I have deep concerns about the impact on our community of the affordable housing component of the proposed Vashon Plan.

As a past Chief of King County Community Planning, I was responsible for the existing Vashon Community Plan. As past Director of Parks, Planning and Resources, I was also responsible for growth management, affordable housing, economic development, permitting and other county services. Now a mediator for complex land use disputes, my job is to balance science, environment and public interests.

My work often involves repairing unintended consequences of well-intended land use planning.

As a long-time Vashon resident, I know the island can use King County’s policy backup on accessory dwelling units, small houses, co-housing, home loan assistance and more. We need more financial tools and regulatory relief for those of modest means. Islanders have a history of self-reliance, community and a skill-set to build what is needed from the ground up, organically.

Of 420 residences now in Vashon town, 160 (38 percent) are subsidized. Vashon residents are willing and able to tackle the challenges of housing affordability, equity and diversity without large outside development projects.

Density bonuses for private developers as a planning tool is damaging for Vashon. It will generate profits off-island. It relies on developer-built high density housing far beyond what is needed and what the water supply can serve. Vashon needs about 100 units of affordable housing, which is accommodated by current zoning.

As rainfall is Vashon’s only source of water, the community plan must be guided by this limitation. The past Vashon Community Plan stressed this; the proposed plan update does not.

Some excellent Vashon-scale affordable housing alternatives are available that are less risky, more reliable and widely supported here.

— Lois Schwennesen