What A.I. Says About My Blog

City of Redmond Neighborhoods, February 2026 

  Finally got some recognition, even if it came from a bot 😊

The Redmond Neighborhood Blog is generally considered a valuable, long-standing resource for hyper-local news, though whether it is "good" depends on what you are looking for—objective reporting or community advocacy. 

Strengths & Content Focus

• Hyper-Local Expertise: The blog has been active for nearly two decades (since at least 2007) and provides deep dives into topics often overlooked by larger outlets, such as city council decisions, land use policies, and local school district levies.
• Active Advocacy: The site's primary author, Bob Yoder, explicitly describes the blog as an "advocate" and "trouble-maker" intended to bring balance and accountability to local government.
• Niche Investigative Reporting: It frequently covers environmental concerns, such as potential aquifer contamination, and tracks the impacts of rapid development on Redmond's "soul" and affordability. 

Things to Consider

• Opinion-Driven Tone: Many posts are written from a specific viewpoint, focusing on "watching" the city administration and critiquing rising costs of living and property taxes.
• Format: As a Blogger-hosted site, it has a traditional, text-heavy layout that may feel less modern than newer media platforms.
• Community Presence: It maintains an active Facebook Group (Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog) where residents can discuss local issues directly. 
• Comparison to Other Sources

Source	Best For
Redmond Neighborhood Blog	Deep-dive civic analysis and critical community advocacy
Experience Redmond	Tourism, events, and highlighting local businesses
City of Redmond News	Official government announcements and public meeting notices
Move Redmond	News specifically about transit, biking, and urban walkability

A Call For Action To Test Industrial District For Toxic Chemicals

Filthy stormwater treatment pond at All Wood Recycling 60 feet
from salmon-bearing Evans Creek. B. Yoder/2006

The Following is Dr. David Morton's public comment to the Planning Commission for "Items from the Audience."  David Morton, PhD is a Redmond resident who regularly speaks at government meetings about ways to improve our environment.  

I’d like to discuss a critical land use issue that affects Redmond's drinking water aquifer, and may cause PFAS contamination in Wells 1 and 2. PFAS is a man-made toxic chemical that never breaks down. It once was used to manufacture firefighting foam.   

Last week, I testified before City Council about PFOS levels exceeding EPA's 4 ppt standard in these wells. Tonight, I want to focus on the land use aspect of this problem—specifically, the Evans Creek Relocation Project and the DTG Recycle site, formerly All Wood Recycling.

The DTG site sits within Redmond’s Critical Aquifer Recharge Area I (where groundwater contamination can reach municipal supply wells in under five years. In August 2013, a massive fire at All Wood Recycling required multi-day firefighting efforts. (See here, here, here, and here.) A former Redmond Natural Resources Manager informed the City Council that firefighting foam was used to extinguish that blaze and that about 1900 fish in Evans Creek were killed. *

The concern is straightforward: the foam likely contained PFAS, and those "forever chemicals" may have infiltrated Redmond’s aquifer. Bob Yoder's research suggests additional historic contamination sources at this industrial site—oil spills into Evans Creek, failing detention ponds, and septic systems that may have channeled PFAS-contaminated water underground.

Here's the land use policy problem: the Evans Creek Relocation Project will disturb soil on the DTG property. When the Department of Ecology sampled soil there in 2022, they did not test for PFAS. This is a significant gap in the environmental review process, especially given the site's MTCA contaminated cleanup status and location in Redmond’s CARA I (see the image below).

Since the Planning Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on land use policies, I urge you to recommend that the City require PFAS testing at the DTG site before any ground disturbance occurs. Identifying and remediating contamination sources is essential to prevent ongoing pollution of Redmond's drinking water.

With a 2029 EPA compliance deadline and costs for treatment of Wells 1 & 2 potentially in the tens of millions, Redmond cannot afford to overlook potential contamination sources in its CARAs. Sound land use policy demands testing before digging.

I ask that you advise Council to strengthen Redmond’s critical area protections by requiring PFAS assessment before approving projects in CARA zones, particularly on properties with known environmental violations or firefighting foam use.

* See the archived video of the Aug. 27, 2013, City Council Study Session beginning at 1:30:12. The comments about the fish kill and the firefighting foam use begin at 1:31:47.

-- David Morton, PhD, 2/11/2026

Updated: The Story Of Redmond's Well Water Contamination

     

Neglected industrial district stormwater run-off pond 70 feet from Evans Creek
Photo, Bob Yoder / 2006

Devices to filter toxic PFAS from well water may be purchased online.

Forty percent of Redmond drinking water comes from five wells, the remainder from surface waters like the Tolt River. At a recent Council meeting, the Director of Public Works Aaron Bert, announced Wells 1 & 2 in Anderson Park were contaminated with a man-made chemical called PFAS, coined a "forever chemical." It doesn't break down and can compromise immunity, lead to cancer, affect pregnancy and other health problems if consumed over a long period of time.

Council hired Hazon consultant ($284,000) to plan a pre-design of filtering infrastructure for Wells 1 & 2. Bert says the estimated cost will be $25-$30 million with projected completion by 2029.

Bert's scientist stated in a February 3 year council meeting they know the source was "historic." but haven't identified the site. Extensive community research concludes the source is likely from fire foam used in 2013 to extinguish a massive debris fire in the neglected SE Redmond industrial district. Jon Spangler, the Redmond Natural Resource manager saw fire foam floating in nearby Evans Creek and 1900 dead fish. Fire Captain John Stockman remembers fire foam was used.

Some fire foams can be highly concentrated with toxic PFAS. Per "aquifer hydrology studies" the contaminated water probably reached Education Hill and North Redmond water supply by 2018, at the very least. My family ordered a "reverse osmosis" water filter from Amazon and are VERY happy with the clarity and smooth taste of the water; and knowing it's PFAS free!

-- Bob Yoder

2/11/2026

UPDATED 1/28/26: Redmond's Water Supply Wells Contaminated

Forty - five percent of our clean potable water is supplied by five water supply wells; and they are compromised.   Very recent sampling efforts have detected "PFAS" contaminating Anderson Park's two water supply wells (#1 and #2.)  PFAS - are found in paint, cleansers, fire extinguisher foam, other man-made chemicals and *historic spills.  Public Works Director Aaron Bert said in a staff report, "the City doesn't know the source."  

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalyl subs) are a group of soluble human-made chemicals that can adversely affect human health and the environment.   Higher cholesterol, blood pressure problems during pregnancy. lower birth weights and increased risk of some cancers may occur over an extended period of time.

The sooner the city reaches out to the community to reassure us the better. The estimated cost of mitigation is $25 - $30 million.  On February 3, 4:30 PM in City Hall, Council's consultant will explain how to remove and replace these "forever chemicals."  You are invited or LIVE stream on Comcast Channel 21.   

 HISTORY

2006 photo of the district's stormwater treatment pond
connected to Evans Creek / Bob Yoder

Southeast Redmond's industrial district was historically the city "dump site" with abused 50-foot creek buffers and untreated stormwater *spilling into nearby Evans Creek.  (It's been somewhat environmentally rehabilitated.) In 2013, a massive debris fire started in the district at All Wood Recycling - located in the infiltration zone where potable water is drawn from the aquifer.  It took days and volumes of water with *PFAS-laced fire foam to extinguish it. In my opinion, the industrial site is the source.  

Evans Creek runs through Redmond's Industrial District
 and over a shallow aquifer 

Special thanks to Dr. David Morton for his contributions and collaboration on this source-finding adventure.  

-- Bob Yoder, 1/26/2026, updated 1/28/2026

   Education Hill, Redmond

UPDATED, 2/21/2024 On The Proposed New Redmond Town Center

REDMOND TOWN CENTER REDEVELOPMENT 

Hines will host two neighborhood meetings over the next 12 months. The first meeting will be SOON, in March 6th of 2024 at RTC campus office.  Contact mayor@redmond.gov for times. 

The center's Master Plan review by Council is now underway.  Notably, in addition to the 12-story buildings, three 7-story mixed used residential building are planed.  

 Protecting Redmond’s Aquifer: we’ve positioned all parking above ground to avoid any impact to the aquifer and reduce the carbon impact during construction.

Affordable Housing: At full development, Redmond Town Center will feature up to 200 units of transit-oriented, affordable housing – 2x the minimum contained in the inclusionary zoning ordinance, at 60% of  "Average Median Income."

74th Street: Streetscape improvements on 74th include a transition to a pedestrian-first, engaging open space to enliven the center of the retail core.

Ground Floor Retail: The design includes a net increase of 15,000 – 35,000 square feet of ground floor, pedestrian generating and retail uses, with a portion of that reserved for local, smaller shop retail uses.

Pedestrian and Intersection Improvements: Street and intersection improvements at 166th, 164th, and 76th streets will provide a much more engaging, pedestrian oriented ground plane experience.

Green Roofs: Vegetated green roofs will be included in non-mechanical areas of new building construction to help reduce the urban heat island and help manage stormwater run-off.

Schedule Updates & Opportunities for Feedback:

Neighborhood Meetings:

Hines will host two neighborhood meetings over the next 12 months. The first meeting will be SOON, in March 6th of 2024 at RTC campus office.  Contact info@redmond.gov for times. with another coming in late summer - ~August of 2024. Further details to come here.

Thank you again for participating and sharing your input and questions. We’ll follow up with more updates soon. In the meantime, please visit our Feedback section to respond to our new questions!

-- Hines, 1/12/2024

To find additional blog posts on Redmond Town Center click the "RTC" label. These stories were found at the blog search button. Here are some posts on downtown and the downtown buildings.

UPDATED: Second 8-Story Building Planned for 80th & Leary

Excellent project!    Design Review Board 1 Presentation  Listen to the presentation!

Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer has been a strong advocate for more day-care space in Redmond. The Design Review Board reported day-care space is planned for this project!  Massing of the prominent Redmond Grand apartments on 166th and Redmond way is terrible.  This particular project (west & adjacent to the 8-story "Arco" project) has very creative architecture helping to reduce the massing affect.  Harvey Fairbourne, the new owner of RTC could learn from this exciting new project.

16310 NE 80th ST (& Leary) is a new proposed 85’ tall, 1.18 acre residential apartment building located on 80th Street in downtown Redmond, WA. It is comprised of 8 floors above grade, one level below grade totaling 347,713 sf with 260 parking spaces and 270 residential units. It includes a 5-story wood-framed residential tower above a 3-story concrete podium. Ground level uses include residential lobby/lounge, units and indoor open space that serves the neighborhood, as well as residents. 

Mayor Birney's Water Quality Report, July 2023

Good description and graphics of the aquifer here.

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

City Planning Is Posting QR Codes for Proposed Land Use projects

It's great the city is finally posting QR codes for Proposed Land Use Action projects.  Better late than never.  The AMLI project decision has already been made, but with conditions.  According to the QR, the State Environmental Policy Act was revised and the project may now be appealed by 5/15/2023.  The project sits about 100 yards downhill from city well water and it's possible the aquifer may be disturbed.  It's also possible the aquifer will liquify during an earthquake.  A final act of the decision are inspections from city engineers.   

Warehouse Project in SE Redmond Sits Over a Critical Aquifer Recharge Area

 

Internet

Description: New office and storage building on vacant parcel adjacent to the existing Keller Supply building located at 18315 NE 76th Street and 18317 NE 76th Street.

Keller Eastside Industrial Office.  Southeast Redmond Neighborhood. The project is a warehouse and upscale showroom. Keller is one of the largest suppliers of Koehler in the Western states.  A wide paved plaza wraps around to an outdoor meeting room. 

This site is situated over a Type I Critical Aquifer Recharge Area and design provisions have been included to retain the aquifer’s quality and volume. A hydrological assessment has been undertaken to assure all regulations and requirements have been met.  (staff.)

Listen to the Design video HERE.

-- Posted by Bob Yoder, 10/25/2022

UPDATED: The Sky's the Limit for Redmond Town Center Building Heights

This sign announces and invites the public to attend and comment at the WEDNESDAY. November, 2nd 7:00 p.m. Hearing about Redmond Town Center building heights. It is installed by the Applicant (Owner) Courtesy of City of Redmond  (click picture to enlarge)

 ATTENTION PUBLIC:  

The City of Redmond Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at Redmond City Hall Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85th Street, Redmond, Washington on WEDNESDAY November 2, 2022 at 7 p.m. 

**SUBJECT: Zoning Code Amendment  to provide incentives for additional height in exchange for public benefits, along with minor clarifications to Zone design standards.  

Your comments are encouraged!

•  Public comment can be made in-person at City Hall, Monday, November 2nd, 7 p.m.
•  Public Comment can be made by phone during the meeting by providing a name and phone number to PlanningCommission@redmond.gov now or no later than November 2nd, 5 p.m. 
• Written public comments should be submitted prior to the hearing by email to PlanningCommission@redmond.gov no later than 5 p.m. on the hearing date. 
• Comments are encouraged and should be sent by email or mail to the planningcommission@redmond.gov.
• or to: Planning Commission, MS:  P.O. Box 97010, Redmond, Washington, 98073. 

###

A  RESIDENT'S COMMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION: 

What are "the benefits" residents will receive by agreeing to additional building height?  And, how high can the Applicant (Owner) build?  I've heard the Planning Commission and high-level staff are seriously considering 30-story buildings in Overlake Urban Center. They don't have an aquifer to worry about up there.  I've learned the Owner is very concerned about the aquifer interfering with his ability to build subterranean parking. So what are the benefits residents could receive if we give the owner one, two or three stories for above grade parking?  We should  be prepared for a maximum of 12-stories if not an additional 1-2 stories. Growth wins.  

Generous affordable housing is a must. Three and four room apartments for families, please. Other benefits:  8-10 foot pedestrian lit sidewalks with landscaping on either side, leading to plazas and alleys, children's play areas, a park for small dogs, food truck facilitation, outdoor art, interactive water fountains, covered retail and open space for community performances. Adequate street lighting. The scope and massing of two 12-foot and up buildings must be balanced and fit well.  Set-backs similar to Kirkland buildings.  Limit shading.  Wide mobility corridors connecting to Marymoor Village. A stop light at the SR520 Bear Creek Gateway.  Significant and creative landscape, trellised with green walls and green rooftop patio amenities.  Common areas within the buildings have cultural artwork. Walking tours to Lower Bear Creek look-outs. 10-foot plus street trees are necessary. A satellite "Safety Station" with police and mental health specialists overseeing the light rail station and e-scooters.  It's important the Redmond Town Center redevelopment be in character and compatible with the Legacy Nelson Village and the historic district. This could require 1-2 open houses.  If it's decided Nelson or RTC will be eclectic or have some other theme, then the Director of Planning should hold fast to growth unlike at Marymoor Village.  I have no problem with 12 stories if the Applicant provides most of these benefits, whistles and bells.  I don't think they should benefit from any more than two above surface parking levels.  Archer Hotel didn't benefit.  

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the proposed Redmond Town Center Code Amendment, Visit  redmond.gov/1860/Redmond-Town-Center. Write to the Planning Commissioners  if you have any serious comments and  questions, or would like to be a Party-of-Record on this proposal, please contact Glenn Coil, Senior Planner, 425-556-2742, gcoil@redmond.gov. A copy of the proposal is available at redmond.gov/Planning-Commission. If you are hearing or visually impaired, please notify Planning Department staff at 425-556-2441 one week in advance of the hearing to arrange for assistance.   

The City is not transparent about the "starting story" and maximum building height.  You have to dig into RZC 21.10.050  "Town Center Regulations and Incentive Standards"  to find the minimum and maximums. 

ACTION: Planning Commission gives their recommendation to Council on the proposed amendment to the Redmond Zoning Code.  Email:  PlanningCommission@redmond.gov.

Updated by Bob Yoder, 10/18/2022