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

Public hearing: proposed changes to townhouse design standards

Friday, September 27, 2019

Glenwood Homes on N 185th
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
The Shoreline Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7pm in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

Townhouse Design Standards Code Update

Proposed Townhouse Design Standards Development Code Amendments




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Notes from Shoreline council meeting Sept 16, 2019

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Shoreline City Hall and Council Chamber
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Shoreline City Council Meeting
September 16, 2019
Notes by Pam Cross

Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

All councilmembers were present.

Mayor Hall declared 09/21/2019 Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry in the City of Shoreline.

The proclamation was presented to James Pabiniak, Hopelink Shoreline’s Food Bank Supervisor.

The Mayor also thanked the Twin Ponds and Sunset volunteers who grow fresh vegetables for the food bank at their community gardens.

Report of the City Manager Debbie Tarry

Sept 23, 2019 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm Under Our Skin: Conversations About Race. Join in a discussion on race and inclusion using the Seattle Times “Under Our Skin” video project at Dale Turner Family Y in the Rotary Room. This session will focus on the terms: ally, micro aggression and white fragility.

Park volunteer work parties are Saturdays and Sundays in September. This week work parties will be held at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, Twin Ponds, and Hamlin. Additional details including times and meeting locations available online.

Public Reminders

The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Sept 19th has been cancelled. The next meeting will be on Oct 3rd.

Council Reports

Councilmember Scully attended a Continuum of Care homelessness advisory meeting. The focus now is working out the details between Seattle and King County. Once this major central piece is in place and running smoothly, attention can be turned to extending the system to Shoreline and other cities.

Councilmember Roberts stated that Sound Cities Association had a robust discussion at their meeting prior to the Continuum of Care meeting. There was concern that this process is not going as fast as expected.

Public Comment

Zhen Li, Kenmore, has 3 parcels of land in Shoreline around 145th. Sound Transit will take about 20’ of this property which will impact his planned project. He wants to see what can be done to protect his interests. Council doesn’t answer questions during public comment, but will ask staff to contact him.

Theresa LaCroix, Shoreline. The senior center worked to create greater inclusion and diversity in programming for underserved groups in 2018 when one-time bond funding was proposed by King County. In 2019 this was changed to a competitive hub process.

Ginny Scantlebury, Shoreline, picked up the same topic, listing the various and numerous projects that are now on hold because of lack of funding. (This list of projects is available online in written comments for this meeting)

Mike Dee, Lake Forest Park. He appreciates that Shoreline is talking about slowing down the process while the City reviews how the Fircrest proposed Master Plan fits in with its codes.

The agenda was approved unanimously. 

The Consent Calendar was adopted, without discussion, unanimously.

Action Items
8(a) Public Hearing and Discussion of Ordinance No. 865: Amending the City of Shoreline Commute Trip Reduction Plan

Staff report by Nytasha Walters, Transportation Services Manager

Shoreline is required to have a Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan because it is located in a county experiencing the greatest automobile-related air pollution and traffic congestion. The aim is to develop and implement plans to reduce single-occupant vehicle trips. The CTR Plan must be updated at least once every four years per state law. The current Plan has an effective period through the 2015-2019. Staff would like to utilize the state CTR Board exemption by extending the City’s current CTR Plan for the 2019-2023 cycle without any additional updates, allowing a thorough review of the plan’s targets and program strategies over the next few years as staff updates the Transportation Master Plan.

Public Comment
Mike Dee, Lake Forest Park,  appreciates that there’s a hearing so the public can comment on it.

Closed public hearing

Discussion

Councilmembers support the extension in order to look at the Transportation Master Plan at the same time. Shoreline should take advantage of the available extension. If no changes are necessary, there is no need to update. This is good government efficiency.

Ordinance moved to the Consent Calendar.

Study Items

9(a) Discussing Ordinance No. 868 – Establishing a Citywide Moratorium on the Filing, Acceptance, Processing, and/or Approval of Applications for Master Plan Development Permits and Applications for Essential Public Facility Special Use Permits

Staff report by Rachael Markle, Planning and Community Development Director

Staff recommends that Council consider a citywide moratorium on the acceptance of applications for Master Development Plan (MDP) permits and Essential Public Facility (EPF) Special Use Permits.

Staff has worked with the State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) on other attempts to Master Plan the Fircrest Campus that have not progressed to the application phase. However, the recent Fircrest Master Development Plan (MDP) includes the expansion of existing uses on the campus, new uses that would support persons with developmental disabilities, and the siting of Behavioral Health Facilities. These had not been previously contemplated by the City.

Additionally, other state agencies have expressed interest in advancing their missions on the Fircrest Campus.

Staff determined that the City’s strongest tools for local control over current and future uses of property within its boundaries are zoning, permitting, and development standards.

A moratorium will allow staff time to study the current approval criteria for permit types in relationship to the City’s goals and policies, and determine and adopt adequate and relevant processes to best evaluate a plan that includes the siting of an Essential Public Facility. This decision is based on these considerations:

  1. Master Development Plan permit decision criteria may be outdated
  2. Master Development Plan permit criteria may not be adequate for siting Essential Public Facilities
  3. Master Development Plan permit process may not be the best method to conduct multi-agency planning
  4. New uses from the State Legislature are not yet defined and regulated locally (i.e., Behavioral Health Facilities)
  5. The City’s process for siting an Essential Public Facility is unclear
  6. Clear and robust decision criteria is needed as a guide for the Hearing Examiner

Staff recommends the City hold a public hearing on 10/07/2019 and implement a 6-month citywide moratorium on the acceptance of applications for Master Development Plan (MDP) permits and Essential Public Facility (EPF) Special Use Permits.

Discussion

This has been an interesting journey. For years the Fircrest property has been completely underutilized. Then the City received one map and, shortly thereafter, another completely different map. After years of inactivity, the State is moving faster than anticipated. This landscape will keep changing, and the City can’t keep putting off a decision by implementing a moratorium every time DSHS comes back with a new plan. What happens if the State calls it Essential Public Services? There are lots of questions about what DSHS is proposing. We don’t know what a Behavioral Health Facility is or what it looks like. Is that type of facility allowed within current campus zones? DSHS wants three independent 16-bed facilities side by side, presumably because of Federal funding of 16 bed facilities. If the intent of federal law is to not concentrate them in one place by limiting to 16 beds, then thwarting that does not achieve the federal goal.

This is a large property located in Shoreline so Council has to protect the property and the community. The State is not as responsive to the community as the City is, because our systems are set up to protect the community. The moratorium would give Council the opportunity to hear from the community. With multiple property owners and divergent interests, a moratorium will also give all of the property owners time to come to some kind of agreement.

CRISTA and Shoreline CC, the other campuses in Shoreline, tried to use their land as efficiently as they could. Land is scarce especially within walking distance of light rail. But this latest approach from DSHS does not seem efficient. Also, the current Master Development Plan permit process is not designed to mediate between State agencies. We have part of the land owned by one state agency and leased to another, one independent elected official vs a governor appointed department secretary. It is messy. The community must have a chance to weigh in. However, we must keep in mind that the City will have to deal with these state agencies in the future so we don’t want a legal land use battle with State.

As part of the process for approving a Master Development Plan, we should consider the layout of the land, maximize needs of the community and preserve open space in order to maintain a good quality of life. In the most recent map, there is no public open space, no public benefit, and who knows what the legislature will want to add? This makes it difficult for the City to trust our partners.

Do we need a moratorium to change the code? If we allow ourselves 6 months, we can get some of these items done by the 12/31/2019 deadline. The DSHS secretary has requested a meeting for October 14th. Maybe there will be progress at that meeting so we can determine whether or not we want a moratorium.

Per Margaret King, Shoreline City Attorney, we can always remove a Moratorium in the event the 10/14 meeting changes anything.

This Ordinance is scheduled for October 7th for Hearing and action.

Meeting adjourned at 7:28pm



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Amended Shoreline council agenda: responding to DSHS plans for Fircrest

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Shoreline City Hall and Council Chamber
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The following items has been added to the agenda for the Shoreline City Council meeting on Monday, September 16, 2019.

The staff report provides the following information regarding Study Item 9(a) Discussing Ordinance No 868

Based on the recent renewal of activity by the State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to submit a Fircrest Master Development Plan (MDP) that includes
  • the expansion of existing uses on the campus,
  • new uses that would support persons with developmental disabilities, and 
  • the siting of an Essential Public Facility (EPF), 

staff recommends that Council enact a citywide moratorium on the acceptance of permit applications for MDP permits and EPF Special Use Permits (SUPs).

A moratorium will allow staff time to study the current approval criteria for both permit types in relationship to the City’s goals and policies and determine and adopt adequate and relevant processes to best evaluate a plan that includes the siting of an EPF.

--Pam Cross



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Community meeting Sept 17 re projects at Fircrest

Saturday, September 7, 2019


The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Fircrest School is hosting a community meeting to discuss progress on the Master Development Plan that DSHS is preparing to allow for continued maintenance and redevelopment projects on the campus

The Master Development Plan is a land use permit with the City of Shoreline that is required prior to the construction of projects on properties zoned as “Campus.” 

This meeting is required by the City of Shoreline to allow the public to learn about the Plan and provide input to DSHS and the City of Shoreline Planning Department.

A community meeting was previously held on October 30, 2018. The project was placed on hold due to pending legislative direction. This meeting restarts the Master Development Process.

New uses will be introduced due to legislative direction. 

An updated site plan will be presented at the community meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Fircrest School, Activities Building Day Program Area (see below). 15230 15th Ave NE, Shoreline 98155,

Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Staff will be available to answer questions regarding the Master Development Plan process. We welcome your attendance and hope you are able to participate.

Meeting agenda:
  • 5:30pm: Meeting begins
  • 5:45pm: Presentation
  • 6:00pm: Question and answer session
  • 6:15pm: Open house begins
  • 7:30pm: Meeting adjourns

Directions to meeting location:

If arriving by car, please enter from the driveway at intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 155th Street. 

Parking is available immediately adjacent the activities center, or in the parking lot just to the north.

The activities building is also served by the 77, 330 and 348 King County Metro bus lines.



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Shoreline Planning Commission to get updates for townhouse design standards

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Option for townhouse design

The Shoreline Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7pm in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

On the agenda: 


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Townhouse open house / workshop on Thursday from 6-7pm

Saturday, July 27, 2019



A public open house and workshop on Townhouse Design will be held from 6 - 7pm on Thursday August 1, 2019 prior to the planning commission meeting at 7pm.

Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.



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Planning commission to discuss changes to townhouse codes

Shoreline Planning Commission 2019



Public Open House and Workshop on Townhouse Design from 6-7pm 

Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 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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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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Public Hearing Thursday on proposed Shoreline Place Development Agreement

Shoreline Planning Commission

The Shoreline Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on July 11, 2019 at 7:00pm regarding the Proposed Shoreline Place Development Agreement as a section of the regular meeting.

The agenda is here and the documents relating to Shoreline Place are here.

Merlone Geier Partners proposes to create a 17.3 acres mixed use center in the middle of the 70 acre site known as Shoreline Place.

The project includes redevelopment of the existing Sears site; developing seven multi-family buildings providing 1,358 residential units, and two commercial buildings adding 72,160 square feet of new space; public and private outdoor space and street, intersection and bike lane improvements.

The Planning Commission meets in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, 98133.

Planning Commission meetings are streamed live and then archived on the city website here.

A previously announced Special Meeting to be held prior to the regular meeting, has been cancelled.



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City of Lake Forest Park moves toward completing the draft subarea plan

Friday, May 31, 2019

From the City of Lake Forest Park

The City has come a long way since it began the planning process for the Town Center in October of 2017. 

After significant community engagement, consultants prepared a draft vision document; this document will eventually become incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan as the subarea plan for the Town Center.

The policies identified in the Town Center subarea plan and the City’s Comprehensive Plan will form the basis for code amendments and design standards currently being developed.

The Planning Commission and the City Council have been working together to finalize both the subarea plan and the code amendments (with attached design standards), with the City Council taking the lead on the subarea plan and the Planning Commission taking the lead on recommending the code amendments.

With the assistance of the Planning Commission at a joint meeting on May 21, 2019, the City Council identified the parameters of the Preferred Alternative (PA) to be studied in the Town Center Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). It is anticipated the FEIS will be published in June 2019.

As the City moves toward completing the draft subarea plan, a public meeting will be held this summer to gather comments on the proposed plan. Similarly, the City will hold a public meeting upon completion of the draft code amendments and design standards. These meetings will be facilitated by the Planning Commission and the City Council.

Specific dates for the meetings have not yet been set.



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Shoreline Planning Commission to study Shoreline Place plans Thursday

Monday, May 13, 2019

Sears building - retail or apartments?
Planning Committee to study developer plans



Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting, Thursday, May 16, 2019, 7:00pm, 
Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall, 


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Shoreline Place (Sears) development - disagreements between partners

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

ROIC owns Central Market and the Marshalls property
Merlone Geier owns the Sears store
If you would like to check the rest of the parcels
go to King County iMap


On Thursday, May 2, 2019, Merlone Geier, majority owner and developer of Shoreline Place - the former Sears site - will meet with Shoreline Planning director and manager and the Planning Commission to discuss the plans for development of the site.

Today, a consultant representing ROIC, which owns about a third of the site, as well as Central Market, distributed a memo expressing concerns about the Merlone Geier plans.

ROIC has reviewed the plans to redevelop a portion of Shoreline Place (owned by Merlone Geier Partners) and we are concerned that what is proposed isn’t the deal that the people of Shoreline deserve. Specifically:
  • The Sears building is likely to sit as it is for the foreseeable future
  • Plan calls for for 35% more apartments and far less retail than originally envisioned, effectively turning a mall into residential development
  • The promised public open space is only available if the City Council allows taller apartment buildings
  • Unclear whether there will be development “buffer zones” between apartment towers and neighbors across the street
  • Traffic could worsen as a result of multiple new driveways, plus cars may be forced to exit and re-enter the mall at various points rather than drive straight through the mall
  • Access to Central Market may be compromised, and their delivery trucks could have a hard time reaching the store to drop off fresh produce and goods
Fortunately, Shoreline’s Planning Commission can ensure these issues are addressed by amending the Development Agreement before them. The people of Shoreline have a chance to shape the development at Shoreline Place – ROIC is asking the Commission to get this right.

The Planning Commission meets this Thursday evening at 7p.m. at City Hall, and while ROIC will be there to outline these concerns, neighborhood voices will make a difference.

If you share any of these concerns, you can voice them at the meeting on Thursday. Alternatively, you can connect directly to the Planning Commission via the web by:
  • Filling out the comment form (click here)
  • Emailing the Planning Commission staff at Plancom@shorelinewa.gov
Thank you,
ROIC at Shoreline Place

Below are the details about the presentation at the Planning Committee as sent out by the City. Planning Commission meetings are videotaped - see options for viewing here

Planning Commission Meeting
Regular Meeting
Thursday, 5/02/2019 7:00pm

Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall
17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Agenda: 05022019 PC Meeting Agenda

Agenda Highlights
Proposed Development Agreement - Shoreline Place
Staff Report - Proposed Development Agreement - Shoreline Place

Draft Minutes from Thursday, April 4, 2019

Link to Full Meeting Packet

- Comment on Agenda Items
- About the Planning Commission

Contact us:
Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk (206) 801-2514
choekzema@shorelinewa.gov



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LFP Town Center VISION process page added to city website

Friday, April 12, 2019

From the City of Lake Forest Park


After stepping back to reflect on and listen to the broader comments and concerns of residents, as well as learn from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) process, the City Council and Planning Commission are moving forward with the Town Center VISION process.

To help residents find centralized meeting information on the topic, a new page has been added to the City’s website.

On the new page, followers of the Town Center VISION project will find a chronological list of VISION-related City meetings (City Council, Council Committee of the Whole, and Planning Commission) and links to associated documents and audio/video recordings, if available.

Please note the information on this page is day-forward from March 28, 2019. For full project information, go to the Town Center VISION page on the YourLFP website.

To find the new City page, go to the top left button on the left side of the City’s website (www.cityoflfp.com) and click on “Town Center Process”.

For a direct link to the page, click here.



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Do you have opinions on townhouse designs? Here's your chance

Thursday, April 4, 2019


The City of Shoreline wants to get your input on updated design standards for townhouse development.

Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W6YP7XK

The survey is currently open, closes on April 30, and takes about 15 minutes to complete.



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Shoreline Planning Commission meets Thursday with public hearing on shoreline master program

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Shoreline Planning Commission

There is a state code requiring cities to review their shoreline (small s) master plan on an annual basis.

Public Hearing
April 4, 2019 7:00pm
Council Chamber
Shoreline City Hall
17500 Midvale Ave N
Shoreline 98133


This is Part I of the April 4, 2019 Planning Commission Packet regarding the Periodic Review of the Shoreline Master Program. It is being distributed at this time to allow for the Ecology 30 day review and comment period. The agenda and complete packet will be available by March 29, 2019.

Agenda Highlights
Link to Full Meeting Packet

Comment on Agenda Items

Contact us:
Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk
(206) 801-2514
choekzema@shorelinewa.gov



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Take the Regional Survey on VISION 2050 by April 29

Friday, March 29, 2019

Vision 2050
PSRC
The Puget Sound Regional Council is seeking input on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for VISION 2050, the region’s long-range plan for growth.

Major economic gains in recent years have made our region among the fastest growing in the country. 

This rapid growth has affected housing affordability, cost of living, transportation, and the environment.

Forecasts show the region needs to plan for 1.8 million additional people and 1.2 million new jobs by 2050. 

PSRC is developing VISION 2050 to guide growth to support thriving communities, a strong economy, and a healthy environment.

Check out the webpage to learn more and provide your input by Monday, April 29.



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Annual police report to be presented at Special LFP City Council meeting Thursday

Thursday, March 28, 2019

City Hall, Lake Forest Park
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
City of Lake Forest Park City Council special meeting on Thursday, March 28, 2019, 6pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE

The LFP Police department will present their annual report.

The council will make the final confirmation for Planning Commission members:
  1. Jon Lebo, Position 1, 3-year term to February 28, 2022
  2. Joel Paisner, Position 2, 3-year term to February 28, 2022
  3. Richard Saunders, Position 3, 3-year term to February 28, 2022


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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 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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65 Brookside residents attend meeting about proposed changes at Town Center

Friday, February 1, 2019

Brookside Town Center Open House meeting
Photo by Bart Shilvock


By Donna Hawkey

Residents of the Brookside neighborhood in Lake Forest Park organized a Town Center Open House on the evening of January 30, 2019 at Brookside elementary school. Organizers set up stations with different topics related to Town Center and invited participants to talk to others interested in that topic.

Participants then gathered for a general discussion.

About 65 people attended. They gathered to share information and build support against what they see as an immense housing development allowed for in the current version of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Lake Forest Park Town Center.

Three alternative scenarios are spelled out in the DEIS. One, which is required, is for no action. The second calls for varied heights up to 75 feet. The third scenario is for uniform heights with structures up to 85 feet tall and potential housing for as many as 1,500 new residents within Town Center.

Residents expressed shock at the number of housing units as well as the building heights.

There are no specific proposals or plans at this point, but residents have different understandings and concerns about the terms of the DEIS and the process to create it.

The DEIS assumes a 15-25 year multi-phase time frame, but some residents fear that if circumstances change, such as if the property is sold to a new owner, that time-frame could be expedited.

Most of those attending the meeting live close to Town Center. They are concerned about what will be built next to them and about the lack of time to understand the issues and make comments to the City.

The public commenting period for the DEIS ends Friday, February 1st at midnight.

These residents would like an extension of this deadline to re-evaluate the process as they don’t feel the DEIS represents the community’s stated visions and values.

The Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation has expressed similar concerns.

Much of the process has been driven by deadlines imposed on the City by Sound Transit, which is trying to implement its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) through Lake Forest Park. LFP needs to site a parking garage in Town Center to serve the BRT.

Recently, Sound Transit pushed their plans back in LFP for one year.

Most of those in attendance seemed to agree that a future possible Town Center redevelopment plan is a welcome idea to increase vitality, diversity, and density in Lake Forest Park. However, they want restrictions that help maintain its current sense of community and beautiful natural surroundings.

A statement submitted by LFP resident Ray Skjelbred, seemed to sum up the feelings of many. “Lake Forest Park is not a suburb. It is a little city that represents an idea of how to embrace and coexist with the natural world, and today it is an endangered species.”

Former LFP Councilmember Jack Tonkin attended the meeting, but instead of any zoning changes, Jack suggests increasing population by loosening regulations of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) so that they can be rented and bring in income to help offset other living cost increases for residents. He likes the idea that the City creates incentives for residents to build additional ADU type housing.

Councilmember Mark Phillips was the only council member at the meeting. He joined in and helped answer questions as best he could. 

He said the City Council has “no specific plans or preconceived notions for any development. The DEIS is the beginning of a long process with various other opportunities for residents to input."

Citizens questioned why these new density levels are so much higher than the required 2035 Growth Management Act (GMA). In the City’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan, only 551 new housing units are stated. The DEIS speaks to 1,500 new housing units, seemingly a large number for a small city like LFP to absorb.

Census bureau data shows that the rate of growth throughout King County has seen a 2.5 percent increase in population just from July 2016 through July 2017. Since 2010 that also represents a nearly 19 percent growth rate.

One long-time resident, who is also an environmental lawyer, sent a letter to Stephen Bennett, Director of City Planning which states, “the DEIS is inadequate, incomplete, and misleading about key issues, impacts and features. The alternatives, the hearts of the DEIS, are skewed toward dramatic increases in density and traffic, and away from the community’s values and needs.”

Even though this is a non-project, and the DEIS states an assumed multi-phased time frame of 15-25 years or more, once it becomes the final EIS, it becomes City code.

Another resident stated that “City Council seems tone-deaf and submissive. What they direct in the Final EIS is translated into code. From the code, a developer could build out the Town Center to over-maximum capacity at any time.”

To help with education, the Lake Forest Park Stewardship recently provided this definition of a DEIS:

“DEIS is the acronym for Draft Environmental Impact Statement. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for certain actions ‘significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.’ 
"An EIS is a tool for decision making. It should describe the impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed action, it should compare impacts of alternatives as well as plans to mitigate the impacts. To ‘mitigate’ means to lessen or remove negative impacts.”

The deadline for residents to comment on the DEIS is by February 1st midnight. Send any written comments to this address steve@cityoflfp.com

Here is a copy of the DEIS

--Donna Hawkey can be reached at dhawkey@comcast.net


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