In a highly unusual move, Governor Gary Locke has directed the state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to appeal amendments adopted by the Snohomish County Council to the county’s planning policies. Locke ordered the agency to ask the Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board for a review of two ordinances adopted by the Snohomish County Council.

The ordinances, which have been mutually agreed upon by the County and the Cities of Snohomish County, were adopted in an attempt to provide some relief to the affordable housing crisis plaguing the county.

Locke claims they could result in “inappropriate” expansion of the county urban growth areas, which could lead to sprawl.

In a letter to Locke, Council members defend the ordinances, saying, “These ordinances do not contribute to sprawl. They provide a balanced approach to affordable housing and economic growth in Snohomish County.”

The letter also reminds Locke that, “The citizens of this state overwhelmingly rejected a top-down growth management approach when they defeated Initiative 547. Citizens of this state demanded local control of land use by elected officials directly responsible to them. Your directions to CTED subverts local control and the right of Snohomish County citizens to benefit from representative government.”

Council members further express concern because members of the Hearings Board, which will make a decision on the appeal, are appointed by Locke: “While we appreciate the hard work and independence of the Growth Management Hearings Board, the appearance of fairness in this situation is hardly evident.”.