LFP City Council - 5-Acre Woods

5-Acre Woods
Photo by Jerry Pickard

By Diane Hettrick

The Lake Forest Park City Council will meet on Thursday, June 29, 7pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, in a meeting postponed from June 22.

Main item on the agenda is Resolution 1620 /

Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Letter Requesting a Waiver of Retroactivity from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for the Seattle Public Utilities Property Known as 5-Acre Woods

The 5-Acre Woods property is the largest piece of undeveloped property in Lake Forest Park.  A citizen group spearheaded by the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation is raising money for purchase of the property and lobbying the city to take it over as a natural park. See previous article.

According to the citizen group, "Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) acquired the land many years ago for a water reservoir site but never developed it for that purpose, so they intend to sell it; the property hasn’t been used by anyone for forty years - except the wildlife!"

The City is considering alternatives to acquire the property. The agenda item pertains to paperwork necessary to acquire grant monies.

Should the City be successful in acquiring the properties, the City must submit a Waiver of Retroactivity request to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office  (RCO) to remain eligible for RCO funds that could be used to reimburse acquisition costs. If granted, the City will be eligible for two RCO grant cycles (two year cycles).

What is not clear is whether the LFPSF and the City are in sync about development on the site. The citizen group wants to keep the entire property as woods with nature trails. The City may be considering development on part of the property.

Stay tuned.