Jeff Sax a strong voice for housing

Nov. 2004 -- When political newcomer Jeff Sax decided to run for Snohomish County Council in 2001, he knew it wouldn ‘t be easy. Sax had no name recognition in the county or prior experience in government. His opponent, incumbent Dave Somers, had a loyal following among anti-growth and environmental activists. But that did not deter Sax. A majority of the sitting council, Somers included, supported an agenda that was detrimental to housing, and Sax knew the stakes going into the election were very high for the county.

A mechanical engineer ready for a career change, Sax was motivated to run by his own negative experience dealing with obtuse and technical regulations on a two-lot short plat project. Driven by the belief that he could help make a difference by running for public office, and at the urging of State Rep. Dan Kristiansen, he decided to throw his hat in the ring.

The MBA was among Sax ‘s strongest supporters. After a very tough race, Sax won by a 50-46 margin, representing an important victory for the industry. Since entering office, with Sax ‘s help, the now Republican-controlled council has charted a much more reasonable course for local land-use laws, such as a revised planned residential development ordinance, nine-lot short plat ordinance, development phasing overlay amendments and lot-size-averaging. These changes have proven to be very valuable tools for helping to make the state Growth Management Act (GMA) work better in Snohomish County, enabling the industry to do a better job of keeping up with the demand for new homes.

Sax, a frequent critic of the GMA, sees plenty of room for improvement with the act. For example, Sax is concerned that the growth management hearings boards create additional delay for major land use decisions and do not represent good government. Additionally, land supply constraints that are caused by GMA and their impact on housing affordability are a big deal, he says, and need to be further addressed. One of the issues Sax will be fighting for in the year ahead is a reasonable 10-year comprehensive plan update, or blueprint for growth. "We need to create enough land to allow for commercial activities and to address the shortage of workforce housing, " says Sax.

Another challenge, says Sax, is conveying to voters that the county is an arm of the state with respect to growth management. "The state has set growth management into motion, and the county is responsible for implementing it. " Sax argues that the state needs to bear at least some of the responsibility for the tough growth management decisions the county is being asked to make.

In addition to land use issues, Sax has been a strong proponent of law enforcement while in office. He fulfilled a campaign promise to add more sheriffs ‘ deputies to bolster the county ‘s law enforcement efforts. Moving forward, Sax plans to continue his efforts to bring a new county jail on line, on time and on budget.

Sax has promised the voters he will guide his decisions on what he believes is best for the county, not what ‘s best for a given neighborhood or for his re-election. "People have come to realize that I ask the hard questions because I really want to know the answers – not because I have a pre-determined answer. I believe you can have high expectations of government, " said Sax.