Minutes for October 10, 2005
Attending: Dermot Noonan, Pat Wright, Jeannie Hale, Mark Trumbauer, Lora Poepping, Heather Newman, Don Torrie, Maggie Weissman, Susan Bennett, John Clark, Joe Herrin, Tom Maider, Jennifer Biely, Dan Becraft, Stan Sorscher
Excused: Mark Holden, Bonnie Zinn
Guests: State Representative Jim McIntire, John Milton, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT); Bryan Jarr, EnviroIssues; Julie Meredith, Engineering Manager, WSDOT; Brad Phillips, Design Manager, Parametrix; Michael Minor, Noise Consultant, Michael Minor and Associates; Liz Ogden, LCC Transportation Committee and Coordinator, Shoreline Street Ends and Waterways in Laurelhurst; Jean Amick, LCC Transportation Committee, Christina Koons, John Cunningham, Karen Ko
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM.
SR
520 Replacement Project: Julie
Meredith introduced the subject. She spoke to the LCC about a year ago on this
subject. This year, Jim McIntyre (D-46th) accompanied the inspection
team performing the annual 520 bridge inspection. Julie and the State Department
of Transportation have taken comments from neighbors and transit agencies into
consideration. The draft EIS will be delayed until May to allow time to speak to
issues that have been raised.
The current bridge is vulnerable to storms, and potential earthquakes. Parts of
the structure have been strengthened and repaired over the years. Current
building standards are more demanding than when the bridge was built. A 4-lane
alternative design would cost between $1.7-2.1 billion. A 6-lane proposal would
cost $2.6-2.9 billion.
Brad Phillips explained that the two alternatives would include bridge tolls to help with financing. He described sound walls, transit stops, bike/pedestrian trail, and enough structure to support future light rail service. The 6-lane alternative would include HOV lanes in both directions, 5 lidded sections and reversible lane HOV connections to I-5.
Second bridge over Lake Union. Options under consideration include a second bridge running about 110 feet above Lake Union, in addition to the current Montlake drawbridge. A 70 foot-high version is also being considered. The new bridge would run between Pacific Avenue and SR-520. With this option, the current Montlake interchange would be removed altogether. Ramps to SR-520 would serve the Montlake neighborhood to the south of SR-520.
The south end of the new bridge would end on a platform over 520. Traffic heading to 520 would go through traffic signals on the platform, then onto ramps to the freeway. Traffic coming off 520 would also come up onto the platform, through the signals and then go south into Montlake or north over the new Lake Union bridge to Pacific Avenue.
At the Pacific Avenue end, the surface streets would be lowered about 8-10 feet and pedestrian overpasses would be about 10-12 feet above ground level. Transit stops would be built south of the stadium as a connection point to the Stadium subway station. Some bus routes across 520 could continue directly to I-5, and some will come off the bridge and those routes would terminate at the stadium, or connect to other routes.
In this design, only 6 lanes would be needed between the new bridge and I-5, instead of the 9 lanes called for in other high-volume designs. One new lane each way would also be added to Montlake Avenue, between the stadium and University Village.
Noise mitigation. Michael Minor talked about how traffic and road noise are generated. He developed a noise model to predict community sound levels, accounting for topography, traffic levels, and different noise abatement options. Michael said that noise abatement was generally felt to be justified for sound levels of 66 dBA Leq and above. A noise wall should provide a reduction of about 5 dBA, for homes in the noise shadow of the wall. Based on his model, a noise wall would be effective for Madison Park, to the south of the bridge, but Webster Point is farther away, on the north side of the bridge, and the noise shadow does not extend that far, so a wall would be ineffective for those neighbors. "Quiet pavement" might help, but hasn't held up well in applications to date.
Funding. Julie though the funding would break down as about $700 million from tolls, $500 million from Washington state, a smaller amount from the new gas tax, and an undetermined amount from the Federal government.
Waterway No. 1 Design Meeting: Ogden provided background information about Waterway No. 1 and neighbor consensus from the September 15th design meeting. State waterways, like shoreline street ends are not park property. They are long neglected parcels of public land that provide the potential to become community assets with cooperation of neighbors and permitting authorities.
Funds in the amount of $20,000 have been allocated by the city for landscaping and improvements at Waterway No. 1. About $2000 has been spent so far by the City.
Waterway No. 1, located at NE 35th Street at 43rd Avenue NE, was originally a large dock and public boathouse used by the “Laurelhurst Launch” to shuttle people to Madison Park and back for Seattle access. The dock was left high and dry when Lake Washington was lowered and was subsequently removed. The strong public interest of the original use no longer exists.
There are currently three permitted uses of a portion of the public property by adjacent landowners. On the north, a laurel hedge has been permitted. The hedge has been in place for 50 years. On the south, there are two permitted uses: plantings/fence/parking area and for the dock and pilings. The permits would generate fees paid to the state. Neighbors on the waterway have been cooperative and involved in the regulatory processes.
The City and the State have overlapping permitting authority over the waterway. Waterways are owned by the State.
At the September 15th design meeting, about 40 neighbors reached consensus as follows:
· preserve visual access to water both from property and from uphill,
· provide features for a variety of age groups and interests,
· work to keep and upgrade basketball court, and permit if necessary
· add large lawn area near court to increase play area,
· add pathway to water surrounded by low-maintenance/drought-tolerant plants,
· place a few shrub-trees or arbors toward boundaries to add some shade without blocking view,
· make a better water access for non-motorized boats, such as kayaks,
· make residual waterfront safer for children to be around,
· include benches,
· consider adding neighbor-created art, get children involved, and
· establish stewardship groups by project type (i.e., lawn maintenance, basketball court maintenance, plant maintenance, garbage cleanup); seek assistance of groups such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, etc.
Some neighbors are interested in resurfacing the basketball court.
SDOT filed a shoreline exemption application with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) on Friday to install flat rocks on the water’s edge to make it safer to launch non-motorized boats. Shane DeWald has met with DPD about this phase of the project on site and field marked the location of the proposed rocks with white paint. DeWald hopes to meet with an equipment operator on site this week if at all possible to scope out the work then (assuming no glitches with the application in the DPD) schedule the work before the end of October.
LCC policies call for working with property owners living adjacent to the waterway and/or shoreline street end, respecting the privacy of those property owners and developing community consensus on improvements. LCC also supports incentives to encourage adjacent landowners to minimize private use of the public space.
Jim McIntyre (D-46th) addressed the Club, saying he appreciated community dialog. He spoke against I-912, and asked LCC to take a position against the initiative. He said the gas tax was a bipartisan action, and a decision that properly belongs in the State Legislature. He also spoke about the regional economic planning conference held recently in Vancouver BC. Motion by Becraft, seconded by Jennifer Biely to support a no vote on I-912. Motion passed unanimously.
At today’s full council meeting, the city council unanimously approved Resolution 30807 opposing Initiative 901. This resolution is included in the agenda packets.
An objective, nonpartisan analysis of the measure by the League of Women Voters is included in the agenda packets.
ADMINISTRATION:
Treasurer’s Report: John Clark discussed reformatted handouts. A large legal bill was paid recently. Jennifer Biely asked about landscaping items in the budget.
Minutes: The board reviewed the August and September 2005 minutes.
August minutes. Two corrections were made to the August minutes. Lora Poepping's name was missing from the list of those present, and the reference to purchasing plaques at the end was changed to read, "Jennifer Biely and Bonnie Zinn agreed to take on the responsibility to purchase the plaques." Motion by Dan Becraft, seconded by Mark Trumbauer to accept the August minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously.
September minutes. Pat Wright's name was added to the list of those present. Motion by Becraft, seconded by Biely to accept the September minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously.
CALLS AND CONCERNS
1. Library Funding: Sidney Hallam who monitors library issues for LCC recommends that LCC support increased funding in the city budget for the library’s collections and increased hours. The mayor’s proposed budget does not include any increases in these areas. Hallam recommends, at minimum, the final budget for 2006 should include $500,000 for the library's collections. The annual book budget before the cuts was inadequate for a city and system the size of Seattle. She also recommends that the final budget for 2006 include funds to restore and expand open hours. This includes longer Sunday hours, Sunday hours at more branches, Monday and Tuesday hours at the branches and Thursday evening hours at the branches. Motion by Stan Sorscher, seconded by Becraft to write a letter of support for library funding. Motion passed 10-0 with Lora Poepping abstaining.
2. Fire Station 38: Councilmember Tom Rasmussen emailed on 10/08 to thank LCC for its thoughtful letter on relocation of Fire Station 38. Councilmember Godden responded today to LCC’s letter. Deputy Fire Chief Brian Mills called Hale and Wright to thank LCC for its letter. Ellen Hansen from Fleets and Facilities also emailed LCC.
3. I-912: Neighbors Dick Barnum and Kathryn Gardow have been in touch with LCC in the past month encouraging LCC to oppose I-912.
4. Rooming House: Jim Romano sent LCC his 10/08/05 and 9/30/05 email messages to DPD about the rooming house going in on 44th. He has concerns about the number of people who will live in the 13-bedroom development and enforcement of the owner-occupancy requirement. He also emailed LCC on 9/29/05 expressing concerns. He asked about changes to the land use code we might support to prevent future instances of this type of development.
5. Traffic-Circle Maintenance: Mimi Carsley inquired about traffic circle maintenance. Two circles on 37th Ave NE could use a green thumb. Paul Klemond said he thought Mark and Trent Bullock sponsored one, and Peggy Spencer cared the other for. Since Peggy and Mark and Trent all moved, neighbors are looking for new volunteers to look after the plantings. Carsley, Klemond and Sorscher may split the chores, but others are welcome. Mark Trumbauer said his wife had organized cleanup of those two traffic circles and straightening out of a leaning tree. Sorscher asked that he and Mimi Carsely be invited to help in the future.
6. Kids Karnival: Jennifer Isom and Kailey Shakespear emailed on 9/29/05 to ask that LCC publicize the 10/28 Kids Karnival. Laurelhurst is having their annual Kids' Karnival on October 28th from 4:30-8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. There will be hayrides, s'mores, haunted house, crafts, cake walk, and lots and lots of games. It's guaranteed to be a fun night for the whole family!
7. Waterway No. 1: Ruth Koutsky called on 9/15/05 to congratulate LCC on its successful Waterway No. 1 design meeting. Former neighbor Sue Tong sent LCC a copy of her letter to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) providing background information about the waterway. That message is included in the correspondence packet. Two email messages from SDOT’s landscape architect are also included in the correspondence packet as well as LCC’s thank you letters to all involved in logistics of the meeting. Bill Smith, who lives across the street, sent LCC a copy of his email message to DNR today. He is concerned that there is no safe area to launch non-motorized boats. He has concerns about the private uses of the public property that have been permitted. He did not attend the September 15th design meeting and so does not understand that the $20,000 for improvements to the waterway will not be available without the permit fees.
8. History Book: Barbara Hack called on 9/19 to inquire where the Laurelhurst history book can be purchased.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Thank you! Thanks to Don Torrie for coordinating distribution of the agenda packets and to Dermot Noon, Heather Newman and Tom Maider for assisting.
2. City Budget Issues—Parks Funding: Open Space Advocates, a group to which LCC belongs, recommends that the city budget include funds to increase the tree canopy and improve the green infrastructure. Specifically, Open Space Advocates recommends:
· Support the 2 for 1 tree replacement that has been proposed for park properties,
· Extend that 2 for 1 tree replacement policy to the street tree program,
· Provide adequate maintenance funds to care the new trees during the three year establishment period,
· Re-establish the tree steward program,
· Complete the urban tree strategy,
· Restore the arborist staff positions that had been eliminated or not filled last year to SDOT and add to the Parks Department arborist staff,
· Add professional gardeners to the Parks Department as the current gardeners are over-extended,
· Add park naturalists to staff to expand public education and outreach,
· Consolidate city property that is adjacent to parks, but owned by other city agencies and appropriate to open space, into the park system,
· Assure that park maintenance is ramped up to provide for newly acquired properties under the ProParks Levy, as promised to the voters,
· Provide a schedule for reducing park's maintenance backlog and implement it, and
· Implement vegetation management plans for all natural areas within parks or boulevards and provide dedicated funding.
3. Leave of Absence: Bonnie Zinn is in school full time seeking a graduate degree. She has asked for a three-month leave of absence.
4. Laurelhurst Babysitting Network: Bonnie Zinn efforts on the neighborhood babysitting network were featured in the 10/02/05 Seattle Times.
5. Publishing Opportunity: Julie Albright called today to see if LCC would be interested in a pictorial history book of Laurelhurst. She is the northwest editor for Arcadia Publishing. They publish photographic books of neighborhoods and have done one for Ballard and are working on one for Montlake. The books are sold in bookstores and through their marketing department. They would underwrite the printing costs and LCC would receive an eight percent royalty on each book. Or, books ($20 each) could be purchased with a 42 percent discount. She will mail information to LCC.
6. Dig, Divide and Donate: Seattle Public Schools is asking the community for plant donations during its second annual Dig, Divide & Donate event. If you have drought tolerant perennial plants that you wish to donate, they will be accepting donations to distribute to schools throughout the district. Their wish list includes: any drought tolerant perennial including daisies and asters; any tuber plant including iris, lily or dahlias. Because of watering limitations, they will NOT be accepting any trees or shrubs. Plant donation drop-off is Saturday, October 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Aki Kurose Middle School (on the north side of building) located at 3928 S Graham Street. For further information contact: Gretchen at gdedecker@seattleschools.org.
7. Noise in Texas: Cory Walton, President of the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association, in Austin Texas, emailed on 9/27/05 to ask about LCC’s experience with Seattle’s noise ordinance. LCC will forward information.
8. Undergrounding Wires in Town of Yesler: Neighbors in the Town of Yesler met on 10/06 to continue discussions about undergrounding wiring. LCC has supported these efforts over the years. Sara Mockett, Paul Klemond, Barb Ragee and Barb Marshall have been in touch in the last month about the issue. Wires along 36th and 37th Ave NE are eligible for undergrounding. Wires on other streets are too hard to reposition.
9. Fire Station 38 Meeting: Wednesday, November 2nd, 7 p.m., Social Hall, Unitarian Church, 6556 35th NE.
REPORTS/ACTION
Crime Prevention Report: Pat Wright reported that Diane Horswell's records show 4 incidents in our area. Neighbors complained about a kegger and a bush that was set on fire at the playfield. Pat talked about a home burglary. A booklet will describe actions for emergency preparedness. SDART conducted an emergency preparedness meeting in the Town of Yesler to help organize neighbors. At the North Precinct meeting, pat heard that reports crime rates are down generally.
Community Center Expansion: Joe Herrin reported that the budget was reduced, so the design was scaled down. The addition and the multipurpose room will be smaller by about 15-20%. A large meeting room is one of our priorities.
Springbrook Building: Sorscher, Hale and Barb Ragee attended a meeting on 9/20/05 with orthodontists, dentists, representatives from the Asthma Clinic and others. These businesses will be displaced by Children’s leasing at the Springbrook Building.