Langley rejects call for public vote

Published 7:00 pm Thursday, March 22, 2007

The Langley City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to reject a proposal for a public vote on Fairgrounds Road.

“I need to represent the people of Langley. It seems not right to turn over something this important to people who don’t live in Langley to vote on,” Councilwoman Rene Neff said.

Langley has been planning to build a city street across the south tip of the county fairgrounds in Langley, but Island County commissioners recently suggested sending the controversial issue to voters.

The city of Langley wants an easement across the fairgrounds to build a 22-foot-wide road. After failed negotiations with the Island County Fair Association board, the city filed a condemnation suit in October against the county, which owns the fairgrounds.

While the city can’t stop the county from scheduling a vote, Langley officials said they would not sign an agreement saying the city would abide by the results of the vote and abandon its condemnation lawsuit to get the land needed for the road.

County Commissioner Mike Shelton had recently suggested sending the question to voters of the South Whidbey School District. However, he had also said that all parties involved should then agree to accept the outcome.

City officials continue to say that a vote is not necessary, and commissioners have the authority to make a decision on Langley’s request for an easement.