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| Territorial views of downtown Redmond and wood piles remain. A 15' tree buffer between the orange fence and the black fence-line will eventually buffer the neighborhoods. |
UPDATED 7/5 7:04 pm: Two hundred twenty-nine significant trees and most of the dust, is now cleared from the 15.1 acre Shaughnessy Heights subdivision project on Ed Hill. It didn't take long. About 4 days of tree clearing and a few more to grade the steep slopes and prep a minor stream drainage. Neighbors say the multiple, large wood debris piles will be chewed up on site and scattered by the end of the week.
Despite the tree waste, over 51% of the significant trees will be saved according to land use tree preservation map. The preserved land remains home to a significant stream and trees large enough to house large cavity-dwelling animals like Pileated Woodpeckers, raccoons, and 'possum'. The developer could install Pileated Woodpecker educational signage as an amenity if he wants to.
The project is a 42-lot, 64 housing unit "planned residential development" land use that was earlier appealed by residents and decided and approved by Redmond city councilmembers in a "quasi-judicial role." (All area cities except Bothell and Redmond make land use appeal decisions through the county Superior Court.) Construction is planned for Spring, 2013 by Element Residential of Bothell. The homes and duplexes will be set close together and more affordable similar to North Redmond and older Education Hill neighborhood standards.
Immediate neighbors had some obvious concerns. On the 20th, "Bambi" was seen straying uphill through back yards towards the Nike - Perrigo greenbelt. A hawk's nest toppled down. Some neighbors think they will hear more SR520 highway noise with the trees down. They want the promised 15' tree buffer installed ASAP, but the developer has to wait for irrigation water before planting. In the meantime, traffic is stalled on 171st Ave NE while the city runs a 14 inch water pipe to the project. On the 25th, residents found door-knob notices their water would be shut off from 9-3 pm -- only to come home after work to a dirty "five-flush toilet."
But the dust has settled...
On-lookers visiting the 169th Ave cul-de-sac were amazed by territorial views towards the city. Some of the neighbors can even expect incredible views of Mt. Rainier from their 2nd-story decks. An 8-foot fence will delineate the project, but neighborhood connector trails are planned through and around the development. The developer saved two cedar trees and a deciduous by the emergency service entry on 169th.
Steve Fischer, city planner, assured a few nearby residents that "developer violations (like any unlawful staging of construction equipment or delayed tree buffer plantings) are typically handled with a "red tag" stop work order. Since time is money...this is a very good way to get someone's attention," wrote Mr Fischer.
Report and Photo by Yoder
Despite the tree waste, over 51% of the significant trees will be saved according to land use tree preservation map. The preserved land remains home to a significant stream and trees large enough to house large cavity-dwelling animals like Pileated Woodpeckers, raccoons, and 'possum'. The developer could install Pileated Woodpecker educational signage as an amenity if he wants to.
The project is a 42-lot, 64 housing unit "planned residential development" land use that was earlier appealed by residents and decided and approved by Redmond city councilmembers in a "quasi-judicial role." (All area cities except Bothell and Redmond make land use appeal decisions through the county Superior Court.) Construction is planned for Spring, 2013 by Element Residential of Bothell. The homes and duplexes will be set close together and more affordable similar to North Redmond and older Education Hill neighborhood standards.
Immediate neighbors had some obvious concerns. On the 20th, "Bambi" was seen straying uphill through back yards towards the Nike - Perrigo greenbelt. A hawk's nest toppled down. Some neighbors think they will hear more SR520 highway noise with the trees down. They want the promised 15' tree buffer installed ASAP, but the developer has to wait for irrigation water before planting. In the meantime, traffic is stalled on 171st Ave NE while the city runs a 14 inch water pipe to the project. On the 25th, residents found door-knob notices their water would be shut off from 9-3 pm -- only to come home after work to a dirty "five-flush toilet."
But the dust has settled...
On-lookers visiting the 169th Ave cul-de-sac were amazed by territorial views towards the city. Some of the neighbors can even expect incredible views of Mt. Rainier from their 2nd-story decks. An 8-foot fence will delineate the project, but neighborhood connector trails are planned through and around the development. The developer saved two cedar trees and a deciduous by the emergency service entry on 169th.
Steve Fischer, city planner, assured a few nearby residents that "developer violations (like any unlawful staging of construction equipment or delayed tree buffer plantings) are typically handled with a "red tag" stop work order. Since time is money...this is a very good way to get someone's attention," wrote Mr Fischer.
Report and Photo by Yoder
I apologize to the hundreds of RSS subscribers of this blog who viewed this story when it was first published (and don't get updates.) Some items were innacurate and incomplete and have since been updated. I'm still seeking the project tree preservation map and Notice of Application that shows the correct acerage of this project...and some of the links have been edited or added.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article Bob. Once again, I'm appalled at the apparent lack of "concern" by our council to represent the citizens who voted them into office.
ReplyDeleteAnd with all the "For Sale" et al signs in Redmond, do we really NEED more places to live?
I remember just before past President of Redmond Council Cole stepped down after 32 odd years - he stated Council comitted too some very agressive growth targets for population. This was before the Great Recession and during the Great Real Estate Bubble. Greqgoire visited City Council in chambers to thank the Council for their goals. Now we have this and many other short plats awaiting developpment. Avodale Crest (Villas) is the next PDR that went Plat under a citizen land use appeal as I remember. It's severely challenged by egress just as this one.....if not more...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad they didn't take out any more trees than they did. I walk that path behind Redmond El everyday during the school year. I love watching the trees change. I can see what got taken out back behind but I'm glad they left the area right up to the fence.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Kelsimad:
ReplyDeleteThe property that has been undisturbed behind the fence of Redmond El. belongs to the Lake Washington School district. Shaughnessy Heights has destroyed every speck of nature they could without violating any regulations. Any undeveloped areas were too steep to build on.