Linden neighbors mourn loss of affordable living and big evergreens
Sunday, July 30, 2023
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| Demolition in progress for construction of a large apartment building Photo by Corinne McKisson |
By Diane Hettrick
Demolition has begun at 179th and Linden for a large apartment complex. The site held the low-income Garden Park Apartments.
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| Trees that were felled this week Photo by Derek Blackwell |
On the 17th of July, demolition of the site began, and this week the trees began to come down. Neighbors and Save Shoreline Trees held a vigil as the trees were felled.
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| The trees were felled this week Photo by Corinne McKisson |
When Shoreline revised its zoning codes, priority was given to concentrating development along Aurora and existing business corridors. Linden is one block west of Aurora.
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| Architect's drawing of the ModeraShoreline that will be constructed on the site |
Neighbors are concerned about the loss of mature trees, the potential for heavy traffic on a narrow street, and the loss of affordable housing. See previous article about the ModeraShoreline.
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28 comments:
OMG! ðŸ˜
Way to go city of Shoreline. $ talks - the sad part is that it IS possible to build new construction around established trees but it takes some creativity and finesse, both sadly lacking in our local government and quest for "progress".
Forty-eight (48) tall trees were at this site and, per the Shoreline tree code, all of the trees can be removed and no tree replacements are required. The Modera, a 7-story, 399-unit apartment complex will be constructed. The community responded to the SEPA application, participated in neighborhood meetings with the developer, spoke at Council meetings, with the hope that Mill Creek Residential would design around some of the tall conifer trees on site. But there was never any chance to save these trees. On July 24, at the City Council meeting, it was announced that the tree code will not be reviewed until 2025. Save Shoreline Trees responds that this is too late and too many of Shoreline's tall trees will continue to be cut down before 2025.
Stumps don't lie.
This is my neighborhood, shame on the City for allowing the unnecessary removal of some of the trees. In particular, the conifers lining Linden. The Aurora corridor heat island effect is rapidly expanding. Codes must change!
City codes must change! Trees must be protected so that they may do their job—which is to protect us!
One day, when they receive their AC electric bills, the residents will wish they had the cooling benefits of those fallen guardians. But the developer won't notice while counting the easier profit made without having trees in the way.
Just imagine the morning traffic as students drive in to Shorewood next to this monstrosity.
A sad day for Shoreline! What the hell is up with the City for allowing this happen!!!
July 2023 has broken global temperature records. We in the PNW have been fortunate so far this summer but we will not be spared. Remember the heat dome of 2021? It is difficult to understand how the City can justify tabling a review of the tree codes until 2025 – and that is just the review. How long will it take to enact codes that will save our mature trees?
City codes aren't going to change until the city council changes. Save Shoreline Trees: time to step up to plate and provide the incumbents with some competition.
We are in a climate crisis - this should mean that decisions are made TODAY to protect in every way our natural resources to cool our planet. 'Business as usual' is the lazy man's approach. The science is very clear, so it's time for our city to step up and change codes quickly to save more of our existing trees, in addition to planting new trees. It's also time to show developers and builders that in order to get a permit they have to adjust their plans, means and methods to accommodate and respect the existing trees on the property. Shorelines first responsibility is the safety and well-being of its residents - and living in a heat island is a prescription for health issues and in some cases death. We haven't heard the beginning of the results of the extreme heat affects in the rest of our country. We have had a lovely summer this year but it is not guaranteed for the future. Shoreline council members - remember - mother nature always has the final word. Change codes now to protect our remaining tall trees that serve everyone. These current building codes are condemning the current Shoreline population - that you serve - to much more than inconvenience.
As I pointed out during the public comment for this project and to city council - The largest heat island in the city is at adjacent Shorewood High School, and this will now double. This will be the second largest apartment building in Shoreline, seven stories. The arborist they were required to hire stated most of these trees are healthy and well positioned for retention, along the perimeter. There are many trees in back too, all of these coming down. Instead, residents will look out the window to see Brotherton Cadillac, 17 feet away. https://sites.google.com/view/treesatgardenpark/home
There are many other problems besides loss of trees. With only one access way to the 400 car underground garage at 179th, the traffic quagmire will be a safety hazard. They refuse to connect the south entrance to the garage, even for emergencies. We need to demand this modification.
Next on the chopping block all the trees along 15th NE from 165th to 175th.
Many of us provided verbal and written comments about loss of mature trees, increased traffic, and too many units (for adjacent to homes on Linden) during Shoreline City Council SEPA and other hearings a year ago (2022) on the proposed project. But the City Council chose to not make the developer revise this gigantic building design with parking for many cars and lots of concrete and no trees. Developers seem to have more sway than Shoreline residents or the natural environment. Sad to see so many beautiful trees gone when keeping some of these trees was very possible.
Not happy to see so many trees (the kind of trees that we need to moderate the effects of Climate Change), killed. Serial Killers in our town - and no big deal to our leadership? Why did 48 trees need to die?
Makes me wonder, how many trees were felled to construct the Garden Park Apartments, back in the day when no one cared. Hopefully plenty of human saplings will grow at the Moderna!
I assume that with all these new apartments going up, city council members will be willing to guarantee that we will no longer have a single homeless person in our city?
This is so tragic. We're already in a deep tree deficit across the region. We're looking to you, Shoreline city officials, to be leaders in building affordable, high-density housing while preserving and protecting tree canopy! You can do better!
This is a huge loss of beautiful trees and of affordable housing, in a neighborhood. I don't know what it will take for the City Council to listen to their citizens. I am hoping that the City Council is listening now, and will change laws to protect mature trees.
Abundant trees and greenery have always been a signature element of the Shoreline communities. Many residents have been drawn to the area because of this amenity. It appears that soon all the major streets, and adjoining residential ones, will just be walls of gigantic apartment complexes. Gone will be reasonable traffic, clean air, safe places to walk and bike, and fresh breezes! There are not yet enough businesses to support such an influx of residents. They will have to go outside of the area for support. Any apartment unit with a beginning rent charge of $1,200 or more is definitely NOT an affordable apartment! Have not seen any yet that will be true "affordable housing" units. Shame on the Shoreline City Council and its departments for being more concerned about $$$ than the people who will be impacted!
This city…it continues to stomp forward come what may, due to that continued rapid over reaching vision for density. These large monster apartment buildings being thrown up as fast as possible on any available land a developers bat their eyes too and yet many neighborhoods have voiced concern over the past 24 months about just the sheer unnecessary size/ scale of just this ONE building compared to any other being rapidly built. Not to mention a one lane tiny hurting road, that barely is adequate or safe for its current residents or emergency services who use this to go south for its shoreline residents to bypass over crowed Hwy 99. Look at Edmonds city council. It continues to listen to its residents, actually uses their input (not lip service zoom nods) to find fair balance for growth but also adding more than it’s taking. More parks, restaurants, enhancements, spray parks, community events, signage and beauty for its current residents.
Here? The tax from these large apartments while meeting their “vision” is all our city leaders appear to see $ anymore$. Trees being cut down ( plus 40+) on 15th, that are so badly needed in our current climate, are just another example of how badly money talks.
Like all political structures in the US it’s clear that we the people of Shoreline have no voice.
I would like to bring up the exquisite irony of the city of Shoreline's logo, which shows three trees.
Human greed is alive and well in Shoreline. Trees are just for the rich neighborhoods and science and common sense during this time of climate change is out the window. At the rate the trees are coming down, Shoreline will be one big heat island.
All of this degradation is for the profit of the real estate trust, Mill Creek Residential, based in Boca Raton, FL. One more example of local resources being shipped out of state. I wonder if there's a way to tip off the MCR shareholders who might actually care enough to speak out, as has happened in other circumstances.
Linden will have on each side of the center lime an 11'lane, 8' parking strip, 6" curb, 5' planting strip, and 8' wide sidewalk. It will be over 64 feet wide upon completion. For four blocks...
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