Letter to the Editor: Moving the Urban Growth Boundary in Woodinville Unnecessary

Dear Editor:

I live in a lovely neighborhood called Pioneer Hills, which is on the border of Woodinville city limits but technically in Bothell. I shop in Woodinville and use the trail systems every day wih my dog. I love the lush greenery that surrounds most of the area and I'm very pleased that Woodinville is slowly becoming a sought out place to live and do the wine tasting tour.

In my opinion, what makes a city appealing is a balance between a respect for a forested area and the species that inhabit it, quaint shops, and housing developements that still have trees standing. Part of the open spaces need to be utilized for farming to feed the local community.

The farms in the Sammamish Valley are special. Not only are is the open space a big part of our city's beauty, the lands also provide opportunities for new farmers and help support our local wine-tourism industry.

Unfortunately, there's currently a proposal before the King County Council that would expand the urban growth area and allow sprawl into the valley -- losing our farmlands forever.  As there is plenty of land available within the city limits for urban growth, this is completely unnecessary.

Please support protecting our farmland and tell the King County Council to vote down the proposal. You can learn more at http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5127/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11079

Ashlie Witt