RESOLUTION NO. 08-08-2018 final Resolution No. 08-08-2018 “Resolution Opposing the Rezoning of Public Land to R40 owned by PacWest Silicon, LLC” was presented to the Pend Oreille County Community Development Department. It was presented along with proposed amendments to the Pend Oreille County Comprehensive Plan by the two citizen groups Responsible Growth * NE Washington (RG * NEW) and Citizens Against Newport Silicon Smelter (CANNS).

The Resolution is intended for the POC Planning Commission and lists a number of reasons why this property should not be rezoned in a blanket packet with other public land under private ownership. Basically, the Resolution addresses the issues that  the rezoning does not meet the criteria specified by the Pend Oreille County Development code.  Also the rezone should be denied on the basis that the very essence of the Comprehensive Plan’s Statement of Values: Why We Live Here would be violated. In addition, the rezoning and intended use to build a $350 million silicon metal smelter directly contradicts the Washington Growth Management Act’s underlying goals in RCW 36.70A.011.

The POC Planning Commission will be meeting Tuesday, October 9th at 6:00 pm at the Cusick Community Center. The Resolution will be read and presented to all the Commission members.