7/17/07, CAMWEST mowed down all buildable Perrigo forest land

This OPINION was written in obvious anger from the acute episode of urban forest removal. Though the Camwest landowner has constitutional rights to do develop their land as seen fit the whole community agonized over the process. Many comments were submitted to my old Yahoo blog but not recorded. I was intensely invested in the process, starting with the serious lack of Public Notice the public was given. With regret, my bitterness shows. 01/2008

CAMWEST DEVELOPMENT, INC. of Kirkland, WA. mowed down about 1/3 of the Perrigo Heights woodlands Friday afternoon. Most of it the rest of it was removed by Saturday. CAMWEST has contracted with International Construction, Inc. and other contractors to do the "dirty work" for them. They don't want their "good name" associated with this project.  Already, a few citizens are leaving flowers and photos along the trail.

What I immediately sensed in the woods at 5:30pm was unusual brightness. It is now most apparent, the trail, riparian creek and Hartman wetlands receive southern exposure. Without shade from the canopy the wetlands will dry -- faster than naturally. Bring your sunhat and sunglasses. The atmosphere is totally different now on the creek, wetland trail. You will also hear birds seeking refuge in the riparian wetlands.


UPDATE, 6/19 - When the construction gets underway it will, of course, be worse. Three twenty-foot easements will be cleared for sewer, water, and stormwater. Stormwater piping will be trenched under an ancient Snoqualmie Indian villiage site directly into Perrigo Creek. The stormwater will be released into Perrigo Creek downstream from the wetlands. Thus, all rainwater from the forest (now the development) will be diverted away from the wetlands! Sun is now "feeding" invasive plants. The wetlands are drying. Public Works and Parks have been notified and will monitor this Priority park wetland resource.

The caving in of the CITY OF REDMOND and CAMWEST DEVELOPMENT, INC. to short-term profit and budgetary pressures is astounding and sad. Considering the $71,000,000 the city is spending for the City Hall, $4.5M to conserve the long-term values our culture & this urban forest is small. [$600,000/acre x 8 acres]. Fewer waterless urinal gadgets, less imported tile, more efficient use of space for record storage, etc. and we'd have pared 5% from the excesses of City Hall ; and money saved that could have been used to acquire the woods at par value.
I hope the next council and mayor we elect will have better judgement and foresight than our present elected.

CAMWEST DEVELOPMENT, INC. is the other side of the story. It's now quite obvious they are in our neighborhoods exclusively for profit and "just because they can"; they are the most powerful landowner and influential developer in the City of Redmond. This, a sad state of affairs considering CAMWEST IS one of the city's biggest customers and ultimately depend on Redmond residents for their income stream.

CAMWEST DEVELOPMENT, INC. may have underestimated negative public relations impacts of their unwillingness to negotiate with the city. Certain property owners may protest and opt not to sell their developable land to CAMWEST. Would-be CAMWEST home-buyers may balk when they hear this of sad forest tale and the hazardous steep slopes.

CAMWEST'S short-term gain from building on our last urban forest -- while not listening to the cries of citizens who buy their homes- - will hurt business. Neighbors and residents will tell the true story about CAMEWEST -- of their insensitivities, their ostensible greed, their influence over our city, and their sewage system anchored into an active landslide area.

Yes, 10 acres of the parcel was too steep for CAMWEST to develop so these 10 acres will be kept in their natural state by the homeowners association. But, Camwest will get to transfer the development rights from this steep-slope parcel for ten additional houses on another property.

Yes, CAMWEST did take $500,000 and concessions from Redmond taxpayers to give us 3.5 acres of trail greenway. But, to some, this land was hardly developable.  (Trees in the greenbelt were cleared for view).  Until "all the facts" come out, the City of Redmond must take all the blame for this travesty.

UPDATE, 6/11/07 - Mayor Rosemarie Ives has NOT yet explained her decision to clear our urban forest. I asked Mayor Ives and Jim Robinson (Council Chair of Parks) if the city negotiated in earnest with CAMWEST to acquire the forest. Neither answered.

The city council OMBUDSMAN gave the following two reasons not for pursuing acquisition of the Perrigo Heights forest:

Mr. Yoder, "The Parks Board and the City Council have been aware of your request for the City to purchase the land. In general, the land was considered very expensive and Education Hill is served by more parks than any other neighborhood in Redmond." Mr. Marchione, City of Redmond Ombudsman-for-the-month.

7/17, Caveat: Mr. Marchione's statement is representative of the entire council and mayor, not one person. Mr. Marchione, as Ombudsman, is primarily the messenger for the city.

I do.

1) According to the most recent Parks report, Ed. Hill ranks 4th in total neighborhood park acerage,

2) the city has at least $14M in unallocated funds that could have been used to negotiate for acquisition

3) the pending parks levy was an unused income generating tool for acquisition and

4) Perrigo Heights was misconceived as a threat rather than a stimulus to passage of the miniscule 5 cent "mocha latte" levy.

Does anyone agree, or not? Care to explain or dispute?
Or comment to council@redmond.gov or the mayor@redmond.gov or parkboard@redmond.gov
Or speak up at one of the council meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm. Citizens are allowed up to 4 minutes.