tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post2704975691137318007..comments2023-10-25T21:11:44.375-07:00Comments on Twilight Zoning in Bellingham: Editorializing - Western Front StyleZonemavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-22878736005863189192008-11-15T09:06:00.000-08:002008-11-15T09:06:00.000-08:00Dear Alternate,I am afraid I see no ambiguity in t...Dear Alternate,<BR/><BR/>I am afraid I see no ambiguity in the RCW portion. Perhaps you might explain the ambiguity you perceive.<BR/><BR/>I note that among the cities you cited only one, Lakewood, has a substantial university(hence transient) population. The two 2-yr colleges there have a combined enrollment of about 15,000. Two-year community colleges tend to attract those who already live in a community - hence the name "community college".<BR/><BR/>Given the highly urban environment in Lakewood, students can also live in a number of places in the surrounding area, thus the number of students seeking rentals in single family homes is likely less of a problem than it is in Bellingham where the pressures to live to together to save money are high.<BR/><BR/>Even if we were to raise our limit of unrelated people to 5, what would that accomplish? There are nearly 10,000 single family homes rented here in Bellingham. Raising the limit of unrelated individuals in those rentals from 3 to 5 will create an immediate opening for infill of 20,000 in a city which has pledged that it will control infill in our single family neighborhoods.Zonemavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-77691653521074001992008-11-14T15:38:00.000-08:002008-11-14T15:38:00.000-08:00Dick,We can agree that the wording in the anti-dis...Dick,<BR/><BR/>We can agree that the wording in the anti-discrimination section of the RCW is ambiguous.<BR/><BR/>If you were to concede that the ordinance is outdated (which you're not), I would propose redefining "family" to include more unrealted persons living together. When looked at in the context of the entire state, Bellingham's definition certainly seems overly strict. The following are the numbers of unrelated persons living together still within the definition of "family" for other municipalities in our area:<BR/><BR/>-Mount Vernon: 8 unrelated persons<BR/>-Ferndale: 7 unrelated persons<BR/>-Everett: 8 unrelated persons<BR/><BR/>For cities closer in size to Bellingham, the definitions are still more reasonable the Bellingham's.<BR/><BR/>-Kent: 6 unrelated persons<BR/>-Yakima: 5 unrelated persons<BR/>-Lakewood: 6 unrelated persons<BR/><BR/>I think it would be very fair for Bellingham to redefine "Family" to include up to 5 unrelated persons living together in a single dwelling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-75327397467276046992008-11-13T16:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T16:00:00.000-08:00Dear Alternate,The problem is that "other factors"...Dear Alternate,<BR/><BR/>The problem is that "other factors" are the words of the editorial board members who wrote the opinion piece. These words do not appear in RCW 49.60.030. The actual RCW portion reads as follows: "The right to be free from discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is recognized as and declared to be a civil right." There is nothing mentioned about blood relationships or the lack thereof. These editorial board members do not do their homework.<BR/><BR/>So, if I were to concede that the ordinance is outdated (which I am not), with what will you replace it? How will you define "family" in the term "single family"? HOw will you control zoning in this city? There are many places throughout the Bellingham City Code where the term family is used. How do you suggest all that be re-written?Zonemavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-75195122366466066732008-11-13T12:50:00.000-08:002008-11-13T12:50:00.000-08:00Dick,Is it possible that the reference to the RCW ...Dick,<BR/><BR/>Is it possible that the reference to the RCW is regarding discrimination based on "other factors"? It seems to me that discrimination based on legal legal/blood relation would fall into the realm of other factors. Just my two sense. As you pointed out, a court would have to make that interpretation.<BR/><BR/>All in all, I agree with the editorial board: "The ordinance is outdated and does not work in a college town." One need only look at other cities in WA to see that Bellingham is among the most strict, excessively so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-18054493221256008562008-11-07T06:30:00.000-08:002008-11-07T06:30:00.000-08:00Dear Parky,As the saying goes, "Imitation is the m...Dear Parky,<BR/><BR/>As the saying goes, "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery."<BR/><BR/>Do you not feel flattered?Zonemavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853753467348220533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-75154206039305692342008-11-06T16:12:00.000-08:002008-11-06T16:12:00.000-08:00Long on opinion and short on facts?What are they d...Long on opinion and short on facts?<BR/>What are they doing at the western Front?<BR/>Don't they know that's my schtick?Poindexter Prometheus Parkenfarkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470599891105449605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944244558806877209.post-50814744234716950122008-10-10T20:46:00.000-07:002008-10-10T20:46:00.000-07:00I always am amused when students cite that there i...I always am amused when students cite that there is a "law against discrimination" when discussing zoning laws, but are happy to take advantage of "student" discounts when the rest of us working folks have to pay full price. Now THAT is discrimination:-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com