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Last night over 35 concerned and interested citizens attended the first public meeting of the newly formed non profit group 20/20 Vision Olympia at the Olympia Community Center, August 20, 2008 7-9 p.m.
Those attending the meeting expressed a wide range of concerns about the controversial Isthmus development and rezone question — and many were openly vocal about the noted lack of presence by any newspaper or council representative.
The meeting focused much of its attention around a video excerpt of a PBS Special called "Back from the Brink" featuring documentaries about cities that have benefited from dramatic and comprehensive planning and design efforts using a community based process called a "Charette". This inspiring story started a lively and interactive discussion about the need for a community based plan for appropriate development and restoration in Olympia's downtown core — versus the current "developer driven process".
Citizens in attendance voiced strong concerns for the detrimental impact of the proposed rezone on the Marinas and Tourism, with little public focus on the views that would be lost from Puget Sound and the Percival Landing Boardwalks. A National Maritime Heritage Area designation is in the works for Washington State. The last Legislature provided funding to work with local governments and private partners to develop plans for the application that will be made for the official designation of a National Maritime Heritage Area. The National Maritime Heritage Alliance partners with the National Park Service to preserve heritage, scenic beauty and pride of place. Olympia's historic harbor, the Capitol, and views of the Olympic Mountains for which Olympia is named would naturally comprise this area's site .
Many attendees felt unheard by local government and the process by which decisions were being made, and expressed their concern that this rezone proposal was not developed from a city wide, community visioning process, but rather from an isolated request by a private west coast developer.
Everyone agreed that the issues at hand were non partisan and called for everyone to work together: City, County and State.
Everyone in attendance opposed the change in rezone.
Upcoming events for the 20/20 Vision Olympia group were discussed which include:
ORGANIZATION : 20/20 Vision Olympia was formed by five local women — Janice Arnold, Peggy Clifford, Kris Goddard, Rachel Newmann, Julie Woods. All are long time residents of Olympia, seeking a long range (50-100 year) vision with an inclusive planning process for the well being, development and preservation of the natural assets of Olympia and our State Capitol.