Showing posts with label city of lake forest park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city of lake forest park. Show all posts

Chief Minister of Nepal visits Lake Forest Park

Thursday, November 14, 2019


From left: Robin Roat LFP Rotary President, Mayor Jeff Johnson, Minister Gurung, LFP Police Chief Mike Harden, LFP City Administrator Phillip Hill.


Text and photos by Wayne Pridemore

The Chief Minster of Nepal, Prithvi Subba Gurung, visited Lake Forest Park on Wednesday November 13, 2019. 

Minister Prithvi Gurung and Mayor Jeff Johnson

He lunched with Mayor Jeff Johnson and Lake Forest Park Rotary president Robin Roat at the Everest Kitchen restaurant. The Town Center restaurant is owned by Mohan Gurung (not related), who served as host for the event. 

Minister Prithvi S Gurung, left, and Mohan Gurung
owner of the Everest Kitchen and president of the
Nepal Seattle Society


Mohan Gurung is the president of the Nepal Seattle Society. The Everest Kitchen is a family style establishment featuring wholesome food cuisine from the Himalayan regions of Nepal, India, and Tibet.

Chief Minister Prithvi S Gurung, age 61, took his oath of office on February 16, 2018. He is also currently a province assembly member of Gandaki Pardesh, a province in western Nepal. In his political past he has served as governor of Baburam Kunwar province and Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. Lake Forest Park Mayor Jeff Johnson, elected in 2015, was raised in Mountlake Terrace and is a long time local resident. 


From left: Toshiko Hasegawa, CAPPA Executive Director; Robin Roat, LFP Rotary President; Rosa Mai, CAPPA Project Manager.


Also attending the lunch were members of Lake Forest Park staff, Asian Council staff, as well as the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPPA) executive director Toshiko Hasegawa.




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Lake Forest Park election night returns

Tuesday, November 5, 2019


By Diane Hettrick

26% of the ballots that have come in from Lake Forest Park have been counted. It's far too early to call the outcome but it is startling to see well-known incumbents not faring well against their challengers.

Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford is 423 votes behind challenger Lorri Bodi. Councilmember Tom French is only 298 votes ahead of Tracy Furutani. Furutani had so little name recognition in LFP that his name was misspelled at the candidate forum.

Mayor Jeff Johnson ran unopposed. Phillippa Kassover's opponent didn't campaign or bother to show up for the candidate forum, so it is safe to call the races for the two of them.

2621 ballots have been counted in a town with 10,164 registered voters and a long history of high turnout. Ballots mailed this week have probably not yet reached King county elections.

The next returns will be released on Wednesday November 6th at 4pm.



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Planning Commission work plan and upcoming meeting schedule during Town Center Development Moratorium

Thursday, October 24, 2019

From the City of Lake Forest Park

In his recent email to the City Council after the moratorium was enacted, Planning Commission Chair Joel Paisner said: 

“We know the city faces important decisions regarding the Town Center, and we want to help our town reach consensus on the scope and scale of possible redevelopment. We also want to keep in mind the special character of Lake Forest Park that has drawn us here, and keeps us here.” 

The Planning Commission will review and provide a set of recommendations to Council for its consideration to revise city codes in the following areas:
  1. Siting/Design Guidelines for a Parking Garage facility - This is a very high priority, since Sound Transit is moving ahead rapidly.
  2. Development Agreement Process - Public input is a necessary component before a final agreement can be reached.
  3. Open Space - Address both outdoor and indoor open space requirements and provide recommendations on how Third Place Commons can be preserved in any redevelopment scenario.
  4. Pedestrian Access in the Town Center - Evaluate and provide recommendations regarding this important aspect of any redevelopment.
  5. Density - Recommend a density for Town Center that is appropriate to the site.

The Commission will be reviewing draft code addressing each of the priorities above and that draft language, as amended by the Planning Commission, will then be forwarded to the Council for consideration. 

In an effort to get that recommended draft language to Council in a timely manner, the Commission will meet twice a month through the end of the year. Commission meetings are scheduled for the following dates and will all start at 7pm.
  • October 28, 2019 - Monday
  • November 12, 2019 - Tuesday
  • November 18, 2019 - Monday
  • December 3, 2019 - Tuesday
  • December 17, 2019 - Tuesday
See the Town Center Process page for additional information regarding agendas and meeting materials.



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Last farmers market of the season Sunday at LFP Farmers Market

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Photo courtesy Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park


LFP Police Chief Mike Harden and LFP Mayor Jeff Johnson teamed up to tell people about Lake Forest Park at a recent Sunday Farmers Market at Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.

Besides a possible sighting of mayors or police chiefs, there's plenty going on at the LFP Farmers Market and Sunday, October 20 from 10am to 3pm is your last chance to experience an outdoor market this season.

All the produce at the market comes from growers who are either certified organic or in the process of being certified. You can trust what you buy.

The flowers are wonderful. Some vendors have created variety bouquets, some let you choose what you want. Fresh cut that day, they will last for several weeks (if you remember to keep water in the vase...)

There are usually 4-5 places with ready to eat food, not including the ice cream. You can buy fish, and sometimes meat. You can buy gifts, either of food like honey or jam, or crafts.

There are places under canopies to sit and eat and the people watching is great! There are buskers to entertain while you shop.

Happily, it isn't really the end. The Commons sponsors two indoor markets - one in November and one in December.



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LFP City Council adopts Town Center Vision document

Saturday, October 12, 2019

At its meeting on October 10, 2019, the Lake Forest Park City Council considered Resolution 1746, adopting the 2019 Adopted Vision for the Lake Forest Park Town Center

Following discussion and consideration of citizen input from the September 12 open house, the Council took action to approve Resolution 1746.

The Lake Forest Park Town Center Vision is the result of a public process that has included stakeholder interviews, a community task force, council deliberations and direct community input.

The adopted Vision will guide the Planning Commission and City Council as they consider amendments to the Town Center code, to support future redevelopment in a manner that maintains Town Center as the heart of the community.

As the region is forecast to grow by 1.8 million additional people and 1.2 million new jobs by 2050, it is important to ensure that any local growth occurs in a manner that respects the character, values and Vision of Lake Forest Park.

--City of Lake Forest Park



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LFP schedules special council meeting prior to Town Center Vision open house

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

The following LFP City Council meetings on Thursday, September 12, 2019, have been cancelled:
  • City Council Work Session Meeting - cancelled
  • City Council Regular Business Meeting - cancelled

The City Council has scheduled a special meeting for this Thursday, September 12, 2019, and the Agenda is now available on the City's website. 

Please note that the special meeting will be held at 6pm at Lake Forest Park Elementary School, prior to the Town Center Vision Open House.

The meeting and open house will be held at:
Lake Forest Park Elementary School
18500 37th Avenue NE, Lake Forest Park



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LFP receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - their second

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the City of Lake Forest Park for its 2019-2020 biennial budget. The City also received a Distinguished Budget Award for the 2017-2018 biennial budget.

The budget awards represent a significant achievement. They reflect the commitment of the City to meeting the highest principles in governmental budgeting. 

In order to receive the budget award, the City must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device. A completely new budget document was created by the Finance Department for the 2017-2018 biennial budget to provide the additional transparency to the citizens of Lake Forest Park.

The two budget awards, along with 2016’s Stewardship Award from the Washington State Auditor’s Office, highlights the City’s continuous commitment to be on the leading edge of financial transparency.

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Town Center Vision Open House and Public Comment Sept 12

Saturday, August 24, 2019



Town Center Vision Open House and Public Comment – September 12, 2019

The Mayor and City Council of Lake Forest Park invite you to an open house to share your thoughts on the revised Town Center Vision statement, found here.

Town Center Vision Open House and Public Comment
Thursday, September 12, 2019
6:15pm  - 8pm
Lake Forest Park Elementary School 18550 37th Avenue NE
Lake Forest Park 98155

Since 2017, public input has been shaping the Vision. The most recent draft published last spring has been updated with new material based on community comments. 

The Council may take action to formally adopt the Vision as soon as September 26, 2019.

This is a family friendly event. Mark your calendars and save the date! For more information, visit YourLFP.com/About-TownCenterVision.




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Update: Community Open House and public comment on Vision document for LFP

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Town Center LFP
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
City of Lake Forest Park Council committee of the whole (COW) will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 8, 2019, at 6pm in the Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

The council will hold discussions and plan for a Community Open House regarding the Vision Document, tentatively scheduled for July 18th.

Document pages here

Update 7-7-19



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Happy Birthday, Lake Forest Park

Friday, June 21, 2019

Developer Ole Hanson
Article from HistoryLink.org - The free online encyclopedia of Washington state history

Lake Forest Park incorporates on June 20, 1961.
By Phil Dougherty Posted 10/05/2015
HistoryLink.org Essay 11123

On June 20, 1961, the town of Lake Forest Park in King County incorporates. The town was first developed in the early twentieth century by realtor (and later Seattle mayor) Ole Hanson (1874-1940). It grew slowly through nearly all of the twentieth century until a series of annexations in the mid-1990s tripled both its size and population. Lake Forest Park is located near and along Lake Washington's northwestern shoreline about 10 miles northeast of downtown Seattle, and in 2015 has a population of approximately 13,000.

Beginnings

Lake Forest Park can trace its beginnings back centuries, when it was a winter village site for the Snohomish tribe. Non-Indian settlers first arrived in the 1860s, and for the rest of the nineteenth century settlers and loggers shared the land with the tribal members. By the early twentieth century increasing settlement led to the departure of the Native Americans and a few years later to the development of Lake Forest Park, which was named after Lake Forest in Illinois.

The initial development was led by Ole Hanson, a Seattle-area realtor who saw the community's scenic potential. During the early 1910s he and his nephew, Alexander Reid, developed lots designed to flow with the contours of the lands and to preserve the community's park-like atmosphere. Existing trees were left standing whenever possible, and restrictions were placed on development. Houses were welcome but apartments were not, and shacks, saloons, and roadhouses were also prohibited. The community grew slowly through the next five decades, and by 1960 it had about 1,300 residents happily living in harmony with nature.

Incorporation

But the little paradise had a problem. Seattle was growing and its northern suburbs were expanding toward Lake Forest Park. People saw the urban sprawl headed their way and debated how to deal with it. When plans were announced to build a shopping center on a 17-acre tract of land on the northwestern corner of the intersection at Bothell Way NE and Ballinger Way NE, locals came together to incorporate the little community as a fourth-class town and to try to stop development of the shopping center. The county merely excluded the tract from the boundaries of the proposed town and allowed development of the shopping center to proceed, but Lake Forest Park likewise proceeded with its incorporation election.

First city council
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

The election took place on June 6, 1961, and was not without the chicanery that often occurs in municipal incorporations.

The morning before the election, residents discovered that more than 100 pro-incorporation signs had been torn down in their yards.

Pro-incorporation forces complained even more loudly on Election Day when they learned that the three judges conducting the election were all opposed to incorporation.

Yet in the end the fuss was for naught. Incorporation passed handily, with more than 57 percent of nearly 600 voters voting yes, and it became official on June 20.

Four days later, the town celebrated with a "fun frolic" and also swore in its first mayor, Francis Holman, and its first town councilmen: Dr. Cecil Feasel, James Hunt, Herbert Metke, Robert Middleton, and E. E. Raymond.

Lake Forest Park Today (2015)

Forest Park Center, the shopping center that had been the catalyst for Lake Forest Park's incorporation, opened in October 1964 -- two years after the new town annexed the site and embraced the shopping center as its own. Today (2015) the complex, now known as the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, serves both as a multi-purpose shopping center and the community hub.

Lake Forest Park graduated from a town to a city in 1966 and, other than a pause in the 1970s, grew steadily for the next 25 years. But this paled in comparison to what followed. During the mid-1990s a series of annexations tripled the size of the city and its population, from 4,031 in 1990 to 13,142 in 2000. The twenty-first century has so far been quieter in Lake Forest Park, which has maintained a mostly stable population since 2000.

Lake Forest Park's population was 12,598 in the 2010 Census, and its land area was reported to be 3.53 square miles. The city's median household income in 2013 was estimated at $99,669, considerably higher than the $71,811 median estimate for King County, but its housing prices, averaging $428,048 in 2013, were not much higher than the county average. Eighty-two percent of Lake Forest Park's residents were Caucasian, making it a somewhat whiter community than King County as a whole, and nearly 70 percent of the city's residences were identified as "family households" by City-Data.com.

This essay made possible by: King County Association of Washington Cities



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Open house for LFP update of Shoreline Master Program May 22

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Periodic update of Shoreline Master Program – Open House 6:00—8:00pm, Wednesday May 22, 2019 in Lake Forest Park


Under Washington State’s Shoreline Management Act (SMA), there are specific rules for activities and development within 200 feet of Lake Washington. Those rules are contained in Lake Forest Park’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP).

The SMA requires each SMP be reviewed and revised, if needed, on an eight-year schedule established by the Legislature. The review ensures the SMP stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other Lake Forest Park plans and regulations, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new information, and improved data.

The Open House is in the City Council Chambers at City Hall and starts at 6:00pm, with a presentation at 6:30pm. 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

More information on the SMP and the update process can be found here.



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Not a beaver! Extended closure of NE 180th St in the 3300 block of Lake Forest Park

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Area to avoid in Lake Forest Park

Update: NE 180th St was reopened around 1pm on Saturday, April 13, 2019.


Part of the mess on NE 180th
Photo courtesy Lake Forest Park

NE 180th St in the 3300 block of Lake Forest Park is CLOSED. Find another route. 

Apparently multiple trees have fallen or are in danger of falling across NE 180th St in Lake Forest Park.

The police department says "This is a big mess!!"

After surveying the situation, Public Works has determined there are a number of public safety issues which involve private property owners.

The City is working with these property owners and assisting in any way they can.

Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the issues, we anticipate this road closure to extend through the weekend. 
Please plan accordingly and use alternate routes. We will advise the public when the road is reopened.


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Suggest a name for 5-Acre Woods

Sunday, March 31, 2019

5 Acre Woods
Photo by Jerry Pickard


The City of Lake Forest Park invites you to submit name suggestions for the newly acquired park property (currently known as SPU or Five Acre Woods property), located at 18678-18998 40th Pl NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

Name suggestions for the new park must consider the following:
  • Geographical location;
  • Historical or social significance; and
  • Distinctive natural features.
  • The new park may be named after an individual if deceased and have made a significant positive contribution to parks, recreation, culture or quality of like in the community or has donated the land.

The City will collect name suggestions for the new park until the end of the day April 14, 2019

Volunteers of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will then rank the suggestions based on a point system reflecting the criteria above. 

A second community vote will then take place from a list resulting from this survey in person at the Arbor Day event April 27, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Animal Acres Park. 

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will review options at their May meeting and vote on a recommendation(s) for the park's name that will be presented at a City Council after May 2019.

Hard copies of the survey are also available at the City Hall front desk.

Click Here for the Survey Link



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The Astonishing History of Lake Forest Park Apr 6

Sunday, March 24, 2019


The Friends of the Lake Forest Park Library are sponsoring a presentation on LFP history on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 2pm, in the LFP library on the lower level of Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.

Vicki Stiles, Director of the Shoreline Historical Museum, will share historical perspectives and fascinating anecdotes about this local community.

All are invited, and admission is free. The KCLS plans to follow up with similar presentations at the Shoreline and Richmond Beach branches.



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City of Lake Forest Park Town Center plan timeline proposal

Monday, March 18, 2019


In order to provide greater public input for Town Center, the Lake Forest Park City Council is extending the process of exploring potential land use policy changes for the Town Center in conjunction with Sound Transit’s investment in commuter parking and the completion of a Bus Rapid Transit system along SR 522. 

An updated schedule for the next four months is proposed by the City Council. This schedule will provide opportunities for gathering public comments at Planning Commission meetings in April and May and at City Council meetings in late May through June, including a public hearing in mid-June. 

Check Your LFP for specific announcements of dates.



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LFP adds an online waitlist for passports

Thursday, March 7, 2019

From the City of Lake Forest Park

In keeping with our continuing effort to improve the passport customer experience, the City of Lake Forest Park has launched a new online waitlist system for passports that allows users to see estimated wait times and to sign up on the waitlist online via a button on the City’s website during posted passport hours.

In-person customers will sign in on a tablet in the City Hall lobby. The system can also send text message updates regarding your waitlist status once signed on. Click “Passports” on the lower left corner of the City’s website to get started!

For more information about passport services, and to access the waitlist button, click here.



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LFP City Council extends timeline for Town Center planning

Friday, February 22, 2019

Message from the Lake Forest Park City Council regarding Town Center Planning: Extended Timeline and FAQs online


Thanks to all who commented on the Town Center Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). Our staff received, and we’ve read, lots of great feedback. We are grateful to all the residents who took time to review the Draft EIS materials and share their thoughts.

Over the next two months, the Council will be working to identify policy priorities for Town Center based on the VISION, a careful review of comments received during the environmental review process, and the continued public process for the Town Center subarea plan and its development regulations.

We heard the request by some members of the community to extend the time we had originally allotted to publish the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) and our deliberations on the plan and regulations. 

The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) recommends a goal of publishing the Final EIS within 60 days of the close of comments on the Draft EIS, and the City will be working toward this goal. This additional time will ensure that we are able to consider the significant amount of public input received.

The Council is moving its schedule for adoption out to the spring, with final deliberations beginning in May. As always, the community is welcome to email, call, or give public comment at City Council regular business meetings.

Be sure to visit YourLFP.com for project updates, including a new document that answers “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) about the Town Center planning process.

Thank you for your continued participation throughout this ongoing process!



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City of Lake Forest Park - snow removal, police and public works

Thursday, February 7, 2019

The City of Lake Forest Park plans to have its Public Works crew split into two-three man crews working 12 hour shifts over the weekend.

As you can imagine, there are many demands on our crews and will do their best to keep our main roads clear. As a reminder, our LFP crew, not WSDOT, is responsible for Bothell Way (SR 522) and Ballinger Way (SR 104).

Additionally, the Police Department will have staff working 12 hour shifts and they ask that once the storm hits, if you don’t have to go out over the weekend, DO NOT! For driving tips and home safety, Click Here.

During this slight weather break, it is a good time to make preparations (especially if there are medical needs) for your family, pets, and property. For more information and links on emergency preparedness, Click Here.

Again, please understand that LFP is a small city with limited resources. There will be three Public Works employees working around the clock, and the PD will have at least two, possibly three officers on around the clock. Remember to drive slow, do what you can to prepare yourself and help others. We appreciate your support and understanding!

-Chief C. Stephen Sutton, Lake Forest Park Police Department




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LFP joins Northshore Fire for Job and Resource Fair Jan 30

Tuesday, January 22, 2019


The City of Lake Forest Park has joined Northshore Fire for the Job and Resource Fair which will be held Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from noon to 4pm at the Northshore Fire station in Kenmore, 7220 NE 181st St.

Candidates of all ages, experience levels, and industries are encouraged to attend. Organizations will be looking to fill full-time and part-time positions, so come prepared with resumes and dress professionally.

The event and parking are free and the facility is ADA accessible. 

Registration is not required, but is requested to help the event coordinators plan for the number of attendees. Click here to register.

Employers attending include:

Bothell Police Department, City of Bothell, City of Everett, City of Lake Forest Park, City of Mill Creek, City of Mukilteo, City of Seattle (Finance, Administrative Services, Seattle Animal Shelter, Fleet Mechanics), Cocoon House, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kenmore Police Department/King County Sheriff, King County IT, Lake Forest Park Police Department, Monroe Correctional Complex, National Testing Network (NTN), NorCom, Northshore Fire Department, Northshore School District, Northshore Utility District, Public Health - Seattle / King County, Public Safety Testing (PST), Redmond Fire Department, Silver Lake Water and Sewer District, Sno911, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office (RN, Psychiatric, Corrections Deputy, Deputy Sheriff, Law Enforcement Technician, Airport Specialist, Benefit & Leave Administrator), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Post Office, Woodinville Fire and Rescue, Worksource, YMCA (Northshore).



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Lake Forest Park City Town Center Visions and January 16 DEIS public hearing draw overflow crowd

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Overflow crowd at January 16th Public Hearing
Photo by Jason Colberg


The City of Lake Forest Park’s Planning Department and the Otak design firm held a hearing on January 16, 2019 for public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Town Center. City Hall saw an overflow crowd of residents at the meeting, with many concerns.

Sound Transit plans to add a park n’ ride facility and Bus Rapid Transit at Town Center, so a DEIS is needed now to study the potential environmental impact of proposed changes to land use codes.

Since the Town Center has not been renovated in years, and the LFP community has expressed interest in redevelopment per a 2004 task force report, this also initiated further redevelopment exploration.

However, density considerations in the 2004 report stated a possible 270 maximum units. Today with unprecedented regional growth, that figure has climbed to possibly 1,500 multi-usage units.

Property owners Merlone Geier, the City Council, City staff and outside consultants such as Otak are being pushed hard by Sound Transit’s aggressive plan deadline. It creates a “chicken before the egg” type of dilemma.

At the DEIS hearing, Jamas Gwilliam, Merlone Geier Vice-President of Development, said they have enjoyed all the community input so far, and look forward to continued discussions.

But, he said, there is currently “no plan for Merlone Geier to redevelop” the site. He said they would make that determination “after” they see what decisions the City and Sound Transit make. 

Residents expressed many concerns
Photo by Jason Colberg


Redevelopment scenarios that represented higher density numbers than residents even thought possible created outrage.

Those that were involved with the process, such a representative from the LFP Planning Commission (composed of citizens) said he felt “deceived” in regard to projected density numbers.

Residents also stated shock and dismay over the idea of relocating the Third Place Commons on the top of the park n’ ride facility.

Lake Forest Park residents don’t feel heard.

Because of the ST3 deadline for their planned project, an intricate weave of decision making is needed quickly, and that creates an awkward process.

This can create communication breakdowns and misunderstandings.

Current Town Center regulations allow buildings as high as 65 feet tall. That too was a surprise to many residents.

Concept boards with broad design scenarios were presented in October. Some expressed that they did not see specific density details. The scenarios don’t include many specifics because the goal is to design as much flexibility into a future planning process as possible.

Planning for an unknown future

Due to long term rental contracts with Albertson’s and Ross Dress for Less organizations, as well as other business considerations, estimates are that it could be up to 20 years before redevelopment can take place. Leases can be purchased as an incentive, but that is costly. Also, business representatives have expressed concerns about a substantial construction disruption.

Uncertainty within the retail sector is another factor.

Housing predictions remain steady, according to regional growth estimates. But the cost of labor and materials continues to rise.

Indeed, a lot more changes and unknowns will occur in the next one or two decades. 

Ros Bird was in attendance and spoke at the
hearing about her shock in placing the
Commons on the roof of the parking facility.
Photo by Donna Hawkey
Examples of citizens’ concerns.

In October, one resident stated: “It seems the 'Big Bully Sound Transit' is making all the rules now." That was the same tone at the DEIS hearing.

Sound Transit has not determined the final location for the 300 stall park n’ ride, yet the city is expected to modify building codes by the end of February and complete a DEIS in record time. One suggestion was to modify only the codes necessary to accommodate the park n’ ride facility.

Citizens with professional qualifications gave opinions that the DEIS is outrageous in its assumptions and should be thrown out and the entire document recreated.

The Stewardship Foundation expressed the possibility of tainting the highly valued artisan water supply. They said, “The DEIS information makes the adequacy water supply question a reasonable concern.”

Some residents welcome density

A resident announced she speaks on behalf of “the concerns of those who were not in the room.”

She explained that their family is caring for an aging grandfather. Her 20 year-old son is a helping caregiver, but they live in a small home.

Two other sons would like to live in LFP and be nearby their family; however they need to be in walking distance of public transit services, and they can’t afford single-family housing here.

Without alternatives to housing, generations of LFP families may not be able to continue their linkage and remain close to aging families and their friends, and that too saddens many residents.

Uncertainty and unrealistic deadlines can create mistrust

It’s inevitable that some future development will take place at Town Center, but the extreme deadline is also pitting neighborhoods against each other.

Sound Transit has imposed deadlines that seem nearly impossible for a process that usually takes several years to accomplish.

A lot is at stake here. Mistakes could occur, and LFP taxpayers could bear the brunt of added financial burdens, as well as environmental strains and permanent damage if planning is not carefully done. The City Staff is small for the workload, and City-wide communications are minimal.

If this DEIS proceeds as scheduled, the citizen’s LFP Planning Commission said they would not have time to comment on code modifications before the City Council fully votes.

An LFP Planning Commission representative shared deep frustration by this process – it has been challenging for this dedicated group of volunteer citizens to do a great job on behalf of the residents, and that alarm was sounded loud and clear.

Vice-President, Development Jamas Gwilliam from Merlone Geier
clarified that they had no specific plans for redevelopment.
Photo by Jason Colberg


Third Place Commons’ future location is unclear

Third Place Commons functions as an independent non-profit and has needs specific to their mission. Currently, scenarios show the Commons relocated to the roof of the parking garage. Residents shared concern that this will change the dynamics of what is considered the heart of the community today.

Not only do our youth suffer from nature deficit, but we are all at risk for social deficit disorders. Technology has changed levels of human interaction opportunities, so the Commons today plays an integral part in the fabric of a healthy community.

Where are the City Council members and Sound Transit

Residents wondered why no members of City Council nor anyone from Sound Transit attended the DEIS public hearing.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Jeff Johnson said that City Council has been working very hard for the citizens. He says that everyone is doing their best during this enormous challenge and thanked the residents for attending.

Resources

Hear the entire January 16th Public Hearing HERE
Review Town Center visioning details HERE

By Donna Hawkey – dhawkey @comcast.net



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