1/20 Edit: Modest "Shoreline View Corridor" regulations are recommended by the Planning Commission

The Planning Commission recently heard, reviewed and recommended regulations for "Shoreline View Corridor" protections as required by the Department of Ecology's Shoreline Master Plan Amendment.

Regulated Shoreline View Corridors (see "Shoreline Map") are intended to protect scenic views for the public as they walk or drive by Lake Sammamish, the Slough, and Bear and Evans Creek waterways. (Photos posted soon!)

A key decision by the commission was made to keep Single Family Homes (existing, new and remodeled) exempt from Shoreline View Corridor restrictions. The commission recommended Multi-family homes NOT be exempt from the Shoreline View Corridor regulations.

The Single Family Home exemption is especially favorable to the West Lake Sammamish Association residents. They stormed commission meetings in numbers several times to defend their property rights and complain about poor "public notice". A 30-foot easement would have been required of homeowners to protect shoreline views. Some trees would have to go.

Commissioners Querry and Parnell were disturbed by the exemption and the severe pressures put upon Staff and but agreed Public Notice was poor. They praised staff's work, led by Environmental -Principal Planner, Cathy Beam. I think Council will make a decision on the commission's recommendations and the State Department of Ecology will sign-off.

The View Point Neighborhood Citizen Advisory Committee may be another opportunity to review view corridor protections in the West Lake Sammamish neighborhood.

Edit: Some of the the Planning Commissioners acted as if they were 'taking a bullet' from property rights activists for the greater community, especially owing to timing with the local elections. Commissioner Parnell and Querry indicated they felt "like pawns" during the process. In the end, West Lake Sammamish residents appeared to get what they demanded. They were organized and some spoke for their rights eloquently; others were harsh and belittling.

**this report was written after cursory review of Planning Commission meetings recorded on RC-TV21 . Please read the above linked Shoreline Master Plan Update document for accuracy.