are expensive, and when prisoners are ultimately released, over 50% commit another crime with five years, and the cycle continues.
Sometimes a different approach can save the taxpayer's money and even break the recidivism cycle. The County Prosecutor's Pre-Prosecution Diversion Program is an important example of such a successful program, so when the state legislature stopped funding the local program, the county council stepped in to keep it going.
"It was an easy decision to make," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "It's very cost effective and it makes our county a better and safer place to live."
The Prosecutor's Pre-Prosecution Diversion Program provides an alternative to court trial and incarceration for a limited number of qualifying first-time offenders. These offenders are held accountable for their crimes through participation in self-paid evaluation and rehabilitation, payment of restitution to victims, payment of other fees and fines and successful completion of all terms and conditions of a diversion contract.
And it works. Compared to the over 50% recidivism rate for those not in the program, the rate for those who complete the program is only 16%. Diversion clients also pay their way through program - over $933,000 in 2007, and must make full restitution to their victims within three years - almost $164,000 in 2007. | |
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I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER to be informative and useful. You can make it even more valuable by suggesting topics and issues for future newsletters. Please contact me at 425-388-3494, or e-mail Dave.Gossett@snoco.org. If you would like to share this newsletter, select the Forward email link below. Sincerely,
Dave Gossett
Snohomish County |
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