Submitted by Judy Norris, FB: Save Our City-DuPont, WA.
Jeff Wilson, DuPont Economic Development Director, charged ME, a citizen fighting for fellow citizens to ensure DuPont city codes are upheld, $6,061.70 for the hearing examiner fee for a code interpretation appeal of one of Wilson’s rulings. The hearing examiner ruled in favor of the citizens’ appeal, and currently no loopholes exist that would allow monster distribution warehouses disguised as retail on the Old Fort Lake business tech park property that, under city word ccode, prohibits distribution warehouses. DuPont already has multiple distribution warehouses, and more planned, of sizes up to the over 1,000,000 sq. ft Amazon distribution center in our industrial zone.
Wilson’s code interpretation would have opened up the heart of DuPont to monster warehouse distribution centers disguised as retail and the ensuing semi-truck traffic RIGHT NEXT to Pioneer Middle School, our Powderworks Park, and homes.
Save Our City-DuPont, WA is a 720-member citizen activist Facebook group in DuPont that focuses on land use issues and local government accountability in DuPont. Through citizen activism on this group and other community forums, DuPont citizens have raised the entire total of $12,210 to pay for our land use attorney’s legal fees to fight off unwanted distribution warehouses in a business tech park NEVER zoned for distribution warehouses. DuPont is a master planned community protected by a comprehensive plan that clearly delineates zoning that protects our quality of life.
One of DuPont’s former mayors, Penny Drost, commented on a Save Our City post regarding this outrageous slap in the face bill sent to citizens who care and get involved:
“This most certainly is appalling – at best. Your letter excellent. Government runs amok and corruption sets in when there are no citizens watching. The irony in this situation is heart-breaking – encourage citizens to become involved and then send them a huge bill for doing so? That’s just plain wrong. A government’s budget is responsible for the costs of its own processes. Charging citizens $6000 to stop government from breaking its own laws? Reprehensible.”
John Arbeeny says
Simple question: “Where were your elected representatives on city council in this matter?” Silent? You elected them to protect the interests of those they are supposed to represent: the citizens who elected them. Lakewood has had the same problem: elected representatives who better represent the staff rather than the people who elected them. The tendency in government is for elected representatives to defer to employee “experts” to develop implementation of legislatively passed laws regardless of whether they violate the letter or spirit of the law. After all they are the “experts”, the long term consistency in government, who opt for what makes sense to them, not necessarily the citizens who pay their salary. Without a short leash and serious oversight by elected officials you can expect government employees to make decisions that benefit them, their jobs, their compensation, their advancement and their department. It’s what employees do: it’s not what elected officials should allow them to do when it conflicts with the best interest of citizens and community. Sounds like council was asleep at the switch.
Jen Lansin says
From what I follow in DuPont, Mayor Mike Courts wanted Copper Leaf to buy that property that wasn’t zoned for distribution warehouses. Copper Leaf wanted to build distribution warehouses but needed a zoning code change. Courts tried to bully that through the council and tried to sell it to the public, but citizens fought back hard and won. Seems like the council should have stepped in on this matter. And, what other cities around here would think to charge a party a hearing examiner fee for a legitimate appeal, especially when the party prevailed? What is up in DuPont?
Susan Mitchell says
Wow I agree with John where was your council? This is outrageous! Talk about sounding like corruption or asleep at the wheel or sell out? What the heck? I would be very upset as well!
Dave says
Even after many decades, skulduggery continues to reign throughout Pierce County.
Penny Drost says
It is reassuring to see courageous people like Judy and her fellow DuPont citizens in Save Our City – DuPont WA so devoted to holding City Hall accountable. Elected and appointed officials always need watching. Making a difference takes heart and sacrifice. Every resident of DuPont should be grateful that this group has your back.