We should all join in opposing Merle Ash’s re-appointment to the Planning Commission by the County Council on Wed, July 22 at the 9am General Legislative Session to the Planning Commission.  Ash has outstayed his welcome is not a friend to the environment.  Here are just a few examples of why Ash should not be approved on the Planning Commission:

Merle Ash’s firm Land Technologies was the designer on the failed Frognal Estates.  Ash pushed for early clearing before all permits were issued. As the Sno-King Watershed Council pointed out and the Alderwood Water and Wastewater District subsequently confirmed, the sanitary sewer for about three-quarters of the site is not constructible.  Nonetheless PDS approved Ash’s early clearing permit.  Now, the neighbors are left with an eyesore and disturbed ground above a landslide hazard area with homes below; and the Frognal property is in receivership and scheduled to be auctioned on the courthouse steps July 24th at 10:00 am.
 

Merle Ash’s firm designed the Aravalli project, with its failed bioretention facilities to treat stormwater before it directly enters North Creek.  Snohomish County PDS is in bed with Ash and have not forced him to correct the failed design.  Ken Crossman, PDS Division Manager refers to Ash as, “Marvelous Merle” at public meetings.
 

Merle Ash pushed to change the county code to allow construction up to the property line of large retaining walls, without the neighbor’s permission.  Ash and clique of developers then contributed $20,000 to Dave Somers re-election the day after the code was changed.
 

Merle Ash’s firm failed to disclose in its drainage report that downstream flooding problems from the Forest on Filbert project on Filbert Road, just east of Interstate 405.  Ash knew of the downstream flooding but failed to disclose it.  Had WSDOT been aware of this flooding, Ash’s Forest on Filbert project would never have been approved.
 

Merle Ash’s firm is now seeking early clearing on the Ironwood Development, before all permits have been issued.  The entire site is designated as a priority habitat species area by WDFW.  The critical areas report has been skewed to make a Category II wetland look like a Category III wetland to get smaller buffers in order to build more homes.
 

Please log on Wed, July 22 at the 9am Gen Leg Session and provide a three minute comment opposing Ash’s continuance on the Planning Commission.  Ask that a non-developer or environmental advocate be appointed to this position.

The zoom invite will be available in the agenda that will be posted to the following web page on Friday of this week -  https://snohomishcountywa.gov/2288/Meetings-Webcasts

William (Bill) Lider, PE, CESCL

Lider Engineering, PLLC

2526 – 205th Place SW

Lynnwood, WA  98036

425-776-0671 (W)