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2022-10-31_Ordinance1337_YMCA_Testimony1From:Robert Richards To:Mindy Brooks Subject:YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Date:Tuesday, October 18, 2022 7:48:21 PM Dear Ms. Brooks: I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA’s proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Having grown up in Olympia and attending YMCA summer camp on Spirit Lake long prior to Mt. St. Helens erupting, I had the joy of hiking throughout the Cascades and experiencing the benefits of time spent in the wilderness as well as all of the outdoor educational enrichment offered by YMCA summer camps. Then years later as an adult, when serving on the national board of the YMCA of the USA, I observed firsthand the stellar performance of the YMCA in operating summer camps throughout the country, exhibiting concerns for not only the campers and the staff of the camps but also the neighbors of the camps. The YMCA has established an exemplary record in achieving excellent relationships with all of the constituencies in the vicinityof their camps. The YMCA will be an outstanding citizen of Lewis County. The plans for the camp already reflect a sensitivity to the surrounding community offering oneof the lowest development impacts compared to other possible uses for the property, devotingmost of the property to sustained forestry and only a small portion to camp activities. Additionally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for environmental education opportunities for local students and those from around thestate. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. Finally, the economic benefits of the camp are worthy of note through providing jobs for people in the area and well as using various local contractors andother vendors. For these reasons, I urge your approval of this rezone and comprehensive planamendment. Sincerely, Robert R. Richards Robert R. Richards 15985 Lemolo Shore Dr. NEPoulsbo, WA 98370 rrichards11@icloud.com 206-310-1191 From:Harriet Bakken To:Mindy Brooks Subject:YMCA"s bid for Mineral Lake property Date:Friday, October 21, 2022 2:47:08 PM October 21, 2022 Lewis County Community Development c/o Mindy Brooks, Senior Long Range Planner 2025 NE Kresky Ave. Chehalis, WA 98532 Via email to: mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov Regarding: YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Dear Ms. Brooks, I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA's proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. I have spent years watching the excitement of young people and families as I travel on WA State ferries and they head toward YMCA Camp Orkila. It warms the heart. And on family weekends, you can see that the outdoor opportunity is special for the whole family. My kids then went to Camp Orkila for outdoor school and for summer camp. They made friends with kids who were having their first opportunity to be out of Seattle. I have supported the YMCA camping program for many years because I believe that opening up the outdoors to young kids opens their eyes to a world of opportunities they did not know existed. Because of its ability to deliver experiences today's young people, I believe that the YMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I encourage your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Harriet Bakken Community Volunteer (206) 790-7298 (mobile) External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensure the message is legitimate before opening it. From:Bianca Pham To:Mindy Brooks Cc:gbagley@seattleymca.org; ceo@seattleymca.org Subject:YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Date:Friday, October 21, 2022 2:44:04 PM Dear Ms. Brooks, I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA's proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. My children have been attending YMCA outdoor camps at Camp Terry and Camp Orkila forthe last two years. They have enjoyed all the outdoor activities including archery, ziplining,camp songs and water school. My children tell me that they prefer the indoors to the greatoutdoors and they love watching TV and playing video games. One day, after camp, Iwitnessed my children choosing to sit outside on the grass, with a book. What a miracle! I willbe forever grateful that the YMCA provided opportunities for children and youth to get intouch with nature and provide physical outlets. Because of its ability to deliver experiences like mine to today's young people, I believe that the YMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I encourage your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Bianca Pham & Krassimir Karamfilov 206-850-6629 External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensurethe message is legitimate before opening it. From:Oscar Papel To:Mindy Brooks Cc:ceo@seattleymca.org; gbagley@seattleymca.org Subject:YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Date:Sunday, October 23, 2022 11:27:26 PM October 23, 2022 Lewis County Community Development c/o Mindy Brooks, Senior Long-Range Planner 2025 NE Kresky Ave. Chehalis, WA 98532 Via email to: mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov Regarding: YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Dear Ms. Brooks, I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA's proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and tourge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. When my three children were small and we were new immigrants to the country, the YMCAovernight summer camps became a lifeline for us. At camp Orkila in the San Juans, our childrenreceived an amazing outdoor education, made new friends when they had none, and the YMCA’scare and resources helped us, as parents, adjust to our family’s new life in the United States. Later, when my children were fifth graders, their elementary classes took a trip to another YMCA propertywhere their outdoor education was combined with standard state-wide curriculum in order for thekids to learn even more. Outdoor education from the YMCA had a measurable effect on thedevelopment of my children. Because of its ability to deliver experiences like ours to today's young people, I believe that theYMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educationalbenefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunitiesfor local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislaturefound that more must be done to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdooreducation experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I encourage your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Oscar E PapelChief Information Security Officer, Truveta Inc. (425) 894-1200 oscar@truveta.com External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensure the message is legitimate before opening it. From:Frank X. Shaw To:Mindy Brooks Cc:ceo@seattleymca.org; gbagley@seattleymca.org Subject:YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Date:Monday, October 24, 2022 4:13:23 PM October 24, 2022 Lewis County Community Development c/o Mindy Brooks, Senior Long Range Planner 2025 NE Kresky Ave. Chehalis, WA 98532 Via email to: mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov Dear Ms. Brooks, As Board Chair for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA's proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. I have seen firsthand the transformational nature of outdoor learning on youth, both inwhat I have seen in my role with the Y, and through the impact on my youngest daughter, who participated in both the camp at Orkilla and through the Bold/Gold Program, most recently as an instructor. Because of its ability to deliver experiences like this, I believe the YMCA proposal is a great use for this this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. In particular, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meetthe needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I encourage your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Frank X. Shaw Board Chair Sent from Mail for Windows External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensurethe message is legitimate before opening it. From:Amy Singam To:Mindy Brooks Subject:[Spam?] YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Date:Monday, October 24, 2022 12:23:50 PM Importance:Low October 24, 2022 Lewis County Community Development c/o Mindy Brooks, Senior Long Range Planner 2025 NE Kresky Ave. Chehalis, WA 98532 Regarding: YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Dear Ms. Brooks, I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA's proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. As a community member who grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and attending Camp West Wind, now a YMCA camp, on the Oregon Coast, I feel it is vital that all children and their families have the opportunity to experience an outdoorcamp. There is so much to learn about being outside, especially if growing up near the city is all one knows. Imagine how exciting it will be to offer this outdoor experience to our community. Because of its ability to deliver experiences like mine to today's young people, I believe that the YMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meetthe needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I encourage your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Amy Singam, Personal Trainer/ Group Instructor Dale Turner Family YMCA YMCA C19 This e-mail, including attachments, may contain confidential and/or proprietary information for the use of the individual(s) or entity(ies) to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or an authorized agent of such anentity, the reader is hereby notified that any distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mailin error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete the e-mail immediately. External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensurethe message is legitimate before opening it. From:Jane Seibel To:Mindy Brooks Subject:Mineral lake rezone support for YMCA Date:Thursday, October 27, 2022 10:40:03 AM October 24, 2022 Re: YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Dear Ms. Brooks: I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA’s proposed overnight camp at MineralLake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. I believe having a camp here will have great positive impact for the youth that come to camp to connect with themselves and the land amd will be our next generation ofstewards of the environment of the Pacific NW. the old adage you protect what you love starts with experiences in the outdoors. During the pandemic and in our age of technology it is also so important that children learn to connect amd communicate. Camp teaches youth these skills of compassion and emotional intelligence. Kindness, compassion, integrity and perseverance are just some of the core valueslearned at camp. What better things to bring to this beautiful area than laughter, new experiences and new lifelong friendships formed on this land through Y camp experiences. Voting for a rezone is a vote for connection in our increasingly unconnected world and a vote for more positive youth development and healthyengaged citizens. We learned all these things at camp and wish that for many more youth Because of its ability to deliver experiences like mine to today’s young people, I believe that the YMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It alsowould offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCAcamp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I urge your approval of this rezone and comprehensive Because of its ability to deliver experiences like mine to today’s young people, I believe that the YMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meetthe needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I urge your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Jane Bierman Seibel 206-909-8150 External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensure the message is legitimate before opening it. re: YMCA zoning change Mineral Lake My name is Lynn Bishop. I’m not a Mineral resident, but I have lived in Morton for 60 years and would not support anything that would harm the wonderful folks of Mineral. I want to speak out on this issue because I believe that camps are good for kids, and go a long way toward fixing a serious problem for many of our youth today-isolation. I love this area very much. I am a retired speech therapist and teacher, and I’m happy that my own kids could grow up here. This is a healthy place to grow up, with access to nature, forests, lakes, rivers, and hiking trails. Our school district early on saw the benefits of outdoor education including Ft Flagler, and the Cispus Center. Before moving here, I lived in another beautiful area-Minnesota, with access to woods and lakes and a chance to experience nature. I was a Girl Scout forever, and spent my summers working at camps. I have many camping experiences, including Boundary Waters canoe trips. I know first-hand the benefits of camps , and how life-changing a camp experience can be. For one thing, its pretty much impossible to stay isolated at camp. In addition to learning to love nature, you have the experience of working together, sharing, learning life skills, leadership skills, and natural helper skills. You will be a vital part of a team-building camp fires, cooking, raising the flag, cleaning the latrines, performing a skit, and before long, everyone knows your name. Traffic should not be a problem, generally the campers don’t have cars. Generally everyone is too exhausted to make much noise at night, and I would not expect motor boats at the camp, more likely canoes, rowboats , and swimmers. I have seen changes in kids experiencing camp life. I ask you to think about what it could mean if even one kid is enabled to have a more productive future through learning to believe in himself. What if 10 kids gained more hope and confidence? Please support this life-changing proposal. From:Carmella Buffington To:Mindy Brooks Subject:YMCA Date:Thursday, October 27, 2022 10:46:53 PM Dear Mindy, I wanted to let you know how I, and most of Mineral, feel about the proposed rezoning, and the YMCA take over. Our town is a place that isspecial to us. We are here because of it's unique setting, and quaint atmosphere. Alot of us travel a long way to, and from work everyday, and we make that long trip because we get to come home to a special place which we all cherish, and call home. Alot of us, and our families, havebeen here thru many generations, we are retired, or on fixed incomes, and we all help each other when the need arises. Mineral would loose all of that if the YMCA and the rezoning were to invade our place that we get to call home. We would be faced with increased traffic, crime, and noise as itcarries across the water, not to mention that this is a fishing community, and they would be taking a part of our lake away that many people come to enjoy year after year during fishing season. The wildlife would be disturbed, and hunted which means more firearms in the area, and moreanimals being killed. Our property taxes would be affected, and most of the residents can barely afford to live as it is. We live here because of the way, and what it is. We do not want urban sprawl here. We do not want all the negative impacts that this would have on our community. We do notwant our home invaded, and ruined. We like our town the way it is, and do not want the burden, and sadness, that all this would bring. Please do not allow this to happen. Please let us live in peace, and safety. Please let them go somewhere else that is more suited to all involved. Carmella External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensurethe message is legitimate before opening it. From:Jennifer Fueston To:Mindy Brooks Subject:Ymca Date:Thursday, October 27, 2022 9:30:06 PM Regarding the proposal for a new ymca camp in Mineral Wa. If you take a moment and drive through our small beautiful town you will find 90% of the homes boast “NO YMCA” and “NO REZONE “ signs. We the people who live here, support local businesses here and pay taxes here do not want our beautiful town destroyed by the YMCA. We do not have the infrastructure, emergency services , water supplies and personnel to handle such a huge resort. Let’s be honest the YMCA charges hundreds and hundred of dollars , this is not a place for “less fortunate children” while they are a 501c a quick internet search will provide you with the exorbitant salaries of their CEOs. Our community would be gravely affected by this rezone. We as a community of voters have spoken and our voices matter, now or when everyone on that board is up for re-election, we will be heard. The water study was lacking at best. The YMCA has been deceptive and secretive with the community. Originally posting notice on a dead end road facing away from the road they only held community meetings when we pushed back against them. They have continued to change what they say in meetings. We also have many wildlife and locals have hunted that land for generations. If you rezone mineral you are robbing an entire community of its resources and way of life. Please deny this intrusion! Thank you Jennifer Fueston Mineral WA Voting , tax paying resident Sent from my iPhone External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensure the message is legitimate before opening it. From:Tanita Marco To:Mindy Brooks Subject:YMCA rezone Date:Friday, October 28, 2022 10:15:53 PM Dear Mrs. Mindy Brooks, We, Emil and Tatiana Marcovitch, are the residents of Mineral town, writing this letter with concern regarding the YMCA development project. Based on the information we discovered related to that project, we understand that this processwill significantly impact the local community and wild surroundings. We purchased our property in Mineral several years ago and finally became full-time residents after very hard work. We are reasonably joining the Mineral community, which is against thisdevelopment. Most people here, just like us, respect the tranquility and abundance of wild nature, not a busy city type of lifestyle.Moreover, based on our knowledge, most of those who were welcoming this project are not full-time residents or people who are already left this place. As you might know, Mineral lake is not only a tourist destination area but also home to a verydiverse community of wildlife. For instance, the East-South wing of the lake becomes a nesting for Canada geese and domestic ducks every year, where they peacefully raise theiroffspring—not counting deer, elk, river otter, and bear. Needless to say that the development process will affect their population and well-being drastically. We understand that YMCA's goal is to strengthen and educate communities, which, ingeneral, is what we are happy to support, especially regarding children. Still, it should not be done on account of a negative impact on the local community. No matter how vital business can be for the developers, the Mineral community deservesrespect. The Mineral lake is a tiny and fragile lake that such an invasive project can easily destroy. Things like the Installation of multiple septic systems, wells, roads, overcrowdedness, ext.Local people already struggle with their wells due to water limitation or poor quality. Another issue is that we put our investments into potential fire danger with so many visitors andcampsites. We deal with wildfires every year, especially this one, where we had four massive wildfires around MIneral. Our firefighters are volunteers, so we have no resources for higherrisk. Besides the negative impact on surrounding nature, we don't see any benefits for the local community with that project. Therefore, we strongly disagree with the rezoning process andYMCA development. There are plenty of places around with way bigger lakes and less if no population around, which could be a better choice for the YMCA community. We hope that the final decision will be made based on objective facts and true Miniralitieans and that all their opinions will be respectfully taken into account. Sincerely,Emil and Tatiana Marcovitch. External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensurethe message is legitimate before opening it. From:William Wing To:Mindy Brooks Subject:Ymca camp Date:Friday, October 28, 2022 7:39:44 AM To whom it may concern, I am a resident of mineral Washington and am 100 percent against the ymca camp to be established. It's not a good fit or a viable option for this small town. It will not have a positiveinfluence in our area. Thank you External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensurethe message is legitimate before opening it. From:Geoff Eseltine To:Mindy Brooks Subject:RE: YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 1:01:40 PM Dear Ms. Brooks: I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA’s proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. The Y is ready and able to deliver amazing outdoor experiences to today’s young people, I believe that theYMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. The proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must bedone to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I urge your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Geoff Eseltine 802.989.2516 External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensure the message is legitimate before opening it. From:Hallidie Haid To:Mindy Brooks Cc:ceo@seattleymca.org; gbagley@seattleymca.org Subject:support for YMCA Mineral Lake Date:Sunday, October 30, 2022 1:46:10 PM October 30, 2022 Lewis County Community Development c/o Mindy Brooks, Senior Long Range Planner 2025 NE Kresky Ave. Chehalis, WA 98532 Via email to: mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov Regarding: YMCA Mineral Lake Rezone Dear Ms. Brooks, I am writing to offer my support for the YMCA's proposed overnight camp at Mineral Lake, and to urge your approval of the proposed rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. My children have both had terrific overnight experiences at Camp Seymour, Camp Colman and Camp Orkila. But most memorable was my daughter’s description of a bus ride on the way to a trail head with YMCA GOLD group. Many of the gals had never seen waterfalls! What an amazing experience for those girls, and for my daughter to experience their wonder. Because of its ability to deliver experiences like my children to today's young people, I believe that the YMCA proposal is the best possible use for this property. It also would offer one of the lowest development impacts to the surrounding community, while providing both economic and educational benefits. Finally, the proposed camp would help address the growing need for outdoor education opportunities for local students and those from around the state. A recent study conducted for the Legislature found that more must be done to equitably meet the needs of K-12 students in providing outdoor education experiences. The YMCA camp at Mineral Lake would help provide those opportunities for schools and students from Lewis County and around the state. For these reasons, I encourage your approval of this rezone and comprehensive plan amendment. Thank you. Sincerely, Hallidie Haid 960 20 47th Ave SW Seattle WA 98136 External Email - Remember to think before you click! This message may contain links with malware, viruses, etc. Please ensure the message is legitimate before opening it.