Gloria Nagler: Hey! Photog!
Monday, December 9, 2024
c’mon and fill this dish with seeds…it’s winter, and most of our favorite eateries aren’t available!
--Gloria Z. Nagler
c’mon and fill this dish with seeds…it’s winter, and most of our favorite eateries aren’t available!
Poetry Workshops at the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center starting Tuesday December 10, 2024
For adults. All levels welcome.
Cost: FREE
Please register separately for each workshop you wish to attend
Winter Hugged Me
Tuesday, December 10, 1-2pm
Come dig into the magic of metaphors. You’ll get a chance to analyze poems, practice techniques, write your own poem, and share if you choose.
Beyond 5-7-5: New Ways to Write Haiku
Monday, December 16, 1-2pm
You may have learned to count syllables for haiku. In this workshop, experiment with new ways to write this short evocative Japanese form.
Holiday Memoires
Tuesday, December 17, 1-2pm
Use sensory details to bring holiday memories to life. You will get a chance to analyze poems, practice techniques, write your own poem and share if you choose.
The Senior Activity Center is located at 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155, the southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus. Free parking.
Cost: FREE
Please register separately for each workshop you wish to attend
Winter Hugged Me
Tuesday, December 10, 1-2pm
Come dig into the magic of metaphors. You’ll get a chance to analyze poems, practice techniques, write your own poem, and share if you choose.
Beyond 5-7-5: New Ways to Write Haiku
Monday, December 16, 1-2pm
You may have learned to count syllables for haiku. In this workshop, experiment with new ways to write this short evocative Japanese form.
Holiday Memoires
Tuesday, December 17, 1-2pm
Use sensory details to bring holiday memories to life. You will get a chance to analyze poems, practice techniques, write your own poem and share if you choose.
The Senior Activity Center is located at 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155, the southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus. Free parking.
Thriftway open house and special events - wine and gift card sales and photos with Santa
- Open House Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 4pm-7pm
- Friday, December 20 - Gift Card sale
- Friday, December 20-22 - Wine sale
- Saturday, December 21 - wine tasting
- Sunday, December 22 - photos with Santa
Ballinger Thriftway is located in Ballinger Village 20150 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
Iris Folding Holiday Cards For Everyone - Wednesday December 11, 2024 at the Richmond Beach Library
Richmond Beach Library
Wednesday December 11, 2024, 3:00-5:00pm
Unleash your creativity and learn the art of iris folding with this seasonal themed project! Using provided materials make your own beautiful, handcrafted cards to keep or give away.
For teens, adults, and children 9 and older.
Registration not required. First come, first served, while supplies last.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Beach Library
Winter Continuing Education class registration at Shoreline Community College is now open
Winter Continuing Education class registration at Shoreline Community College is now open.
You can sign up for Arts and Culture, Athletics, Business and Career Training, Languages, Music, Special Interests, Travel, Youth Camps and more courses this winter.
Check our website for more information on classes and registration
Town & Country fosters the arts in frosting
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| Town & Country provided frosting in multiple colors, as well as decorations. Photo by Claudia Meadows |
On Saturday, December 7, 2024 Shoreline's Town & Country Market held a one day special on gingerbread house kits and provided space for the kids to put their kits together and decorate them on the spot.
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| No two houses were alike as the artists explored their creativity Photo by Claudia Meadows |
The young artists took their task very seriously and produced some charming results - and it was not nearly as messy as one might expect.
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| Photo by Claudia Meadows |
The tables were full of young artists and their families.
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| Photo by Claudia Meadows |
The work was pretty impressive!
Coffee with a (Shoreline) Cop - Thursday
Sno-King Community Chorale presents The Longest Night conducted by Ryan Hyde December 14, 2024
The Longest Night conducted by Ryan Hyde
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 2pm
The Sno-King Community Chorale presents 'The Longest Night,' a celebration of cherished holiday music alongside the evocative work of Timothy Takach’s “The Longest Night.”
As we come together to embrace the warmth and joy of this festive season, let the timeless classics and the haunting beauty of Takach’s compositions fill your hearts with peace and inspiration.
Join us in this uplifting musical journey through winter’s embrace and the promise of spring’s return.
Read more...
Sno-King School Retirees award mini-grants to Shoreline employees
Since 1998, SKSR has awarded over $139,000 in educator mini-grants, of which, $73,557 have gone to Shoreline School District schools.
This year SKSR is awarding 30 grants to Shoreline employees.
Briarcrest Elementary
SKSR is glad to be able to assist these educators and their students in this small way.
Read more...
This year SKSR is awarding 30 grants to Shoreline employees.
Briarcrest Elementary
- Jafeet Corral: Organizational materials to help develop biliteracy in a dual language classroom. (2nd grade)
- Emma LeBlanc: Materials to enhance a social studies unit in which students teach Kindergarten. (1st grade)
- Janet Shin: Items for the classroom’s reset station and high-interest books. (ELL)
- Anna Stuart: Chapter books for strong readers who need books with appropriate complexity. (1st grade)
- Janet Markwardt: High-interest books for LAP students. (LAP Reading and MLL)
- Laura Reed: Online math subscription for students with IEPs who need additional practice. (Resource Room K-8)
- Sheryl Yost: Headphones and a wobble chair. (K/1st grade)
- Jean Bolivar: Non-fiction books about current athletes and sports history to update the school library. (Teacher Librarian)
- Allison Hoover: Soccer balls to replace and expand the P.E. department’s existing equipment. (PE Specialist)
- Karen Nicholson: Transportation and tickets for a Seattle Symphony performance. (5th grade)
- Peter Reni: Class-designed T-shirts for the school’s AVID elective. (8th grade Math and AVID)
- Natalie Campbell: A class subscription to the IXL math program. (1st grade)
- Britt Harris: Soprano ukuleles and an automatic tuner for the music department. (Office Manager)
- Jessica Hendrick: A class subscription to the IXL math program. (1st grade)
- Grace Kim: A class subscription to the IXL math program. (4th grade)
- Frank Kleyn: Non-fiction dog breed books for third-grade research unit. (Teacher Librarian)
- Aimee Miner: Transportation and tickets to Shorecrest HS’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher. (Principal)
- Rhonda Okazaki: A class subscription to the IXL math program. (2nd grade)
- Pauline Olson: A class subscription to the IXL math program. (1st grade)
- Ingrid Rigsby: Classroom books written in a variety of languages. (MLL)
- Paige Robson: Updated Zones of Regulation materials to support the school’s social/emotional objections. (School Counselor)
- Kathy Ross: Tickets for the Everett Imagine Children’s Museum. (Kindergarten)
- Lori Scobie: A class subscription to the IXL math program. (4th grade)
- Maggie Smith: A tenor marimba and a soprano marimba for music classes. (Music)
- Lisa Sezate: Copies of Where the Mountains Meet the Moon for a class novel study. (5th grade)
- Susan Clyde: An all-school assembly with Alan Zerbe. (1st grade)
- Monica Holdridge: UFLI-aligned readers, chapter books, and decodable readers. (Reading Specialist K-5)
- Stephanie Laviola: Art supplies to use in the study of the seven elements of art. (4th grade)
- Michelle Carroll: Sets of social studies-themed books. (Principal)
- Chrisy Francescutti: Spanish and Korean editions of popular titles for MLL students. (Librarian)
SKSR is glad to be able to assist these educators and their students in this small way.
Santa arrives at North City
Sunday, December 8, 2024
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| Santa's sleigh with the North City Water District holiday tree in the background Photo by Claudia Meadows |
Santa made his regular arrival in North City on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in his sleigh.
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| Photo by Claudia Meadows |
Assisted by elves, Santa posted for photos.
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| Around the Sound community band performed Photo by Claudia Meadows |
The Around the Sounds community band performed for the crowd.
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| Photo by Claudia Meadows |
The North City Neighborhood Association served hot chocolate.
Les Schwab at 17754 15th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155
was once again the host of the event in cooperation with the North City Business District, the North City Water District, and the North City Neighborhood Association.
Wonka Kids - The Musical set to dazzle audiences with sweet adventure - December 13-14, 2024
Step into a world of pure imagination as the beloved story of Willy Wonka comes to life in "Wonka Kids: The Musical."
Join Meridian Park Elementary student performers as they embark on a whimsical journey through the magical chocolate factory, showcasing their talents in this delightful production.
The musical, based on Roald Dahl's timeless classic, promises to enchant audiences of all ages with its colorful characters and unforgettable songs.
Under the direction of Kelsi Raich of Dandylyon Drama, the talented cast of 33 3rd-5th graders will deliver a heartwarming performance filled with laughter, wonder, and important lessons about humility and kindness.
Under the direction of Kelsi Raich of Dandylyon Drama, the talented cast of 33 3rd-5th graders will deliver a heartwarming performance filled with laughter, wonder, and important lessons about humility and kindness.
The evening will also feature Kindergarten-2nd grade performers opening the show with a performance of “Think Positive!”
Performances are scheduled for December 13 & 14, 2024 at Mountlake Terrace High School Theatre 21801 44th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace,WA 98043
Performances are scheduled for December 13 & 14, 2024 at Mountlake Terrace High School Theatre 21801 44th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace,WA 98043
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Givelively
Don't miss your chance to experience the magic and the mystery of Willy Wonka's world with the whole family!
For more information, contact mpptsaclub@gmail.com
Don't miss your chance to experience the magic and the mystery of Willy Wonka's world with the whole family!
For more information, contact mpptsaclub@gmail.com
Holiday book sale at LFP Library December 14, 2024
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| Lots of children's books at LFP Friends of the Library book sale Saturday Photo courtesy Friends of LFP Library |
A big pop-up holiday book sale is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 11am to 4pm at the Lake Forest Park Library, 17171 Bothell Way N.E. in Lake Forest Park Town Center (lower lobby by the escalator).
There will be lots of children’s and teen books, fiction and nonfiction for adults, holiday books, cookbooks, and coffee-table books, all at very low prices.
Hundreds of gently-used books are included, perfect for gift-giving and winter reading.
Prices start at one dollar (some paperbacks at fifty cents) with specialty books marked up slightly. Proceeds help to support programs and events at the Lake Forest Park Library.
The book sale, sponsored by the Friends of the LFP Library, will take place inside the Library’s meeting room and also outside the Library’s entrance. Call the library for directions at 206-362-8860.
Bottles & Botany: A Physician’s Touch December 12, 2024 at the Shoreline Library
Learn about medicinal practices through the lens of historical documents and artifacts from the museum's collection.
Shoreline Library 345 NE 175th, Shoreline WA 98155
Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 4-5:30pm
FREE and Registration not required. For adults.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Shoreline Library.
FREE and Registration not required. For adults.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Shoreline Library.
FREE Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Workshop December 17, 2024 at Spartan Rec Center
Learn how to waste less by wrapping your gifts using beautiful, reusable fabric that can be used year after year!
December 17, 2024 from 11:00am - 1:00pm
Spartan Recreation Center 202 NE 185th St
Recology is hosting a special zero waste gift wrapping workshop to teach you how to neatly wrap gifts using furoshiki wrapping cloths. Leave with a beautifully wrapped gift without the waste!
Read more...
December 17, 2024 from 11:00am - 1:00pm
Spartan Recreation Center 202 NE 185th St
Recology is hosting a special zero waste gift wrapping workshop to teach you how to neatly wrap gifts using furoshiki wrapping cloths. Leave with a beautifully wrapped gift without the waste!
Bonus! The wrapping cloth is a gift in itself - the recipient can use it or repurpose it for years to come.
This event is FREE, but registration is required. Fabric provided, but gifts not included.
Questions? Contact RKCWasteZero@Recology.com
Bring a gift you want wrapped, but something no bigger than 18"x18" so they fit in the wrapping cloths.
Shoreline Fire toy drive continues through December 13, 2024
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| Shoreline Fire collecting toys at Fred Meyer Saturday Photo by Claudia Meadows |
Shoreline firefighters were at Fred Meyer on Saturday, December 7, 2024 collecting donations of toys from shoppers for their annual Toy Drive.
If you missed them on Saturday, you can still drop off donations of new, unwrapped toys at any Shoreline Fire Station or the Dale Turner YMCA 19290 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133 through December 13, 2024.
Moms Unhinged - live comedy show in Edmonds January 27, 2025
Moms Unhinged - live comedy show at the Edmonds Theater on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7pm.
Join us for a night of laughter as we explore everything from motherhood, midlife crisis, marriage, divorce, online dating, and other things that irritate us. Men are welcome to the show, too.
Moms Unhinged has been selling out shows all over the country and is coming for a special performance.
We do clean (ish) comedy and this is a fun night out with your girlfriends, drinking club (I mean book club), neighborhood group or your own mom.
Performing Andrea Marie and Cara Rosellini with headliner Amy Brown
Adult themes and language – 21+
Tickets are $25 and there is no drink minimum.
Doors open at 6:00pm, Show starts at 7:00pm
**Great Christmas gift idea!**
Resident rescued from house fire Friday
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| Shoreline firefighters at residential fire on Friday Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire |
Friday, December 6, 2024, Shoreline Fire crews responded to a residential fire after receiving a call about smoke coming from a home.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and determined the fire was located in the crawlspace.
Firefighters rescued an unconscious person from the home within four minutes of the first unit’s arrival. The individual was transported to Harborview Medical Center by paramedics.
The fire was brought under control in just 10 minutes. No firefighter injuries were reported.
Additional fire crews were dispatched to assist but were not needed once the situation was contained.
Read more...
Tranquil Morning at Log Boom Park
Saturday, December 7, 2024
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| Photo by Toby Toble |
A rare clear December day turned Log Boom Park into a tranquil beauty Wednesday morning. The walkway seems to go on into forever.
--Phyllis Johnson
Pause continues for storm debris at Shoreline Transfer Station
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| Storm debris photo by Nic Cross |
Due to lack of capacity at our Solid Waste transfer stations, we’ve put a pause on free yard debris drop-off at our Shoreline transfer station.
We’re planning to reassess the need for additional free debris clean-up over the next week and will provide an update on website.
The offer was for storm debris from residents in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore.
Normal yard waste collection is not impacted.
Normal yard waste collection is not impacted.
Shoreline District Footballers post big numbers for All-WesCo honors
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| Shorecrest players named to WesCo All Conference |
What a phenomenal season for Shoreline’s version of Friday Night Lights – but instead of a fictional Dillon, Texas with its two rival teams, local fans got to gather at Spartan Stadium and root on our Shorewood Stormrays and Shorecrest Highlanders.
With 21 players collecting a total of 24 All-WesCo designations, it was a bumper crop of awards for the teams led by head Coaches Rob Petschl, Shorewood, and Brandon Christensen, Shorecrest.
Both teams finished the season with winning records of 6-4, with Shorecrest making the 3A State Round of 32 before falling to Bellevue High School (which will play this Saturday in the 3A Championship).
Shorecrest also won the Shoreline District championship, with a narrow 20-13 win over Shorewood in the annual Rotary Cup.
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| #5 Charlie Chin carries the ball |
Making the All-Wesco 2024 Teams from Shorecrest are these nine players:
1st Team All-WesCo
- Charlie Chin, Senior, Safety. Chin, who was also named to All-Wesco 2nd Team as Wide Receiver, had 671 total yards of offense, including a team leading 557 yards receiving and 79 yards returning punts and kickoffs. Rarely stepping off the field, he also collected 51 tackles (second highest on the team) and had one interception.
- Carter Nichols, Senior, Offensive Lineman. Nichols anchored both sides of the line, also earning All-Wesco 2nd Team honors as a defensive lineman. The powerful Diesel was rarely not bearing down on an opponent, seeking contact wherever he could find it on his way to making 23 tackles and providing effective blocking for every Scots running back.
- Max Beer, Senior, Linebacker. Also earning All-Wesco 2nd Team honors as a Tight End, Mac Truck made his quiet presence felt in a loud way, popping pads all over the conference on his way to leading the team with 79 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, and one interception – while missing the final game of the season due to a foot injury. His style of play, reminiscent of prior Highlander greats like Jake Smotherman and Beau Ormsby, will be long remembered – and long felt by his opponents.
- Ben Chesnut, Senior, Tight End. Ben was a Swiss Army Knife kind of player, serving multiple purposes and in on nearly every play on both sides of the ball. He led the team in touchdowns (12), all-purpose yards (832, including 494 receiving and 328 rushing), tied for interceptions (2), and had 31.5 tackles on top of all his offensive production.
- Michael Murray, Junior, Defensive Lineman. Murray played with a ferocity that was recognized by his teammates, opponents, and sometimes, the officials, from hike to whistle on every play. He collected 24 tackles, including four for loss, and also had a pivotal role on the offensive line. No doubt Coach Christensen is looking forward to having him back next year.
2nd Team All-WesCo
- Eli Gojdics, Junior, Running Back. Gojdics collected 739 yards of offense, including a team leading 412 rushing yards on 100 carries, with four touchdowns, and also team leading 275 kickoff return yard.
- Danny Stephenson, Senior, Quarterback. In his second year under center (or rather, in the shotgun), Stephenson completed nearly 60% of his passes, racking up 1349 yards in the air and scoring eleven passing touchdowns. He added 354 yards on the ground carrying the ball, with a team leading 121 carries, for another six touchdowns. Playing most of the season with a brace protecting a wrist fracture suffered in the season opener against Lakeside, he was instrumental in leading the Scots this season.
- Jacob Engle, Junior, Offensive Lineman. Another key player on this Shorecrest offensive line, Engle was instrumental in punching open the holes that allowed Stephenson and Gojdics to scamper downfield.
All-WesCo Honorable Mention
- Anthony Downing, Senior, Wide Receiver. Ant made his presence known in a big way in this breakout senior season, gaining 180 yards with two touchdowns, while also playing a hard hitting defensive back, with 14 tackles and an interception.
Making the All-Wesco 2024 Teams from Shorewood are these dozen players:
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| Jack Gallagher, leaping for an interception Photo by Kristi Lin |
1st Team All-WesCo
- Gatsby Palmer, Senior, Running back. Rushed for 601 yards and had six touchdowns
- Kevin Haslam, Jr., Senior, Safety. Had 38 tackles and three interceptions
- Logan Jovich, Junior, Offensive Lineman
- Jack Gallagher, Junior, Defensive Back. Had 36 tackle and three interceptions
- Kaare Nye, Junior, Kicker. Five field goals and 29 PAT’s
2nd Team All-WesCo
- Anthony Reyes, Senior, Defensive Lineman
- Gatsby Palmer, Senior, Linebacker
- Kristian Stickelmaier, Senior, Defensive Back
- Finn Bachler, Junior, Kick Returner
- Eli McLaurin, Junior, Offensive Lineman
Honorable Mention All-WesCo
- Tyler Giles, Senior, Quarterback
- Nico Zacharias, Senior, Wide Receiver
--Sports Desk
Rotary Sharing Tree open at LFP Town Center until December 21, 2024
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| We love our new poster…a special thanks to Amber Ryder, a Shorecrest HS parent. |
The Lake Forest Park Rotary sharing tree is now open in the lower lobby of Town Center Lake Forest Park, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.
Leave unwrapped gifts and gift cards with the LFP Rotary volunteers attending the tree. Use the QR code in the poster for cash donations.
Thank you to the community for donating gifts and gift cards for the children in our community at large. We are so proud of the work all of us are doing in the community to support families and individuals who need our attention.
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| LFP Rotary Volunteers at the Sharing Tree in LFP Town Center |
It takes a village… working together at a time of need. Please come visit us at the tree.
JOIN ROTARY - we have fun giving and serving our community and beyond.
Read more...
Shoreline’s parking code “doesn’t make sense”
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| A map from the city shows new NR2 and NR3 zones and quarter-mile and half-mile distances from transit stops and high activity areas |
By Oliver Moffat
The Shoreline city council could allow commercial businesses in residential neighborhoods and will debate ending parking mandates citywide while possibly expanding tree protections
At the December 2 meeting, the Shoreline council discussed the 2044 Comprehensive Plan and changes to the city’s Development Code required to comply with new state housing laws.
Like other cities across the state, Shoreline must update its comp plan and code to comply with new laws intended to address the housing affordability crisis.
Most of the draft code changes were mandated by the Middle Housing (HB1110), ADU (HB1337), Permit Streamlining (SB5290), Parking Reduction (SB6015), and Supportive & Emergency Housing (HB1220) bills.
But the Shoreline city council plans to go beyond the minimum state mandates by allowing commercial businesses in residential neighborhoods, will consider ending residential parking mandates citywide and might expand tree retention rules at the December 16th meeting.
Like other cities across the state, Shoreline will bring its code into compliance with the state’s Middle Housing (HB1110) and ADU (HB1337) laws, replacing existing single-family zones with new Neighborhood Residential zones (NR1, NR2, and NR3) that now allow ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, cottage housing, and courtyard apartments.
But draft amendments from the planning commission and city staff would go further and allow some commercial businesses such as cafes, brewpubs, offices, markets, daycare and personal services in residential neighborhoods.
The businesses would be allowed on all streets except dead-ends and cul-de-sacs and drive-throughs and gas stations would not be allowed.
The current draft would limit the size of residential commercial spaces to 1,000 square feet but at a meeting with the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce in November, the council discussed expanding the size limits from 1,000 square feet up to 1,500 or even 2,000 along arterials.
Councilmember Annette Ademasu questioned the low size limit saying, “If I wanted to buy an existing building on the corner lot that's bigger than 1,000 square feet. What happens if I want to build a restaurant there and it's a 1,500 square foot home I want to convert to a restaurant… using existing buildings … is less carbon intensive on the world for building materials.”
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| A map from the city shows neighborhoods within a half-mile of a “major” or “frequent” transit stops after transit changes in September |
Another change to the city code will add a new definition for “frequent” transit stops that is different from the previous “major” transit stop definition.
The distinction matters because the Middle Housing (HB1110) and ADU (HB1337) laws require cities to allow greater density near “major” transit stops and also forbids cities from requiring new parking for developments near “major” transit.
Earlier this year, after light rail service came to Shoreline, Metro transit made several big revisions to its bus network, deleting bus routes to downtown Seattle made redundant by the Link 1 line.
With the extra capacity, Metro added new routes and increased the frequency of dozens of routes including two Shoreline bus lines: the 348 and the new 333 now run every fifteen minutes during the weekdays, zigzagging north-south and east-west throughout the city.
Next year, Metro and Sound Transit plan to connect the ST Express 522 to the 145th street light rail station, adding another fifteen-minute frequent bus to the city and in the future, Sound Transit’s planned Stride S3 Line will replace the 522 with bus rapid transit (BRT) along 145th.
The journey of a Shoreline transit rider is much different now than it was. According to a map from the city, all of Shoreline’s grocery stores (Costco, Fred Meyer, Trader Joe’s, Town and Country, QFC, Thriftway and both Safeways) are now served by transit that arrives at least every fifteen minutes during weekdays.
Last month, when the city realized the new buses would force the city to allow increased density in more neighborhoods across the city, the Planning Commission approved an amendment from city staff to add separate definitions for “major” transit stops and “frequent” transit stops, allowing the city to continue to stuff density into some neighborhoods and keep it out of others.
Maps presented to the council showed the walking radius before and after the new more frequent bus routes: almost the entire city east of Aurora is now within walking distance of “frequent” or “major” transit.
Under the new state laws, the city can no longer require off-street parking for new middle housing and ADUs within a half mile of a “major” transit stop.
But the city’s proposed rules do not end the existing parking mandates for other multifamily homes. As a result, the city’s parking rules don’t make sense according to Mayor Chris Roberts because a property with six townhomes would not require parking, but a six-unit apartment building next door would require parking.
Mayor Roberts is proposing an amendment to end minimum parking requirements throughout the city “like Port Townsend, like Spokane, like 77 other cities across the nation who have not seen any problems,” he said.
“If you add in all the frequent transit, the number of places where parking is required, is going to be, I think, relatively small. And… it's almost easier in my mind to… say citywide we don't have a parking requirement,” Roberts said.
Not everyone on the council is ready to allow developers to build homes without parking citywide.
Speaking in favor of parking, Councilmember Annette Ademasu said, “we have so many different areas and a lot of residential areas don't have an easy bus to get somewhere to go grocery shopping. So I think we're kind of unique versus other cities like Spokane and the 77 other cities in the United States that may have gone to no parking requirements.”
Other code changes bring the city into compliance with a parking reduction law (SB6015) the state adopted earlier this year.
That law will prompt cities to shrink the size of required parking spaces and allow grass block pavers as an approved parking surface.
Also, under the new state parking law, if the city’s tree retention code combined with its parking mandates make a residential development “infeasible”, then the city must waive the parking mandates.
Under Shoreline’s current code, buildings in the R6 zone are allowed to cover no more than 35% of a parcel and hardscape coverage may not exceed 50% of the lot.
But the proposed code introduces a sliding scale that would allow the hardscape coverage to increase with the number of units on the lot.
Two months ago Mayor Roberts told staff he opposed increasing hardscape maximums, wants the city to lift parking mandates city wide and instead encourage developers to build around trees.
He repeated that criticism at this week’s meeting. “I think this is concerning if we are trying to preserve canopy, we're trying to preserve trees, we're trying to preserve green space… Having at least 60% lot coverage allowed throughout the entire city is a lot… we have climate goals. And we have tree canopy goals,” Roberts said.
He said the city’s parking mandates are the reason why developers will need to remove trees and pave most of the lots. “I don't think that’s what people in the community want,” he said.
Councilmember Keith Scully agreed, “I don't have any problem with increased density in neighborhood residential 3, but I do have a problem with increased structure size and increasing hardscape just because everything from stormwater to tree canopy is just not structured around having big buildings there.
"So I would like an amendment that gets rid of the sliding scale and caps it at 50%. That's still, in my view, a significant increase,” Scully said.
An amendment to increase tree retention rules could be introduced as well. The city’s current development code says at least 25 percent of significant trees on a property must be retained in residential neighborhoods.
Last year, the city passed a law allowing cottage housing in residential neighborhoods but required developers to retain 35 percent of significant trees and imposed a $9000 fee for removing big trees.
That kind of inconsistency is now illegal so the city will remove its Cottage Housing code to comply with the state’s Middle Housing laws. Councilmember Ademasu called for extending the more restrictive tree retention rules that currently only applies to Cottage Housing developments to all residential developments citywide.
City staff pushed back and argue the tree code will be updated next year at which point the tree retention rules could be modified.
At the December 16th meeting the city council will consider amendments and vote on adoption of the comprehensive plan and the new development code.
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