LETTER: "Sustainable Redmond" asks City to save trees in Overlake Village development

Group Healh Overlake Village master plan proposes Exception to city code to remove
every single tree on the site - and create 10 acre canopy forest off-site

LETTER:  One thousand trees are about to fall in our community. All we need to do for this to happen is to keep quiet! Sustainable Redmond, a grass-roots citizens’ action group focused on environmental sustainability, is asking that concerned citizens speak up NOW to persuade the Redmond City Council to consider better, more forest-friendly options in the impending redevelopment of the Overlake Group Health site. The developer of the 28-acre site has proposed a high-density housing and retail shopping complex which will include removing ALL 1,050 trees currently on the site, and with them as many as 120 40-year-old landmark trees. Public awareness and input is extremely important for alternative plans to be requested by the City Council. A public hearing on this issue is scheduled for December 6, 2011, as the third item on the agenda of the Redmond City Council meeting, which starts at 7:30 PM (see http://redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=61603  for details.)

Near the planned terminus of the future Eastside Light Rail line, this project stands to become a model for future similar developments on the Eastside. The location of housing and retail near the light rail station to reduce transportation miles is a solid sustainable feature of the plan, but other aspects of this development raise concerns. A distinctive feature of the soon-to-be-demolished Group Health facility is the presence of stands of native woodland, a rarity in that highly developed area. Situated between 152nd and 156th Avenues NE on either side of NE 28th St, current plans call for leveling the existing structures, tearing up the asphalt parking areas, and removing ALL vegetation including ALL trees, some with diameters exceeding 4 feet!

Redmond’s city code states that “In all new developments including additions to existing non-single family buildings and parking areas, a minimum of 35 percent of all significant trees shall be retained.” (RZC 21.72.060). Exceptions can be requested, and the current proposal presented to city council is to allow an exception that all trees can be removed, i.e. 0 percent retained.

Sustainable Redmond is proposing that the city not grant an exception in this case, given that this area is quite unique in that it is the only large stand of trees remaining in the Overlake area, and that at least two stands of existing trees be retained. Please join us at the Council meeting on December 6th at 7:30 PM to help save some of this important woodland area!

 -- Sustainable Redmond
Photo By Yoder

RNB article:  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2011/10/opinion-group-health-overlake-master.html

"Library Colors," By Reinke

JOHN REINKE / Redmond Library Colors

UPDATED: A tree gets nailed

Pathway leading to Redmond Junior High

UPDATED:  Students taking this path to Redmond Junior High walk past this tree.  A "pet policy" school district sign is bolted and nailed to it.  The sign is visible from NE 104th. 

GOOD NEWS!  The Administration recently announced a new pet policy and this sign will be removed.  Kathryn Reith, District Communications Director stated that once new signs are made the old signs will be taken down and replaced with the new pet policy. 

Find the new Pet Policy here:  http://www.lwsd.org/About/Policies-Regulations/Admin-Policies/school-community-relations/Pages/Dogs-on-District-Property.aspx

Photo and opinion By Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Rose Hill Middle School project application is recommended by hearing examiner with conditions

Rose Hill Middle School Site Plan - a stand of trees buffers the southern residential community



UPDATED OPINION:  The public is invited to comment on this project on October 4, 7:30 PM at Redmond City Hall.  There should be ample time for the public to comment - 10 minutes is provided.

The new Rose Hill Middle School and Stella Schola Choice School project application was recommended with conditions August 22nd by the Hearing Examiner.  The 143,000 sq. ft. school, with 90 new parking stalls, will be located on the same 23 acre parcel as the old Junior High.  Estimated construction cost is $49,158,000. The new school is slated for construction in 2012 while the Junior High is in session.   Address:  13505 NE 75th Street, Redmond.

The project City Council Public Meeting  Notice of 9/10 is especially confusing.: http://www.redmond.gov/government/publichearingnotices.  This link doesn't explain in any way how the public process works and who decides who can speak against whom.  I've contacted the city Ombudsman and project planner, sfischer@redmond.gov for clarification and will update this page with their responses.

The record shows intense public participation.  For the most part, tree removal, a fuel pipeline, and parking incited the turnout.  Three neighborhood meetings were held between April 15 and May 19, 2011.  A total  of 40 residents turned out.  In addition, 56 comments were taken from 9 people during the application process prior to the public Hearing.

THE CONDITIONS:

TRAFFIC & PARKING: The new school will increase capacity from 654 students to 900 total students, including Stella and portables.  The project will generate 642 net new daily trips serviced by three driveways. An expanded parent pick-up/drop-off drive will reduce congestion. A separate bus lane with room for eleven buses will increase traffic efficiency.  Parking demand for the events (5-10/year) currently exceeds demand and will continue to do so, even with 60 additional off-street parking spaces and 42 new spaces along entree drives.  The project includes 50 student bike racks, most of them covered.

STREET LIGHTING:  Streetlights may be required to illuminate the property frontage. Contact:  Paul Cho, Transportation Operations (425) 556-2751 with questions.

TREES:   Nearly half the trees will be saved; the City of Redmond requires retaining a minimum of 35% significant trees.   228 significant, healthy trees will be removed, including 12 Landmark Trees (greater than 30 inches in diameter).  218 significant trees and six Landmarks will be saved.   A stand of trees and 12 inch snag used by foraging Pileated Woodpeckers will be retained along the southern site boundary.  A Tree Preservation Map is available for viewing at Redmond City Hall.

THE OLYMPIC PIPELINE:  A 400-mile long petroleum pipeline from Ferndale to Portland runs N-S on the eastern boundary along the PSE electric transmission easement.  Read More >>

Major Traffic Delays expected on Cleveland & Redmond Way this week and on future projects

Daytime construction of critical utility work at Redmond Way and Cleveland Street beginning Thursday, March 12 to Sunday, March 15 will result in potential traffic delays. Construction will begin at Redmond way and Cleveland Street intersection. The purpose of the work is to install a new water main down Cleveland Street. For more information on this project, contact Lisa Singer, Project Manager at lsinger@redmond.gov or 425-556-2726. -- City Press Release

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The above is one of many city road projects that will cause significant local or widespread traffic delays. Additional downtown road construction projects planned in the near future are, as follows: 1) Redmond Way traffic will be impeded and/or diverted when the city installs a regional stormwater trunk line down the complete length of Redmond Way. 2) Redmond Way and Clevelend Street will be converted from 1-way to 2-way streets causing delays, 3) extensions of 164th St and other grid streets will be constructed. B&B Auto mall will be demolished to build the road grid. 4) The Bear Creek Extension continues to be a mess while citizens and LWSD employees patiently await for tree and shrub plantings in the vicinity of Saturday Market, Heron Rookery, Wetland Pond Facility and the Parkway extention.

On a positive note: The once controversial 166th Ave. lane and signal light conversion adjacent Redmond Junior High is complete and appears a success. Don Cairnes was the Project Manager and led the public outreach. Nice work, Mr. Cairnes!