Zoning vote defends property rights

The vote by the Oak Harbor City Council to rezone Mr. Bryne’s properties on Goldie Road so he can move ahead with plans to develop them is a good example of local government making the right decision.

Mr. Bryne’s plans will impact the lives of people who live in the Evergreen mobile home park. This fact, though it may well cause discomfort for those who live there, should not be allowed to override the fundamental right of a property owner to decide what he desires to do with land he owns.

If we as a society head down the path of conferring a greater right or more consideration to tenants than to the one who invested in the land, homes, or business to begin with, where does it logically end? What incentive would there be to expend capital in a venture that ultimately can be taken away?

David A. Goodman

Coupeville

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