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Written Statement for the Record <br /> Submitted to the Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners —June 2, 2026 <br /> Re: Support for adoption of the proposed Easton Subarea Plan, as redlined <br /> Dear Commissioners, <br /> My name is Jill Merwin and I am a resident of Easton. I write to express my strong <br /> support for adopting the proposed Easton Subarea Plan with the redlined revisions now <br /> before the Board. I respectfully ask that you vote to adopt it. <br /> This plan reflects more than two years of work between Community Development <br /> Services and the Easton community, including multiple outreach efforts. No subarea <br /> plan will perfectly match every resident's vision, but this redlined version captures the <br /> common ground while responding directly and thoughtfully to the concerns raised during <br /> the SEPA comment period. I support each of the three redlined changes for the <br /> following reasons. <br /> Removal of the "one voice" reference <br /> I support removing the "one voice" language. Easton residents and community groups <br /> should be free to express a range of perspectives to their elected officials, individually or <br /> collectively, without implying a single unified position. Removing this reference makes <br /> the plan more accurate and more inclusive of the community as it actually is. <br /> Deferral of specific infrastructure upgrades <br /> I support removing references to specific infrastructure upgrades —such as sidewalks, <br /> lighting, day-use areas, and public restrooms —from the goals and policies at this time. <br /> These details are best determined later through the community-driven revitalization plan <br /> contemplated in Section 2.4 (EP 1.0), which the community can create, negotiate, and <br /> adopt under whatever process it deems fit. Deferring these specifics ensures that <br /> decisions about what "revitalization" means for Easton are made by Easton residents, <br /> not pre-committed in this plan. <br /> Retention of the septic and water consultation action <br /> I strongly support keeping the recommended action (EA 1.0) to "consult with local septic <br /> and water experts to understand development limitations." This is a fact-finding step, not <br /> a commitment to build anything. It does not establish, propose, or obligate the County or <br /> the community to a community sewer or LOSS system. Retaining it strengthens the plan <br />