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Notes from Shoreline Council meeting Feb 1, 2021

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting for
February 1, 2021
Notes by Pam Cross

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

All Councilmembers were present.

Proclamation
I, Will Hall, Mayor of the City of Shoreline, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, do hereby proclaim February 2021 as BLACK HISTORY MONTH and encourage all residents to learn more about the history, contributions, and achievements of Black people past and present.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry



Our region, consisting of King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties, has moved to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Plan. That means there are a few more activities we can participate in and some restaurants can allow indoor dining.

Continued access to tennis/pickleball courts is dependent on users following the social distancing and mask wearing requirements.

We still need to meet 3 of the 4 criteria in order to remain in Phase 2, so people need to be diligent in adhering to the restrictions so we don’t see an acceleration in cases and don’t go back to Phase 1.


Please continue to protect our community and help us stay in Stage 2 by taking the following preventative measures:
  • Wear a face covering, especially indoors in public settings regardless of the distance between people.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands regularly.
  • Maintain six (6) feet of distance, indoors and outdoors.
  • Get tested at the first sign of illness. And then stay home. Do not go to work or to stores if you’re not feeling well.
  • It is safest to stay at home.

COVID-19 VACCINE
Although there is information available on Shoreline’s website, people are encouraged to go to CovidVaccineWA.org for the most up-to date information on eligibility and locations providing vaccines.

PROPOSITION 1 PRESENTATIONS
Proposition 1 for park improvements and park land acquisition will appear on the April 27 ballot. There will be factual community presentations beginning Feb 2.

Presentations will be conducted via Zoom. For more information about Proposition 1 and to get the Zoom link for the meeting go to shorelinewa.gov/prop1
Note: the remaining dates are:
  • Tuesday, February 9, 12 pm
  • Thursday, February 11, 7 pm
  • Tuesday, February 16, 7 pm
  • Thursday, February 18, 7 pm
  • Wednesday, February 24, 7 pm

Public Reminders
The Planning Commission will hold a remote meeting on Thursday Feb 4 at 7:00pm regarding the Department of Commerce Growth Management Act Briefing and the 2021 Comprehensive Plan Docket

Council Reports
Deputy Mayor Scully, standing in for Mayor Hall, met remotely with Representative Jayapal who shared with him and other elected officials what’s going on in D.C., mostly regarding Coronavirus relief. The attendees were able to express their needs and concerns.

Public Comment
Kathleen Russell, Shoreline, Save Shoreline Trees
addressed Agenda item 8a, the N 175th project, and requested the City consider saving significant trees the entire length of 175th.

Theresa LaCroix, Director of the LFP/Shoreline Senior Center
expressed her heartfelt thanks to the City, Council and residents for continuing support

Jackie Kurle, Shoreline
spoke about ensuring adequate protections around the new enhanced shelter for both the shelter residents and the neighbors

Christiano Steele, Shoreline grocery worker-
would like Council to pass $4 hazard pay for Shoreline grocery workers until a State initiative hopefully offers this.

Approval of the Agenda
Agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

Approval of the Consent Calendar
Consent Calendar approved unanimously by roll call vote.


Study Item 8(a) Discussion of the Preferred Concept for the 175th Street (Stone Avenue N to I-5) Project


The staff report was presented by
Tricia Juhnke, City Engineer
Leif Johansen, Capital Project Manager

Staff is seeking Council’s support of the Preferred Design concept. In conjunction with this, staff is looking for direction on the recommendation to include undergrounding of existing overhead utilities as part of the preferred concept.

The design team used the public’s feedback from Phase 2 to develop a preferred concept.

Shared-use path concept A
A main concern was bikes sharing the same paths as pedestrians, especially eastbound bicyclists as they head downhill while mixing with walkers and children at Meridian Park Elementary.
On the other hand, there were positive comments about encouraging families to bike out of the roadway.

Buffered bike lanes concept B
The primary concern was that even with a buffer, there was too much exposure to traffic for bikes.
There was a lot of positive feedback for separating pedestrians from bikes.

Over 50% of users rated Shared-use path as “just right; over 60% of users rated Buffered bike lanes as “just right.”

For both concepts there was concern that the corridor was too wide, and too costly.

Using these results, we have created a Hybrid Concept.


From Stone Ave N (Trader Joe’s) to Wallingford Ave N (Meridian Elementary School)

Additionally, staff propose extending the corridor about 120’ west from Stone to Midvale, in order to provide a bike connection to the Interurban Trail.


Wallingford Ave N (Meridian Elementary) to Meridian Ave N (Ronald Bog)

Both concepts attempt to protect existing street trees.
The median will be hardscaped to avoid maintenance issues.

At the intersection of 175th and Meridian both a roundabout and a signalized intersection were considered. The area is too small for a good roundabout. The signalized concept improves operations, limits impact to Ronald Bog and accommodates bike lanes on Meridian. The signalized intersection eliminates the need to purchase parks property, has a lower capital cost, and lower risk (problems with permitting in sensitive environmental area with unstable peat).This concept was preferred by 70% of users.


Signalized Intersection

The final distance is from Meridian to the I-5 Interchange.


Undergrounding Utilities


The preliminary estimate of undergrounding utilities is a wide range because we are so far out from construction. The design phase may continue into 2023. We are at only 10% of the design phase. As we move towards 30% we’ll have a much better idea of what the cost will be and the ultimate impact to ratepayers.

This project meets the undergrounding criteria. It meets City code, is eligible for the City Light Franchise agreement, and is of sufficient size.

Staff recommends moving forward to 30% design and then reevaluating and developing a better cost estimate for undergrounding.

DISCUSSION

Why should we put bike lanes here? It’s between light rail stations and a busy road.
Reply: there isn’t a good off-corridor bike route between 175th and 185th that goes from Meridian to Midvale.

Should we be discussing the speed limit at this time?
Reply: reducing speed limit won’t change the design on this corridor.

Are buses still running along there? Are the stops still planned to be in the same locations?
Reply: we are working with Metro. Yes, buses are still planned plus maybe a new route on Meridian. Metro prefers not to have pull-outs. They prefer lane stops and plan to keep the stop on 175th where there is a bus shelter.

Hybrid concept with shared lanes while bikers are going uphill and then a buffered lane downhill is a great idea.

The Roundabout would require purchase of parkland. There is no mention of parkland purchase for the signalized intersection. Where will we find the roadway width for the 15’ shared use plan on the Southside of 175th between Meridian and I-5?
Reply: this area is part of the WSDOT coordination. Will have a better idea as we progress. We don’t know at this point but it’s likely some land will have to be purchased.

So either option, we’ll have to purchase some land?
Reply: yes

Roundabouts move a lot more traffic through. I realize the area is difficult to fit a roundabout because of right-of-way concerns and so forth. What kind of a trade off are we making with a signalized intersection as respects traffic capacity?
Reply: The more we worked on this project, the more similar these two options became. There is very little difference in capacity. This location has signals and they would still be there anyway.

Did you also model the AM and PM traffic volumes?
Reply: Yes we did. There was no significant difference.

Don’t think this project needs undergrounding. Since it’s not scheduled for re-development some of the benefits don’t apply here. The parcels that will be affected are the school and the park. In Seattle the city pays for undergrounding, but in Shoreline our residents pay for undergrounding. It’s not fair that Seattle City Light singles us out. Cost of undergrounding is a concern.
Reply: there will still be a cost to relocate the utilities overhead. The cost to underground them is in addition to the cost of relocating the utilities overhead. (About $5.7M for just over 3,000 linear feet of the $43M estimate). It is this additional amount that would be paid by the rate payers.

Everybody in Shoreline will pay. Projects are listed on the utility bill. The first one doesn’t sunset until 2032. Assume we add for 175th. And then we add again for 185th. Then another. This is going to add up.
Reply: Yes. The increase applies citywide.

Is there another project that might come up where we’ll be looking at undergrounding and might regret adding it here?
Reply: For 145th Council decided to not underground. On 185th I don’t think we have a recommendation yet. All new sidewalk projects might add undergrounding.

Have you sought public input on undergrounding?
Reply: not yet.

The segment from Meridian to I-5 stops at I-5 and does not go under it. We’re going to have a Trail Along the Rail and that would make a connection to it. Also the underpass needs some pedestrian safety.
Reply: we will be looking at possible ways to get pedestrians better access under I-5. It’s a challenge because the area is tight.

The staff report states $6M for right of way acquisition. Is this just for easements? Or purchase of some property outright?
Reply: It is possible 4 parcels will be purchased outright. Plus there will be a whole lot of easements.

Where the bus stop is on 175th by the Bog, could we put walkway from Meridian going behind that bus stop so people walking down the sidewalk don’t have to go through the folks waiting at the bus stop? It would just go along the sidewalk (not over Ronald Bog) and create kind of a boardwalk look.
Reply: the sidewalk is already cantilevered because of the bog. That would be very challenging.

We need to save all the trees we can, especially the mature evergreens. The non-native street trees can be replaced by adding native street trees, rather than going to great lengths to save an individual tree (except mature evergreens).

I’m wondering about the visibility of the new pedestrian crossing at 175th and Ashworth (east of Stone). Also, it’s in the middle of a long hill where drivers don’t expect a crossing.
Reply: It will probably have a beacon for visibility and there will be the refuge in the middle of 175th where people can stop before continuing across. The existing crossing at Wallingford will also be upgraded.

Speed limits are aligned with design speed and both of those should align with the target speed. The speed limit is currently 35mph. There are few driveways and no parking. Is physical design of the current road consistent with 35mph? Would this design change that?
Reply: What you look at is a sight distance. We learned there is a surplus of sight distance for 35mph. There aren’t any modifications we plan to do that would affect the design speed of the road. It is designed for an excess of speed over the current posted speed limit.

What would be changed if we designed the corridor for 30mph?
Reply: we will look into it and advise.

What is the minimum width allowed for travel lane at 30mph?
Reply: we’ve reduced some to 10’ but Metro requires wider lanes for the lanes they use.

If designed for Metro, then the driver of a vehicle will feel comfortable speeding. There is nothing to encourage drivers to slow down. In fact, drivers may feel like they can go faster.
Reply: We have reduced interior lanes to 10’ (the minimum), and Metro let us go down to 11’. We can also look at other traffic calming tools but putting in trees and amenities in the amenity zones makes the space seem smaller so people drive slower than if it’s a wide 4 lanes with nothing in the middle.

Guidance: Should staff proceed to 30% design with undergrounding so we can refine our estimate? We have to do it now, because we can’t add it in later. We’re not sure of the cost for design up to 30% because we don’t know what kind of problems the bog will cause.

There was general consensus that this would be money well spent because Councilmembers need additional information before making a decision.


Study Item 8(b) Discussion of Ordinance No. 897 - Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Section 20.50.620, Aurora Square Community Renewal Sign Standards

Nora Gierloff, AICP, Planning Manager, made the presentation


This is about a 70 acre area with Aurora Square (renamed Shoreline Place), the old Sears store, the WSDOT offices and the NW School for Deaf Children, as well as the Alexan Apartments. Locations outside of Shoreline Place are not required to advertise Shoreline Place on their monument signs.

By better addressing the signage needs of businesses, these amendments will support the planned redevelopment of Shoreline Place into a vibrant, mixed-use town center for the City.


We looked at general changes to the sign code such as content neutral language, specified size, type and number of signs, and clarification of sign area calculation. Additionally no business can be listed on a new freestanding sign until any old freestanding sign listing that business is removed or brought into compliance. The $100/day penalty for not installing new signs by September 1, 2017 has been removed.


We also wanted to allow unique or sculptural signs, subject to administrative design review.

Monument signs, located at or slightly above the ground, allow visibility as the tree canopy grows. Pylon signs become lost in the tree growth and lose their visibility.

Due to the size of the property and number of tenants, space for more tenants is allowed.

Retail leasing signs will be allowed due to the many available spaces and the multiple owners of the site.

Allow 1 sign per 250’ of street frontage up to a maximum of 3 signs per parcel per street. Signs must be 100’ apart on same parcel, or 50’ apart from a sign on a neighboring parcel.



Deletion of changeable electronic pylon signs was requested in keeping with the planned pedestrian mixed-use environment. Reduce the percentage of pylon sign area advertising Shoreline Place vs. tenants from 25% to 15%.

Increase in height for the pylon signs from 25’ to 35’ so the existing sign structure can be reused. The current pylon signs are about 35’. There are also allocations for pylon signs which will result in the same number (4) as currently exist but allows more flexibility for their placement.

Since there will be ground floor retail with apartments above, there will be additional sign allowance for ground floor storefronts in addition to the wall signs for apartments.

Ground floor walls without entrances can have signs if they put in windows, landscaping or architectural detailing.

Wayfinding (directional) signs require a 25’ setback from the street to avoid clutter and competition with the monument and pylon signs

Temporary signs advertising special events will be limited for less clutter.

Next steps are to identify any Council proposed code changes and return to Council Feb 22. Sign design guidelines for Shoreline placed will be developed later in 2021.

DISCUSSION

This CRA (Community Renewal Area) was put into place in 2012! Wow.

Allowing signage on the backs or sides of buildings on the street is really nice - it prevents a wall of just bricks and dumpsters.

Perimeter lighting is limited. What about holiday lighting?
Reply: It is consistent with the overall sign code for the City.

It can be pretty - or it can be hideous. Best to maintain prohibition of perimeter lighting.

This will come back to Council on consent.

Meeting Adjourned.



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Go ahead - guess what this is

Friday, January 1, 2021

 


So my first guess was that it was one of the pieces of floating art from the old SummerSet Arts Festival at Ronald Bog.

Don't think too hard - just guess. I'll post the information in the next edition.

DKH


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Baby otters at Ronald Bog

Monday, November 30, 2020

When you have the feeling you are being watched. There are two kits in this photo.
Photo by Martin DeGrazia

A mother otter has been making appearances around Ronald Bog with her two kits. It's more than a little challenging to get all three in the same photo, but Martin DeGrazia aka Bog Whisperer is working on it.

Freshwater otters are different from the seagoing kind but they have been known to share territory. Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Seems like the only time they are all in frame is when they are swimming in the Bog. You get to see a nose and occasionally some teeth.

Three at once! Photo by Martin DeGrazia

There's a mom and baby in Echo Lake, as well. Probably in their other locations - Twin Ponds, McAleer Creek - but they have not yet posed for the camera.



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Notes from Shoreline council meeting October 26, 2020

Friday, October 30, 2020

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting
October 26, 2020

Notes by Pam Cross

The meeting was held remotely using the Zoom platform.

Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
All Councilmembers were present.

Proclaiming America Recycles Day

This proclamation recognizes November 15, 2020, as America Recycles Day in the City of Shoreline. This is part of a national effort to promote recycling. Throughout the month of November, it calls upon residents and businesses to learn more about waste reduction and recycling options and commit to recycle more materials every day of the year. While Shoreline is doing well, about 70% of what goes into landfills in King County could have been reused, recycled, or composted.

Proclaiming Extra Mile Day

This proclamation recognizes November 1, 2020 as Extra Mile Day. This is to recognize the importance and value of volunteerism and giving back to the community.

Report of the City Manager, Debbi Tarry

COVID-19 Update

Case counts in King County are still high. The average over the past 14 days was 93 new cases per 100,000. The target is 25. Shoreline’s numbers remain low, but continue to rise at almost 4 cases per day. There were 42 new cases in Shoreline in the last two weeks.

Please continue to take prevention measures seriously:

Wear a face covering, especially indoors in public settings regardless of the distance between people. Remember the guidance is wear a mask AND maintain at least six feet of distance from others.

Limit the number of people you are with, and the time you are with them. Avoid large gatherings.

Do what you can to improve indoor ventilation by opening windows as much as you can. More fresh air means lower risk of infection.

Wash hands frequently and clean surfaces often.

Get tested at the first sign of illness.

More information available at shorelinewa.gov/covid

Halloween is coming! Practice these Healthy Halloween Tips.

Public Health advice: Choose other options besides trick or treating such as a costume parade, scavenger hunt, or spooky movie night with family.

If you do trick or treat, wear masks as part of or in addition to the costume, maintain distancing, bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Wash hand thoroughly when you get home and set candy aside for 24 hours.

Set out individual bags of candy to grab instead of handing it out at the door. Or you can slide candy down a cardboard tube to the kids.

Ronald Bog Park Closure

Sound Transit is working on the Ronald Bog Park trail. This will require the park to be closed for about two weeks.

The eastbound right lane of 175th in front of the park will be closed during work hours for trucks to enter and exit the park. More information at shorelinewa.gov/lightrail

November 3rd General Election

Ballot drop boxes are open 24 hours daily until 8pm on Nov 3rd.

Shoreline has two drop boxes located at Shoreline Library 345 NE 175th St and the Shoreline Park & Ride 18821 Aurora Ave N. The Shoreline Library drop box has been moved to the lower library parking lot, just off of 175th street and is now a drive-through location.

You can still register in person at King County Elections in Renton any weekday 8:30am - 6:00pm.

Closer to home, you can register in person at a vote center. Nearest locations are Kenmore City Hall and the Dempsey Indoor Center on the UW Campus. The vote centers are open October 31st, November 2nd and November 3rd. For more information: kingcounty.gov/elections

145th Interchange Online Open House

Learn about the current challenges at the 145th and I-5 interchange and our plans to address those challenges. Share what’s important to you and provide your comments October 26 through November 20. Go to 145thInterchange.infocommunity.org

If you are unable to participate in the open house event, email Bob Earl, Shoreline Engineering Manager at bearl@shorelinewa.gov before November 20th to discuss the project, request mailed or emailed drawings and/or request a copy of the online open house.

For more information go to shorelinewa.gov/145interchange

Climate Change Champions Series

This free series ended Tuesday, October 27th. The City of Shoreline partnered with Washington State University to offer this 7-part educational and action series.

All videos in the series are available on the City’s Youtube page at YouTube.com/cityofshoreline

Council Reports

  • Councilmember Chang attended a meeting of the Regional Transit Committee. They are getting closer to Metro’s adoption of the recommendations of the mobility framework emphasizing equity and providing services to priority populations throughout King County. It is already part of how Metro determines how areas get services, but this will give bigger weight to some of these equity issues.
  • Councilmember Roberts. Last week the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board adopted the 2021-2024 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at $4.3B for the 2021-2024 term.
  • Councilmember O’Connell. Last week there was a Joint Transportation Board Meeting. They are on schedule in spite of the pandemic. They are at phase one, public engagement (virtual or remote). The second phase works on reliable east-west connections, all day reliability and transfers . Phase three will be revising peak routes in and around Shoreline.
  • Deputy Mayor Scully attended the conference for the City’s state audit which was uniformly good. There were a couple of minor errors but nothing material. The only potentially bad news is that we historically have only one audit per year, which is costly. There is a possibility that the Federal government might require a separate one based on some of the COVID related expenditures.
  • Mayor Hall   The Governor’s office has been holding periodic conference calls with mayors in the state to discuss COVID. The most recent included a report from the State Department of Health that provided a breakdown of where COVID outbreaks are occurring. The two most common places for outbreaks of COVID-19 are in restaurants and at grocery and retail stores. It’s important to continue to support local businesses, just remember to stay safe.

As he does each fall, he has been meeting (virtually) with our three State Representatives, Rep. Ryu, Rep. Davis, and Rep Salomon. He shares Council’s priorities including funding for 145th and so forth.

There was a workshop, kind of a Housing 101, about affordable housing, that was very interesting and helpful.

Several Councilmembers and members of the Planning Commission and Parks Board members attended the first session of Training in Racial Sensitivity. There will be two more sessions.

Public Comment

None

Comments for the Public Hearing (Enhanced Shelter) will be heard under Action Item 8(a)

Approval of the Agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

The Consent Calendar adopted unanimously by roll call vote.


ACTION ITEMS

8 (a) Public Hearing and Adopting Ordinance No. 906 - Interim Zoning Regulations for Adding Enhanced Shelter as an Allowable Use in the R-48 Zone

Presentation by:

Nora Gierloff, Planning Manager
Colleen Kelly, Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Director

There was a brief overview of the Enhanced Shelter.

The background presented has been covered in previous Meeting Notes (Aug 10 and Oct 12). It included the need, location availability and description of the property, funding, and Council actions.

Proposed Ordinance 906 is a temporary change in regulations that is good for 6 months and renewable in 6 month increments. The location is zoned R48 which does not currently allow enhanced shelters. Therefore in order to proceed, enhanced shelter has to be added as a permitted use.

Other alternatives discussed by Council would require more time with the potential for loss of the grant funding.

Tonight’s hearing focuses on a proposed interim ordinance that would define an additional type of homeless service, Enhanced Shelter, and permit that use in the R-48 zoning district on an interim basis.

In addition, some of the requirements of the grant funding that King County would use to operate the shelter conflict with the zoning code index criteria for homeless shelters as currently defined in SMC 20.40.405

Index Criteria for Homeless Shelters in SMC 20.40.405

Staffing plans

Requirement for regular reports to the Council on how the shelter is meeting performance metrics

Documentation of the number of calls for service to the site and an agreement that the shelter operator will be billed for calls over an agreed threshold.

Shelter operator to contribute to the cost of a mental health professional to assist in police response, perhaps through part of the RADAR program.

Require adherence to the Good Neighbor Plan.

Agreement to discontinue the shelter use if documented violations of the operational agreements are not addressed in a timely manner.

Proposed Council Amendments for operation of Enhanced Shelter

Councilmember Chang Proposed Amendment 1

20.20.018E definitions

Definition: Enhanced Shelter – A low-barrier, 24 hour a day facility intended to provide adults experiencing homelessness with access to resources including, but not limited to, housing, basic needs, hygiene, case management and social programs as they transition to permanent housing.

Replace “adults” with “persons”. The purpose of this is to allow flexibility in the type of population that is served by an Enhanced Shelter.

Councilmember Chang Proposed Amendment 2

Require a Good Neighbor Plan acceptable to the City that would address how the facility would deal with potential issues caused by residents of the shelter and how the neighborhood would bring issues they see for resolution.

Councilmember Chang Proposed Amendment 3

Require a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or similar document between the City, Lake City Partners, and County that gives the City more power than just “code enforcement”.

Councilmember Chang Proposed Amendment 4

Require an annual report/assessment prepared by the operator and County to the City. In addition to statistics about numbers served and numbers moved to permanent housing, it would be good for the report to provide information on the details of the homeless population being served—where are they from, reasons for homelessness, how were they referred to the shelter, and whether they are participating in treatment.

Councilmember Chang Proposed Amendment 5

Include a minimum distance from sensitive uses such as daycares, stores selling alcohol, schools and community centers. We have two examples in our code that mention distances to daycares. Could we look at what other municipalities require for Enhanced Shelters?

Councilmember Roberts Proposed Amendment 1

Change the proposed use table from Permitted(i) to Conditional(i).

Councilmember Roberts Proposed Amendment 2

Under the conditions, add a requirement that in order to operate, the City and County must enter into an interlocal agreement (ILA) to address staffing, security, emergency response, etc.

PUBLIC HEARING

Public Testimony. Time is limited to 3 minutes per speaker.

Support Ordinance
  • David Anderson, Shoreline
  • David Trainer, Shoreline
  • Stephanie Henry, Shoreline
  • Gretchen Holtz, Shoreline
  • Brian Henry, Shoreline
  • Carrell Tysver, Bothell
  • Domenick Dellino, Shoreline
  • Brooke Lather, Shoreline
  • Pastor Kelly Dahlman-Oeth, Kirkland
Oppose Ordinance
  • Margaret Willson, Shoreline
  • Jackie Kurle, Shoreline
  • Jack Malek, Shoreline
  • Barbara Twadell, Shoreline
  • Nancy Morris, Shoreline
  • Vinay Venkatesh, Shoreline
  • Sudeeptha Jothiprakash, Shoreline
  • Diane Pfeil, Shoreline
  • Dicky Leonardo, Shoreline
  • Nancy Pfeil, Shoreline
  • Joanne Godmintz, Shoreline
  • Tylor Husske, Shoreline
  • Stephen Kurle, Shoreline
  • Shang Lou, Shoreline
  • Jean Muir, Shoreline
  • Chris Brown, Shoreline

COUNCIL DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve Ordinance 906 - Interim Zoning Regulations for Adding Enhanced Shelter as an Allowable Use in the R-48 Zone

Deputy Mayor Scully

What I’ve heard over the last few years is general agreement that we need to do something about the homeless. Folks are not happy with the current state of affairs for a variety of reasons and we are asked why the City isn’t doing more. We have done something about individually reported problems. But what we haven’t done, until today, is find not a solution, but something to make this problem better.

Is this the right thing? A low barrier shelter is the need. This model, I’m convinced, is the best way to do a low barrier shelter because you have a private room and you can stay in the shelter 24 hours/day until you get yourself into housing.

Is this the right place? Yes, I think this is the best place in Shoreline for it. We don’t have an industrial area to locate it in. We don’t have a large undeveloped area. We have one very large commercial boulevard, Aurora, and part of Ballinger. Other than that we are basically a residential city with some commercial districts. Although there are potentially other Shoreline locations, King County has said we will put it here. If we locate it someplace else, we will hear the same concerns from another neighborhood. We heard similar comments from the neighborhood near Ronald Commons. Yet I haven’t heard anything since it’s been completed. People say well it’s a different type of facility and it's for families. Nevertheless, it's a place where homeless people live. I understand the fear but I don’t think generally it’s going to work out the way the neighbors think. In the unlikely event that it does, then we’ll have to re-think. But having fear drive us when we have an example right here in Shoreline (Ronald Commons) where those fears have not come true, would be a real shame. There are a large raft of amendments out there - some will make it better but some are concerning because I think they would undercut this project. I am not convinced that we need any of these amendments.

Councilmember Robertson

I support the shelter moving forward. I want to do this in the best possible way to reassure the neighborhood and businesses. I think maybe some of the amendments will help. I take the safety of the community seriously. Just recently I visited the Seattle shelter on Elliott Way. While it was not an exact comparison, I thought it was similar. I saw peace and comfort and safety inside and outside. It was a clean, respectful and supportive environment.

I’ve also toured The Oaks facility. That gave me confidence. Its individual rooms, enclosed grounds, space for food preparation and space to provide services gives it the potential to provide a healthy place for people in personal crisis. I believe the people are highly incentivized to follow rules in order to keep their bed. With winter on its way, I want to give this shelter a chance.

Councilmember Chang

My primary issue is the location. As far as the set-up at The Oaks, with the individual rooms and what that means for peace of mind of the residents, room for services and so forth, I get that. The facility is perfect. But I’m strongly opposed to the location. I work for a permitting agency for the City of Seattle, so several homeless shelters have come across my desk when in critical areas. There has been a real attempt to keep them away from residential areas. Before tonight, I spent hours going through a list of shelters in King County. The list included names but no addresses. After locating them I drove around 32 of them (all I had time for). Although these were supposed to be enhanced shelters, not all were low barrier. Those closer to residential areas were for women or sober living shelters. Tiny houses were women only or family + singles. This gave me more concerns about location. This is not what I thought we were going to be doing when we discussed council goals. I thought we were going to research sites in Kenmore, Bothell, LFP as well as Shoreline and meet and decide together. Other cities have done this, deciding which city would have what kind of shelter. Why aren’t we doing that? We are driven by timing but not everything should be driven by the grant. These things are so difficult to site I can’t believe there won’t be more money available. Instead we are trying to find any way to write legislation to make this happen. I’m also concerned about the effects on retail, the owners of Shoreline Place, and the developer of the Alexan. I feel that this is not the right place for it but at least I would like to put some guardrails around it. The community concerns are real. As currently written, this does not have the details that we need to make sure that we get the kind of facility that we’re hoping for.

Councilmember McGlashan

I spent a couple years on the committee for King County’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. (This plan dates back to 2005). There were a lot of people from different agencies and multiple meetings. After years of meetings, nothing ever seemed to happen. Now things seem to be happening. We have these shelters. We have the possibility to help homeless women and families. It is disappointing to me that the population in the most need is not being addressed equally and being supported. Is this the correct spot to locate a facility like this? Probably not. But right now we have the money, the building is available and it has a set-up that can be instantly used. This is during a pandemic and with winter coming on. Residents can stay there all day. The individuals we are talking about are all over the city now. I see them when I take my dog for a walk through the parks. We need to take advantage of this and partner with the County and make a go of it. It’s up to us to make it successful not only for the residents there but for the entire community. I think it’s time to give it a shot. These opportunities don’t come around that often where we can make a difference in people's lives.

Councilmember Roberts

I know we’ve been thinking about this for a long time - since our goal setting retreat in February. We have really listened to the community and want to do what’s best for everyone in the neighborhood as well as the unhoused. The question is trying to find a balance to meet these needs. I want this shelter to be successful and meet its goals where 50% of residents will end up in permanent housing. But the larger problem, which is not a problem of Shoreline’s or Seattle’s making, is the challenge of how the Federal Government has failed to address economic issues for people below the poverty line. It has not supported public housing for a long time, and has not seriously considered things like raising the federal minimum wage to help people get out of poverty. It has not considered a universal basic income. Council has limited choices. We need to balance the needs of the speakers with the needs for shelter for those who have not spoken. We have to make sure King County and Lake City Partners are good partners with this by using the processes and codes available to us.

Councilmember McConnell

This decision isn’t getting any easier. I’m always concerned when there’s a lot of haste done in anything, especially something of this magnitude. I haven’t heard from this community that they don’t want to be involved in helping the homeless. But the neighborhood has begged us for conditions that they haven’t seen in writing. I am very concerned that we are damaging our trust with the community. We need to do whatever we can to have enough control that the community feels that we have their back. This is a strong neighborhood. We need amendments that have teeth in terms of guardrails or I cannot feel this will be successful. There is a timeline for the grant, but the problem is so dire in the region and in the country, there will be funds available in the future. The Elliott Shelter (see CM Robertson’s remarks) is on Elliott Ave and it is a like a freeway. When a shelter is near residential, we should all be concerned. We need to try to safeguard the investment that people have made in their homes for the good of the City. Also, Lake City Partners has one line for experience: 30 bed seasonal shelter. Catholic Family Services that runs the Elliott Shelter has a lot of experience. Their staff will know when they are making a mistake and how to fix it. Elliott Shelter is only about a month old so it looks nice and shiny. People are happy to be there. Housing is a huge problem that is not easy to remedy. But I only have one city that I’m responsible for and I really want to make sure that we are successful.

Mayor Hall

Housing is a basic human right. And I believe our City will be safer and our community will be better off when every human being here has a safe place to sleep at night. I think we can help the homeless and keep our neighborhoods safe with a Memorandum of Understanding without risking loss of the grant due to additional delays. People complain when governments move quickly but they also complain when governments move slowly, especially in times of crisis. When King County declared homelessness an emergency 5 years ago, we supported that. We have taken some steps as DM Scully pointed out and those steps have made progress. We identified opening a shelter in North King County as the highest remaining priority gap in services. We’ve spent several months now refining this opportunity to try to address that gap and protect the community. It is important to protect our community - we’ve heard a lot of concerns about that. I know that some people fear the homeless whether they’re on the street or in a shelter or in a tent city. I’m proud that our community declared itself to be a safe and welcoming city for all residents. It's important to remember that we already allow people to live in R48 in low barrier settings (referring to single family homes). Background checks are not required for rich people to buy houses in Shoreline so I don’t think they should be required for poor people who can’t afford housing. I think there’s a justice issue there. We have wealthy and middle class people who have substance abuse and behavioral health disorders who live in houses in every neighborhood in our city. I feel uncomfortable if we welcome those people who have challenges while shutting out less privileged people with the same challenges. The great thing about an enhanced shelter is we won’t just have the risk of people with behavioral health challenges living there, we will have people with behavioral health challenges who have case management and support services living there. There will be minimum of three full-time staff on site who can connect them with treatment and other social services and help them into housing. I think that will make both the people who stay at this shelter and the whole community safer and healthier.

Motion and second to list enhanced shelter as Ci rather that Pi (CM Roberts proposed #1)

The interim ordinance could be changed to permit enhanced shelters as conditional uses subject to index criteria, rather than permitted uses subject to index criteria. But it would lengthen the review process and add another appeal opportunity.

The idea is to provide Council and the City additional authority to ensure that King County and Lake City Partners are good partners and work with the community. Additionally, we need to make sure we retain control in case this doesn’t work out as we hoped. It’s a way to prevent putting the City in a situation like Renton’s adversarial position with the County over the Red Lion shelter. We have a good relationship with them but with our current staff and their current staff. There needs to be something in writing that can be pointed to if/when staffs change. This could be accomplished by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which would allow the City to set consequences.

VOTE

In favor: CM McConnell, CM Roberts, CM Chang

Opposed: CM Robertson, DM Scully, CM McGlashan, Mayor Hall

Motion fails 4-3

Motion and second to add requirement for Interlocal Agreement (CM Roberts Proposed Amendment 2)

Under the conditions, add a requirement that in order to operate, the City and County must enter into an interlocal agreement regarding operational issues of concern.

There are certain details that we don’t have and should get in writing. The ILA would be between King County and the City of Shoreline. The County contracts with Lake City Partners so Shoreline is not a party to that. If KingCo decides to use someone else, we would have no say. Since the operator is determined by the type of resident served, KingCo could change the entire thing without agreement with us.

VOTE on motion to require Interlocal Agreement

Amendment passes unanimously

There are now motions to amend the Interlocal Agreement (ILA)

MOTION by CM Chang to amend the list in the ILA to include a provision that the City needs to approve any changes in the operator of the shelter.

Motion is seconded. There is no discussion.

VOTE

Motion passes unanimously.

MOTION by CM Chang to include a requirement for a detailed referral plan in the ILA

Motion is seconded.

There can be a lot of people who make referrals, including self-referrals, police, churches, nonprofits and so forth. It’s important, for example, that deputies from Snohomish County aren’t just dropping people off in front of the building. Without a detailed referral plan, it will be kind of like the wild west. Most shelters work with a couple of agencies for referrals. It is another way we control what kind of shelter this is. The ILA should detail those agencies that will be decided between County and Lake City Partners. It doesn’t sound like it has been pinned down yet. This would be better addressed by the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

VOTE

Motion fails 0-6. Chang supports

Motion by CM Roberts to amend the list in the ILA to include revised amendment proposed by CM Chang (Proposed Amendment 2)

Require adherence to a Good Neighbor Plan that addressed litter, noise, security procedures, and other issues of concern.

Motion is seconded. There is no discussion

VOTE

Passes unanimously

Is there a management plan in place? King County requires a management plan in its contract with its shelter operators. Lake City Partners has never operated a 24/7 shelter before so it has not needed a management plan in the past. We have requested a copy of the plan when it is available.

Returning to Amendment adding another index criteria to state the shelter operator and the City of Shoreline shall enter into an ILA regarding operational issues and concerns such as the list that we have amended with some new motions.

VOTE

Passes unanimously

DM Scully moves to amend the definition of enhanced shelter and replace “adults” with “persons”. (CM Chang’s proposed amendment 1)

This allows the County to let other persons into the shelter, but does not require them to do so.

No discussion.

VOTE

Passes unanimously.

VOTE on Main Motion to approve Ordinance 902 AS AMENDED

Passes 5-2

CM Chang and CM McConnell opposing


Meeting Adjourned 10:37


REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS MOVED TO LATER CALENDAR



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Warning: avoid the water at Echo Lake and Ronald Bog

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Blue green algae at Echo Lake
Photo by Ann Michel


The State Department of Ecology is issuing warnings about toxic algae blooms in Washington lakes.

Locally, Ronald Bog was posted on October 16, 2020 and Echo Lake was posted on October 26, 2020 for blue green algae blooms.

The City of Shoreline has issued an Avoid Contact Advisory and posted signs at the lake.

Blue green algae is present at Echo Lake and it is potentially toxic. The public is advised to avoid contact with the water: please do not wade, swim, or fish in the water. Pets should not drink from the lake - toxic algae could result in extreme illness or even death.

Shoreline's surface water staff continue to monitor local lakes and take samples but the King county laboratory testing has ended for the winter.

Blown by the north wind, the algae in Echo Lake has concentrated at the south end of the lake.


 

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Ronald Bog Park and the right lane on eastbound NE 175th to close two weeks for Sound Transit trail work

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Ronald Bog park
Photo by Steven H Robinson
Ronald Bog Park closure and right lane closure on eastbound NE 175th between Interstate-5 and Meridian Ave N

On Monday, October 26th, Sound Transit will close the entrance and parking lot for Ronald Bog Park and the right lane on eastbound NE 175th between Meridian and I-5 to work on the trail for the park.

Trucks will be entering and leaving Ronald Bog Park. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic and assist pedestrians throughout the closure.

Work is scheduled to begin as early as Monday, October 26, 2020 and will last for approximately two weeks.

Lane closures will occur during work hours, from 9:00am to 5:00pm but will be open outside of work hours.



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Water plants at Ronald Bog

Thursday, September 10, 2020



Photos by Hitomi Dames

Hitomi usually spends her time fighting through the brambles at Twin Ponds, but decided to stop by Ronald Bog when she heard that it was open.



She identified the green plants in the Bog as Myriophyllum and said they are all over the edge of the water.


The heron looks very much at home standing in the water and the dragonfly appears to prefer dead leaves.





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Sequoias in Twin Ponds arboretum

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Sequoia sempervirens / coastal redwood


By Diane Hettrick
Photographs by Hitomi Dames

Photographer Hitomi Dames spends a fair amount of time hiking through the wild areas of Twin Ponds park at N 150th and 1st Ave N in Shoreline.


Neither of us realized that Twin Ponds holds an Arboretum until Hitomi discovered this sign and found the site map online


There are many familiar names on the volunteer list, like Dick Decker - but I only knew him in conjunction with volunteer work at Ronald Bog. According to the list, he put in 1200 hours working in the arboretum.

Sequoia sempervirens / coastal redwood trunk texture


Hitomi found the terrain challenging.

"So, I entered the Arboretum behind the tennis court. But I only walked the limited area because it’s pretty wild. I had hiking shoes on, but I wasn’t wearing a long sleeve shirt and long pants. So I got scratches on my legs and arms from thorns. (>_<)"

Sequoia sempervirens / coastal redwood's leaves


"However, it was worth visiting there even though it was a short visit. I discovered these trees! Although I can’t tell pine, cedar, fir, spruce, I can tell these are not them! \(^O^)/ "


Sequoia sempervirens / coastal redwood's leaves close-up


"I checked these trees’ names @the twin ponds website.

"How exciting! I never thought I would see Sequoiadendron and sequoia in Shoreline!"


Sequoiadendron giganteum


There are other big trees in the area but they are considerably younger and smaller. An organization called Moving the Giants to Puget Sound was here in 2017, providing 350 coastal redwood saplings to 30 communities in Puget Sound, including Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and Kenmore. 


Sequoiadendron giganteum's leaves


Each community took five to ten saplings and planted them in local parks.




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Wanted: sponsors for Shoreline Rotary auction

Saturday, September 5, 2020


The Shoreline Rotary Club is looking for Sponsors for their Virtual Auction to be held on October 10, 2020 at 7pm.

The Club would appreciate donations of items for the auction. Here's the donation form

The auction raises funds for Shoreline Rotary's many charitable contributions.

The Shoreline Rotary Club supports education in many ways by providing funds for Sno-King Healthy Start, Music 4 Life, Teacher Classroom grants, Shoreline Arts Festival, High School Scholarships, Back to School Consortium, Shoreline Public Schools Foundation, Shorewood Interact, RYLA, and Youth Exchange. 

The Shoreline Rotary also supports the community by providing funds to Embrace Shoreline, Rotacare, Footloose Sailing, Grocery Gift Cards, Holiday Shopping Spree, Shoreline Community College Student Success event, Mary’s Place, Shoreline Veterans Association, Ronald Bog, Peace Poles, and other community needs. 

The Week long Silent Auction Event and Virtual Fundraising Event will be online from October 3, 2020 at 3pm until October 10 at 10pm. 

The Live Event will begin Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 6:00pm


If anyone wants to know more about these projects or wants to attend a virtual meeting, please see Shoreline Rotary Facebook.



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The Eagle Needed Glasses

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Eagle landing one foot at a time on log in Ronald Bog. Photo by Martin De Grazia.



The Eagles Needed Glasses
by Jean Monce Bryant



The Eagle Needed Glasses

his ego took a hit

To lose his greatest honor 

he liked it not a bit



He'd always been so proud of that

His sight it was so keen

none other in the kingdom

You know just what I mean



He'd got a bit conceited

he thought he was the best

And so he needed humbling

And now it came-the test



Bifocals first were offered

he screeched a loud "NO WAY"

And contacts weren't considered

His vanity ruled the day



But then he got quite hungry

His diving missed its mark

The fish went swimming gaily by

To them he was a lark



And even on a sunny day

He saw a cloudy haze

He'd never had a problem

It left him in a daze



And then he had to choose a frame

He chose a dark black/brown

A tortoise shell to be exact

he felt like such a clown



But lo he now could see his prey

From way up in the blue

And he would come a-rushing down

Just like he used to do



He had to praise the doctor

And offer heartfelt thanks

He understood that others

Had been sickened by his pranks



And still he is the emblem

Of the old Red White and Blue

I think he looks distinguished

And scholarly don't you??




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Notes from Shoreline Council meeting August 3, 2020

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Pam Cross, Reporter

Shoreline City Council Meeting
August 3, 2020

Notes by Pam Cross

The meeting was held online using the Zoom platform.

Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm
All Councilmembers were present.

Proclamation

Proclaiming August 2020 as “Get to Know Your Neighbors Month” in Shoreline.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, National Night Out in Shoreline will not be an organized event this year. However, we still want to encourage people to get to know their neighbors.

Report of the City Manager’s Office
Assistant City Manager, John Norris provided the report

COVID-19 Update

King County continues to see an average of about 100 new cases per 100,000 people each day. The target is to get new cases down to 25, so we have a long way to go.

Face coverings are required in all indoor public places, and outdoors when you may be unable to maintain six feet of distance from others. Businesses are required to enforce the use of face coverings for all customers and visitors. Governor Inslee has updated the mask requirement to include wearing masks in common spaces like elevators and public hallways, even when you are alone in those spaces. The safest thing you can do is to stay home if at all possible.

Please continue to practice physical distancing of six feet or more, minimize contact with those outside of your home, wash and sanitize your hands frequently, and avoid large gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.

City Hall and recreation facilities remain closed to the public. Most City services are available online or by phone. Drop off and pick up of packages, including permits, is available. Contact shorelinewa.gov/remoteservices for additional information.

Shoreline turns 25 this year! Unfortunately this milestone birthday will have to be celebrated with social distancing in mind. We have the following events to mark this celebration:

Shoreline Has Gratitude Event Citywide throughout August

We have a lot of essential workers in our community including government workers, teachers who are working with students online, and employees of grocery stores and other necessary businesses. There are neighbors who help each other. If you know someone who lives or works in Shoreline and who has made a difference in your life, or if you are one of those people, send us an email and tell us about your work or the work of someone you know in the community. We will share all of these tributes during the month of August on our Facebook page.

Also throughout August, we are asking interested residents to write messages of gratitude in chalk on your driveway or sidewalk, to share this information on social media with #I❤️Shoreline

Yard Sign Art and Sign Parade Citywide August 9-17

Celebrate our community by decorating a Celebrate Shoreline yard sign and placing it in your window or in your yard, or along the Interurban Trail between 175th and 185th for a parade of signs!

You can pick up a free Celebrate Shoreline signs to decorate and chalk for sidewalk art Tuesday Aug 4 from 2-5pm at City Hall and Thursday Aug 6 from 1-3pm at Spartan Rec 202 NE 185th St.

More information for these events: shorelinewa.gov/summer2020

What Goes Where Workshop online via Zoom Wednesday Aug 5th, 6:30-7:30PM. Learn from Recology how to become a recycling expert with these tips and tricks to make the process easier and faster. Information: shorelinewa.gov/calendar

Public Reminders

The Planning Commission will meet remotely on Thursday, Aug 6 at 7pm to discuss Ground Floor Commercial Development Code regulations. Information: shorelinewa.gov/calendar

Council Reports

Mayor Hall met remotely with the State Auditor’s Office. They’re doing a routine risk management audit to confirm the City has financial controls in place and security controls in place to make sure we are safeguarding the public’s money. It went well and no risks were identified.

The Mayor has been appointed to a group from the Urban Land Institute, the Transit-Oriented Development Council (TODC) whose purpose is to educate and promote best practices for high quality development in and around transit. They heard about transit-oriented development in a couple of other major cities and how to make it livable, pleasing and successful.

Public Comment

Dean Williams, speaking on behalf of Irons Brothers Construction in Shoreline, spoke about Study Item 8(a) and suggested changes to the proposed Ordinance. These comments were also submitted in writing.

Speaking about Study Item 8(b)

Ann Bates from Shoreline spoke of the importance of trees. The PRCS/Tree Board does not include trees in their list of priorities. The Climate Impacts and Resiliency Study recommends revising the tree list and increasing tree plantings of species that will be more resilient to climate impact as well as reducing heat island effects and greenhouse gas emissions.

Kathleen Russell, Shoreline, Save Shoreline Trees

The Climate Impacts and Resiliency Study recommends the environmental strategy highlighted in the study be applied to several departments: planning and community development, public works, and the PRCS/Tree Board. We hope every department will study these strategies. And we would like it to be broadened to protect existing evergreen trees as well as planting more evergreen trees.

Approval of the Agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

The Consent Calendar adopted unanimously by roll call vote.

STUDY ITEMS

8(a) Discussion of Ordinance No. 896 - Amending Certain Sections of Shoreline Municipal Code Title 20 to Permit Professional Offices in the R-8 and R-12 Zoning (medium density residential)

Steven Szafran, AICP, Senior Planner gave the presentation

On December 9, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 881 which adopted two Comprehensive Plan Amendments. The amendment in question, amendment #3, added “professional offices” to Land Use Element Policy LU2.

Professional offices are currently allowed in R18 - 48 (high density residential), and the TC4 (town center) zones with a Conditional Use Permit. The Comprehensive Plan Amendment #3 added professional offices to Land Use Element Policy LU2, allowing professional offices in the R-8 and R-12 Zoning (medium density residential) through the approval of a Conditional Use Permit.

Definitions of professional office and outdoor storage will be added to protect residential areas from more intense occupancies.

Professional Office definition: An office used as a place of business by licensed professionals, or persons in other generally recognized professions, which use training or knowledge of a technical, scientific or other academic discipline as opposed to manual skills, and which does not involve outside storage or fabrication, or on-site sale or transfer of commodity.

Outdoor Storage definition: The storage of any products, materials, equipment, machinery, or scrap Storage outside the confines of a fully enclosed building. Outdoor storage does not include items used for household maintenance such as hoses, ladders, wheelbarrows, and gardening equipment.

Conditional Use Permits procedures and requirements were amended to strengthen the City’s ability to regulate them: suspension or revocation of permit if terms of permit are not complied with, transferability meaning the permit runs with the applicant - not the land - unless specifically stated, expiration, and extension.

Professional offices do not have indexed criteria to address impacts to adjacent uses. Staff added indexed criteria including location and hours of operation, including services provided by appointment only, no outdoor storage (per definition), parking of a truck for pickup of materials subject to size/weight limitations, customer parking on paved surface, pervious concrete or pavers, and no parking in setback areas. Additional criteria include no onsite transfer of merchandise, compliance with dimensional table, a single sign, outdoor lighting cannot shine onto adjacent properties, and parking areas must be screened from adjacent single family residential uses by fence or landscaping.

Approximately 90 parcels throughout Shoreline have been identified as potentially eligible for professional offices.


DISCUSSION

Will the map showing the 90 parcels be part of this Ordinance?

Reply: no, this is for illustration purposes only.

Have we talked to property owners at these locations throughout the city?

Reply: citywide, there was no direct communication because it could potentially affect so many parcels.

Making people aware could be proactive. With COVID-19, people want to look at ways to work and find services closer to home. People are working from home now. Lots of people have home offices so we’re building on what’s already happening. This is pretty restrictive but is the right place to start right now. Maybe over time we will be able to relax some of the restrictions.

A home occupation business (An activity carried out for gain by a resident and conducted as a customary, incidental, and accessory use in the resident’s dwelling unit) allows no more than two trucks, but professional offices are allowed “a truck.” A home occupation sign can be illuminated, but a professional office sign cannot be illuminated. These rules should be consistent and home occupancy should be the standard.

Staff feels there is clear direction from Council and will come back with some amendments.

This will come back to Council in September for adoption.


8(b) Discussing the Results of the Climate Impacts and Resiliency Study

Autumn Salamack, Environmental Services Coordinator, did the presentation.

When we talk about climate change, we need to look at both mitigation and resiliency. We need to take action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impact of climate change. We need to be prepared for climate related impacts that are already here and will be coming in the future.

Some areas of Shoreline are already prone to flooding. Current planning should consider increased rainfall intensity expected in the future, and identify the current and future needs of the surface water system.

Christy Shelton from Cascadia Consulting Group and Matt Fontaine from Herrera Environmental Consultants, presented the results of the Climate Impacts and Resiliency Study.

John Featherstone, Shoreline's Surface Water Utility Manager and Project Sponsor, is available to answer questions.

The project goals were to understand how climate change will impact Shoreline and develop a strategy to prepare the surface water system for this impact. As part of this, it is necessary to raise awareness among City staff and the community, and lay a foundation for a community wide climate change action plan.

The average year in the Puget Sound region is currently 1.3 degrees warmer than historic averages. By the 2050’s, the average annual temperature is projected to be 4.2 to 5.5 degrees warmer than 1970-1999.

Extreme rain events in Western Washington have increased moderately. By the 2080’s, precipitation is projected to continue this trend with rainstorms in Shoreline becoming more intense, winters expected to be wetter and summers drier than in the 1980’s.

Puget Sound rivers have peak flow arriving earlier in the spring and having less water in the late summer and fall. By the 2080’s (vs. 1970-1999 average) summer streamflows will be even lower with flooding risk increasing the rest of the year. The Tolt and Cedar River watersheds will have less snowpack to source water from to supply Shoreline’s needs.

The sea level has risen 0.8 inches per decade in Puget Sound between 1900 and 2009. Compared to 1991-2001 average, relative sea level by 2100 is expected to rise 2.0 feet or more resulting in greater risk of coastal erosion and flooding.

How vulnerable is Shoreline?

Vulnerability is a function of the exposure of a system to impacts from climate change, its sensitivity to those impacts, and its capacity to adapt to prepare for those impacts.

The City was assessed by focusing on natural systems (parks, trees, open spaces), built environment (housing, transportation, buildings and development), public health safety and emergency services (air quality, emergency services, heat-related illnesses and mental health stress) and stormwater (low-lying areas, storm drains, pipes, ditches and culverts).


Key areas of vulnerability are due to more frequent heavy rainstorms, increased flooding, more extreme heat and drier summers, and reduced air quality from heat and wildfire smoke.

Detailed results from the assessment are provided in a series of five factsheets available for reference by City staff and the community on the City’s website

As part of this Study, they created a map-based online tool for staff to use to identify a location’s vulnerability to climate change to assist in increasing resiliency for City capital projects. This tool focused on surface water, heat, and equity and justice because vulnerable populations are expected to become more vulnerable with changes in climate. For example, people with existing health conditions, who are very old or very young, or have few social connections may all experience greater physical and mental health impacts from climate change such as increasing heat.


1 as a mild heat area (yellow) to 5 as a severe heat area (red).


The final step of the study was to identify action steps the City can take to reduce climate change vulnerability. The study identified 17 strategies that included policy and regulatory changes, City programs and services, and enhancements to engineering standards and design.

The list refined to 6 strategies, and additional refinements are expected as time goes on.

The resiliency strategies were also evaluated in terms of their applicability with the other Master Planning efforts.

City staff will now take steps to implement the recommendations. They will develop an internal policy regarding use of the Climate Impacts Tool, train additional City staff to use the tool, review resiliency strategies with staff leading master planning efforts, and share study results and educational materials with the Shoreline community.

More information is available here

DISCUSSION

Shoreline is fortunate not to have large, point source pollutants. (The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines point source pollution as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack.” Factories and sewage treatment plants are two common types of point sources.)

Unfortunately it makes it difficult to track what changes actually make a difference. Looking at Shoreline’s greenhouse gas emissions over time is the best way to track vehicle use and home heating choices. We need to focus on those hard to measure non-point areas that are probably Shoreline’s greatest contributors to greenhouse gases. We’re not going to have a lot of catastrophic events here. What we’re going to see is a long slow degradation in the quality of life if we don’t rely on small incremental changes.

Reduced use of fossil fuels is an obvious choice. But the revenue difficulties make it difficult for the City to provide incentives for residents to change from oil and natural gas. We will have to see what other cities are doing or the possibility that programs in Seattle be expanded into Shoreline. Commercial buildings have electricity readily available and new construction should not use fossil fuels.

There used to be a lot of places in Shoreline with flooding problems. We’ve worked hard over the years to get them all under control. Are you saying the mapped low lying areas are currently having problems? Or are they areas that will develop problems as climate change gets worse?

Reply: Over the years we have addressed the worst of the worst. The mapped areas are mainly where we have closed contour depressions where, if the conveyance is exceeded, there are inadequate ways for the water to get out. These are often around pump stations and around Ronald Bog, for example. As rain events become more frequent and with larger storms, we are likely to exceed the limits capacity of the conveyance system at various locations. Developers in these areas need to be aware of this.

The section on trees was wonderfully done, with specific examples, and clear doable recommendations.

We need to consider actionable items - things residents can do in their neighborhood. Would like to see the City extending the Soak It Up Program. (The Surface Water Utility offers rebates up to $2,000 for Shoreline home or business owners to install a rain garden or native vegetation landscaping on their property).

In looking at the heat islands overlay, noticed that a lot of the heat zones are around our schools. We should share this information with the School District and neighbors just to create awareness. How do we address the heat island effect? (The term heat island refers to any area that is relatively hotter than the surrounding, but generally refers to human-disturbed areas. The main cause of the urban heat island effect is from the modification of land surfaces.)

Reply: There are five different strategies: trees and vegetation, green roofs and cool roofs, cool pavements that are more reflective and don’t absorb as much heat, and providing shelter for people to get out of the direct heat.

Climate change is real and it’s coming. At one point it seemed like a long term thing that we wouldn’t have to deal with but it’s closer than we thought. We’re talking about 2050 - 30 years from now. We need to do everything we can to mitigate our community based greenhouse gas emissions.

We will be updating the climate strategy at one point, right?

Reply: In early 2021 we hope to update the greenhouse gas inventory, then launch a community effort to reduce greenhouse gases, transportation and residential energy.

In the fall, Climate Champion Webinar series will be offered for free. It will continue over 7 weeks with webinars up to two hours. This series is open to anyone interested in learning more about climate change, zero waste, renewable energy and sustainable food, with information about rebates, programs and engagement opportunities specifically for Shoreline residents.

Meeting adjourned.



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