Moratorium is self-serving | Letter to the Editor

As a resident of Mercer Island, I was shocked to hear that a proposed development moratorium had been proposed in an emergency format with no opportunity for public comment. If I do the math correctly, I believe the total applications for a project involving a short or long plat is less than one a month. So I ask, what is the emergency? Why would Deputy Mayor Grausz feel that the land use code on Mercer Island is in a crisis.

Two months ago I was made aware that a prominent Seattle real estate developer had acquired a property in the First Hill neighborhood. I have just been made aware that the developer’s property, which is proposed for redevelopment, shares a property line with Deputy Mayor Grausz’s personal residence on 74th Avenue S.E. Would this be the reason for the proposed emergency moratorium? I would hate to think that Deputy Mayor Grausz would use his position of power to advance a personal agenda at such great cost and under such a lack of transparency. I also find it troubling that after failing to sway the rest of the city council to go along with this proposed emergency moratorium, the scheduled public hearing and vote is now Dec. 7. That date is important because the newly elected city council members won’t be sworn in and have the opportunity to vote. Why wouldn’t Deputy Mayor Grausz want to give these newly elected officials the opportunity to be a part of this process? I must say that I never expected these types of political shenanigans in our community. In this letter I am specifically asking Deputy Mayor Grausz to address these questions. I also ask that these questions are answered without political spin.

As far as the moratorium goes, I’m not sure what a moratorium would accomplish. If you live on Mercer Island then you know how hard it is to find a home whether you are renting or buying. I personally know 4 or 5 families who have strong professional employment, perfect credit history, and proper savings, all of which are finding a home search daunting. Why as a community would we want to shut these people out? By stifling new housing units that is exactly what we would be doing. It is a simple equation of supply and demand. Do new housing units create impact to our community? Yes, of course. At the same time our region and our nation are growing rapidly and our population desperately needs quality housing opportunities. Mercer Island isn’t and shouldn’t be immune from that need. In-fill development, by nature, is an environmentally important part of this equation. Instead of building tracts in pristine outlying areas we must grow from within. The state growth management act dictates that we do so.

When I disagree with someone I try to put myself in the shoes of person or people who I disagree with and I realize that a changing community is difficult for many. I ask that you consider the needs of our environment as well as peoples needs for affordable housing. Our environment needs us to learn to live with density, not sprawl, and as people we need affordable housing options. The only way to achieve affordable housing is with building permits. Again it is simple supply and demand.

In conclusion, I would like to let the elected officials of Mercer Island know that I intend to file a lawsuit if in fact this moratorium is enacted. I’m sure many others will follow suit as well. I believe this proposed moratorium is illegal on several fronts. I also believe that it is in direct conflict with the growth management act as well as state statutes giving property owners the right to short plat and long plat there properties. I also intend to get to the bottom of Deputy Mayor Grausz’s actions and his intentions as it relates to his own perceived self interest. However for the sake of our community, I hope my perceptions are wrong.

Gabe Rosenshine