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Showing posts sorted by date for query ronald bog. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Bobcat in North Seattle

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Healthy bobcat sauntering through a Pinehurst yard
Photo by Keri B

By Diane Hettrick

A bobcat was casually strolling around north Seattle in the Pinehurst neighborhood around 8th NE.

It was in a backyard on NE 123rd, then seen near the pea patch at the Jackson golf course. The day before these sightings it was walking across a fence at 5th NE and NE 120th.

A Community Science Specialist at the Woodland Park Zoo thought it looked like a very healthy bobcat. The zoo has a 2021 video of a bobcat in the Pinehurst area, so this one is not the first in this neighborhood.  

Bobcats have been seen in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park but they usually stay out of sight and avoid humans. This one is unusual in being out during the daytime.

Bobcats are not aggressive toward humans but it is not a good idea to tempt them with your cats and small dogs. 

The Woodland Park Zoo maintains a web-based carnivore reporting site – Carnivore Spotter – which allows residents of greater Seattle to report sightings of carnivore species:
  • Black Bear
  • Bobcat
  • Cougar / Mountain Lion
  • Coyote
  • Opossum
  • Raccoon
  • River Otter
  • Red Fox
Carnivore Spotter launched in August 2019 and Washington state residents logged more than 6,500 observations of local carnivores in the first two years!

I lived here for 20 years before I found out there were coyotes in the neighborhood. Now they are out in the open everywhere - including a trail across my back yard. 

I've been collecting photos of these carnivores and the only one on the list that completely surprises me is the red fox.

The bears don't stay here - they just run through. There are a couple of cougars in the densely wooded areas - Lake Forest Park, The Highlands. Opossums and raccoons are everywhere but they stay out of sight unless you feed your pets outside (or leave an uncovered  compost bucket on your porch).

River otters used to be elusive but not so much these days - and they have been reported in Ronald Bog, Echo Lake, and McAleer Creek. I'm still waiting for a photo from one of the Twin Ponds.

Not carnivores, but deer seem to live in every green space and occasionally wander through neighborhoods in Ridgecrest and Innis Arden. We have both mountain beavers and beavers. Also hares, Grey squirrels, Douglas squirrels, rats, mice, shrews, moles.

I've heard it said that a successful wildlife population is one that you never see. Ours may be out in the open because of habitat loss due to human encroachment on their territory - or possibly because they no longer fear humans - not a good thing.

Whatever you do, do not feed wildlife, either on purpose or by accident. Consider keeping your pets inside so they don't become a meal for a coyote.


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Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024

Saturday, June 29, 2024

L-R: Christopher Mosier (behind), Julie Povick, Bradley Cabe, Leslie Brinson, Mei-shiou Lin, Lauren Hadley, and Colt Fry

By Pam Cross

The Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024 was held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed.

The Commissioners are Christopher Mosier (absent), Leslie Brinson (absent), ,Julie Povick, Bradley Cabe, Mei-shiou Lin, and Colt Fry (absent)

This was an update to the 2024 Comprehensive Plan - Middle Housing discussion of the following issues from House Bill 1110:
  • Tier Options
  • Alternative Compliance
  • Draft Land Use Maps
Staff Presentation by
  • Andrew Bauer, Planning Director
  • Elise Keim, Planning Manager
  • Steve Szafran, Senior Planner
  • Emily Larson, Otak

Otak, Inc. is an award-winning urban design, architecture, planning and engineering firm. They are involved in the Ronald Bog Basin Study and The Shoreline Interurban Trail.


TIER OPTIONS

TIER 2

At the Planning Commission meeting of May 20, 2024 it was stated that Shoreline’s population of approximately 61,120 designates it as Tier 2. The Commission discussed whether the city should move to a Tier 1 designation now in order to avoid having to change everything as our city continues to grow.

Staff recommended staying with Tier 2 for a variety of reasons including anticipated time to reach Tier 1 status (estimated 12 years), and allowing more time to scale up the city infrastructure.

TIER 2.5
At this June 6th meeting, a Tier 2.5 was added for discussion purposes.


The change from Tier 2 to Tier 2.5 affects significantly more areas of Shoreline.

Additionally, 2.5 adds “High Activity Areas” and an associated 1/4 mile buffer. High Activity areas include commercial centers or nodes with grocery stores, restaurants, and/or retail. Civic facilities such as a library or post office would also be included.


The attachments mentioned in the chart are part of the Staff Report.

HB1110 - Standard or Alternative Compliance

In addition to the new base requirement for middle housing, Alternative Compliance options are available.

Risk of Displacement

The staff report defines Displacement as when a household is forced or pressured to move due to reasons beyond the householder’s control.
  • Physical: demolition, eviction, natural disaster
  • Economic: rising rents or property taxes
  • Cultural: cultural institutions/communities leave
Staff recommended exempting lots subject to sea level rise and flood hazards.

Other critical areas will be protected with regulations. And higher displacement risk can be addressed through policy and implementation. Additional details are included in the staff report.

LAND USE

The new land use designations will also become the zoning designations eliminating the confusion when trying to comply with both zoning and land use.

This is a work in progress. While it was stated that current R-4 and R-6 would be changed to NR3 (Neighborhood Residential 3), there are lots currently zoned R-4 or R-6 that meeting criteria to move to N2 would be changed to N2 which is more intense than NR3 with higher building heights, more allowed types of housing, and some small commercial.

It’s important to keep in mind that R-4, which was based on population, has less density than R-6 or R-18. The number gets higher as density increases.

But NR1 is “the most intense neighborhood residential zone where building heights may exceed three stories, with more types of commercial.” (Staff report)

The number gets lower as density increases.

The only speaker at public comment was Jonathan Lounds, representing the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. He stated the MBA prefers changing to Tier 1. The MBA appreciates Tier 2.5 being considered but suggests allowing 6 units per lot within a 1/2 block of major transit, and 6 units per lot within 1/4 mile of a high activity area.


HOUSING

The scope of housing in comprehensive plans has expanded dramatically. It’s no longer just about the number of units, but a deeper analysis to address people's needs and incomes. Shoreline will be looking into an affordable housing plan, including planning, funding and budget.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Residents have stated they would like more shopping and dining opportunities in Shoreline.

Other topics briefly touched on included 
  • auto-dependent uses such as drive throughs. Can this be done on a policy level? They will have to talk to the business community. Drive-throughs are a salvation to parents
  • The large number of lots under Homeowners Associations control. Many of them appear to limit middle housing. The City may have to work with HOAs to include middle housing opportunities

DISCUSSION COMMENTS

The houses of “baby boomers” will be hitting the market in the next 20 or so years. This needs to be a consideration in our discussions.

If we are ahead already of where we need to be, should we be even farther ahead?

It’s hard to visualize 4 units per parcel without stacking units. R-6 allowed 6 units per parcel (acre). Now we are talking per “lot”.

What does this mean now? 6 “units” or 6 “houses”? Per acre? Per lot?

Shoreline has a lot of smaller units. Family housing is in short supply. Should we continue this way?

Displacement is important to address. Owners of property are unable to stay there. Who are these high risk people?

Affordable housing in Shoreline. Is it really affordable? I reached out to all affordable housing in Shoreline as a potential renter. I had several persistent responses over a month. There appear to be vacancy issues. We need to consider affordability before we build even more “affordable” housing. We have a lot of vacancies in Shoreline. It is worth looking into

Planning Commissioners favored Tier 2.5


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Crows love to mess with eagles

Monday, June 24, 2024

Photo by Kristine Tsujikawa

Martin DeGrazia has mentioned more than once how flocks of crows harass the eagles that try to nest at Ronald Bog.

Local photographer Kristine Tsujikawa captured this close up of a crow in action.


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Shoreline council micromanages 175th pedestrian project

Thursday, June 6, 2024

A sign warns pedestrians to stay off 175th street. photo by Oliver Moffat
By Oliver Moffat

On Monday, June 3, council members Keith Scully and Annette Ademasu called the city’s traffic engineers back to the council chambers to listen to input from residents concerned about trees that will be removed to make way for sidewalks and bike lanes along the 175th corridor.

“I think a check-in at this point when it’s not too late to make some changes seemed to make a lot of sense,” said council member Keith Scully about why he called for the study session while also acknowledging, “this is more council micromanagement then I usually support.”

The Shoreline city council has approved the 175th corridor project seven times since 2018; not to mention the times when the council reviewed the plan in the Transportation Improvement Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan

The city reviewed input from over 1,500 residents and incorporated the council-approved Climate Action Plan, Transportation Master Plan, Transportation Element, Complete Streets Ordinance, ADA Transition Plan, and the Sidewalk Prioritization Plan.

Although the project is complicated, there was little debate about the intersection of 175th and Meridian.

In 2003, a city risk assessment, warned it was built on pilings driven into soil that “has the potential for liquefaction” - now (twenty years later) an earthquake could still send the road “slipping and sliding” into nearby Ronald Bog along with sewage from neighborhood residents.

“While we can’t replace a mature tree, we can’t replace a life. And the safety aspects have been enumerated several times by people in the audience,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Mork. “I think it’s imperative we get phase one done to be safe as soon as possible,” she said about the Meridian intersection.

A screen shot from the city staff report shows the 51 foot bottleneck from Densmore to Wallingford where 175th squeezes four traffic lanes through rock retaining walls topped by mature conifer trees.

There was less unanimity about subsequent phases of the project - especially the 51 foot bottleneck from Densmore to Wallingford where 175th squeezes four traffic lanes through rock retaining walls topped by mature conifer trees.

Council member Annette Ademasu asked city staff to consider a proposal from Save Shoreline Trees that would shrink the sidewalks to five feet and detour bike lanes up 178th street. “That would be just a couple minutes out of the way,” she said about the 178th street bike route.

In written comments, city staff said, “eliminating bike facilities from any portion of the 175th Corridor Project is not in alignment with the City’s Complete Streets ordinance, Bike Plan (TE), and would make the pursuit of future construction funding difficult.“ 

Grant applications for bike lanes and sidewalks that meet route directness and level of traffic stress standards are more competitive.

Although Representative Pramila Jayapal recently announced she requested $3 million for 175th, the city doesn’t have the estimated $88 million needed for the project.

“What I’m concerned about is the cost,” said Council member Eben Pobee. “I don’t entirely agree with redesigning everything. That would not be a good decision financially,” he said. But he said he supported incorporating additional discreet modifications to save more trees.

Citing data from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, council member John Ramsdell said, “the most important thing we have to do is reduce the amount of CO2 and greenhouse gasses we are emitting and that is going to be the most effective way we can save our planet. And so when I look at this report, the 175th street project, the way it is currently designed, does just that.“

“I didn’t hear one person here say we needed four lanes between Meridian and Midvale,” said Mayor Chris Roberts. “I looked and saw we have traffic volumes of about 21,000 vehicles per day in this segment… if we were to get to one lane in each direction, not only would we have reduced traffic speeds, we would make it easier for pedestrians to cross two lanes of traffic instead of four lanes of traffic west of Meridian Park elementary. We might be able to get protected bike lanes, sidewalks and buffers in the existing right of way,” he said.

An architectural rendering from the city shows the what 175th might look like with bike lanes and sidewalks

If the city meets its Climate Action Plan goal to reduce per capita driving 50% by 2050, 175th would be a good candidate for a road diet, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

The conversation about 175th is not over. “I know we are going to have a discussion coming up about speed zone cameras and red light cameras. With most of that focused on this intersection. Most of that focused on this segment,” said Roberts.

At the June 10 meeting, the city council will discuss Traffic Cameras after reviewing the annual Traffic Report and  residents are encouraged to attend and make public comments.


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No easy solution to Shoreline’s 175th problems

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

More than fifty activists with Save Shoreline Trees and Tree Action Seattle rallied on 175th against the city’s plan to expand sidewalks and add bike lanes that could remove more than 274 trees
Photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

175th is a problem with no easy solutions. Traffic jams and crashes are back to pre-pandemic levels and an earthquake could send the road into Ronald Bog. Metro’s new 333 bus is coming soon to the road. The city wants people to walk and bike more but pedestrians (including students) must brave crossing up to seven lanes of traffic. 

Activists want the city to narrow sidewalks to save trees and businesses have fought road diets in the past. Whatever happens, everyone in the region will be impacted for decades to come.

An arial photo shows the 75 foot crosswalk at the intersection of Meridian and 175th where pedestrians must brave five lanes of car traffic in all directions

On Sunday, May 19, 2024 more than fifty activists with Save Shoreline Trees and Tree Action Seattle turned out for a rally on 175th to protest the City's plan to widen 175th between Aurora and I-5 to make room for pedestrians and bicyclists which could cost over $88 million and require chopping down 274 trees.

With traffic jammed (as usual) on 175th street, passing drivers honked enthusiastically, showing their support for the activists’ calls to save trees by narrowing the proposed sidewalks.

Shoreline city council member Keith Scully even stopped by to show his support.

Flyers distributed by Save Shoreline Trees called on the city to reduce sidewalks to 7 feet or less and said 13 foot sidewalks are unnecessary. The group said they don’t want 175th to be “devastated” like 145th where the city removed more than 300 trees to make way for sidewalks and roundabouts to support the light rail station opening later this year.

Trees increase walkability by providing shade and mitigate urban heat islands caused by large expanses of pavement, according Sandy Shettler from Tree Action Seattle. “Walkability includes shade. These are the public’s trees and they should be saved for the good of public health” she said while waving to passing cars.

A map from the Washington State Patrol Collision Analysis Tool shows the locations of ten years of crashes along 175th between Aurora and I-5 

Plagued by traffic jams, N 175th Street between I-5 and Aurora is Shoreline’s busiest city street with more than 20,000 vehicle trips per day. It’s also one of the city’s most dangerous roads. According to data from the Washington State Patrol, collisions on N 175th Street have roared back to pre-pandemic levels: in 2019 there were 77 crashes; in 2023 there were 76.

Starting in 2019, the city collected feedback from over 1,500 residents to list their top priorities for 175th street: pedestrian walkability, solving traffic jams, and improving safety were the top three priorities. 

Although the city didn’t ask specifically about tree preservation, “landscaping character” was rated at the bottom of the wishlist just above bike lanes by Shoreline residents.

To address traffic jams, the city won’t be able to make the road much wider - it’s already a five-lane road and is over 75 feet wide. It narrows to four lanes at Wallingford where it squeezes between rock retaining walls and spreads out to seven lanes at Aurora. Because of the phenomenon known as Induced Demand, adding more lanes probably wouldn’t help.

But traffic jams are just the start of the problems. When the city started designing the project, they discovered an earthquake could cause 175th to “slip and slide” into nearby Ronald Bog and received an $8 million grant from FEMA to rebuild the road.

Flyers distributed by Save Shoreline Tree called 175th “a primary access route to I-5 and a truck route” and said because there was no light rail station, wider sidewalks weren’t necessary. But later this year, Metro’s new route 333 will provide frequent, cross-town bus service along 175th street, increasing pedestrian traffic on the road.

The city’s Transportation Element Bicycle Plan, adopted by the city council in 2022, promises bike lanes on 175th street that would be safe enough for children to ride on.

At the rally, Susanne Tsoming, co-chair of Save Shoreline Trees, when asked about the city’s plan said, “It’s a major arterial and not made for strolling… I think it’s insane to ride a bike on this road with cars.”

Parents and students, who must brave five lanes of car traffic to get to Meridian Park elementary, want the city council to do something about traffic safety on 175th. Between I-5 and Aurora there are only seven crosswalks and the road can be up to 90 feet wide.

The location of trees to be removed to make way for sidewalks and a bike lane near Meridian Park elementary are shown on a map from the arborist report 

The city’s Climate Action Plan says vehicles are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Shoreline and sets a goal to get more people to ride busses and bikes. Shoreline’s Complete Streets policy requires road projects to be designed for the safe and convenient access of all users including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users; not just motorists.

On the other side of town, the city’s Transportation Improvement Plan calls for a road diet on the east side of I-5 that (instead of expanding the width of the road) would shrink NE 175th St from four lanes to three while adding bike lanes. 

A table shows the number of car lanes and widths of the seven crosswalks pedestrians must brave while crossing 175th street between Aurora and I-5.
That plan would cost about $2.3 million without removing trees. Although the U.S. Department of Transportation says road diets improve safety and calm traffic, twenty years ago the city council rolled back a plan to put 15th Ave NE in the North City business district on a road diet after push back from businesses.

On May 20, the city council was scheduled to vote on adoption of the Transportation Improvement Plan. And the council was scheduled to discuss a plan to roll out Scooter and Bike Sharing in the city. The Natural Environment and Transportation sections of the Comprehensive Plan were also on the agenda.

UPDATE: At the June 3rd city council meeting, the 175th street project will be back on the agenda for discussion.

A presentation from Save Shoreline Trees is no longer on the agenda. In an email, Kathleen Russell from Save Shoreline Trees said, “Although the City initially approved our application for a presentation, we are not in agreement on the guidelines and we have withdrawn our application.” 

On June 10, the much anticipated (and overdue) Annual Traffic Report will be reviewed by the city council and Traffic Enforcement Cameras will be discussed. The council will vote on whether to add Scooters and Bicycle Sharing to Shoreline’s roads.

On June 24, before the council adjourns for their summer vacation, the Commute Trip Reduction Plan will be reviewed.

5-23-2024 Save Shoreline Trees will not be making a presentation at the June 3rd council meeting.


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Stop the Chop rally Sunday by Ronald Bog

Friday, May 17, 2024

 Photo by Kean Engie

Join the “Stop the Chop” rally on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 1pm at Ronald Bog Park to call attention to the City's plans to remove trees along N 175th between Stone Way N and I-5 for the N 175th Corridor Project.

Some of the trees to be cut are marked with
orange ribbons. Photo by Kean Engie.
Volunteers from Save Shoreline Trees have tied an orange ribbon on many of the 274 trees along N 175th identified in the December 2022 draft arborist report to be removed.

The public is invited to join the "Stop the Chop" rally, and bring your own sign, or “write a note to a tree” at this event.

Save Shoreline Trees agrees safety for all is a top priority.

However, for the sake of climate resilience and emergency, we ask the Council to reconsider the design for N 175th Corridor Project. 

This project is scheduled to be discussed by Council on June 3, 2024.

Volunteers with Tree Action Seattle will host a “write a note to a tree” table on Sunday.

Ronald Bog Park is located at 2301 N 175th St, just east of Meridian Ave N.

Update: Photos by Kean Engie. "Write a note to a tree" table on Sunday.

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New skyline at Ronald Bog

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Photo by Sam Hansen

Thank you to Meridian Park resident Sam Hansen who took this photo and tipped us about the fall of the "eagle tree" into Ronald Bog.

The tree, with yellow leaves, is center in the photo.

Martin de Grazia followed up with an article about the tree Favorite Tree: "Eagle tree" falls at Ronald Bog


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Favorite Tree: "Eagle tree" falls at Ronald Bog

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The "Eagle Tree" standing tall in 2008

Story and photos by Martin DeGrazie

It seems everyone in their life has a favorite tree. As a kid our family had a beautiful large Rainier cherry tree that adorned our front yard.

The tree was visibly leaning. 

As an adult my favorite tree lived across Ronald Bog from us. I learned to look at the tree as soon as I came out of our back door, sometimes missing the eagle right above my head in my own yard. 

I frequently took pictures of the tree, especially when I could capture its reflection in the still waters. 

Eagles built a nest but didn't stay

Birds would always flock to this tree. In 2023 I had mixed emotions when the Eagles started to build a nest in it. I considered purchasing a better camera to take pictures of baby eaglets but I was concerned for the other wildlife on Ronald Bog. I love all the critters in the water and did not want to see them disappear. 

Alas, my concerns were unfounded, as the eagles abandoned the nest. Canadian geese would enter the nest every now and then. This spring they were up there so much, I was afraid they would sit on eggs up there themselves. 

The tree is now lying in the water

This past weekend while I was out of town this beautiful tree fell into the water. 

I can't tell you how many times I looked over there and wondered if it was leaning more. We've had three trees fall into the water from our lot on the other side of Ronald Bog.

The stump was shattered

The silver lining is the tree in the water is a nice landing spot for other critters in the bog. Eagles, otters, turtles and other animals will all use it. But, I will miss it. 

I haven't been to that side of the bog in a long time and I am really impressed at all the new growth trees. They have really shot up. I expect we will see much more wildlife at Ronald Bog in the coming years. The end of an era, but a new one is on the way.


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175th tests Shoreline’s commitment to bike lanes and tree preservation

Saturday, April 20, 2024

By Oliver Moffat

This is the second article of four covering comments from the city council about Shoreline’s proposed Transportation Improvement Plan that was reviewed on April 15.


A map from the WSDOT crash data portal shows ten years
of fatal and serious injury collisions along 175th 

According to data from WSDOT, in the past ten years, there have been eleven serious injury crashes and one fatal crash along 175th street, making it one of Shoreline’s most dangerous roads.

The transportation improvement plan lists two very different projects for 175th street - one on the east side of I-5 and one on the west.

The proposed safety changes on the east side would put 175th between 5th and 15th on a road diet - narrowing the four-lane road to three while adding bike lanes without widening the road (or removing trees). The east side project is unfunded and could cost an estimated $2.3 million.

The west side projects would widen the road to add more capacity for vehicles, mitigate earthquake risks and make room for shared use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. The west side portion is partially funded, has a projected cost of over $88 million and will require the removal of 274 trees.

A screen shot shows Council member Annette Ademasu saying, “I would like to see options where we can see reduced width sidewalks”

Councilmember Annette Ademasu told city engineers to provide options with narrower sidewalks. “I would like to see options where we can see reduced width sidewalks and have less impervious surfaces and be able to save more trees and go around trees,“ she said.

Ademasu also indicated she prefers continuing to keep 175th bike-free. “I really like how you’re doing the bike corridors on the slower paced roads because that will help with bike safety,” she said.

Bike lanes on 175th have been part of Shoreline’s Bike Plan since at least 2011 and the new Transportation Element of Shoreline’s Comprehensive Plan envisions protected biked lanes that would be safe enough for children to ride on.

A screen shot shows Council member Keith Scully saying, “what compromises can we make in order to save trees? And the test for me is 175th.”

Councilmember Keith Scully told city staff, “so instead of saying: ‘how wide do we need it to move pedestrians most efficiently? How protected does the bike lane need to be for maximum safety?’… Let’s start by saying what sacrifices can we make, what compromises can we make in order to save trees. And the test for me is 175th.“
An aerial view shows the 175th and Meridian intersection, the location of phase-one of the 175th corridor project and the site where a collapse could be caused by an earthquake 

The 175th project will be completed in phases starting with phase one which includes seismic mitigations and improvements to the intersection of 175th and Meridian Ave.

The city says an earthquake could cause portions of 175th street adjacent to Ronald Bog to collapse and has applied for grants to pay for the mitigations.

Scully and Ademasu worked together to bring the 175th street project back for discussion again at the June 3rd city council meeting.


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Shoreline city council to discuss goals and transportation plan

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Back row from left: Councilmembers John Ramsdell, Betsy Robertson, Annette Ademasu, Eben Pobee, Keith Scully Front row from left: Mayor Chris Roberts, Deputy Mayor Laura Mork

By Oliver Moffat

On Monday, April 15, 2024 at 7pm the Shoreline city council will be discussing the City Council Goals and Work Plan and holding a Public Hearing and Discussion of the Transportation Improvement Plan. The public can attend in person at Shoreline City Hall or virtually online. Details on attending and providing public comment are available on the city’s website.

A map from the 2025-2030 Transportation Improvement Plan shows
funded and unfunded projects across the city.

What’s new in the city’s Transportation Improvement Plan?


The city’s transportation improvement plan is updated every year and serves as a six-year roadmap for which transportation projects will be funded and which projects will not be funded.

Here’s a brief summary of what is new in this year’s transportation improvement plan compared to last year’s.

All five unfunded projects in the plan are on the east-side of town (NE 175th, NE 185th, Ballinger Way, 15th NE and 3rd NE).

A map from the city’s Transportation Impact Fee Rate Study shows
High Activity Areas to receive focused planning

What’s new in the city’s Goals and Work Plan?


Each year the council sets goals to direct the work the city does. Here are some highlights from this year’s goals that are new compared to last year’s goals.

  • The city says they will amend the tree code to “streamline administration and improve outcomes”.
  • The city will conduct focused planning on its high activity areas and neighborhood commercial centers and corridors.
  • In 2025, the city plans to build sidewalks along 8th Ave NW from Richmond Beach Road to Sunset Park and along 19th Ave NE between 196th and 205th streets in the Ballinger neighborhood.
  • The city plans to design and consider construction of new parks including Westminster Park, Rotary, West Echo Lake, 192nd/Hemlock, Edwin Pratt, South Ronald Bog and South Twin Ponds.
  • A new action was added to develop a city asset management program.
  • New parking enforcement is planned across the city.
  • The city plans to develop an “equity needs map” for analysis and to inform decision making.
  • The city will implement the recently approved Human Services Strategic Plan.
  • And new this year is a goal to enhance the city’s emergency management plans.

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Shoreline council members question tree removals; city says an earthquake could cause 175th to “slip and slide” into Ronald Bog

Friday, April 5, 2024

By Oliver Moffat

At the April 1, 2024 meeting, some Shoreline city council members raised concerns about tree removals for the 175th Corridor Project. City staff told the council that 175th could “slip and slide” into Ronald Bog during an earthquake. To make the road safer, the city must rebuild the roadway which will require tree removals.

Councilmember Annette Ademasu asked staff for more details about tree removals planned for the 175th project especially at Ronald Bog Park

Councilmember Annette Ademasu raised a 175th corridor project agenda item up for discussion at this week’s council meeting. She questioned the proposed removal of 213 significant trees to make way for the road project. “At Ronald Bog there are three large conifers and a Japanese cherry. Is there anyway to save those at Ronald Bog?” she asked.

In response to questions, Public Works Director, Tricia Juhnke said, “In an earthquake, 175th would most likely slip and slide and fall into the bog. 175th is identified as one of our top emergency corridors for connection throughout the city.” 
Making the road safer requires regrading the roadway and building walls on each side to contain the new substrate. “It is also a reason we were able to get an $8 million grant from FEMA to improve the infrastructure,” Juhnke added.

Councilmember John Ramsdell raised concerns about transparency and asked why the 175th arborist report had not been published earlier

Councilmember John Ramsdell said, “I’m concerned about the lack of transparency and communication with the community. I was really hoping to see more transparency. What concerned me is that the arborist report wasn’t done until October.”

City staff reiterated a promise made in September of 2023 to provide more transparency on tree impacts and said the city is still “playing catch up” on projects that have been in the planning phase for many years.

Cross section of preferred concept from Meridian Avenue N to I-5 (facing east)

In recognizing that the 175th project has been in planning since before the city recently reprioritized in favor of increased tree preservation, Mayor Chris Roberts said, “as nimble as Shoreline is we are still a relatively large ship and we can’t turn on a dime”

On Monday April 15, the city council will hold a public hearing and discuss Shoreline’s Transportation Improvement Plan. The plan, which serves as a six-year roadmap for transportation projects in the city, is updated each year.


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Free Styrofoam and Plastic Bag/Film recycling April 20, 2024 at LFP City Hall

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Recycle plastic before it turns 
into a monster. 
Photo courtesy Ronald Bog Blog
On Saturday, April 20, 2024 there will be a free drop-off recycling event in the LFP City Hall parking lot, 10:00am - 2:00pm, with Albertsons!

Bring: 
  • Plastic Bags,
  • Plastic Film, 
  • Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene). 
  • Look for the #6 or EPS symbol. 
  • Clean and dry material only, free of tape.
City Hall is located in the northeast corner of Town Center, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.


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Travels with Charlie: Ronald Bog Park Wetlands

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Ronald Bog Park
Photo by Gordon Snyder
By Gordon Snyder

We headed to Ronald Bog Park 2301 N 175th St, Shoreline, WA 98133 to look over the wetlands before everything started leafing out. Lots to see and to sniff.

This is an amazing example of Urban Wetlands that are being restored. A piece of Nature surrounded by I-5 on the East, N 175th on the North, Meridian Ave N on the West and residences on the South. It looks like natural progress has been happening over the last couple years.

The Canadian Geese have taken up residence and were grazing the lawns. Their droppings are everywhere. The riparian areas are preparing to explode with warmer spring days.

Bog Water is clear this time of year, but has warnings about contact because of possible urban pollution and algal blooms. That’s a tough challenge as restoration continues.

If you’re interested in an example of our local conifers, there is a small arboretum with living examples. Just a brief walk along the path.

Diane Hettrick wrote a terrific Shoreline Area News 2019 article about the Wetlands Restoration 
”What’s Happening with Ronald Bog Park?”

The Ronald Bog is fighting huge odds becoming a wetlands once again. But given a chance Water and Biology will make it happen.

Check out Ronald Bog over the seasons because it will always be changing...


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Work in progress on the Ballinger Maintenance Facility for Shoreline Public Works

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

By Diane Hettrick

Work is currently underway on the Ballinger Maintenance Facility, part of Shoreline's public works facilities.

The site is a long, narrow piece of land which was the site of the Brightwater tunnel access, now closed over and no longer needed by Brightwater. It is located on Ballinger Way NE in the Ballinger business district.

The site was leased to the post office for several years. When the USPS failed to purchase the land where the North City Post Office was located on 15th NE, they were unable to find a similar site for their Shoreline operations.

Site demolition and construction of the back wall were underway in August 2023.
Google Street View

They split their operations into the retail center at Gateway Plaza at 185th and Aurora, and their processing center to the old Office Max building at Gateway Place in Mountlake Terrace.

They leased the Brightwater Portal land from the City of Shoreline and used it to park their small vans.

Shoreline, in the meantime, needed to expand their maintenance facilities. A proposal to expand their existing facility at Hamlin Park to a consolidated public works facility was met with extreme displeasure from the community and mostly abandoned.

Rather than having all their facilities in one place, the city is using four parcels of land they already own and updating them. 
  1. Brightwater Portal property (20031 Ballinger Way NE) - maintenance yard
  2. North Maintenance Facility (NMF) (19547 25th Avenue NE) - use some land for parking but add a section to Brugger's Bog Park with Ballinger Creek stream restoration.
  3. Ronald Wastewater District (RWD) property (17505 Linden Avenue N) - City's Wastewater and Surface Water Maintenance crews.
  4. Hamlin Yard (16006 15th Avenue NE) - plans for a building on the site within 5-8 years

The vehicle washing stations are at the very back. The building to the right is a storage facility. The building to the left is a two-story commercial building. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Ballinger Maintenance Facility, currently under construction at 20031 Ballinger Way NE, will generally include:
  • An enclosed 950 square-foot single-story building for equipment storage
  • Three canopy structures totaling approximately 7,500 square-feet to facilitate: 
    • Salt storage and decant street sweepings
    • Vehicle washing
    • Vehicle fueling
  • Site improvements such as new asphalt and concrete

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Ducks on Ice

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

 
Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Someone forgot to tell Ronald Bog about the temperature warming. The bog was still frozen Monday morning, January 22, 2023.

The ducks appear to be a little puzzled.

--Diane Hettrick


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