JZ Knight appeals land decision
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:10 am
http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/380212.html
Published March 05, 2008
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JZ Knight appeals land decision
Keri Brenner
The Olympian
YELM ? Ramtha School of Enlightenment leader JZ Knight is appealing a Yelm City Council land-use decision to Thurston County Superior Court.
Knight, represented by Seattle attorney Keith Moxon, filed an appeal this week regarding the council's Feb. 12 decision to allow five housing developments totaling 568 new homes inside city limits.
The appeal was based on the city's lack of secured water rights to serve the new developments, Moxon said Wednesday.
"The city's own planning documents say they expect a shortage of water," he said. He added that allowing so many new homes would create a "train wreck" for the city's future water supplies.
Seattle attorney Richard Settle, who represents Yelm in the case, could not be reached Wednesday.
The City Council voted unanimously Jan. 22 to deny Knight's appeal and to uphold an Oct. 9 ruling by city hearing examiner Stephen Casseaux Jr. allowing the subdivisions. Council members, who said they could find no errors in Casseaux's ruling, adopted their decision Feb. 12 by resolution.
Settle and attorneys for the developers argued in January that the city had done extensive studies on water supplies and were prepared for housing growth.
The developments, which include single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums, are Windshadow I and II, Wyndstone, Berry Valley I and Tahoma Terra Phase II.
The proposed new homes are within a mile of Ramtha School, a spiritual-growth center established in Yelm by Knight 20 years ago.
Moxon said the superior court likely will schedule hearings in the case within 30 to 50 days.
Keri Brenner covers Thurston County for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.
Published March 05, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JZ Knight appeals land decision
Keri Brenner
The Olympian
YELM ? Ramtha School of Enlightenment leader JZ Knight is appealing a Yelm City Council land-use decision to Thurston County Superior Court.
Knight, represented by Seattle attorney Keith Moxon, filed an appeal this week regarding the council's Feb. 12 decision to allow five housing developments totaling 568 new homes inside city limits.
The appeal was based on the city's lack of secured water rights to serve the new developments, Moxon said Wednesday.
"The city's own planning documents say they expect a shortage of water," he said. He added that allowing so many new homes would create a "train wreck" for the city's future water supplies.
Seattle attorney Richard Settle, who represents Yelm in the case, could not be reached Wednesday.
The City Council voted unanimously Jan. 22 to deny Knight's appeal and to uphold an Oct. 9 ruling by city hearing examiner Stephen Casseaux Jr. allowing the subdivisions. Council members, who said they could find no errors in Casseaux's ruling, adopted their decision Feb. 12 by resolution.
Settle and attorneys for the developers argued in January that the city had done extensive studies on water supplies and were prepared for housing growth.
The developments, which include single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums, are Windshadow I and II, Wyndstone, Berry Valley I and Tahoma Terra Phase II.
The proposed new homes are within a mile of Ramtha School, a spiritual-growth center established in Yelm by Knight 20 years ago.
Moxon said the superior court likely will schedule hearings in the case within 30 to 50 days.
Keri Brenner covers Thurston County for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.