March 29, 2017 <br />SUBJECT: UGB Expansion and the Clear Lake Overlay Zone <br />Dear Mayor Vinis and City Council Members, <br />I'm writing to share the Human Rights Commission's unanimous endorsement of the Clear <br />Lake Overlay Zone as a tool to address environmental justice (EJ) concerns in our <br />community. The Commission took this action at our November 2016 meeting, and I hope <br />you will consider our position as you discuss the proposed urban growth boundary <br />expansion. <br />We understand that the urban growth boundary expansion has the potential to add new <br />job opportunities, a site for a new school, and a large city park for Bethel residents. <br />However, future development must be done in a manner that recognizes the current <br />impacts that industrial development has on the neighboring community. The Commission <br />feels the overlay zone is a positive step in that direction. <br />The Human Rights Commission was an active participant in the early research phase of this <br />effort, having members on the Environmental justice focus group. That body raised issues <br />and provided feedback on research conducted to identify best practices from other <br />jurisdictions for addressing EJ issues. Later, a Commission member was part of the working <br />group that collaborated with other commissions and members of the public to draft the <br />Clear Lake Overlay zone. We appreciate that role, and recognize that it advances the City's <br />stated priorities of making decisions with eye on the "triple bottom line." <br />We appreciate your attention to this matter and your understanding that environmental <br />justice concerns bear on human rights, such as the human rights to life, health, and <br />personal security. We believe that adopting the Clear Lake Overlay Zone would be a <br />positive action, supportive of human rights, and good for the future of our community. <br />Sincerely, <br />Ken Neubeck, Chair <br />Human Rights Commission <br />