Critical Area Ordinance, Public Hearing / Comment

 Great Blue Heron / credit John Reinke 
Sammamish River, Redmond, WA.   

Hello Planning Commissioners:

"I only caught part of your meeting last night, but it sounds like the State is requiring updates to the Critical Area Ordinance? 

As a college educated biologist -- similar to Mayor Angela Birney -- Critical Areas are important to me.   In the Ives Administration, I made "Species of Local Importance" and "Habitat of Local Importance" comments to the Planning Commission chaired by Mr. Snodgrass.  After much discussion, the commission decided on the Great Blue Heron (GBH) and Riparian habitat in which it lives.   

During Mayor Marchione's first term he proclaimed "Riparian as city Habitat of Importance".  In that Proclamation, he designated Riparian buffer protections for Class I  streams; Riparian is regulated.  (Check with Principle Planner Cathy Beam or the Public Records Dept. to verify.)    

Riparian habitat is the green band of vegetation that grows along our creeks and streams. Riparian habitat is critical for flood and erosion controls, stream water quality, endangered salmon and wildlife habitat and valued as a city asset.  Developers will use riparian as an amenity.  The cultural significance of riparian was unveiled when Lower Bear Creek was relocated and restored onto Indian lands dating back 10,000 years.  

  

The Snodgrass commission decided on the GBH as the city Species of Local Importance, without protections or any regulations.  I think, unless you change things, the GBH species designation is purely symbolic.  What tremendous cultural significance this wader bird brings to our city --  Redmond's LOGO of course, RTC's illuminated heron art, The Redmond & Marymoor rookeries, nature, education, beauty, and visible abundance. You know this!

I'm not sure where you are in the decision-making process.  Our natural environment could be the most significant asset we have in this city. Please continue to protect our critical Riparian habit and make provisions to celebrate the Big Bird." 

Respectfully,  

Bob Yoder 

written comment

meeting video, 4/10/2024

Cathy Beam, Redmond's environmental planner of 30 years announced her retirement at this meeting.  Cathy guided Redmond through the difficult years of  subdivisions, preliminary plats, master plans, public works projects, open space, and business development.  A kind, beloved professional, she will be missed and remembered.