Why should we follow the rules | Letter

I’m referring to the recent propane tank decision in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

This was a bad decision by both Judge Hancock and Hearing Examiner McLean.

It’s in black and white on the county approved plat map – no outside storage and whatever is placed on the lot has to have a residential appearance. Please tell me how a 30,000-gallon propane tank and a chain-link fence qualify for either required condition?

The county hearing examiner originally rejected the project – that was the correct decision. Then the property owners appealed to Judge Hancock – not here, but in Island County. No one locally was notified of this appeal and therefore were not represented at the hearing – so Judge Hancock approved the very one-sided appeal.

The subject property is surrounded on all four sides by homes – talk about a potential disaster waiting to happen, this is it. Another nearby propane tank recently had a leak and this same neighborhood had to be evacuated.

Other more appropriate properties have been offered to the property owners for placement of their tank. Their excuses for not relocating this huge tank are unacceptable.

So now we have two bad judicial decisions that ignore the rules that are in black and white. How can we have any faith in our legal system – and why should we follow the rules if they don’t?

If anyone else thinks this is totally inappropriate and dangerous, please contact your county commissioners and let them know.

Bob Waunch

Aeroview Owners Association

Orcas Island