Sequim: Miffed Beitzel considering resignation from City Council following hearing on housing development

SEQUIM — The mayor pro-tempore is considering resigning from the City Council following a frustrating and contentious public hearing Monday night.

John Beitzel on Tuesday told Peninsula Daily News he will weigh his options after speaking to the council about its failure to comply with policies requiring multiple discussions on issues prior to taking action on them.

The council voted Monday to uphold permitting on a proposed large residential development, despite the fact that newly submitted material Beitzel thought might have an impact on their decision was not completely reviewed by all members.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The Highlands at Sequim, a 314-dwelling subdivision, would be situated in an area known as a travel path for Sequim’s celebrated elk herd.

It would also create a precedent for greater housing densities than has previously been permitted, Beitzel said.

“I was astounded that we weren’t going to have a second meeting to discuss this,” Beitzel said.

Councilman Paul McHugh moved to waive a second reading on the project, and the council voted to accept his amendment.

About four years ago, a council composed of mostly different individuals enacted a “three-touch” rule that would require members to deliberate specific agenda items three times before taking action on them.

The purpose of that was to block any given member from bringing an issue to council and gaining immediate approval, Mayor Walt Schubert recalled.

Schubert and Beitzel were both elected to the council in 2000.

Since then, newly elected members have shown less of an interest in observing the three-touch rule, Beitzel said.

More in News

Coast Guard searching for three missing people

Vessel located Thursday after it was overdue Wednesday evening

AAUW, foundation selected for leadership award

The American Association of University Women and the University Women’s… Continue reading

Jason Squire, manager of the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend, shows off the new $150,000 Barco SP4K laser projector installed last month. The projector, one of three that the movie house needs for each of its screens, replaces an aging one that failed in June 2004, necessitating a GoFundMe drive for the owners, George Marie and Michael D’Alessandro, to help pay for a new one. More than $105,000 was raised from 777 donors. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
New projector

Jason Squire, manager of the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend, shows off… Continue reading

Clallam awards funds to address homelessness

Funding cycle to run through June 2027

Port Angeles commissions intersection control study

City council approves two new vehicle purchases

East Jefferson Fire Rescue Chief Bret Black addresses a group of attendees at the Port Ludlow fire department on Wednesday. From left to right are Smokey Bear, Jefferson County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, Black, Jesse Duvall, the state Department of National Resources’ Community Resilience coordinator, and EJFR Community Risk Manager Robert Wittenberg. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
East Jefferson department offers free wildfire mitigation visits

Forecasts predict high-risk summer; neighborhoods prepare

Forum to speak about local news

Conversation slated Tuesday at Field Hall

Mason Combs is 4 feet, 3 inches tall and has red hair, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office)
Child located after agencies partner on search

A 10-year-old boy who had been missing since Tuesday has… Continue reading

Sequim research lab testing ways to use seaweed, resources

PNNL is only Department of Energy lab with marine facilities

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow visor, Sarah Maloy, left rear, Paulette De Llario, right rear, and Mary Claire Hunt, rear, helped clean up the Salish Coast Production Garden at the Salish Elementary School in Port Townsend on Saturday. The garden produced more than 5,000 pounds of produce used for the school lunches last year and farmers are aiming for 7,000 pounds in 2025. Hunt will be honored as a community health hero by the Jefferson County Public Health department for her efforts in bringing together farmers and gardeners who donate their crops to the Jefferson County food bank with a presentation on Thursday at the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Garden cleanup

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow… Continue reading

Foundation purchases hospital equipment

Linear accelerator to be installed in May

Port Townsend updated on city’s workplan

Forty-five of 61 projects on track, city manager says