Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts

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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Alternatives in Town Center redevelopment concept scenarios raise concerns

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Merlone Geier owns most of Town Center
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Citizen concerns about alternatives in Town Center redevelopment scenarios

Some citizen groups in Lake Forest Park, such as the Brookside and Sheridan Beach Communities, and members from the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation (LFPSF), are expressing concerns about alternatives in the Town Center redevelopment concept scenarios.

Two important meetings will be held this coming week, on Monday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 16.

The Lake Forest Park City Council will hold a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting (COW) on Monday, January 14 at 6:00pm to discuss current community concerns.

COW meetings are somewhat informal, opportunities for the Council members to discuss proposals before voting on them in regular meetings.

For citizens, it is an opportunity to obtain insights into the views of individual City Council Members. Note that COW meetings are not videotaped. The full agenda is HERE

The second important meeting will be the Public Hearing on Wednesday, January 16th from 6:30-8:00pm. Citizens will have the opportunity to make comments.

The City Council, along with the City Planning Commission, will develop new code and design standard updates to accommodate the final City Staff recommended option. There has been no final decision as of yet.

Concerns are centered especially around “Alternative 3” which allows for the future (15-20 years from now) addition of 1,500 new multi-family housing units to the Town Center footprint. Maximum building height would be 85 feet to the base roofline.

To understand the issues, review the staff documents HERE which follow the agenda. This packet was discussed at the November 26, 2018, Council of the Whole (COW) meeting. The last half is all photos of buildings, illustrating design options.

Lack of green space and community amenities?

Some citizens claim that the alternatives will not allow for open green spaces or other community amenities that were part of the community visioning process held in 2018.

There is a whole lot of vision and community dreams to pack into this small triangle of Town Center land that is primarily owned by Merlone Geier Partners. 

Initially there was interest to expand the Town Center footprint to accommodate these visions better. However, after adjoining neighborhood groups met with Mayor Jeff Johnson and City Council members, that plan was modified to accommodate those concerns.

Increase in density?

With the growth in King County expected to continue to rise throughout the next decades, all nearby cities are urgently requested to consider as much density as possible.

Added density in LFP can aid in economic growth, but it brings up some key issues: 
  • What impact will this type of growth, the addition of possibly 1,200-1,500 housing units at the Town Center, have on traffic congestion and added air pollution that is already a problem? 
  • What impact will a multitude of several stories 85 ft. tall buildings have on adjacent property owners and to the look and feel of the entire Town Center? 
  • What impact will such a development have on the environments such as the watershed and creeks, or other community valued habitat? 
Is Community Vision process being included? 

Does Alternative 3 represent the community’s vision that took months and substantial consulting dollars to achieve? This is the second time an LFP community vision statement was created. The first Town Center vision report was prepared in 2004 and went into the city’s historical files due to an economic downturn. 

Comment for the record
  • In person: At the Public Hearing meeting on Wednesday, January 16th, 6:30 -8:30pm, citizens will have the opportunity to learn more about the analysis in the DEIS and make comments which will go into the official City record. A final Town Center vision plan is expected to be completed by the end of February. The hearing will be held at the Lake Forest Park City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.
  • In writing: All written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) must be received by February 1, 2019. You may mail or email your comments on the DEIS to the responsible official listed below and must be received by February 1, 2019. 

Responsible Official:
Steve Bennett, Director
Department of Planning and Building
City of Lake Forest Park City Hall
17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
steve@cityoflfp.com

Update 1/31/19 Change the word "proposals" to "scenarios"

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Say goodbye to the street trees: planning begins for 185th Street Corridor

Monday, October 15, 2018

Street trees on NE 185th will be in the way of expansion
Note the bicyclist in the bike lane
Photo by Lee Lageschulte


The City of Shoreline is beginning the public process for the redesign of the 185th Street Corridor, anticipating the opening of the 185th Street Shoreline North light rail station.

The goal is to have a corridor that will "be safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars; support bus and light rail transit service; create gathering spaces; and encourage neighborhood businesses."

185th Street Corridor
From Fremont Ave to North City


The 185th MCS will study a corridor from Fremont Avenue N in the Hillwood / Richmond Highlands neighborhoods, east across Aurora Avenue N to 10th Avenue NE, south along 10th Avenue NE to NE 180th Street, and east on NE 180th Street to 15th Avenue NE in North City.

The “Z” shaped corridor connects the Aurora Corridor, the future Link light rail station at I-5, and the North City neighborhood.

Three events are planned for October. This is the first chance for citizens to make their opinions known before plans solidify.


Corridor Walking and/or Biking Tours 
Saturday, October 20, 1:00 to 3:00pm
Spartan Recreation Center, Cascade Room
202 NE 185th Street

Walk or bike along the corridor to review existing conditions, identify corridor components to preserve/enhance, and envision needed changes that could help the corridor work better for everyone.

In order to manage tour sizes, please RSVP and indicate your walk or bike tour preference and number of participants.
Children under 18 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Storefront Studios
Saturday, October 20, 1:00 to 3:00pm
Spartan Recreation Center, Cascade Room

Tuesday, October 23, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Spartan Recreation Center, Cascade Room

Learn more about the process and talk to the team about the existing corridor and the future demands anticipated on the corridor.

Open House
Thursday, October 25, 6:00 to 8:00pm
City Hall Council Chamber

Hear a brief presentation about the project and discuss your ideas for corridor improvements with the project team.

Project updates will be available at shorelinewa.gov/185corridor.



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LFP Town Center VISION scoping meeting Wednesday

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

The City of Lake Forest Park is amending its development code to smooth the way for the Town Center VISION created earlier in 2018. 

An Open House on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 6-8pm in the LFP City Hall Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, will give citizens an opportunity to give feedback.

Make your opinion known on...
  • the elements of the environment, 
  • potential alternatives, 
  • concerns about potential impacts, 
  • possible mitigation measures 
...to be analyzed in the environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS will look at potential changes to the City’s Planning and Land Use Regulations and related redevelopment scenarios.

Learn more about the scoping process

If you can't be there, learn about other ways to comment or stop by the October 14 Outdoor Open House between 11:00am and 3:00pm (during the Farmers Market) where you will also be able to submit comments.



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Planning Commission Public Hearing on Comp Plan updates Oct 4

Monday, September 24, 2018

Public Hearing and
Regular Meeting
10/04/2018 7:00pm
Council Chamber Shoreline City Hall
17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Agenda Highlights

Link to Full Meeting Packet

Comment on Agenda Items

Contact us: Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk, 206-801-2514



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Shoreline Planning Commission meeting Thursday

Monday, September 17, 2018

Shoreline 2018 Planning Commission
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting, Thursday, September 20, 2018, 7pm in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Agenda Highlights

Link to Full Meeting Packet

Comment on Agenda Items



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LFP Council COW joint meeting with Planning Commission

Sunday, August 26, 2018

The Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole (COW) will hold a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at 6:30pm.

City Hall Council Chambers 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Discussion regarding implementation of Town Center Vision


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Shoreline Planning commission Thursday

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Shoreline Planning Commission
Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Thursday, August 2, 2018, 7pm Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Agenda Highlights - full agenda


Draft Minutes from Thursday, July 5, 2018
Draft Minutes from Thursday, July 19, 2018

Link to Full Meeting Packet

Comment on Agenda Items



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Lake Forest Park City Council meetings cancelled for July 12

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Lake Forest Park City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
City Council Special Committee of the Whole will hold a Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 7pm at City Hall Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park.

They will discuss implementation of Town Center Vision
  1. Introductions
  2. Proposed Process Ahead for the Town Center
  3. Update on Sound Transit BRT Project and Process
  4. Update on Merlone Geier’s Consideration of Potential Redevelopment Opportunities
  5. Planning Commission Responsibilities
  6. Planning Commission Work Plan/Schedule
  7. City Council Role
  8. City Council Timeline
  9. Next Steps (Reminder of July 24 Planning Commission meeting)
The City Council Work Session and Regular Meetings scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2018 have been cancelled.



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Shoreline Planning Commission to review pedestrian plan and surface water plan

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Pedestrian System Plan

Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting, Thursday, July 5, 2018, 7pm Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Agenda Highlights

Link to Full Meeting Packet

Comment on Agenda Items


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Mayor Johnson vetoes Conservation Cluster Housing ordinance

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Mayor Jeff Johnson of Lake Forest Park has vetoed Ordinance 1174, approved by the City Council on May 24, 2018, amending the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code relating to Conservation Cluster Housing.

On May 29, 2018, Mayor Johnson gave notice to the City Council regarding the veto. He expressed his disappointment in the action taken during his absence and reminded the council of the importance of taking time to assess proposed changes.

He reminded the council of the goals previously identified for cluster housing and the importance of an open and transparent planning process.

His entire letter is here.


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Lake Forest Park City Council approves city-wide Conservation Cluster Housing (CCH)

Saturday, May 26, 2018

By Donna Hawkey

On Thursday, May 24, 2018 the Lake Forest Park City Council, by a three to two quorum vote, passed updated Conservation Cluster Housing Ordinance 1174 with one additional technical amendment.

It all created more concerns for residents that LFP now has a “band-aid” type ordinance for a significant housing change.

While all Councilmembers agree that Ordinance 1174 is not a perfect solution, not all agreed that it should pass. The ordinance now allows any residential property in LFP with over one acre or more in lot size to build Conservation Cluster Housing (CCH).

LFP residents have spoken quite loudly that this type of housing, which encourages more population density, is a concern in a City that already struggles with the ability to provide the essential services to its residents due to a lack of commercial tax base. However, stronger density is needed in LFP to support a commercial base, so the coyote is always chasing its tail.

Also, when LFP streets were first platted, they followed the natural curve of the land and with many blind and narrow turns and lack of sidewalks, adding density without safety features in place is not seen as a prudent thing to do.

Residents are already experiencing almost grid-locked arterial streets at rush hour. Many wonder how the roads can accommodate higher capacity, and where will more cars park as the CCH ordinance only requires one parking spot per unit? Councilmember Semra Riddle noted that those citizen concerns are all being well-addressed in the City’s Safe Street-Safe Highway initiatives.

There is no budget approval yet for this costly undertaking, so some residents are wondering – will Sound Transit 3 help bring the necessary funds for such plans? No one has those answers as of yet, and residents have not seen a commitment that ensures safer streets and highway at this point.

Councilmembers Kassover, Resha, and Riddle were the three 'yes' votes that passed Ordinance 1174. Councilmember Kassover expressed concerns about the increase the City sees in short plat permit applications with larger square footage homes being built that look out of character for LFP. “Short Plat” is LFP’s current short subdivision of land into four or fewer property lots. She believes that conservation cluster housing is a better option than the current short plat home building choice.

With CCH she believes LFP can better protect the tree canopy, provide for a range of diversity / affordability of housing, and retain more of the LFP character. For instance, in CCH, the setback requirement for building is 15 feet. In the City’s short plat ordinance, the setback requirement is only 5 feet.

Residents also wonder why the City can’t then update the short plat ordinance to incorporate greater setbacks and restrictions instead of offering another housing choice? Some cities restrict the size of homes that can be built on a single family lot to help maintain neighborhood character.

Other residents, as well as Councilmember John Wright, feel that the current tree canopy and critical tree ordinance updates address previous short plat development and environmental destruction issues. The CCH Ordinance could be a redundant effort for City Staff already burdened with a heavy workload.

Ordinance 1174 is “not a perfect solution,” stated Councilmember John Resha, and it would not impact current single-family zoning laws, even with duplex units included. Residents have expressed concerns that if zoning changes, property tax assessments for similar properties in that neighborhood or area could be assessed at higher rates due to new development potential.

It’s an idea with “good intentions but needs a more thorough approach,” said Councilmember Mark Phillips, who voted against the passage of Ordinance 1174. He has repeatedly questioned how CCH helps current LFP seniors who want to downsize and remain in the community they know and love. Many seniors show preference to move to a single floor home without stairs to age in place.

Councilmember Riddle said that CCH is not only for seniors who are “infirmed.” Stairs are not an issue to active seniors, she believes, and that CCH is more desirable to those whose primary concerns are with the continuation of maintaining a more extensive property.

One resident stated, after sitting through the Council Meeting on May 24th, that CCH, in theory, sounds like a great idea, but it does raise a lot of questions that have not been answered. Other dedicated residents gathered solemnly after the vote passed to discuss whether a lawsuit by the residents is feasible.

Councilmember John Wright stated that he does agree that CCH will not negatively affect property values. He believes LFP will always be an expensive place to live due to its proximity to Seattle, the fastest growing City in America, and that there is no such thing as affordable housing in LFP anymore.

But Councilmember Wright went on to say that he is mainly concerned about the voices of the “people who do live here and not the people who don’t live here.” He said he understands the meaning of a transparent process. For many residents in LFP, this appeared to be an opaque process rather than a transparent one.

He also stated he senses the residents feel “threatened by this CCH ordinance,” as they are viewing it as possibly affecting their overall “quality of life.”

Councilmember and Vice-Chair Tom French oversaw this meeting in the absence of Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford so he did not have the ability to vote on this ordinance. Councilmember French has stated in previous recent meetings that he felt the topic of CCH “warrants a robust resident discussion,” and that he can clearly see the need to gather the right data to make informed decisions going forward. He said it would be “good for us all of to take a big breath and start over in 2019” regarding this topic.

Mayor Jeff Johnson was absent from the May 24th meeting.

Donna Hawkey is an 21-year resident of Lake Forest Park and can be reached at dhawkey@comcast.net.


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Planning commission to reconsider saving trees in MUR 70 developments

Monday, May 14, 2018

Under staff recommendations
trees would not be protected in
MUR 70 zones
The Shoreline Planning Commission meets Thursday, May 17 in the City Hall Council Chamber, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

On the agenda is a discussion about reconsidering the development code amendment from February of this year which removed MUR 70 zoning exemptions from the tree code.

The City has discovered that applying the tree code is restrictive to development on lots with trees.

"Developers have provided staff with feedback that the amendment that changed the exempt status for the MUR-70’ zone in 2018 will thwart the planned redevelopment..."

For example:

"The ST stations and guideway are almost primarily in MUR-70’ zones. ST has proposed that 296 significant trees be removed within the MUR-70’ zone.

"If the MUR-70’ significant trees are no longer exempt from replacement, as adopted recently by Council in Ordinance No. 789, ST will be required to provide for 693 replacement trees for the light rail project.

"The City anticipates ST to request a replacement tree reduction because not enough area will remain to replant more than the 296 trees."

The staff report discusses actions taken, what led up to them, what the current issues are, the differing opinions, and their recommendation, which is to exempt MUR 70 from the tree code.

Tree Retention in MUR 70' Development Code Amendment - Reconsidered

Comment on Agenda Items




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Conservation Cluster Housing in Lake Forest Park

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Bell Cottages are the first proposal for
conservation cluster housing
By Donna Hawkey

Conservation cluster housing is a development alternative that allows smaller sized but a larger number of homes to be built on a residential property lot.

This type of development is very different than conventional cluster housing. Conservation clusters have the “green” environmental element embedded for protection of open space and interconnected lands.

Because 50% of the property has to be designated as permanent, never to be built upon forested easement land, the City can benefit from a net environmental gain. 

Once the open land is gone – it’s gone forever.

Both Lake Forest Park’s Legacy 100-Year Vision and the updated 2015 Comprehensive Plan, discuss green infrastructure planning and ecosystem protection throughout its documents as the basis for City Council’s consideration of conservation cluster housing. 

Also, the Comprehensive Plan “ensures that there will be enough housing to accommodate expected growth in the City, and the variety of housing necessary to accommodate a range of income levels, ages, and special needs.”

Any home development in Lake Forest Park is supported by two progressive tree canopy and critical areas ordinances. City Council, along with other LFP volunteers and City staff, tirelessly updated these to further protect the City from a higher loss of its green and sensitive areas.

Growth in our region will increase with an estimated 1.8 million new residents expected by the year 2050. While LFP was initially conceived as a rural suburb designed to be an “escape” from the bustle of city life, it is only two miles to Seattle’s now fast growing Lake City Way neighborhood. LFP is no longer the island type retreat envisioned but now finds itself sandwiched between high-density growth occurring in Seattle and Kenmore.

Conservation Cluster Housing Ordinance 1150, however, was put on a moratorium February 8th as it “did not follow Council’s intent,” according to Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford. 

Specific concerns centered around how density is calculated on the remaining 50% of the property and continuation of the easement. The Council attributes this ordinance process confusion and misinterpretation to the overwhelming mountain of work currently on their agendas, and the Sound Transit 3 deadlines.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) was never a consideration regarding Ordinance 1150. The Southern Gateway project (12 Degrees North) helped fulfill much of that goal. This ordinance was meant to support broader City defined goals and policies as per the Comprehensive Plan.

With the regional growth explosion, the Council wants to keep LFP the welcoming community it has been since its inception. A place where many teachers, police officers, and other government employees, who are relied upon for essential community services, could still afford a home amongst a beautiful environment yet convenient to Seattle. LFP’s founding concept was to be a place for all people - not just the financially wealthy.

The other intent, besides environmental, is to maintain a diversity of housing to retain that City character. Larger square footage homes are being built and concerns are arising that the City’s history of being a green and protected haven could disappear.

LFP has also been a welcoming place for outreach to many other communities. The success of the non-profit Third Place Commons/LFP Farmer’s Market highlights a history of care about overall quality of life and recognizes how placemaking can strengthen a community.

Influential voices from the community spoke up during previous City Council meeting public comments. Julian Anderson, President, Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation, was mentioned by Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford as someone who asked a question that resonated with her. He asked the Council “If Ordinance 1150 is meant to conserve, then what exactly are we preserving or conserving?”

This holistic thinking will be taken into consideration going forward with a slower pace. The City administration can then gather the data needed, and the essential input from the residents to puzzle it all out together.

Also, an inventory of what housing the City now has; ADU’s, condominiums, townhomes, rentals will all be compiled and analyzed with oversight by the Planning Commission. Resident surveys and outreach will be conducted,, and all presented back to citizens in 2019 when the workload for ST3 and Town Center visions are completed.

Ex-Councilmember Don Fiene sent City Council a recent communication that states,” A change of this magnitude should require a complete study and review with ample public comment and input by the Planning Commission, as well as an open community process equal to the public process of the Southern Gateway and the recent Town Center Vision process.”

Councilmember Tom French, who grew up in LFP, remarked that the lack of solid process for this subject is an “unintended consequence of having too much on our plate,” but he feels “a robust discussion” is appropriate. He also reminds everyone that LFP has exceptional population diversity and a unique ecosystem, and it is the Council’s responsibility as stewards to protect these assets.

What types of changes would this type of conservation cluster home construction bring to the character of the community? Are there solutions for seniors who wish to downsize in LFP? Would the City’s lack of pedestrian-friendly assets such as sidewalks and the lack of street parking be a liability? Can this type of development help keep LFP the welcoming community it has been, allowing new residents, such as the young folks returning from college, the ability to buy into a starter home in LFP?

These are just some of the questions that need to be answered, and it sounds like by sometime in early 2019, the answers about future housing needs in LFP will have been accessed and agreed upon community-wide.

For additional information and a question and answer session regarding this subject, attend an upcoming meeting:

Tuesday, May 1st, LFP Citizen’s Commission is hosting an informational meeting and resident gathering to discuss Conservation Cluster Housing at the Third Place Commons stage area from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. The developer of the Bell Homes proposal (see previous article) is scheduled to attend and is interested in a community dialogue. This is the only conservation cluster home proposal that was approved by the City before the moratorium took place.

The LFP Citizen’s Commission is not associated with the City of Lake Forest Park.

~~~~
Donna Hawkey is a 21-year resident of Lake Forest Park and can be reached at dhawkey@comcast.com. This is primarily a summary report of recent City Council meetings on April 23 and April 26 and attendance at the Planning Commission meeting on April 24, and various self-directed research.

Updated with minor corrections 4-29-18

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Planning commission to study options for community residential facilities

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Shoreline Planning Commission
Thursday, April 19, 2018 – 7 p.m.
Regular Meeting

Agenda Highlights
- Development Code Amendment - Community Residential Facilities

Link to full Agenda

Link to full Packet

Comment on Agenda items



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Draft Town Center Vision available for review

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The Draft Vision for Lake Forest Park Town Center is now available in the online Project Library and ready for public review. Comments may be submitted online through April 26.

The City has conducted an intensive community engagement process with more than 30 meetings and workshop sessions in recent months.

At these meetings, residents provided hundreds of ideas and comments about what they would like to see at the Town Center in the future. The City’s Draft Vision document was developed using all of this input received from the public.

Join us for the Town Center Vision Open House on April 12 to see highlights of the Draft Vision. The event will be followed by a special City Council meeting at 6:30pm, where the public may offer testimony or provide further comment.

The public may also offer comments at the public hearing scheduled for the regular Council meeting that begins at 7:00pm that evening. Learn about other ways to provide feedback.



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Town Center Vision Open House Thursday Apr 12

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Town Center Vision Open House Thursday, April 12, 2018, 5-6:30pm at City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way 98155

The City of Lake Forest Park has conducted an intensive community engagement process with more than 30 meetings and workshop sessions in recent months.

At these meetings, residents provided hundreds of ideas and comments about what they would like to see at the Town Center in the future.

The City is now developing a Draft Vision document based on all of the input received from the public. On April 9, the Draft Vision for Town Center will be available in the online Project Library and ready for public review.

Please join us for the Town Center Vision Open House on April 12 to see highlights of the Draft Vision and fill out a comment card. The event will be followed by a City Council meeting where the public may offer testimony or provide further comment.

Other ways to provide feedback




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LFP Town Center visioning process - meeting April 12

Wednesday, April 4, 2018


The City of Lake Forest Park has conducted an intensive community engagement process with more than 30 meetings and workshop sessions in recent months.

At these meetings, residents provided hundreds of ideas and comments about what they would like to see at the Town Center in the future.

The City is now developing a Draft Vision document based on all of the input received from the public. On Monday, April 9, the Draft Vision for Town Center will be available in the online Project Library and ready for public review.

Please join us for the Town Center Vision Open House on Thursday, April 12 to see highlights of the Draft Vision and fill out a comment card.

The event will be followed by a City Council meeting where the public may offer testimony or provide further comment. Learn about other ways to provide feedback.

April 12, 2018, 5:00 – 6:30 pm, Lake Forest Park City Hall 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

After receiving comments from the Vision Task Force and the community, the City Council will review the Draft Town Center Vision at their May 10, 2018 meeting.

After final acceptance, City Council will forward the Vision to the Lake Forest Park Planning Commission. The Planning Commission’s job will be to draft and integrate provisions into the City Code to support and implement Vision’s goals and policies.

Read more about all the major projects happening in Your LFP.



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Shoreline Planning Commission to tour housing projects

Friday, March 9, 2018

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified of a special meeting of the Shoreline Planning Commission.

Shoreline Planning Commission has cancelled its regular meeting on March 15, 2018 and instead will hold a retreat that evening. 

The retreat will begin at 5:00pm with a tour of housing projects in the City. They will see Micro-Housing, ADUs (accessory dwelling units), and cottage housing.

Upon returning from the tour the retreat will be held in Conference room 303 at City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

It will include a brief update on the 185th light rail station and an update on developments from Planning Director Rachael Markel.

The retreat will end at 7:30pm.



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LFP Planning Commission meets Tuesday Mar 13 to hear about parks plan

The Lake Forest Park Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, from 7:00pm  - 9:00pm in the Forest Room of City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

Discussion will follow a 30 minute presentation on the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails (PROS-T) Draft Plan

The Lake Forest Park Planning Commission provides recommendations to the Mayor and City Council for changes and updates to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, and land use policies.

As citizen representatives, commissioners recommend programs and policies according to the needs and values of the community. The Planning Commission is required by law, and governed by state statute and city ordinance.




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