Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts

Monday, January 29, 2024

UPDATED 1/29/24: Pearce PRD Deforestation Rivals the Devastation of Group Health's Tree Habitat

A Bobcat's "last stand" in Sigmund and Werner's backyard / credit Sigmund

In 2007, I made two trips to Sigmund and Werner's house to commiserate with them about their severe loss of a forest bordering their property.   Losing a neighborhood forest and it's wildlife is close to losing and mourning the loss of a dear friend. It hurts and it takes time. I know this from the Education Hill Perrigo Heights clear-cut. Sigmonde showed their pictures and I listened. She took me on hurried walk through the forest before the clear-cut. It was all over in just a few days.

The photograph of this urban Bobcat was taken by Werner & Sigmund. Their home borders on a North Redmond 18-acre forest.  Over 300 mature trees were cleared for 76 single-family homes with lot sizes ***4000 - 22,000 SF, according city documents. The project (178th Ct. NE & NE 116th St.) is known as "Pearce PRD" and is one of many environmentally sensitive projects in Redmond developed by Eric Campbell's Camwest Development, Inc. of Kirkland, WA.

According to a "Wildlife Study Report" filed by wetland , wildlife, and forest consultant Chad Armour, LLC on January 20, 2007 "the site may have the potential to support as many as 68 different species of wildlife". Sigmund has also observed coyotes and deer in her backyard and there have been neighborhood reports of *black bear. Where will they go?

Camwest paid an arborist for a tree preservation plan required by city permit. The arborist reported that 294 significant trees were clear-cut. That's 54% of the 489 significant trees on the project. 39 Landmark trees were presumed removed.  Landmark trees are supposed to get special protections. (see Councilwoman Kim Allen's statement, below).

Chad Armour made two brief site visits. Among Mr. Armour's qualifications, he is a "certified wetland delineator" and has a certificate in commercial real estate. He was hired by Camwest to write environmental reports for the city land use permit. 

Mr. Armour reported: nine wetlands and 20 State Priority habitat tree snags, ideal for Pileated Woodpecker nesting. He identified a foraging P. Woodpecker, and a Great Blue Heron "in the vicinity". The Great Blue Heron is valued by the State and Redmond as a Priority Species of Local Importance. Nesting P. Woodpeckers are potentially endangered and have protections when nests are present. I was told by a resident Armour spent only several hours during each of his two visits to the site.

Mr. Armour stated a heron rookery is located about one mile SE of the site. City planner Cathy Beam indicated months ago these eastern rookery nests were vacated. Mr. Armour also noted a stream map indicating coho salmon migrate to within a few hundred feet of the project site. A tributary to Bear Creek and two ponds are present.   

Obviously, significant and devastating deforestation of  "urban open space" has occurred. Habitat destruction was far more extensive than Camwest's Tyler's Creek and Perrigo Heights developments. Fortunately, Camwest does a good job restoring and enhancing their streams, wetlands, and forest buffers. However, according to the neighbors, the development will be setback only 20 feet from their properties and exposed neighborhood trees will be endangered by resultant high winds.

Councilwoman Kim Allen is to be commended for speaking up for the neighborhood during Werner's Landmark Tree Exception appeal. Councilman Richard Cole appeared insensitive during reconsideration of the Landmark Tree appeal stating Werner was slowing down the project. Ms. Allen is a qualified lawyer and is a strong council advocate for "green" protections and standards. ** Ms. Allen's statement urging amendments to city tree preservation standards are below. The city is holding a Community Meeting on Thursday, 7/28 to ask for ideas on how to improve Residential Development permitting. Contact Jeff Churchill for more information by emailing: jchurchill@redmond.gov.

*** The City Neighborhood Map and Notice of Application quote different lot size ranges.

**'Councilmember Allen read a written request to the staff as follows, 'Tree retention is an expressed value of the citizens of Redmond articulated in the Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, and community meetings. Redmond’s tree retention law reflects that a detailed and thoughtful analysis by the Administrator of what should be a detailed and written account of extraordinary circumstances is required to justify the felling of any landmark tree or drastically reducing our declining canopy. In this case there is no record of that detailed analysis by staff which does both the staff and the citizens a disservice. Our Code Administrators should begin to provide a written and detailed analysis of their reasoning on all of these exceptions to our Tree Retention Ordinance and that the code should be amended to provide notice to adjacent property owners when such a request is made.' - contributed by Werner

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QUESTIONS:  Was off-site mitigation required?  It not, how where were they replaced? PRD' appeals are Quasi-Judicial. Was there adequate notice?  Tom Hinman, a respected planning commissioner, influenced the city years later to map significant and landmark trees on the Notice of Application. Why did it take so long?   In 2022, Tree Regulations were updated to protect/preserve Redmond's remaining trees on private properties.  It's 2024 and the updated tree regulations still haven't been implemented owing to legal issues Kirkland is facing. No comment.   

Opinion and report by Bob Yoder, ~ 2007, updated 1/29/2024  

Additional "land use" articles are found using the blog search engine.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Atmospheric River Flooding Event in Redmond, 12/5/2023

The December 4-7, 2023 atmospheric river dumped almost four inches of rain at SEA-TAC.  Peak rainfall was 1.83 inches on December 5th and 2.07 inches on December 6th.  


This video was taken just north and east of the Redmond Safeway store.  The city closes the trail during floods. The Avondale Bridge crosses Bear Creek upstream.  The bridge is a good location foe salmon watching. Deer have been seen in the riparian behind Safeway. It's also a hangout for homeless neighbors.  

This photo shows flooding south of Redmond Way behind Overlake Urgent Care.  Bear Creek is barely be seen in the distance, where the rusty bike/ped bridge ends. In preparation for light rail, the creek channel had to be altered, restored and the riparian was enhanced with tiny trees and shrubs.  White irrigation pipes were installed for the summers.  A video of flood plain activity is here.  

White pipes irrigate tiny shrubs of the Bear Creek floodplain 

 - Bob Yoder, 12/9/2023

"Bear Creek" posts from the blog search engine.
"Trees" posts 
"Land Use" posts 
"Opinion" posts 

Monday, September 25, 2023

It's SalmonSEEson, good viewing locations


It is Salmon SEEson! Adult salmon are making their trip from saltwater to our local streams to spawn. With luck, patience, and good timing, you can watch this amazing Pacific Northwest ritual. The trestle over the Sammamish River on the Redmond Central Connector is a great viewpoint. -- City of Redmond

Juel Park, the bridge over Leary Way, the "rusty bridge" and 90th Street Bridge over the Sammamish River also are good local viewing spots. 

-- Bob Yoder, 9/25/2023

Monday, September 4, 2023

Salmon Migrating towards Lake Sammamish

Drone photo (1 of 3) by Jason Sperling (Sept. 2022)

 "Migrating salmon navigating from Lake Washington, into the Sammamish River, heading to Lake Sammamish...west to east at this time of year."

-- William C. Leak, Kenmore Facebook Group 

Could some of these be Chinook migrating to Bear Creek?  

Posted by Yoder, 9/4/2023

Monday, August 7, 2023

90th Street Pond Restoration Underway, Fish Protected

Green Heron spears a frog on the 90th Street Bridge stormwater pond

The City of Redmond budgeted a little over a million dollars to remove sediment and restore the functionality of the 90th Street stormwater runoff pond.  The pond is located at the intersection of the 90th Street Bridge and the Sammamish River.  The project is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of October.

For over twelve years, I have been observing and photographing the abundant wildlife that often appears in this pond. Great blue herons frequently catch fish and frogs here.  Above, is a rare Green Heron spearing a frog!  Different species of waterfowl often appear during the spring and fall migratory seasons.  I once photographed six adult male wood ducks together in the pond at the same time!


In addition to the varied birdlife, I have photographed:  a beaver on two different occasions, a raccoon, river otters frolicking in the pond twice, and a coyote, which really surprised me.

I don't know what will become of this wildlife once the project is complete.  A worker said they netted all of the fish at the east end of the enclosure, and relocated them to the west end, nearest to the river.  This was to protect the fish. The worker said that when entering the pond the accumulated sediment was so deep where they were netting the fish, that it came up to their shoulders!

--Photos and Story by John Reinke, 8/7/2023

City removing rich, organic soil from the pond


"The existing NE 90th St stormwater pond treats the runoff from the 90th St stormwater basin before it drains into the Sammamish River. It was constructed in 2000 and currently provides about two thirds of the water quality treatment required by today’s regulations. The pond works by allowing sediment to settle out of the stormwater before it enters the Sammamish River. Over the last 20 years, significant sediment has accumulated, filling up a portion of the pond. The City will be removing the accumulated sediment from the pond during the summer of 2023. "


(Source:  NE 90th Street Stormwater Pond Retrofit | Redmond, WA )

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Dr. David Morton Accepts the Climate Action Challenge

Replacing dying cottonwoods with new trees at Idylwood Park.  Dr. David Morton is digging
 (far right) in the background.  Councilmember Hank Myers is in the foreground.

The Redmond Climate Action Challenge makes it easy and fun to reduce your environmental impact. By taking the Redmond Climate Action Challenge on October 4, 2021, my wife Gail and I have reduced our annual greenhouse gas emissions by 4.8 metric tons. We selected the actions specific to our journey, tracked our progress, and watched our carbon footprint decline as we made changes at home.  Here are some actions we’ve taken:

1.      Reducing air travel by 9,000 miles per year saves us 7,200 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. We mostly stay local, but in 2021, Gail made a round trip to Portland in her 2018 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, and I made two round trips to Renton in my 1990 Geo Metro XFi. Zoom and Microsoft Teams make it unnecessary to do a lot of flying and driving.
2.      Nature has replaced 3,000 square feet of our lawn with drought-tolerant plants like buttercups, dandelions, clover, and blackberry. Although they are non-native and invasive, they require zero watering, minimal mowing with a manual reel mower, and provide nectar and pollen for bees. This saves 42,600 gallons of water a year and earns 4,260 “Sustainability points.” The 40,000 sq. feet of forest that we have been allowing to grow on our property since 1994 has removed more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than our cars have released into it.
3.      By adopting smart driving habits, we save 110 gallons of gas and 2,960 pounds of CO₂ equivalents a year. Avoiding heavy acceleration, coasting when possible, light braking, and driving the speed limit help a lot. I turn off my car when stopped at traffic lights; Gail’s hybrid does that automatically. My car has no gas-guzzling air conditioner. And I regularly service our cars and keep their tires properly inflated.

Friday, June 23, 2023

UPDATED: Evans Creek Relocation Put On Hold


The city environment planner, Cathy Beam, reached out to the community yesterday with a poster session on the pending Critical Area Update soon to be reviewed by the Planning Commission.  

Attendees learned the Evans Creek Relocation project was held up by King County permitting and the trenching to relocate the creek to the north hasn't started.  Trenching was supposed to begin last year.  

A large swath of invasive reed canary grass is being removed by mowing and applying Roundup.  It's a big project.  It's anticipated the relocation project will re-start sometime next year.  

Critical seismic areas didn't appear to be of deep concern with staff since entire Puget Sound area is subject. They referred to building codes as protecting the city structures in the event of an earthquake.  

The council-approved tree regulations are still not in effect owing to prolonged negotiations with the Master Builders.  Thus, current projects are vested under the old, more lenient regulations.  

Questions and concerns about the city's shallow aquifer was noted.  

-- Bob Yoder, 6/23/2023

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

OPINION LETTER: Neighborhoods Object To Opening Fire Gate, Storm City Hall Council Meeting

 

Dear residents of Redmond

I write this blog post with deep concern and a solid commitment to our community's well-being and using LinkedIn for broader reach. Recently, a decision was made to open the gate on the 172nd Avenue corridor, and it has ignited significant unease among residents, myself included. As a resident of Parkridge at the Woodlands in the Education Hill area, I felt compelled to raise awareness about the concerns surrounding this decision and advocate for a safer, more sustainable, and inclusive approach. The city is proceeding with removing this barrier in order to improve traffic flow. Once removed, the corridor will be bi-directional. Up-to-date information is now located on the City’s webpage.

Safety Concerns for Our Neighborhood: The potential increase of 5,000 vehicles passing through our neighborhood per day has raised serious safety concerns, especially with the recent establishment of Clara Barton Elementary School nearby. Our area already experiences high traffic volumes, and the proposed opening of 172nd Avenue would create yet another shortcut for traffic, adding to the existing congestion on 116th Street. Just days ago, a car speeding through the crosswalk hit the crossing guard's flag with children present. This is simply unacceptable. We have witnessed tragic incidents where black bear cubs were hit by speeding cars, emphasizing the urgent need to address road safety and protect our wildlife.

Environmental Impact and Ecological Preservation: Preserving our natural environment is a shared priority for our community. The decision to open the gate on 172nd Avenue also raises concerns about the potential environmental consequences, particularly in relation to our wildlife and community parks such as the Smith Wood. Conducting a comprehensive ecological study will enable us to understand the potential effects on our local animal population and make informed decisions that align with our commitment to environmental preservation. Moreover, it is vital to assess the capacity of our existing road infrastructure to handle the ecological impacts of the significant increase in traffic, ensuring the protection of our valuable wildlife and water sources.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

UPDATED, 3/27: Green Rooftop Camouflages House, Contributes To Sustainability

 

This neighborhood home is tucked away from all the commotion.  Note how this living, green rooftop camouflages the house and contributes to sustainability.
(click picture to enlarge)
                                                                          

Walking around the Education Hill neighborhood this Spring day we noticed this house had a green and grey roof.  It seems to be holding up quite well. Council Member Jessica Forsythe and others constantly ask the Mayor for green rooftops on new buildings. A tiny green rooftop is planned for the Senior & Community Center.  The city compensates developers for Landmark Trees by "Exceptions."  The same should be done for green rooftops, perhaps as a small amenity.

-- B. Yoder, opinion, 3/25/2023 by

References: 

CITY OF REDMOND / SEATTLE COMMERCIAL
(Note, A City of Redmond is in Oregon)
TechniquePoints Awarded – Residential DevelopmentPoints Awarde...
2. Drought‑tolerant landscaping11
• 20 percent11
• 30 percent22
Green roof” for new maintenance building. The roof is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil planted over a waterproof membrane. • Play areas ...

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Bear Creek: An Oral History of a Changing Landscape / by Gary Smith



 Produced and Directed by Gary Smith in concert with the Redmond Historical Society

Gary Smith is Redmond's foremost "human and natural history volunteer."

Click on Gary's name to read articles on what he's accomplished and is doing now.

Opinion by B. Yoder
3/5/2023

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Indian Kokanee Salmon Event October 12th

culture.snoqualmietribeweb.com

"Spawning Grounds" film
 "Trout Unlimited" President recommends this film.
Produced by eight salmon-related agencies
Hello -

I wanted to send a quick reminder about the Release the Kokanee event coming up next week, October 12th at 5:00 pm at the Lake Sammamish Boat Launch. We are excited to celebrate the work of this group, connect, and ceremonially release some of the kokanee we are working so hard to save. We hope you will join us at this KWG sponsored event.

Sharing: Please share the event with your staff, partners, supporters and friends!  Feel free to use the attached flyer or share a post from the Lake Sammamish UWRP social media (FacebookInstagram) or the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement (FacebookInstagram). Event info web address: www.bit.ly/KokaneeRelease.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information.

 

Best,

Alix

 

 

Alix Lee-Tigner (she/her)

Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Coordinator

(406) 868-1902

alix.lee-tigner@tu.org


Trout Unlimited is "a rapidly growing community struggling to save its native Little Red Fish."


--  Posted with edits by Redmond resident and Trout Unlimited member Gary Smith.



Sunday, October 2, 2022

Redmond Council May Approve $203,360 For Maintenance Of Stream Restoration Sites


The Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) maintains stream and habitat restoration sites throughout the City of Redmond. The WCC crew of six is subsidized by AmeriCorps for 2022- 23. The City of Redmond would pay the Washington Department of Ecology $203,360, a very good deal according to the Public Works Director.   

Courtesy of W.C.C.

Maintenance is a crucial activity to the success of restoration and mitigation associated with capital improvement projects. Approximately, 100-acres of restoration and maintenance sites are distributed around the City.  Below, are a few:  

  • Conrad Olsen Park
  • Confluence of Evans and Bear creeks
  • Farrel McWhiterPark planting
  • Mackey creek rehab.
  • Lower Bear Creek
  • Bear Creek at Keller Farm
  • Sammamish River Riparian & Bear Creek.
  • Sammamish River upland
  • Riverwalk
  • Willows Business Center stream daylighting
  • Various Peters Creek work

A detailed mapping of all the maintenance and restoration sites is HERE.  

Maintenance of restoration sites involves control of invasive weeds, litter patrol, replacement planting, and other activities important to overall project success. This regular site maintenance enhances already completed projects, building on the initial investment, as well as improving the aesthetics of sites. 

WCC members are typically college-age students learning restoration techniques and gaining job skills. A crew consists of six staff that work a 40-hour work week, for 41 weeks, primarily managing noxious weeds and installing replacement plantings at City capital improvement projects. 

In addition, the crew helps with volunteer events, native tree planting, habitat assessment, small stream maintenance projects, site monitoring, and de-fishing stream projects. 

-- Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/2/2022

Source:  Public Works Council Committee of the Whole, 10/2/4/2022

Friday, September 30, 2022

The Salmon Seeson is Upon Us!



Redmond resident John Reinke has seen salmon migrating upstream from three Redmond bridge locations:  1) Redmond Way bridge, 2) Connector Trestle bridge, and  3) the Union Hill St. bridge. 9/25/2022 report.  When the October rains come expect migrations in force up the Sammamish River and Bear Creek bridges to Juel Park, the 95th Street bridge, into Woodinville and Cottage Lake to spawn.    


ISSAQUAH SALMON DAY FESTIVAL, October 1-2.  Awesome event!  Don't miss it! 🐟🐟🐟


"Save the Salmon" is an advocacy group to protect Lake Sammamish salmon. Great website.


10/1/2022

Thursday, September 29, 2022

City of Redmond Rechanneling Bear Creek

 

Redmond's Bear Creek

Bear Creek has been slowly migrating into the Avondale Road embankment north of Novelty Hill Road causing the embankment to settle and undercut the sidewalk.

This project will restore and enhance a section of Bear Creek by re-channeling it, installing large woody debris, creating a side channel or backwater habitat, and restoring the buffer with native plantings. As part of the restoration, existing riprap boulders and a PSE guidewire will be removed.

The project will also stabilize the embankment and repair existing stormwater outfalls that are damaged.

SEPA information for this project can be found on the Avondale Road Bank Erosion page.

Posted by Bob Yoder, 9/29/2022

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

UPDATED OPINION: Big Possibilities For Redmond's Overlake Urban Center

 

Redmond is trying to do something like this. Woodinville, above is designing some attractive buildings and open places for pedestrians and bicycles. These buildings are next to City Hall.  Notice the wide sidewalks with lighting and landscaping on either side. The corridor is an alley.  

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I'm one of the few in Redmond that actually listen in to the Planning Commission meetings. [I think the city is working them too hard.] The commissioners studied the "Urban Pathway" concept last night.  Elements are 12-foot wide sidewalks with 8-feet of landscaping on either side.  The sidewalks have lighting and are intended for pedestrians (not scooters.)  They will connect to plazas.  Setbacks weren't discussed.  A favorite commissioner, Tara Van Niman was very positive about alleys.  She said they draw people in and are perfect for cafes and pubs.  

Urban Pathways are intended only for the Overlake Urban Center area. The planners missed their calling for the downtown. Very sad.  However, the concept could be applied for the Nelson Legacy Village and Redmond Town Center. 

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SHOCKING!  Currently, Overlake is zoned 12 stories.   Now the city is seriously looking at 30-story  heights for Overlake, in the vicinity of Sears, as noted in the 9/7/2022 PC meeting.  

Laugh at me if you will, but could the 30-story rezone be attributed to downtown seismic conditions as described on one of my posts by a blog reader?  

Well put Bob! We discussed this at length during one of the planning meetings for the Redmond 2050 planning process. Most of us felt that due to the aquifer and the risk of earthquakes we need to push more of the development into the Overlake and surrounding areas. However some of the surrounding areas are at risk for landslides. There’s no perfectly safe space, but losing her aquifer because the building collapses into it would be catastrophic for Redmond. Thank you for responding, I am also being more aware of the various buildings going up near downtown. I feel like we don’t get enough of a notice. I think the city should be required to send notices to a wider area for each project. There are projects that are Amir two blocks from me that I have not received information for. Be alert citizenry and reach out

Jeff Churchill, the intelligent Long Range Planning Manager went back and forth with the commissioners on how the three major master planned developers in Overlake would respond well to a 30-story rezone.  (Sears, Limited Edition, and Seratige)  It appears the city is encouraging the three to wait for the 30-story rezone; especially Sears. Is the push to densify Overlake attributed to the seismic conditions of our shallow downtown aquifer?  Council Member Dr. Jeralee Anderson would be a good one to ask.  She has a PhD in Civil Engineering.  

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, 9/28/2022

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Tom Hinman, Redmond Activist And Commissioner Passes


Tom Hinman
June 6th, 1945 - July, 24th 2022

Share a memory, expressions of sympathy, or give flowers on Tom's Neptune Society Page.

My sympathies will be shared on Tom's Neptune page.  BY

Dear Friends and Family,

This morning, Sunday, July 24th at 7:00 am, Tom went home to God.  I am deeply grateful for the 42 1/2 years of marriage that we shared. He asked that his memorial service and interment be held at the military cemetery at Mira Mar, near San Diego. All who knew Tom know what a wonderful, loving man he was.  His passing is a deep loss to our family and extended family.

Sincerely,
Monica Hinman

Tom Hinman, was a long-standing Redmond planning commissioner and environmental & community activist

He founded "Imagine Overlake" to organize and facilitate resident participation in the redevelopment of Overlake. Tom co-founded "Sustainable Redmond." and was nominated for a "Leadership Eastside" award. Tom's annual meetings were attended by council members, environmentalists and citizens at large. 

Tom loved urban trees and their contribution to our ecology and well-being.  After the Group Health clear-cut he led volunteers in salvaging and transplanting understory shrubs to the Audubon Bird Loop.  Tom activated urban tree conversations at Council meetings.  He pushed for and accomplished a city requirement to map trees on land use notices. 

Tom cited the Overlake Corridor expansion, Group Health clear-cut, and the Nokomis Building dispute as examples of the City’s long-standing disregard for resident and community input on issues of growth; and wrote abundant of emails to change that.

Former Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives' tribute: 

I am so very sad!!! Thought Redmond was blessed to have an outstanding candidate for the Planning Commission when I appointed him!   His participation there in addition to chairing the commission was exemplary! However, no one in recent times could match Tom’s public participation and diplomacy as a citizen activist from the time he left the Planning Commission up to last year. ..a span of 11 years. He was well researched, thorough, providing live testimony with written copies punctuated and substantiated by citations from City of Redmond documents.  From his Sustainable Redmond commitment to unsuccessfully saving 1200 significant and landmark trees at Group Health in Overlake, to updates of the Comprehensive Plan and related planning issues, he was most strident about the City’s less than authentic participation opportunities for the public…it was about a year ago when the “update of the tree protection regulations” was edited to “tree regulations” omitting the word “protection” that he conceded to me that preparation for and providing input to the City was a waste of his time and mine! Never would he or I know what his fate would be just one year later!

Tom and his wife, Monica, and Jon and I discovered that we had sons living in San Diego. There were years where we saw more of each other there than in Redmond! For several years we worked out at KOKO Fit on Cleveland Street too! He was a “go to” guy to discuss some really important city issues… he now joins Richard Grubb…I miss both of them!!! 

-- Former Mayor Ives