To permit or not permit. After reading the article (“”A closer look at after-the-fact permitting,”) in last Friday’s Review, I probably would just go ahead and cut those trees down, or shore up my dock, or build a storage shed.

If one of my unfriendly neighbors finked on me to the city, well, I’ll just go down and pay an ATF. Think of the time I’ve saved, and the legal fees saved that probably would have been involved, as they have with several of my friends as they have tried to get permits through COBI.

We could get rid of most of the planners, maybe just deal with a single set of rules for cutting trees, or shoring up docks, or building a storage shed, and go merrily on our way. Why would we need planners when it takes months, sometimes years, for them to agree on whether or not I CAN cut down my trees, build a shed or fix my dock.

Just go get it done, pay the same fee, and probably less, as there wouldn’t be any more: “Oh, by the way, did we tell you you’ll need an arborist’s examination, or a structural engineer to make sure the shed is solid. And, oh, you’ll need four more permits for your dock repair – see the DNR, the DOE and…”

The permitting process on Bainbridge is not stellar. But it shouldn’t require rocket science, either. The article says the city’s process is in a state of flux. It’s been in a state of flux since I was on City Council 10 years ago, and before that. How it deals with repeat offenders and ATF fees is under review, so says the paper. And it may continue to change when the city finalizes its update to the land use code. That has been in the process of “updating” for 10 years, also.

It is no wonder citizens proceed with un-permitted projects. By the time a citizen has obtained his permit he has lost so much time that prices rise, interest accumulates, and it becomes a more and more expensive project. Ask any builder who wants a permit to build a home.

And one more thought: shame on citizens who feel obliged to tattle on their neighbors. Whatever happened to forbearance and the “live and let live” attitude. This used to be a friendly island. Neighbors protected and cared for neighbors. We need to get back to that and the city would have a lot less to do.

Liz Murray

Little Manzanita