Hundreds of citizens last night descended on Municipal Court in solidarity with the Hundred Acre Woods to express their opposition to Horizon Bank's potentially disastrous development now called Fairhaven Highlands, formerly Chuckanut Ridge. Wow! I didn't see a single reporter. Nothing in the Herald. I guess we'll see if the Independent has someone there, but I'm pretty sure the Herald and the Weekly skipped out. I'm not too sure what they think constitutes reportable political events in this town but, by my estimation, a standing room only crowd in Municipal Court cheering as their fellows ridicule the ridiculous ought to count - especially when it involves one of the largest, most controversial developments in Bellingham's history. I guess we can all watch it on Propaganda TV 10 - eventually.

Fortunately, Dean and Dudley were there with their equipment so citizens will have their own video to share around. I'll check with them to see what their plans are. Maybe we can put some of it up here, once John gets the wrinkles worked out.

Horizon Bank, obviously ponied up some change for a very fancy presentation of their new "Enhanced Buffer Plan" bolstered by pretty color pictures of a geometrically appealing design and examples of "Northwest Craftsman" style buildings surrounded by "rain gardens" and bio-swales. The plan increases openspace and wetland buffers, jamming the same 739 units into even less space. They wouldn't say whether the plan yet met the Critical Areas Requirements, either new or old, and deferred most answers in the question period for later response in the environmental study. The plan still does not meet the prerequisite conditions of the area zoning, and plunks a five story "stack flat" building on th highest point of the property. Somehow, folks were not impressed.

Folks were adamant that the study not merely rely upon previous, incomplete, methodologically flawed documents as intended. Many had obviously been doing their homework, citing species, conditions and seasonal peculiarities that still require detailed study. If Horizon thinks they are going to fast track this baby, they better regroup and reconsider. On the other hand, having become accustomed to the mysterious and miraculous treatment their proposal receives at every turn of the City, perhaps their optimism is still warranted? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned to Northwest Citizen for further developments as this review proceeds. I'm not sure where else you will get a chance.