Showing posts with label city council LFP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city council LFP. Show all posts

Lake Forest Park City Council to hold Public Hearing on Proposed Code Amendments regarding Accessory Dwelling Units

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Image courtesy City of LFP
The City of Lake Forest Park City Council has been reviewing proposed amendments to the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code (LFPMC) regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory Structures for adoption under Ordinance Number 1235. 

The City Council will hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments regarding amendments to the following in the LFPMC: 
  • section 18.50.050, Accessory dwelling units; 
  • section18.50.060 Accessory structures and buildings; and 
  • related definitions in Chapter 18.08. 

The public hearing is intended primarily to provide an opportunity for public testimony regarding draft code amendments that may be found in the agenda packet for the hearing and alternatives to same.

The public hearing will be conducted during the City Council’s regular meeting on February 24, 2022.The meeting will begin at 7pm and the public hearing will commence thereafter. 

The public hearing will be held virtually. Instructions for how to participate in the virtual public hearing may be found on the agenda for the meeting. Written testimony will be accepted prior to the meeting and distributed to the City Council and verbal testimony will be accepted during the public hearing.

  • Written comments should be submitted to City Clerk Matt McLean no later than 5pm local time on the date of the hearing.
  • Any person wishing to provide oral testimony at the hearing is encouraged to register via the Remote Public Comment Sign-in Form on the City’s Virtual Meetings During COVID-19 webpage by 5pm on the date of the meeting. 
  • Persons who have not signed up on the online public hearing sign-in sheet will be called upon to raise their hand through the Zoom meeting webinar feature and will be added to the speakers’ queue by the City Clerk, to be called upon by the Meeting Chair or designee. 
  • A request to speak can also be made by phone directly to the City Clerk at 206-368-5540 prior to 5pm on the date of the meeting.

Click here to view the public hearing notice.

The agenda will be available here by 5pm on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.



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LFP Council to consider three resolutions and one ordinance at Thursday meeting

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

At their virtual meeting on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 7pm, the Lake Forest Park City Council will consider the following Ordinances and Resolutions:

Resolution 1836/Creating a Climate Committee (introduction and discussion) 

Resolution 1837/Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Agreements with ShoreLake Arts and Glacial Cryotherapy, LLC (introduction and discussion) 

Resolution 1838/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Interlocal Agreement for Dispatch/Records Management Services with the Bothell Police Department

Ordinance 1235/Amending Chapters 18.08, Definitions; and Sections 18.50.050, Accessory Dwelling Units and 18.50.060, Accessory Structures and Buildings, of the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code (discussion)

Full agenda and links to documents here

Instructions for participating in this meeting virtually:

Please note, this link works for both the Work Session (6:00pm) and Regular Meeting (7:00pm).

When: Feb 10, 2022 6:00 PM (Work Session) and 7:00 PM (Regular Meeting)
Topic: City Council Work Session (6:00 p.m.) and Regular Meeting (7:00 p.m.) - 2/10/2022

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82719930895



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LFP Council to hear presentation on Creek Riparian Restoration Thursday

Riparian restoration at McAleer Creek
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park
The Lake Forest Park City Council, in their work session Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 6pm, will hear a King Conservation District presentation on Creek Riparian Restoration from Michael Lasecki, Senior Resource Specialist, Forest Stewardship.

The meeting is virtual.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82719930895

Or One tap mobile :
US: +12532158782,,82719930895# or +16699006833,,82719930895#

Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US:+12532158782 or+16699006833 or+13462487799 or+14086380968 or+1646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 827 1993 0895

International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kRUDCKEX1


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LFP Council Corner – A Look at 2022

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Tom French, Deputy Mayor
City of Lake Forest Park
By LFP Deputy Mayor Tom French

It is my great pleasure to join with our continuing Council Members Phillippa Kassover, Lorri Bodi and Semra Riddle in welcoming the three newly elected members of the Lake Forest Park City Council.

Tracy Furutani, Larry Goldman, and Jon Lebo all bring a wealth of outstanding professional and volunteer experiences and skills to the policy-making body of our city. We are very thankful for their willingness to serve our city in this capacity and know that they will make excellent contributions in different and meaningful ways to the conversations we have with our community.

I would like to take a moment to thank our former Deputy Mayor, Phillippa Kassover, who has led the City Council for the past two years with distinction, dignity, and grace. We all thank her for her substantial work on behalf of the city and for all that she has led to completion for the City of Lake Forest Park. I look forward to continuing to collaborate closely with her in her new role as Council Vice Chair.

Taking a look at the year ahead, the short State Legislative Session is underway, and we will continue to advocate with our delegation for our City’s top priorities:

Additional Resources for Fish Barrier Removal

The City has successfully replaced six culverts in the past six years on Lyon Creek and there have been observed increases in fish activity. The state culvert project at SR 104 is fully funded and will begin construction in 2023. There are still many barriers to remove and considerable habitat to be restored. The City will continue to advocate for additional funds from the Legislature to keep moving forward with this top environmental priority.

Town Center to Burke Gilman Trail Connector

Thanks to the hard work of our legislative delegation in Olympia during the last biennium, the City was awarded funds to bring the project to a 10% design level and undertake two engineering studies to determine whether an overpass or underpass was the best option. To take the project to the 30% level, we are asking for additional funds to continue this essential work.

Regional Crisis Triage Center

Lake Forest Park and our neighboring cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, and Shoreline have joined together to study the feasibility for a regional crisis triage center in North King County. This facility would support the Radar program and other ways of engaging those in crisis with additional capacity for acute behavioral health interventions in our area. In conjunction with our neighbors, we are requesting the State’s support for construction and operating costs.

State Route 104 Investments

State Route 104 (or Ballinger Way) is a poorly maintained highway and carries around 26,000 vehicles per day, including more commercial freight vehicles that are very heavy. This State Route also is sorely lacking in the appropriate safety measures that could increase the use of human powered or multimodal transportation options. The City is seeking a partnership with the State to make significant investments in improvements that will enhance the safety of pedestrians and bicyclist as well as increase the use transportation alternatives.

The year ahead is a very full one for the Lake Forest Park City Council, and some major topics we will be considering include:
  • Recommendations by the Planning Commission to our Accessory Dwelling (ADU) and Detached Dwelling Unit (DADU) regulations
  • Tree Board recommendations for changes to our Tree Code
  • Traffic calming and speed limits within our city
  • The work of a new citizen-led Climate Committee

Lastly, 2022 is a very full Budget year and we will begin consideration of the City’s budget mid-summer. While the City has largely weathered the financial challenges that the pandemic has wrought these past two years, this budget is very tight, and we are going to have to make some difficult choices as a community.

I wish you all the best in this new year! Stay well and stay safe.

--Deputy Mayor Tom French



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Lake Forest Park council meetings Monday

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole (CoW) and Regular Council Meeting are virtual on Monday, January 24, 2022.

CoW at 6pm and regular business meeting at 7pm

The CoW has two items for discussion: 
  1. Discussion regarding Northshore Fire District Contract for Service – Northshore Fire Chief and Commissioners 
  2. Continued Discussion of Planning Commission’s Recommended Amendments to Accessory Dwelling Unit and Accessory Building Regulations – Steve Bennett, Planning Director

The agenda for the regular meeting will be posted on the city calendar page before the meeting.



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Parting words from recently retired Lake Forest Park councilmember John Resha

Thursday, January 6, 2022

John Resha
John Resha has retired from the Lake Forest Park City Council after serving from January 2013 to December 2021.

His parting words for the community:

Eight years ago (and again four years ago), I had the privilege of being elected one of your Councilmembers. When this journey began the community, City, and Council were in a state of turmoil. 

In fact, the only reasons I was convinced to run was so that I could work on that challenge of trying to draw the Administration and Council into a functional working relationship – as well as help stabilize the City’s finances and spending.

With a focus on partnership and openness throughout my terms, I can look back at my time in office with pride and success related to many of our initiatives.
  • Stabilized financial conditions, better aligning spending with available resources (in partnership with Mayor Johnson and a great City Administration).
  • Increased the City’s financial reserve levels to 16 percent – by policy, more than doubling reserves.
  • Led the translation of our community’s environmental ethic to enacting a tree preservation ordinance and system that is resulting in a measurable GROWTH of our tree canopy.
  • Established and completed the Big 5 – Parks, Safe Streets, Safe Highways, Healthy Creeks, and Town Center Area planning – already resulting in $10s of millions of grant funds to support our community’s goals.
  • Aligned the funding packages for the largest growth in City Parks and active recreation space in the City’s history.
  • Made even my most ardent questioners find comfort in my leadership (even when they did not agree with me), while building lasting relationships and practices that will serve our community well into the future.
Not every week was rosy or easy – I still think we can do better on inclusiveness in housing opportunities - but it was all worth it. I am grateful to the community (all of the community) of Lake Forest Park for the opportunity to serve. And if you have ever thought about public service – jump in! There are always boards, committees, and elected office that need your amazing perspectives. After all, in a representative government, you and I are the neighbors who look out for our community.

Thanks all and be kind to your neighbors…

John Resha



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Parting words from retiring LFP councilmember Mark Phillips

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Mark Phillips photo courtesy
City of Lake Forest Park
Mark Phillips has retired from the Lake Forest Park City Council after serving from January 2014 to December 2021.

His parting words for the community:

I’m proud of what Lake Forest Park accomplished over the last eight years, especially the acquisition of two new park properties, the expansion of a third park and the construction of three new culverts which eliminated periodic flooding of the roadways around Town Center. 

Although it will take time, the lakefront property promises to be a great resource, fulfilling long-standing desires for public lake access and more active recreational opportunities. The majority of the funding for all those improvements came from federal, state and county grants, along with public donations for one of the parks. 

I’m also pleased that the city is in a stronger fiscal position now than eight years ago with increases in required year-end fund balances and the creation of a new investment opportunity fund which was helpful in the lakefront purchase. This work was led by the council’s Budget and Finance Committee chaired by Councilmember Resha, and by two knowledgeable finance directors.

Disappointments? Yes, a couple. After over two years of hard, detailed work in conjunction with our Planning Commission to strengthen our development standards in anticipation of Town Center redevelopment and Sound Transit’s plan for a parking structure at the mall, neither of those have moved forward. 

The code changes we enacted reflect the wishes of our residents for the mall, but apparently mall owners find them too restrictive, and Sound Transit abruptly announced an indefinite delay in proceeding with the parking structure. I also regret that we were unable to reach an agreement with the Lake Forest Park Water District to complete the McKinnon Creek Trail, creating a direct pedestrian pathway between Horizon View and the Town Center.

One characteristic of Lake Forest Park that is important for understanding our civic life, and which any elected official comes to know well, is that we are almost exclusively residential. This didn’t happen by chance. It was the explicit vision of our founders over 100 years ago to create a residential oasis free of commerce. That direction was reinforced in 1961 when residents voted to formally incorporate the city as a way to control and limit encroaching commercial activity. The fact that the city remains largely residential can be seen as both a blessing and a curse.

Being primarily residential and with many larger-size lots, we are able to coexist with a proliferation of large trees, which along with our streams and steep ravines, creates a wonderful natural setting, much desired by weary inhabitants of an intensely urban region. Recognizing a good thing when we see it, we have embraced our natural environment and worked hard over the years to maintain it. Every few years, for example, we feel the need to review and strengthen our tree protection ordinance, including one major update during my time on the council.

Our residential nature, however, presents a major challenge: we are much more dependent on property taxes than many other cities. In my experience, people in Lake Forest Park are very generous, freely contributing volunteer hours and money to any number of social and civic purposes. However, when it comes to increasing property taxes, many residents tend to draw the line.

During my 30 years here, the average annual increase in the city’s portion of property taxes has been less than one percent, while the costs of providing services have consistently risen more than that. One fact that stood out for me during the lead up to the recent failed Prop 1, was that the median-valued home in LFP in 2021 ($624,000) paid $610 into the city coffers. I find that amount surprisingly low, especially given the generally high regard people have for our city services – police, public works, etc.

So, there is no fat in the city’s budget. We have entire departments that consist of only a couple of people. This limits what we can do ourselves and makes us the darling of the consulting companies. It also means we often depend on the largesse of others to accomplish our goals. Shoreline contributes much more to the Senior Center than we do, yet we are afforded full use of its services. Mountlake Terrace generously handles the administrative functions of the interlocal agreement through which we are working together to improve the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek watershed. With extremely limited resources, we are rarely the leader among the cities in our region.

LFP residents divide along these lines. Some feel this is a perfectly fine state of affairs – it’s good, lean government and anything we don’t have is available somewhere else. Let’s not try to be something we’re not. Others feel our level of fiscal austerity means missed opportunities for amenities and improvements that many people want. We shouldn’t always be dependent on the vagaries of grant funding to make those things happen.

This community conversation – about the kind of city we want to be – is not new. We have been engaged in it throughout our history, and elected officials and citizens will undoubtedly continue to sort it out far into the future. 

Lest there be any doubt, I am very optimistic about that future. We have a strong administration led by a mayor whose enthusiasm is contagious, along with dedicated and skilled staff members. We have four experienced councilmembers, whose collegiality and leadership often carried me during the last eight years, who are being joined by three very capable new ones. And we have residents who truly care about our city and are willing to engage in the civic process.



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Parting words from retiring LFP councilmember John Wright

Monday, January 3, 2022

John Wright photo courtesy
City of Lake Forest Park
John Wright has retired from the Lake Forest Park City Council after serving from January 2010 - December 2021.

His parting words for the community:

I’m proud of the work we’ve done during my 12 years on board, particularly in eliminating flooding from our town center and Sheridan Beach neighborhood. 

By following an unconventional approach we were able to solve our seasonal flooding problems and improve the health of our streams all at the same time, and save $2 Million in the process! 

Mayor Johnson’s goal of removing fish barriers and returning migrating salmon to our streams is actively being realized and it is something we should all take great satisfaction from.

Despite some very challenging economic times and the need to furlough City Staff during the worst of it, our City is running with amazing efficiency and our staff are doing tremendous work despite the global pandemic.

With road and street infrastructure crumbling in many cities surrounding LFP, our streets are in excellent condition due to our investments in maintenance and the dedication of our public works team. 

When residential burglaries spiked, our outstanding Police Department doubled down with outreach to citizens and coordinated block watch events which quickly turned the tide. Our residents have a great affinity for our police professionals and through coordination and cooperation it has made Lake Forest Park one of the safest cities in the region.

The Council has completed re-zoning projects on two neighborhoods with broad public participation, completed the Safe Streets, Safe Highways, and Parks, Recreation and Trails plans, acquired three new parks and passed new regulations protecting our trees and wildlife. We inaugurated the Lake Forest Park Pet Parade as a great community event.

Unfortunately and on a far less positive note, for most of the past two years we’ve been locked-down to one extent or another by the pandemic and our meetings have been virtual, offering the only ‘unmasked’ contact we’ve had with our colleagues and constituents.

It has been a lot of fun, and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way that I think are important for elected leaders to know:

During my tenure I’ve stressed the importance of protecting individual rights in balance with communal rights, so that as an example, we don’t legislate protection of the ‘community forest’ in a way that strips individual property owners of the right to manage their lands. We love our trees in LFP, and we cherish our freedom as well.

I’ve learned that the best solutions involve balance and that the process we follow in considering and legislating is extremely important to maintaining our democracy. We must ensure that citizens can see and participate in the process as it moves forward and have the chance to object if they feel their interests are not being served.
 
I’ve learned that Tax proposals which never need to be re-authorized are anti-democratic because they remove voters' ability to hold leaders accountable for how their money is spent. For democracy to work we all need to be regular active participants!

I’ve learned that elected leaders need constant reminding that their primary responsibility is to ensure public safety and maintain the public infrastructure before anything else. Just look to our large neighbor to the south where the criminal justice system is not working and major transportation infrastructure is closed for years and must be replaced because it wasn’t properly maintained. Our quality of life depends on leaders delivering on these responsibilities.

Going forward we’re all going to face many more challenges, and how we respond to them will determine if we advance or decline. The Growth Management Act (GMA) demands greater and greater population density within established ‘urban growth boundaries’ and will force multifamily developments into our city, which will directly effect the green and heavily forested quality of life we enjoy today. Will we stay mostly single-family, or transition to multifamily, and how will we grow within our concept of ‘green infrastructure’?

How will we deal with expanding crime, substance abuse, and mental health in a compassionate and effective way that reflects our values and maintains the city as a great place to live? We need to develop effective policies and regulations for our first responders now and be prepared so that this rising tide that is much more prevalent outside our borders does not overwhelm us.

I’m concerned about the great push toward ‘equity’ (collective rights) and away from ‘equality’ (individual rights) that is much more communistic than democratic and now pervades every level of government in the region. As free people we must insist that government ensure equal opportunity and equal access, but it over-reaches and becomes tyrannical when it attempts to dictate outcomes. Equal opportunity for all must always be the goal, not forced outcomes.

I began this journey as an elected Councilmember when I retired from the Navy and Naval Reserve and while serving on the Council I retired from the County and returned to private sector engineering work. Soon I hope to have the time to do all the things that I’ve had to put off in the past due to other commitments.

Life is full and I am grateful to have served with dedicated and outstanding colleagues, Mayors, Staff and Administrators along the way. It’s also been my honor to have served with leaders from neighboring cities on the SeaShore Transportation Forum, the King County Regional Transit Committee, the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Transportation Policy Board, and the King County Regional Water Quality Committee, where I have been able to represent Lake Forest Park and the Sound Cities Association in shaping transportation and clean-water policy for the region.

I wish my colleagues and the incoming Councilmembers the very best of success in the new year and hope that they will focus their efforts to the best possible results. It’s always an honor to serve, and it has been my pleasure to serve on the Lake Forest Park City Council.

John Wright
Councilmember (2010 – 2021)
City of Lake Forest Park


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LFP residents, including two new council members, tour the Shoreline Historical Museum

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Larry Goldman and Tracy Furutani, LFP Council members-elect, and other LFP residents
toured the museum with Kenneth Doutt, Shoreline Historical Museum Executive Director

By Sally Yamasaki

Lake Forest Park Council members-elect Larry Goldman and Tracy Furutani, along with other LFP residents, toured the Shoreline Historical Museum and met new Executive Director Kenneth Doutt.

"This was my first time to visit the museum! It's a great resource for anyone wanting to know the details of Lake Forest Park's history, even before the city of Lake Forest Park existed." commented Furutani.

On our tour of the museum, Doutt handed us cards to write down what excites us most about living in Lake Forest Park. Then, with more critical eyes and minds, we ventured into the museum gallery to see if we could find those elements in the exhibit space.

c. 1935 Lake Forest Park Civic Club. Photo from Shoreline Historical Museum
"To listen and learn first hand from community members is incredibly exciting to me as we begin to rethink and develop our museum spaces," said Doutt.

LFP resident Anne Udaloy, a hydrogeologist, explained that she appreciated the re-created map of the area exhibited from an 1859 survey that included traditional living and land use areas of the Duwamish and other Coast Salish Tribes. 

For her, seeing the confluence of the two major drainages, Lyon and McAleer Creeks, into Lake Washington reminded her of the community's responsibility to care for these streams.

A portion of the re-created map from 1859 showing
Lake Forest Park and its two major creeks.
Photo and map from Shoreline Historical Museum
"Our community has the opportunity, and responsibility, to care for these streams. Plans to preserve the streams were embedded in early documents describing proposed land development, including early deeds, but were not always honored. 
"It's exciting to realize that we are likely to have an exceptional opportunity in the upcoming decade to take meaningful actions in defense of these watersheds," said Udaloy.

The museum has been around before Shoreline was a city and it gets its name from its mission to preserve the history and serve the community of the historical Shoreline School District which ran from "SHORE to SHORE and LINE to LINE." 

In other words, between the shores of Lake Washington and Puget Sound and between the lines of NE 205th St (Snohomish County border) and NE 65th/85th St (former Seattle city limit).

In 1961, Lake Forest Park officially became a city, then in 1995 Shoreline followed suit. So, although the museum’s name is Shoreline Historical Museum, it includes the communities of Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and part of North Seattle.

"If we want to have a good plan for where Lake Forest Park might go in the future, it's important to understand the history. The Shoreline Historical Museum provides a good background about the history of Lake Forest Park and the region," said Goldman.

The museum is located at 18501 Linden Ave N. near Fred Meyer on Aurora. For more information call: 206-542-711 or www.shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org.

To learn more about Lake Forest Park History, visit: https://youtu.be/VHHpJwFMeYs

Speaker Vicki Stiles: "Shoreline Historical Museum, commemorates Lake Forest Park's 60th Anniversary with a trip through time, examining the people and events that helped make Lake Forest Park uniquely what it is today."


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LFP Planning Commission recommends changes to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) regulations

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Example of one type of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Over the past few years, the Lake Forest Park City Council and staff have heard from residents that the Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations are very restrictive, including preventing the building of detached units in front or side yards, even though many of the single-family homes in LFP are built in the rear of the property.
 
In theory, an ADU may be created as a separate unit within an existing home (in an attic or basement), an addition to the home (a separate unit with separate entrance), or in a separate structure on the lot (also known as a detached ADU or DADU).
 
The Planning Commission reviewed the current regulations and surveyed the community about the issue. After thoughtful discussions at meetings over the summer and fall, the Commission has forwarded its recommendations to the Council, which began discussions at a special meeting on November 4, 2021.
 
The Planning Commission has made several key recommendations, including 
  1. removal of the rear-yard restriction,
  2. raising the height restriction to 25 feet to allow building an apartment on top of a garage or other structure, and 
  3. allowing both an ADU and a DADU on lots of one acre or more. The City Council will continue discussion of the Commission’s recommendations at upcoming meetings and will likely hold a public hearing on them early next year.


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Lake Forest Park council meetings Thursday

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Lake Forest Park City Council 2021

The Lake Forest Park City Council will discuss the recommendations for amendments to accessory dwelling units and accessory building regulations with Planning Director Steve Bennett.

The meeting will be held virtually only at 6pm, Thursday, December 9, 2021.

At 7pm, the regular council meeting will commence. Shoreline Schools Superintendent Susana Reyes will present information on the School District replacement levies on the February ballot. 

The meeting has a very long list of start of year business items both on the consent calendar and on the regular agenda. 

You can see the entire agenda here, including links to staff documents, and information on viewing the meetings and making comments. 



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LFP Council Corner - A Look Forward

Friday, November 26, 2021

Phillippa Kassover, Deputy Mayor
City of Lake Forest Park
By LFP Deputy Mayor Phillippa Kassover

As the current Council completes the mid-biennial budget process over the next few weeks, we will say farewell to our three retiring and valued councilmembers, John Wright, Mark Phillips and John Resha, and begin to welcome our incoming members, who are to be congratulated on their success in the November election.

We are pleased to welcome two scientists to Council – Dr. Tracy Furutani, a geologist who teaches climate science at North Seattle College, and Dr. Larry Goldman, who teaches organic chemistry at the University of Washington. 

We are also pleased to welcome long-time Planning Commission member and architect, Jon Lebo. All three of these councilmembers-elect have strong backgrounds in city policymaking, as both Tracy Furutani and Larry Goldman have attended most of our council meetings over the past two years, and Jon Lebo’s service on the Planning Commission has given him great insight into our city and state land-use codes and regulations.

Early in 2022, the new Council will hold a retreat to discuss priorities and design a work plan for 2022. We have already committed to writing a climate action plan with the help of a citizen committee and will be working with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to discuss concepts for the lakefront park property. 

Following the loss of Proposition 1 on the November ballot, the Council will also need to work closely with the administration to find alternate funding sources for the development and maintenance of the new park, which will likely be a longer process than we had hoped.

As we close out 2022, I want to congratulate the citizens of Lake Forest Park, who have done a great job in handling the pandemic, with very few cases and almost no hospitalizations for the past few months. We sincerely hope that 2022 brings a better year for us all and allows a return to in-person city events and council-meetings. 

To manage the transition, the city is using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to upgrade the audio-visual system at City Hall to accommodate hybrid meetings, so that council- and community members who wish to participate remotely can still do so, while others attend in person. This is a big step forward after a long 21 months of the pandemic!

--Deputy Mayor Phillippa Kassover


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LFP City Council meeting Monday to vote on financial matters

Sunday, November 21, 2021

LFP City Council 2021

The Lake Forest Park City Council special meeting on Monday, November 22, 2021 agenda includes tax rates for sewer, property tax, budget amendments, and other financial matters.

Ordinances and Resolutions
  1. Ordinance 1232/Establishing the 2022 Property Tax Levy
  2. Ordinance 1231/Amending the 2021-2022 Budget
  3. Ordinance 1233/Setting Sewer Rates for 2022
  4. Ordinance 1234/Creating a New Special Revenue Fund Called ARPA Fiscal Recovery Fund
  5. Resolution 1825/Adopting 2022 User Fee Schedule
Monday, November 22, 2021 from 6 - 9pm virtually. 

Meeting link, full agenda with links to supporting documents, instructions on public comments HERE



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LFP council special meeting 6pm Thursday includes three public hearings

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Lake Forest Park City Council 2021

The Lake Forest Park City Council will hold a special meeting from 6pm to 9pm on Thursday, November 18, 2021 via Zoom.

It will begin with three public hearings.

Public Hearing–Ordinance 1227/Interim Regulations as Relating to Indoor Emergency Shelters and Housing, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing

(Each speaker has 3 minutes to comment)

Public Hearing -Ordinance 1232/Establishing the 2022 Property Tax Levy
(Each speaker has 3 minutes to comment)

Public Hearing
(Each speaker has 3 minutes to comment)
  • Ordinance 1231/Amending the 2021-2022 Budget
  • Ordinance 1233/Setting Sewer Rates for 2022
  • Ordinance 1234/Creating a New Special Revenue Fund Called ARPA FiscalRecovery Fund
  • Resolution 1825/Adopting 2022 User Fee Schedule
Citizen Comments (Each speaker has three minutes to comment)

Information on how to provide oral comments during Citizen Comments here

Information on attending the virtual meeting here. This will also show the agenda with links to staff documents.


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LFP Council meetings Thursday

Tuesday, November 2, 2021


Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 6pm the LFP City Council will hold a work session on the budget.

At 7pm the regular council meeting will consider the following resolutions and action items:

Resolutions
  1. Resolution 1817/Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into the Memorandum of Agreement on Behalf of the City of Lake Forest Park for the North King County Coalition on Homelessness
  2. Ordinance 1229/Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget
  3. Resolution 1816/Authorizing Interfund Loan from the Sewer Capital Fund to the Strategic Opportunity Fund
  4. Resolution 1820/Authorizing the Administration to Enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Forterra NW for the Purchase of the Lakefront Park Property and Expend the Funds Authorized for this Purpose per Ordinance 1229
Action or Discussion
  1. Planning Commission Updates to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Accessory Building Code Regulations(introduction)
  2. City Hall Audio Visual and Hybrid Meetings Upgrade(Resolution 1821)
Full agenda, staff documents, instructions for attending the meetings and making comments here



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LFP Council meeting Thursday - three ordinances / resolutions and one action item

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Lake Forest Park City Council 2021

At their meeting on Thursday, October 28, 2021, 7pm, virtual, the Lake Forest Park City Council will consider the following:

Ordinances and Resolutions
  1. Ordinance 1230/Amending Penalty Provisions for Violating the Requirement to Wear a Personal Flotation Device
  2. Ordinance 1229/Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget
  3. Resolution 1816/Authorizing Interfund Loan from the Sewer Capital Fund to the Strategic Opportunity Fund
Action or Discussion
  1. North King County Coalition on Homelessness Final Memorandum of Agreement (Introduction)–Cmbr.Semra Riddle 
Full agenda, staff documents, how to attend the meeting and make comments: HERE

Future meetings:
  • Thursday, November 4, 2021 Special City Council Work Session 6 pm virtual meeting
  • Thursday, November 4, 2021 Special City Council Meeting 7 pm virtual meeting
  • Thursday, November 11, 2021 City Hall Closed in Observance of Veterans Day
  • Thursday, November 18, 2021 Special City Council Meeting 6 pm virtual meeting
  • Monday, November 22, 2021 Special City Council Meeting 7 pm virtual meeting
  • Thursday and Friday, November 25 and 26, 2021 City Hall Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day

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LFP Council meetings Thursday

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Lake Forest Park City Council 2021

At their 6pm work session on Thursday, October 14, 2021, the Lake Forest Park city council will discuss the American Rescue Plan Act with City Administrator Philip Hill.

At their regular meeting at 7pm, the agenda includes a number of resolutions:

Ordinances and Resolutions

  • Resolution 1812/Authorizing Mayor to Sign a Renewal of the Professional Services Agreement with V+M Structural Design for Town Center to Burke-Gilman Trail Connector Phase I: Type, Size and Location Study
  • Introduction of Resolution 1813/Authorizing Mayor to Sign a Purchased Services Agreement with New Restoration and Recovery Services, LLC DBA Aqualis for Drainage Catch Basin Inspection and Data Collection Services
  • Resolution 1814/Authorizing Mayor to Sign the SeaShore Transportation Forum Agreement 
  • Resolution 1815/Development of an Implementation Plan as Required by Resolution 1810 
  • Ordinance 1225/Renewing Master Use Permit Renewal for Zayo Group 
  • Ordinance 1226/Renewing Master Use Permit for Astound Broadband/Wave 
  • Ordinance 1229/Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget 
  • Resolution 1816/Authorizing Interfund Loan from the Sewer Capital Fund to the Strategic Opportunity Fund 

Full agenda with links to staff documents, information on viewing the meeting virtually and making comments HERE



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Northshore Fire commissioners reviewed proposals to run NS Fire at Friday's meeting - will meet with LFP Council on Monday

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Lake Forest Park fire station photo by Jerry Pickard

Northshore Fire commissioners have requested and received proposals to run their department from Eastside Fire / Rescue and Shoreline Fire. They reviewed these proposals at their meeting on Friday, September 17, 2021, 2pm.

Under the proposals, Northshore commissioners would retain control but all operations would be managed by one of these departments.


An audio recording of the meeting is available at the same link.

A special joint meeting of the Board of Commissioners of King County Fire Protection District No. 16 (Northshore) and Lake Forest Park City Council, will be held via Zoom on Monday, the 20th day of September 2021, at 6:00pm.

Northshore Fire is currently an independent department (Fire Protection District #16) which serves the cities of Kenmore and Lake Forest Park.

Meeting agenda and materials are posted here



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LFP City Council meeting Thursday will consider plastic bags, development regulations, court security services

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

LFP City Council
City of Lake Forest Park City Council regular meeting Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 7:00pm.

Meeting to be held virtually.

AGENDA and instructions for participating in the virtual meeting HERE



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Tracy Furutani, Campaign Kickoff for LFP City Council position 5

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Tracy Furutani answers questions at kickoff
Tracy Furutani held his official Campaign Kickoff for LFP City Council position 5. Tracy highlighted the reasons for jumping into the race:
  • Climate: the city’s need to develop and implement a climate action plan.
  • Equity: City plans need to have a lens where all people of LFP are considered.
  • Accessibility: we need transparency and access to information, and ensure our city is an inclusive community.

The kickoff was outside, masks on, and socially distanced. Community musicians and local playwright David Farkas, and community actors entertained the group. 

LFP residents shared their insights on Tracy and why they support him so strongly for his candidacy.

They spoke about Tracy’s science background, and his commitment to a focus on climate action and equity for the city. A resident shared Tracy’s long-term commitment to education as an instructor at North Seattle College teaching 25 years of climate science. 

It was also mentioned that he serves on the board of Shorelake Arts, monitors local creeks with Streamkeepers, and was an Advisory Committee member with the LFP Water District where he volunteered in the Shoreline schools teaching water education and is currently helping them to update a Climate Action Plan.

Campaign event held outdoors with social distancing

The highlight was when Tracy spoke and had a question-and-answer period. Tracy answered several questions ranging from air quality monitoring along Bothell Way, to Prop. #1, and electric cars. 

Tracy explained that electric cars are a good way to reduce carbon if the source of the electric energy is green. Not all electricity comes from a renewable source. He went on to explain that as we move forward to find solutions to reduce our carbon footprint, we also need to look through the lens of equity for solutions as not everyone can afford an electric car.

After the question-and-answer period, one LFP resident observed, “Tracy has the openness to listen to all members of Lake Forest Park and their varying perspectives and he has the background and the ability to dig deeply into whatever issue is before him. His answers did not just skim the surface, and I appreciated that.”

Tracy has lived in Lake Forest Park for 17 years. He sees being on the council as a chance to give back to the community. 

“Lake Forest Park is a great place to live. I want to make sure that our future includes healthy growth without increasing our carbon footprint or losing what makes Lake Forest Park unique. I look forward to hearing from you during the campaign."

For more information visit Tracy’s website tracyforlfp5.com or contact him at tracy4lfpcouncil@gmail.com



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