Fwd: [WFNA-MNAC] Expansion of Work Release Prison Facility on Garden St.

[RSawy...@aol.com]

For your information.....

 

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From: cynp...@msn.com
To: cynp...@msn.com
Sent: 6/26/2014 6:21:57 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: [WFNA-MNAC] Expansion of Work Release Prison Facility on Garden St.

 

Hello,

 

You are receiving this email because you are listed, in some capacity, as a Neighborhood Representative to the City.

My Husband, Troy, and I are trying to get the word out about the proposed expansion of the prison work release facility on Garden Street.
 
There is currently a proposal to double or possibly triple, the prison work release program, next door to the current location, which operates at 1127 N Garden St.  The expansion involves building a new, 16 bedroom building at 1125 N Garden St. which would house at least an additional 32+ felons (This number is based on 2 felons per bedroom.  We do not believe there is currently a restriction on the number of felons who could be serving out their sentences there).
 
Troy and I are opposed to this project.  We agree with what the prison work release does, however, we believe this is an inappropriate location for the expansion.  We believe the Conditional Use Permit should be denied because expanding a prison facility in a neighborhood should not be an acceptable use. 

 

We have met with the developer and were told that "without a groundswell of opposition" from the community, he believes it will be approved.   Part of our frustration is that there does not seem to be much disclosure required by the city, so not many people have heard about this.   It seems to us that a project like this, which obviously has community wide impact, should require more than the standard, inform-the-property-owners-within-500-feet type of disclosure.  We are trying to get the information out so if you, or someone you know, feel/s strongly enough to comment, you have that opportunity.   
  
All written comments need to be submitted via email or regular mail to the city planner, Jackie Lynch, by 5pm on June 27, 2014.  She can be reached via email/phone jly...@cob.org or 360-778-8350 and in the Planning and Community Development Department, City Hall, 210 Lottie St.  Bellingham, WA  98225 

 

All written comments the planner receives by 5pm this Friday the 27th will go in the packet that the Hearing Examiner will get with all the information on the project.  As you may know, it is the Hearing Examiner who will approve, or not, the Condition Use Permit.  The Hearing Examiner may also place restrictions on the design/scope of the project if the CUP is approved.   They may allow additional written comment prior to the Hearing, but I am not sure about that, and they will allow public comment at the Hearing.  The main distinction here is that all written and emailed comments received by 5pm 6/27, will be included in the information the Hearing Examiner will receive along with the Conditional Use Permit application, etc. 
  
I have attached a copy of the "Notice of Application" as well as a few bits of information and concerns that Troy and I have discussed.   Please note the comments/concerns are those of mine and my husband, not the City of Bellingham or Planning Department.   Also, some updated information is provided below, regarding the Bellingham Herald article and number of felons allowed.  

 

Please take a few minutes to read through the information and make comment if you are so inclined.

 

Some updated info: The Bellingham Herald reported that the proposed facility would service a maximum of 25 additional felons.  I called and spoke with Ali Taysi of ATV Consulting who the Herald got that info from.  He said he is not sure if that is a program density rule or if it is a written restriction.  He got that figure from the work release program manager, and is going to check back with her on whether there is truly a restriction on number of felons or not.  He said he would get back with me and let me know.  One of our concerns is, if there is no restriction, what would keep them from putting 2-4 people per bedroom and using the living rooms as bedrooms (the units will already be lacking kitchens)?
  
Thank you in advance for your time.
Cynthia Bach

Cynthia Bach 360-961-4881 cynp...@msn.com P.O. Box 5946 Bellingham, WA 98227

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