To the editor:

What’s the rush to develop Suzuki? We don’t have a clearly defined or accurately quantified problem.

In the March 8 council meeting, we were told we’ve been discussing this for eight long years; it’s time to act.

I disagree. There’s been a lot of talk, a lot of rhetoric, but few facts.

Someone needs to tell me:

1. How will we know when we’ve achieved the goal of providing affordable housing as outlined in the comp plan? What are the goals? How does the city of Bainbridge Island define affordable housing? How many units do we need — a certain percentage of all housing on Bainbridge Island, a specific number of units? How many people do we want to provide with affordable housing?

2. Why is the council insisting there must be affordable housing on Suzuki? Exactly what goal are they achieving by putting high density development on the Suzuki property? What effects will building affordable housing on Suzuki have on the environment, traffic, the watershed, tax base and the economy as a whole? Finally, I want to know very much how developing half of the Suzuki property will make the forest “better.”

The council insists it’s time to begin working with a developer. But when we can’t define the problem, how can we begin to find a solution? When we don’t have a clearly defined goal, how do we decide how to proceed and how will we know if we’re successful?

Three of the four council members who support development are lawyers; one is a journalist. Not one of the lawyers would DARE approach a case this way in their private practice, with a client, judge, or jury. Journalists research the facts before writing an article. Don’t islanders deserve the same thoughtful consideration?

So what is the rush, what is motivating the council to do this? The city council admits Suzuki doesn’t solve the affordable housing problem and there is much work to be done. Then why aren’t we gathering facts and developing a plan for creating affordable housing on Bainbridge Island and then deciding if Suzuki fits into it, instead of forcing development of Suzuki on the public and figuring out later if it was actually necessary or a good idea?

RENEE FISCHER

Bainbridge Island