I saw your article of Sept. 19 regarding the $10.71 million judgment against the city of Burien. Evidently Burien delayed until 1996 a response to a 1993 revised land- use application from Westmark Development Co. Then in 1998 Westmark believed a "settlement" had been reached but it has since fallen apart.

I find it interesting that the article didn't mention that on that same day, Sept. 18, the only public hearing to voice opinions about the Westmark Emerald Pointe Development was to take place in Burien City Council chambers.

Every seat was taken at that meeting. I feel that if all the citizens of Burien had known about it, the line would have been out the door. The property in question is part of the forest above Seahurst Park. Many of us think the whole forest is owned by the city and have taken it for granted that it is part of the park. Westmark owns seven acres and wants to build 178-200 condo units on that sloping hillside that goes down to the park.

I do have a special interest because for the last two years I have lived in a condo on that hillside. This development would be adjacent to our south buildings. The land there is a very steep forest. It holds up that hillside. Our south buildings have already shown signs of settling. There is no guarantee what will happen with 178-200 more condo units there. If my condo buildings were to be built there today, I would still be against it.

Since Westmark acquired the property in 1990, environmental impact statements are now needed. Erosion is already taking place, the Marine Biology Center and salmon could be negatively impacted as well.

Westmark may already get $10.71 million dollars from the "city of Burien." Maybe the city delayed because no one wanted the development anyway. So we pay a $10 million fine to the developer and watch while they go ahead and build something that has the potential to cause such a tremendous negative impact on us all anyway. What a bitter pill that would be!

If you've missed your one and only chance to voice your opinion at a public hearing, you can still contact the city and let them know your concerns by Oct. 5.

Bea Gomez

Burien