Sequim City Council opens areas for development; new member votes no on rezoning proposals

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, December 12, 2007

SEQUIM – Some 55 acres in and around this city are open now to higher-density housing development, while a little more than 12 acres are ripe for commercial buildings, following the Sequim City Council’s approval of a far-reaching set of rezoning proposals Monday night.

But a lone councilman – the newest one – made his presence felt by voting against almost every zoning change.

He also opposed three other measures that the rest of the council has long supported.

Erik Erichsen, elected Nov. 6 to replace Bob Anundson on the council, was sworn in Nov. 28 – sooner than the other newly elected council members – because Anundson was an appointed council member, and by law, appointees must relinquish their seats if defeated in an election.

The three other newcomers – Ken Hays, Laura Dubois and Susan Lorenzen – will be sworn in Jan. 14.

In the early going on Monday evening, Erichsen voted against the City Council’s allocation of $100,000 for teen programs at the Boys &  Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.

He also voted against an agreement between the council and the Master Gardeners of Clallam County to establish a demonstration garden and classroom facility just north of Carrie Blake Park.

On those two issues, he was outnumbered 4-1, with the council members at Monday’s meeting – Don Hall, Paul McHugh, Mayor Walt Schubert and Bill Huizinga – voting for them.

Erichsen also cast the lone vote against a set of 2007 budget amendments.

These expenses – things like replacement of the dishwasher at the Guy Cole Convention Center and a cost overrun on the Whitefeather Way leg of the Olympic Discovery Trail – already had been approved one at a time by the other council members.

They’re brought together on a list for final approval at year’s end.