OPINION: City of Redmond's Far-reaching Encampment Ordinance, A Regional Leader In Tent Cities?

In the April 12, 2016 Study Session Council decided to limit stays at each site to 120 days to ensure Ed Hill will not be burdened with year-round encampments. Each hosting church will have three stays with 12 months between stays for a time uncertain for each permit.  A Council Hearing will be scheduled in the near future to address organizer background checks and service provider access to the camps.

An in depth article on tent encampments in the Redmond Reporter's March 11, 2016 edition, attracted six Redmond citizens to speak at Redmond's  "Items from the Audience" in Council's March 15,2016 business meeting. (Click to watch the video)/All had safety and quality of life concerns about Council's proposed amendment to the ordinance.

Noticeably absent during the March 15 Items were ordinance advocates.  One can assume tent city advocates had been adequately heard by the Planning Commission and Council and they were fully confident the ordinance would pass.

The amendment will significantly increase the presence of camps in Redmond with potential for year-round encampments on Education Hill.  Camp stays will increase from 4 months to 6 months and stays can occur six months per year for the next five years. St Jude and Redwood Family Church are the only churches that host Redmond encampments and they are both on Education Hill.

Councilmembers Margeson and Allen and Mayor Marchione appointed to committees of influence

Councilmembers Hank Margeson and Kimberly Allen have been working diligently on regional committees to bring transit to Overlake and downtown Redmond.   Both attend the Sound Cities Association (SCA) to this end.  Allen recently announced she chairs the SCA for the Regional Transit Committee where they focus on developing the Metro Strategic Plans.    Margeson is newly appointed Caucus Chair for the SCA Growth Management Policy Board working closely with staff on growth issues. 

Mayor Marchione announced at last night's business meeting he was appointed to the US Conference of Mayors' Infrastructure Committee along with the Mayor from Philadelphia and Mayor from Chicago who chairs the the committee.  Marchione said "This is a real plum."   He quipped "My daughter had nothing to do with it. She was out of the country."  

"Redmond is by far the smallest city but what got us attention is we are a tech city," said Marchione, "Philadelphia has a school system of the future.  We're the government of the future so there's a Microsoft connection there..."

Reported by Bob Yoder

Downtown Senior Housing project is under study by City Council

At last night's meeting, the City Council studied ARCH's proposal for a Senior Housing project in Downtown Redmond. 

The subject site - just north of Wells Fargo - is approximately 0.81 acres, located at 8550 160th Avenue NE across from the entrance to the municipal Public Safety campus.  The property is essentially flat and narrow and was acquired with non-utility funds a number of years ago for the purpose of City Hall campus expansion.  According to the administration: "the site is an attractive location for senior housing due to its proximity to transit, Sammamish River trail, Bella Bottega shopping,  medical services, the library, and the Redmond Senior Center. The project concept is for 50 to 70 units of senior housing, with a unit mix of mostly one-bedroom units with some studio and two-bedroom dwellings. Assuming Council adoption of the Planning Commission's recommendation for amendments to the Downtown zoning, the height limit in this location will be five stories. No street-level retail is expected. One constraint of the site is that there is no sewer main adjacent to the site, and therefore a new sewer main will need to be constructed, most likely to the south side of NE 85th Street."

 

Councilmembers Allen, Stilin, Margeson and Flynn all felt the structure should be five stories to hold as many units as can be designed with good architectural standards.  Allen said she lives right next to the site in a 3-4 story building and saw no problem with five stories.  Stilin thought the seniors lucky enough to get a top unit would enjoy nice views of the valley.  He asked for "good materials" for construction since it was so close to the city campus.  Margeson didn't want a tower right next to the sidewalk but hoped the architects could step the building back from the sidewalk to five stories.  Staff and council expected demands for parking would be less. 

Rent on a one bedroom apartment would be $1100-1250 for someone with an income ranging from $45,000-$52,000.  Rent would be $425-925 for a one bedroom at incomes between $19,000-39,000.  Funding sources are public, private, tax credit and tax-exempt.  ARCH was targeting their proposal for state funding this Fall or next.  The city would lease their land at no cost for 70 years.   The city council took no action to approve the plan.   

Report and photo by Bob Yoder

Redmond City Council approves budget - raises property and utility taxes

The City Council approved the Administration's 2013-2014 budget 5-2 with Hank Myers and David Carson voting 'no" to the ordinance.    Property taxes will go up $6/year and water/stormwater will increase 2%/4% per the biennium.   Under a separate ordinance the council raised nonunion salaries 1.5%/year. 

Councilmember Hank Myers called out the 1% tax increase as "entirely unnecessary since we have a $10 million ending balance and the 1% amounts to less than 5% of our ending balance."   He referenced three different contingency reserves, and said no services would have to be cut if the tax stays the same.  He said the price of Redmond government was higher compared to Issaquah, Kirkland, and Woodinville.  Like all councilmembers, he lauded the Administration on a job well done in preparing a transparent budget and thanked the Mayor and Council Finance Chair John Stilin for their leadership.

Councilmember David Carson said he could have said Yes to the entire package if more than 40% of the capital fund ending balance could have gone to capital improvements.  He was most concerned about the 1% property tax saying, "If we had applied a small portion of the $10 million surplus it could have kept the City of Redmond residents from paying the tax increase."  He supported the Utility Tax increase saying it was specific to infrastructure. 

Council Chair of Finance John Stilin considered Redmond the envy of the region with it's well run finances and city administration.  He emphasized "being responsible in asking for a little bit more."  He said, "it would be nice if there were other ways to tax and spread this out but the 1% tax is our one tool we have."   "I look forward to digging deeper in the performance review process and having better performance measures such that in the off years of he budget we actually do a performance review of our budget." 

Councilmembers Tom Flynn and Hank Margeson were worried about a revenue/expenditure gap looming 4-6 years out.  Margeson said, "the 1% tax increase won't track that down but by being smart about what we spend going forward we will bridge the gap."  Flynn was glad to see some cuts and right-sizing to the budget and thought the 1% a small part in keeping up with inflation. 

Councilmember Kim Allen voted for the 1% this year because the economy is improving.  "It's good to see the cranes downtown", she said "and the tax increase is only $6/year."   She and Hank Margeson were glad to see the 166th Avenue safety reconfiguration in the books for this biennium.  Council President Pat Vache' agreed with Ms. Allen on the importance of the steady revenue flows in the maintaining the city's AAA rating.  Vache' also mentioned the gap projected in future years.

Mayor John Marchione thanked Council and his staff and advised Myers "The price of government index" is not a valid comparison tool to other cities.  The mayor was proud to claim the price of Redmond government (government expenses/% of income) is the lowest it's been in 12 years.  It went from 6% to 4.9% today.  He concluded the AAA rating saves the city millions of dollars.

By Bob Yoder

Communications and city branding under review by Redmond council

City branding and communications were brief but important discussions by Redmond city council at their last study session.  Jeri Rowe-Curtis, newer city Communication and Marketing Administrator was at the table explaining her programs.  More importantly, the city council broadcast a  loud and clear message of Redmond's identity when Council Vice President Hank Margeson proclaimed:

"Redmond ought to be known throughout the world as the tech center of the universe and we ought to be building on that legacy."

Hank left it up to others with expertise to build the brand advising "there should be a coordinated communications plan to have a message that's carried forward; it adds transparency and insures no hidden agendas." 

Councilmember Allen agreed and encouraged "an outreach to the "creative" community to do some branding."

Hank Myers referenced the Puget Sound Business Journal's recent article on seven new technology companies in the Sound with two locating in Redmond.   Jeri Rowe-Curtis said she's paying attention to this Journal.  Some of her recent work is to get more robust programming on RCTV and AM 1650 and a social media push, especially U-Tube.  She's doing lunch 'n learns with staff for emergency prep and screens incoming calls of select citizens to filter the city information and shape the message.   

Her branding message for the city is currently:

"Realize Redmond's future as a City with two vibrant urban centers in downtown and Overlake, improve connections to our neighborhoods, and provide high quality services in partnership with an engaged community." 

By Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Legislative action to limit prescribing of narcotics in ER's expected by June 15

Hospital and free-standing  ER's over prescribe
narcotics like Percodan, Oxycontin, Vicodin 

UPDATED:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it's recommended doctors limit prescription pain medications, especially opiates, prescribed through the emergency rooms.  Good to know, seeing Redmond has 5 Emergency Departments within ~12 miles and opiates like Oxycontin are extremely addicting and can be lethal.

Comment:  In February, a close family member (Jane) was admitted to Overlake Hospital ER by an Overlake-Redmond Urgent Care Physician's Assistant for recurring, moderate abdominal pain.  Even though we told the doctor that Jane had previous treatment and imaging for abdominal pain at Virginia Mason he didn't check her medical records or ask for details. Rather, he immediately put her on Hydro-morphine Inj and after a $7,605 charge for ER services, sent her home with a bottle of 12 narcotic pills and a diagnosis of abdominal pain even after a CT radiologists indicated constipation.  Jane took only two pills.  The next day laxatives relieved her pain.  Yes, it was constipation causing the pain (and opiates make constipation worse!) B.Y.

So, now what to do with the remaining 10 addicting pills?  Read More >>

State Supreme Court rules that Local voters can't ban red-light cameras

Redmond councilmembers Cole, Margeson
and Stilin review citations during
the Red Light Safety Pilot Program.

State Supreme Court: Local voters can’t ban red-light cameras

Posted by Emily Heffter
"Seattle Times," Local News, March 8, 2012 at 11:06 AM

(Updated with Eyman’s comments.)

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that a 2010 Mukilteo ballot initiative banning red-light cameras is invalid.

The long-awaited ruling means initiative efforts in other cities around the state, including Longview, Bellingham, Monroe, Redmond and Wenatchee, are also invalid.


It’s a big loss for initiative king Tim Eyman, who had adopted the cause of banning the cameras and helped people in cities across the state fight to have them banned.  Read More >>

Redmond and Kirkland councilmembers volunteer to count unsheltered homeless

(l-r) John Stilin (red), David Carson, Penny Sweet, Hank Margeson, Pat Vache' (red), Hank Myers, Toby Nixon (back)

"Last night was the "One Night Count" where the community goes out and counts how many homeless people we have in our cities so that we can raise awareness of the problem of homelessness. Hank and others went out in the middle of the night to do this, so proud of all of them."
   -- Patti Margeson

These Redmond/Kirkland volunteers are all city councilmembers.  Penny Sweet and Toby Nixon are from Kirkland.  John Stilin, David Carson, Hank Margeson (V.P.)  Pat Vache' (Pres.), Hank Myers are from Redmond.  Thank you for your service to our community councilmembers!!

2012 Results for the Eastside:  138 unsheltered homeless.  Of those, 52 were found inside cars and trucks.

Redmond City Council approves backyard chicken code

 Council approves Animal Husbandry (backyard chicken) code 6-2 (Carson and Cole voting NO).  A noted requirement is convenents will be honored and supercede the animal husbandry code.

Redmond City Council held a final study session November 7 on "Small Animal Husbandry" - commonly known as "Backyard chickens."  Their normal Tuesday meeting was cancelled for the Election.  Council plans to adopt  "Backyard chicken policy and code" on December 6, without any further study sessions.

After thorough discussion, Council consented to Chicken regulations.  The ordinance is expected to include the following code: 

• Mandatory registration.  (Permits, subject to land use requirements, are not required.
• Maximum allowable chickens decided by Residential zoning only.  Lot size is irrelevant.
• One Acre (R-1) and 1/2 acre (R-2) lots are allowed a maximum of 10 chickens (hens only).
• R-4 fand R-5 lots are the most common SFH lots in Redmond.  (4-5 lots/acre).  R-4 lots allowed a  maximum of 4 hens, R-5 allowed a maximum of 3 hens.  R-6 maximum 3 hen
• In R-8 lots chickens won't be allowed.
• Setbacks:  15' setbacks for adjacent property required with exceptions.
• Slaughter:  May slaughter 1 chicken per day on site.  More than 1 chicken must be slaughtered off-property in a slaughterhouse, farm, non-residential area. 
• Predators:  sturdy coop required
• City Small Animal Husbandry Code will not supersede Homeowners Associations (HOA). 
• No roosters

Councilmember Kim Allen was the proponent.  She ran the meeting and drove consensus.  Councilmember Hank Margeson had experience in Tacoma with backyard hens in his yourth and was considered a council 'expert.'  Hank suggested "no more than a handful of chickens," except for 1/2 acre lots.  He said "chickens should only supplement food, not feed a family of four year-round."  Councilman Myers suggested keeping the rules simple saying too many regulations will keep people from participating.  Councilmember Carson said his wife (who's a real estate agent) would immediately get chickens if she knew the ordinance was adapted.  Carson owns a 9,000 SF lot and  two dogs and two cats.  Margeson owns a horse and raised 3 hens as a kid living in Tacoma.  Mayor Marchione was present and quiet throughout the discussion.

Cole, Stilin, and Vache were openly concerned about chicken owners who mistreat or mis-manage their poultry.  Code enforcement was their big issue.  Apparently, the history of chicken neglect and nuisance in other cities is very low.  Cole ended the discussion stating he won't endorse backyard chickens on the basis of:  smell, noise, real estate, disease, predators, potential for harm to the animals.  His property is governed by HOA rules. 

Councilmember Hank Margeson refered to Sustainable Redmond for their help in getting the word out and educating Redmond citizenry. 

Reported By Bob Yoder

"Why I'm running for Redmond City Council," By Tom Flynn

Tom Flynn (gold tie) and Hank Margeson (blue tie) at Leadership Eastside event

"Why I'm running for Redmond City Council," By Tom Flynn  (Ref:  Muni-League Questionnaire)

"I moved to Redmond in 1992 and raised my son and daughter here. During my many years in Redmond, I have come to appreciate the city’s parks and green spaces, strong economy, and friendly neighborhoods. I am running for Redmond City Council to help preserve these attributes for future generations. I plan to contribute my community leadership experience in developing and maintaining strong policies for preservation of our streams and waterways, green space, forested areas, and city parks. I am also an advocate of economic development to promote working and high wage jobs, and to help businesses locate and succeed in the city. And I want the city to continue to develop programs that promote improved communication between the city and its many neighborhoods. I hope that this will bring neighbors together, and they will become more familiar with what’s happening in their neighborhoods.

I am also running for office because Ì would like to see Redmond become a place known for its combination of high tech, arts, and culture. As the urban areas in the city develop, I will advocate for functional and attractive buildings and spaces that will be inviting and livable for a variety of residents. I am also supportive of policies and programs that promote sustainable options in transportation, including light rail to downtown Redmond. Light rail will be critical to keeping Redmond connected with the Puget Sound region.  Read More>>

King County helps you opt out of nuisance phone book deliveries

"From the Redmond City Council Desk of Hank Margeson..."

r

I opted out of three phone books today and got this report of what we saved! -- B.Y. 

Have you noticed them?  Tripped-up on them?  Avoided them?  Pack-rat'ed them?  Yes, them phone books are BACK!   Thank you Councilman Hank Margeson for telling us at last night's council meeting  how we can OPT OUT!   

Say ‘No!’ to junk mail with new King County EcoConsumer online service

Project with non-profit Catalog Choice makes unwanted mail opt-outs easier
King County residents can now make unwanted mail go away with just a few clicks on their computer.

“You have the ability to opt out of junk mail now to stop the flurry of holiday catalogs you don’t want,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Recycling is great, but reducing waste at the source is even better.”  Read More >>

Carson wants less public notice, less community feedback during neighborhood commercial project reviews.

OPINION:  Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning would allow developers to build grocery stores, spas, cafes, garden centers and the like to the edges of our neighborhoods.  Convenience stores (like 7/11's) are prohibited.

NC is a relatively new planning concept and somewhat controversial so the city council wanted to discuss improved public notice and feedback process.

This is the second of three reports on the city council's May 25 study session  on  "Neighborhood Commercial (NC).

 ###

All councilmembers, except David Carson, gave a *"thumbs up" approval to the more thorough  "Panel Review" process for neighborhood Notice and feedback.  The Panel Review process requires a city-wide notice, whereas the process David Carson asked for was the traditonal Notice limited to residents living 500 feet of the proposed neighborhood project.  Carson suggested "technical committee" city staff should initially review the project.  The Panel Review process is more inclusive with at least 4-6 Redmond residents in the initial review.

The Panel process would take 1.5 - 3 years and require a broad, neighborhood-wide public Notice. The panel would make recommendations to staff.  Neighborhood Meetings and Planning Commission review are still required.  The Council has final authority to "condition" the development.  Council member Allen suggested the Panel be composed of staff, development review committee, planning commission (two citizens), design review board (two citizens), and 1-2 neighbors. 

Hank Margeson recommended a panel be more representative of residents than staff.  Hank Myers said, "I like the panel approach because it creates fewer pitfalls.  If we do more process in the front we do less in the end. It helps streamline the process, especially in controversial developments."

David Carson asked Senior Planner Kim Dietz, "where do you really see the deficiency in the current process we have...what is...if you could pick a couple things you think were lacking in the current thing we do, what do you think we're lacking?" 

Ms. Dietz responded, 

"The panel is actually our recommendation.  I gives a sense of what's going in there.  There are no requirements for applicants now.  The panel introduces a new level of information; it gives opportunity for developers to really hear what neighborhoods concerns are and start to work with them to address them."

Carson responded, "we could just require them [the developer] to say up front what they want in the proposal... I guess I'm not sold on the idea of the panel and...I don't know, if just, I mean I think, if we were to require them [developers] up front to say well, 'what do you want to put in here'?  To me, when you go to the neighborhood meeting then all those questions can be answered.....It's a lot easier to go through the current process without a lot of more red tape."

Vice President Pat Vache' said "you go to a neighborhood meeting and the developer tells you what you're going to do and you didn't have an opportunity to discuss it..." 

Hank Margeson added, "Having lived through this with Education Hill Community Advisory Committee, the feedback we got from the community was 'the fear of the unknown'.  Mr. Vache' has a good point.  We've sat in meetings and folks feel like they were heard, but no action was taken, so how useful was that?  Whereas, if you have a panel who can say these are the conditions that well allow this to operate...or these are the things we need to see...like screening...or this is not our idea for our neighborhood, then there's a negotiation process and people feel represented.

Hank Myers said  "This is an advisory group.  The developer can come back and redo, but the panel doesn't decide.  "I like the idea of a panel because this [neighborhood commercial] is a fairly new idea.  We're not buying the whole thing all at once."

Councilmembers Pat Vache', Kim Allen and John Stilin actively contributed in this session, but this piece focuses on the 2011 election candidates.   Richard Cole was absent. 

Myers, Margeson and Carson are running for re-election in November.  Do you think all three deserve to be re-elected and hold office for another 4-years?  If not, find an engaged citizen and ask them to run.  Candidates must file by June 10.

Reported By Bob Yoder
6/5/2011

COMMENT:  The Washington Cathedral owns 10 acres of land abuting 124th Street, NE.  Several years ago the church applied for a permit to build a large shopping center w/Safeway on the land.  Council  questioned compatibility and proximity to agricultural open space.  Councilmember Allen suggested a smaller, garden center project, but traffic was a consideration.  In my view, this site is a possible first location for a "Neighborhood Commercial" project.  B.Y

*The panel review study session lasted 22 minutes.   Two hours, two minutes (2:02) into the tape, Mr. Vache' asks for a "thumbs up" vote on the panel.   You might find what you see interesting.

UPDATED: Flynn wins key city council endorsements for Richard Cole's position.

(l-r)  Council President Richard Cole, Councilman Hank Margeson, Council Vice President Pat Vache'

UPDATED:  Council President Richard Cole (left) is retiring after 24 years on city council.   Richard was elected in 1988 after a stint as Chair of the Planning Commission.  Mr. Cole has been very active on growth management issues over the years as an Executive Board member on the Puget Sound Regional Council.

Candidates Tom Flynn and Joel Wright are running for Richard's open position, #5.  Councilmembers Hank Margeson (center) and Pat Vache' (right) are endorsing Mr. Flynn for the position.

Councilman Hank Margeson of Education Hill, is running unopposed this year. Hank has taken over some of the work Mr. Cole did on Suburban Cities Association.  Hank is smart, well-liked, and a passionate councilman for our Region.   No one works harder with such zeal and joy as Margeson. 

Opinion By Yoder
Photo by Yoder during a city council "Study Session" in City Hall 

UPDATED: Redmond Council passes Resolution endorsing Proposition 1: "Veterans and Human Service Levy"

King County Veteran with his family

REPUBLISHED

UPDATED:  In their July 12 meeting, Redmond Council voted on Resolution No. 1363 to support and endorse King County Proposition 1, a 6-year "Veterans and Human Service Levy" renewing and replacing the expiring Levy. After five council members discussed their positions, Council passed the resolution 6-1 (David Carson - opposing).

Bellevue and Kirkland city councils
passed resolutions earlier endorsing the Levy.

In the 2011 August election, county residents will vote on Prop. 1.  The 2011 levy is 5 cents/ $1000 of assessed property value, or $20 in 2012 for the average-priced $400,000 home in King County. A CPI capped-measure is built into the Levy.  Read More >>

Laughs are on President Richard Cole as Council plans the Centennial

President Richard Cole

Laughs are on President Richard Cole as Council plans the Centennial

UPDATED:  At the end of each Study Session Meeting, Council usually has a "Talk Time" to chat about miscellaneous things not covered in their business session.   The July 12 session was literally one to remember.   It started with chatter about this year's Derby Days event and ended with belly laughs from tales of President Richard Cole's days past.  Here goes:  Read More >>

Who's behind the Redmond Chamber of Commerce? And what are they doing?

UPDATED:  The Redmond Chamber of Commerce is participating in a 'feasibility study' with two city funded, public-private partnerships.  The goal is to coordinate business development fund-raising.   The Chamber also appears to be working on a membership drive. Their Board of Trustee membership is listed below. 

The Redmond Chamber of Commerce attracts organizations from cities outside of Redmond and so is named the "Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce."  A few of  the major outside members are:  Evergreenhealthcare (Kirkland), Puget Sound Energy (Bellevue), Reporter Newspapers (Kent), and *Allied Waste (Lynnwood).  The following  is an excerpt from a Redmond chamber newsletter:   Read More >>

Neighborhood Commercial: Grocery stores in neighborhoods?

BACK IN TIME:  This 2011 report explains how the City plans to zone commercial businesses in our neighborhoods.  

Grocery stores in neighborhoods? Coffee shops? Supermarkets?  Retail? Fruit and vegetable markets?  Will our neighborhoods be rezoned someday to allow for these businesses?  

On June 14, 2011 Redmond City Council spent another of many "study sessions" reviewing "neighborhood commercial" (NC) rezoning.  Planner Kim  Dietz's goal was for council to decide on where NC can be situated in the community and how to prevent "commercial creep."

The NC rezone method agreed upon by council includes certain requirements :

• no more than one commercial development concentrated in each of six different neighborhood areas spread throughout the city.
• rezones are no larger than 1-acre and predominantly near residential.
• development must be in close proximity to one of  the following three concentrations: a business, home, or recreation e.g. park. 

Vice President Pat Vache' noted this criteria will keep development on NE 116th only at both ends of the road, east and west. Councilmember Hank Margeson commented earlier this year that the "PCC" development on 116th and Avondale was an example of a good neighborhood commercial development.  Councilmember David Carson was concerned NE 116th could turn into a strip mall.  Vache' reminded Carson only one NC rezone was allowed per neighborhood area.  

Councilmember Kim Allen said "from an historical perspective NC has always been around." Councilmember Hank Margeson said, NC "is more open today but, is not wide open". 

Planner Kim Dietz reminded council that "none of our neighborhood plans (citizen advisory committees) say 'no' to neighborhood commercial.  Some were silent or speak to general support or a higher level of support..."   The Bear Creek neighborhood had a high level of support.

Margeson referred to his experience on the Education Hill Neighborhood Advisory Committee when citizens were committing to keeping an open mind.  He said  "The advisory committee was asked: do you want to encourage NC more?,,, find a spot where it might fit?,,, vs. a simple 'yes' or 'no' question." 

Councilmember  John Stilin wanted to understand what "keeping an open mind meant."   The Idlewood Neighborhood process requires a land use review in addition to a rezone. When pressed, Planner Dietz said neighbors could "opt out" of a project but, the final decision rests with Council. President Richard Cole clarified that when a developer applies for a project in any neighborhood, it would have a "review panel" (composed of neighbors and staff).  Vice President Pat Vache' concurred and the entire council,  agreed in silence.   
 
Council's final review was centered on concerns of 7/11 type convenience stores. Cole is extremely outspoken against these stores in our neighborhoods, as is Allen.  Councilmember Allen, a land-use hearing examiner in Kitsap, said these types of stores would be "regulated out" by hours and large signage.  Stilin said the focus should be on "aesthetics".  "7/11's" have a limited line of goods.  The types of projects allowed by council are:  supermarkets, fruit and vegetable markets, retail, cafeteria, restaurants, take-out, coffee shops.  Councilmember Hank Myers said all commercial projects would be subject to the Design Review Board.  Council will review the development criteria every five years.   

Citizens may comment at the Hearing scheduled for July 19.  Council has a final study session on August 9 and will vote on it September 6, 2011.
 
 Bob Yoder

July 19 Hearing - document

UPDATED: Councilmembers David Carson and Hank Myers conditionally prefer 2-acre "cluster" developments in neighborhoods; Margeson opposes "strips".

UPDATED, 6/20/11:   City Council held a Study Session on 6/14/11 reviewing and clarifying the three methods for zoning "neighborhood commercial".  The complete discussion can be found on hour 1:58 of  the meeting tape: http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/CC06142011.wmv.  The preferred rezone method (C-1) was defined as:  a.) only 1 commercial rezone allowed in each of six different neighborhood areas, b.) the rezone is required to be concentrated in proximity to one of three criteria:  business, residential, or recreation; prominently residential.  C-1 is the method of choice by staff and council.  Myers and Carson preferred the C-3 method, defined as:  market-based, no requirements for proximity other than 1-acre rezones must be separated by 1/2 mile.  Neighborhood commercial rezone must be along collector roads or larger.  Carson suggested the option of grocery stores or establishments in converted residential housing.  Council decided 24-hour convenience stores with a "limited line of goods" (like 7/11) and signage aesthetics unapproved by the Design Review Board would not be acceptable. Public Hearing is set for July19 at City Hall. 

For quite some time, Redmond City Council and city staff  have been studying and planning policy options for creating "neighborhood commercial" zones in our neighborhoods. Fewer car trips to downtown centers, conveniences, and neighborhood gathering places are a few goals.

A significant piece of Neighborhood Commercial policy is "implementation" of size, proximity and types of businesses in the neighborhoods. Councilmembers Allen, Vache, Margeson and Stilin firmly agreed to:  locating commercial within walking distance (~1/4 mile) of residential concentrations (12-30 housing units/parcel) and parks. (Option C-1)  (SEE UPDATE)
.
Preserving neighborhood character is paramount to council.  Councilmember John Stilin commented, "I'd rather have a neighborhood begging us to open up to development, than be pushed..."

UPDATED: Council meeting on "Neighborhood Commercial" sheds light on candidates Carson, Myers, and Margeson

L-R, Margeson, Myers, Cole, Allen,
Carson, Vache', Stilin

Council meeting on "Neighborhood Commercial" sheds light on candidates Carson, Myers, and Margeson

UPDATED OPINION:  City council met on May 24 to study "Neighborhood Commercial"(NC).  It's a big deal because they're setting policy on permitting commercial business in our neighborhoods.  Councilmember Allen succinctly described NC as "something you walk to, to get things you need."   Do we want "7-11 convenience stores" on Education Hill, North Redmond, Grasslawn, or Idylwood (View Point) neighborhoods?  'Clusters' of projects?   *Something different or in-between?  Or nothing at all?  *Council re-affirmed from previous meetings, the form of NC they want are cafe's, small grocery stores, spas, professional services, near parks (culture, rec, and government) on 1-acre parcels within .25 miles walking distance from neigborhoods. 

Neighborhood Commercial is an emotional, political issue and something new to Redmond. The May meeting offers fertile ground for insight into how councilmembers think and make decisions. This post (and others) will focus on the three councilmembers running for re-election this year - David Carson, Hank Myers, and Hank Margeson. I hope the review will encourage engaged citizens to run for a council office in the spirit of building a healthy, vibrant Redmond.

Council broke their May 24th study session into three parts: zoning, public notice process and implementation.  Richard Cole was absent.

ZONING:  Rezoning was the shortest conversation.   Council decided:

• NC wouldn't be allowed in  low density residential property, like horse acre properties (R-1)
• Business Parks and Commercial Parks could have delis but no 7-11's, nail salons, dentists, etc.  (Margeson and Myers made a point of this)
• 3-acre residential couldn't be rezoned to NC with the exception of 1) the PCC shopping area on 116th and Avondale and 2) the shopping area on Old Redmond Road and 132nd Avenue.  Myers and Margeson both agreed the shopping areas were stragegic to their neighborhoods.  Myers pointed out their 1+ mile distance from Redmond urban centers and so greater residential need for services.

I watch most Council meetings.  During council meetings in general, it's common for Hank Margeson to lead on neighborhood issues.  (Mr. Margeson was on the Education Hill Advisory Committee and Parks Board.)  In this session, Mr. Margeson actively contributed to the conversation about 5 times and Mr. Myers about three.  Mr. Carson had very little to say.  He asked staff a short question about Overlake Technical Center; and mentioned "a deli."  Council's entire conversation on rezoning lasted 20 minutes.

Neighborhood Public Process is the next subject of my next post.  It's really important to Council. 

Opinion By Bob Yoder
City website photo
Updated, 6/5

Redmond Centennial Celebration Plans Are Underway - Read how you can win the $500 award!

30-year Mayor Bill Brown coined the phrase: 
"All roads lead to Redmond"

 Redmond Centennial Celebration 2012

“Redmond was founded by true pioneers, men and women who came up the Sammamish River to a beautiful, yet untamed wilderness. We have been pioneering ever since – first logging and farming, now microchips and bio-engineering, while in the future we look towards a diverse economy with businesses thriving in both the downtown and Overlake.”
  --Redmond Mayor John Marchione

Redmond Centennial Redmond incorporated as a city on December 31, 1912 when the birth of Ernest Alexander Adams brought the city’s population to 300, the number required by State law. The driving force behind incorporation was the ability to tax liquor sales – the funds of which were needed to finance a waterworks system.

Redmond’s Centennial will kick off at Redmond Lights 2011 and culminate in a special celebration at the end of 2012. Throughout the year, special new events will augment Centennial celebrations incorporated into existing community events – the manner of which to be determined by the committee.

See who's on the the Centennial Blue Ribbon Committee!  Learn how you can participate in the Centennial Logo Competition & earn $500!  READ MORE >>