Smart Growth Report for September 2011  by Kristin Kelly, Director

As Smart Growth Director for Pilchuck Audubon Society since 2005, and as Snohomish Program Director for Futurewise since 2002, I have met and worked with many wonderful people, both in government and in the private sector, as paid employees and as volunteers.  Every now and then someone stands out as going above and beyond in contributing their time, knowledge and talents to the table in land use policy and environmental regulations.  One such person I would like you to get to know is Angela Day.

My first encounter with Angela was back in 2005 when she joined the Snohomish County Planning Commission.  Over the years, I have listened to her discussions with other commissioners and I want to thank her for her thoughtfulness and balanced viewpoint on a number of very controversial and difficult issues.  Angela has now retired from the Planning Commission a few months ago, and I will miss her there.  She proved to me that she understands the complexity of land use policy and how decisions affect communities and our lives.  Because of my deep respect for Angela and her work both on the Planning Commission and as chairman of the Land Use Policy Committee that was formed in 2009, I wanted to honor her in my Smart Growth Report this month.  Here is my interview with her, and also want to thank her for all her past work and for her future work here in Snohomish County.

Angela, can you tell me a little bit about yourself and how long lived in Snohomish County?   I grew up on Oregon, California and Texas, and moved to Snohomish County with my family as a junior in High School. I graduated from Snohomish High School and have lived in Snohomish County for almost 25 years.  I’ve been married to my husband, Bob Day, for 14 years. Bob is from Alaska and fished for a living until the economic and emotional impacts from the Exxon Valdez oil spill made it too difficult for him to pursue his career as a fisherman. I wrote a book manuscript about the impact of the spill on his life and livelihood, which was recently accepted for publication by a local publishing house.  Currently, I am working to complete a doctoral degree in Political Science at the University of Washington. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and a Master’s in Public Administration. In the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to work with organizations such as the Ruckelshaus Center and the Hanford Concerns Council, which afforded me a bird’s eye view of policy making processes and consensus building.  For fun, I enjoy writing, reading, and playing the piano.  My husband and I enjoy hiking with our dog Tessa.

I know that farm issues are important to you and that your husband owns a farm.  Can you tell me more about that?  My husband started Dayville Hay and Grain supplying hay to Snohomish and surrounding counties in 1992. Together, we moved to the Snohomish Valley and expanded the business to include feed and farm supplies in addition to hay sales and delivery.  We have enjoyed being a part of this community and the opportunity to support local 4-H and FFA programs.  As we have watched agriculture change in the County over the past decade, we recognize the importance of encouraging our youth to raise animals, work the earth, and serve as stewards of the land. As resources and arable farmland become increasingly scarce around the globe, we believe that there will be many opportunities for a vibrant and viable agricultural economy right here in Snohomish County.  As local business owners and members of our community, we look forward to playing a role in supporting and promoting local agriculture.

Of course I know you from your work on the Planning Commission.  Can you elaborate about your volunteer work?  I served on the Snohomish County Planning Commission from 2005 to 2011. During my six years as a commissioner, I became intrigued by the land use planning and decision making processes. I came to realize that decisions about land use may be some of the most important decisions made within our democracy. The look and feel of our cities and rural areas, transportation and traffic, and the combination of public facilities and private development affect the quality of our daily lives.  As a commissioner, I valued very much the citizens, business interests and public interest advocates who took the time to provide input and participate in the land use decision making process. I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the process – hearing from stakeholders, gathering input from PDS and Council staff, and working with my fellow commissioners to formulate recommendations on land use policies that will shape the future of our County.

I also served as the chair of the Land Use Working Group from 2009 to 2010.  The group was appointed by the Snohomish County Council and tasked generally with working to reduce the number of land use appeals, and ensuring that public participation processes were working as intended. The group represented a range of interests and its members shared a history of frustration with the land use decision making process within the County. Each member brought a sincere desire to work through their concerns, and over time, the group gained an appreciation for the interests that each brought to the table. Because the process helped to foster trust and understanding, the group was able to submit a final report to the County Council that contained a number of substantive recommendations for changes in procedure or allocation of resources, and in some cases, policy changes. I am most proud of the fact that these recommendations were made by consensus of this diverse group, and that County Council members, PDS staff, and the Hearing Examiner’s office continue to refer to this report as a resource.

As an alumni and former member of the Snohomish High School FFA, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to support a program which made a difference in my life and career. I have served as a volunteer judge for extemporaneous and prepared speaking contests, agricultural marketing contests, and mock interviews for high school students. I also participate as a member of the Snohomish High School Advisory Board on Agricultural, Technical & Vocational Education.

In 2007, I joined hundreds of my fellow citizens and public interest groups in opposing an industrial development on farmland in the Snohomish Valley. The facility was to host a half dozen AM radio antennas, and broadcast two stations at a combined output of 100,000 watts. Our concerns were ultimately discounted by the Snohomish County Council. Not only did this development remove 40 acres of valuable farmland from production, it has significantly detracted from the character of the valley’s rural landscape. The Snohomish Valley is an idyllic treasure in the densely populated Puget Sound area, and serves as a place for local residents and visitors alike to enjoy the valley. The site is also adjacent to the Snohomish River and the Bob Heirman Wildlife Park, which is home to migrating birds.

Perhaps most importantly, I have been and remain concerned about the output of radiofrequency radiation from this site. The output for each station is the maximum allowed by the Federal Communications Commission, and with two stations operating from the site, it generates a great deal of electromagnetic energy. After a significant amount of research into the possible health impacts that such a facility may cause surrounding residents, particularly children, my fellow citizens and I obtained a favorable ruling from the Snohomish County Hearing Examiner in 2008, calling for precaution in the face of evidence of potential harm that may arise from this project. However, this decision was overturned by a slim majority of the County Council, and I remain concerned that this broadcast facility could be harming the quality of life and health for residents living in and around the Snohomish Valley.

So what are your future plans and what is your vision for Snohomish County?  The year to come will be dedicated to completing my dissertation and doctoral degree at the University of Washington.  Once complete, I look forward to pursing activities that draw upon my professional and volunteer experience, interest in my local community, and passion for teaching and consensus building.  With scenery ranging from the Puget Sound to the Cascade Mountains, rich farmland in the Snohomish and Stillaguamish Valleys, and economic opportunities afforded by our proximity to a large metro area, our County is a great place to live and work.  But decisions we make now will affect our future prosperity and quality of life. My vision for the County includes the following: economic and regulatory policies that attract and retain large employers but also focus on small businesses such as manufacturing, high tech development and services, and farming; expanded infrastructure and public transit; opportunities for technical and higher education; and preservation of rural areas and farmland.

Economic and regulatory policies:  As small business owners, my husband and I have found that complying with building codes to establish or expand a business has proven onerous.  Small businesses generally add character and commitment to the community, and encouraging their development and sustainability through common sense regulations should be a priority.

Expanded infrastructure and public transit: Clogged roads and freeways affect the movement of goods and the time we spend commuting. While a number of projects have been completed that help ease traffic, we still need additional capacity and transit. Increasing access to public transit can help reduce costs and hassle for commuters, while allowing for more capacity on existing roads. Increasing transit service to urban centers and expanding the number of park and ride lots can help reduce the number of cars on the road. Other projects such as rail service to Snohomish, commuter jet service from Paine Field, and greater reliance on the Port of Everett for international trade could increase economic opportunities and improve our quality of life in the County.

Opportunities for technical and higher education:  The construction of Everett Station and expansion of branch campuses represent significant progress in this area.  Creating a campus for technical and higher education within the County could further increase these opportunities and reduce the need for college-age students to relocate or commute, and allow others to change careers or expand their skills to meet changing market demands.

Preservation of rural areas and farmland:  I believe the best way to preserve rural areas and farmland is to increase the economic opportunities for small scale agriculture. This includes reducing the complexity and burden of land use regulations on farmer’s markets, agricultural buildings that could be used for direct marketing, and facilities to create value-added products.  Existing programs that provide subsidies and quasi-regulatory programs such as transfer of development rights can help, but may prove challenging to maintain in the current political and economic environment. With food and fuel prices on the rise, I believe farmland that has recently been laid fallow will once again become part of a vital agricultural economy if regulations allow.