PIERCE COUNTY COUNCIL  
ONCE AGAIN IGNORES COUNTY RESIDENTS
ON SUMNER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT
 (Orton Junction)

All 7 Council Members Ignore Urban Sprawl Into Farmland
 In the Name of Saving Selective Farmland from Future Development

RESULT:  NET LOSS OF FARMLAND

The Pierce County Council, after hearing public testimony that presented valid arguments for postponing their decision until more questions could be answered, took the vote on the issue anyway.  If you viewed the Council Meeting, especially over the Internet, you may have noticed that all council members referred to pre-prepared notes to make their statements in favor of granting the amendment.  It appeared to some of us that public testimony is a matter of record and has little, if any, influence in the decisions made by this Council.

                                              IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CARE
Use this opportunity to learn more about the struggles of preserving this rural valley so when the next threat arises, you can be there in its defense.  Strength through understanding,  Read articles below about: challenges to the Orton Junction claims, impacts of Orton Junction on the Puyallup Valley, the misleading "saving farmland" claim, legal issues, ethical issues, and reaction to the County Council decision to allow Orton Junction.

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CLAIMS MADE FOR THE ORTON JUNCTION DEVELOPMENT:  CHALLENGED
by MAXINE HERBERT-HILL

Here are the claims for this development: Links to Maxine's comments

1.  To capture the shoppers who go to King county and keep that money in Sumner and Pierce County.

2.  To provide a “community center” through a YMCA that will serve our youth.

3.  To provide jobs.

4.  To provide businesses that Sumner otherwise cannot accommodate in its current commercial lands.

5.  To provide residential development that cannot be built in Sumner’s current available land.

6.  To offer a Farmers Market to support the agriculture and farming of the valley.

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Orton Junction:
Impacts On the Puyallup Valley
by Maxine Herbert-Hill

  TRAFFIC        RURAL NEIGHBORHOOD        SURFACE WATER

     FUTURE FARMING        LAHAR ESCAPE ROUTE

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Orton Junction:
The Misleading "Saving Farmland" Claim
by Maxine Herbert-Hill

LINK TO ARTICLE

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Orton Junction:
Ethical Questions Raised
by Maxine Herbert-Hill
COMING SOON

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Orton Junction:
Legal Issues
by Maxine Herbert-Hill
COMING  SOON

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Orton Junction: 
The Only Farmland Currently Threatened by Development
Editor's View

Against the recommendations of County Staff and the Planning Commission, the County Council unanimously approved the amendment to the Sumner Comprehensive Plan that will develop approximately 200 acres of prime farmland along the south side of SR410.

In a last minute maneuver by the developer to show good faith (or provide a Council with an out) the revised proposal mandates that for every acre of Agriculture Resource Land (ARL) to be developed, four acres of ARL must be preserved in the Alderton / McMillin Community Plan (AMCP) area.  Sounds good, but what it does is splinter the farmland throughout the valley, because there is no provision for protecting land adjacent to one another.  What do you think the developer will do ......CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.

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                              Another Enjoyable
                      Alderton/McMillin School Reunion
                       (Always On the 3rd Saturday of June)
                                      Saturday, JUNE 18, 2011

                            

This year's event was enjoyed by many.  It was special in many ways, but the most rewarding was our recognition of fellow Japanese classmates who were with their families subjected to internment camps just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  We had a display on "Camp Harmony", the Puyallup Fair grounds temporary internment center and presented a 13 minute slide show about Camp Harmony and the local Japanese population.  Click here for more.....

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Foreclosed "Cascadia" Development Sells

Seattle's HomeStreet Bank announced on March 24, 2011 its sale of the 4218 acre tract to Newland Real Estate Group out of San Diego CA.  The new buyer is one of the nation's largest planned community developers.  New home construction could begin as early as this fall.  It sounds like new owners will closely follow the master plan developed by Patrick Kuo the original owner of Cascadia.

We wish them the best of luck and encourage them to pressure Pierce County to reconsider rerouting the proposed new Rhodes Lake Road replacement corridor to the south plateau option.  Easier access to and from Cascadia for residents, services and commercial traffic.  Link the plateau to an east/west transportation corridor to Frederickson and I-5, not to a two-lane farming highway up the valley which becomes an extension of the SR410 and SR167 interchange, which is currently at over-capacity. 

Anyway, welcome Newland.  Here's hoping you can help us preserve the rural character of the Puyallup Valley.  We hope that you care enough to help us in our endeavor.  You can reach us through the County Planning and Land Use Services office - they know us well.

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HISTORICAL PVPG EFFORTS

PVPG:  Fought To Block New Roadway
The Puyallup Valley Preservation Group was originally formed to inform the residents of the valley, County, and State of the impacts to the Puyallup Valley culture and environment from urban development.  In particular, the effort was made to inform this and surrounding communities of the Pierce County’s plan to ...... (click here to continue)
 

Puyallup Valley Economic Revival Vision
Lets talk about creating a "Farm Fresh Corridor"

Transportation In the Puyallup Valley
Developers Push For New Roads Into Center of Valley
Community Plan Stresses Rural Character - not urban traffic
        Community Says "NO"
          Pierce County Planning Commission Also Says "NO"       
    PIERCE COUNTY COUNCIL says "Yes"

          County Council Votes Unanimously to Proceed with Valley Road Project
            Citizens, Farming Protection Groups, Valley Community Plan,
            Public Safety Issues, and False Assumptions Ignored by Council

          Hopes for Puyallup Valley Farm Market Corridor Buried in Gridlock
                        Farm Fresh Corridor Not Possible
                        With New Cascadia Road to Valley

What Is the Rhodes Lake Road Corridor Project?
    Project Background & Update

Puyallup Valley - Not a Regional Transportation Corridor
    More Effective Transportation Networks Available

Rhodes Lake Road Corridor South Plateau Connection
    Part of a Real Transportation Network

Orting Benefits From PVPG Proposed South Plateau Connection
    Controls Valley Traffic Problem Too