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.

Heron Canyon

It's beginning to look a lot like a City!  

Everywhere...you go!

 

In the photo, you are looking north along 159th Place NE, to where it intersects with the western end of Bear Creek Parkway.  

In the photo, the building on the left is known as Blackbird Apartments.    The one on the right is Heron Flats and Lofts.  The Flats and Lofts abut the Heron Rockery.  The building on the right that is just south of the Heron building is known as The Carter on the Park. (named after the wood-carving artist Dudley Carter.)  The building straight-ahead is Radiant Apartments. 

Fredrick Appliance will be torn down in 2-3 years for a 6-story building, enlarging Heron Canyon further.  The new Osprey building will be the southern entrance to Heron Canyon.  

It's my understanding Eric Campbell developed the Heron and Carter buildings.  He was an active member of the LWSD Bond Committee.  With care, he developed Perrigo Heights and other environmentally vulnerable lands.

-- Photo by John Reinke

    Bob Yoder

    12/3/2021

City Considers Multi-Family Housing On Avondale

Perrigo Heights wet vaults -- a different development

Next Wednesday the 16th, the Planning Commission will review a multi-family land use proposal (Pier 67) on the westside of Avondale Road, north of 104th Street. 10431 Avondale.  Besides, single family dwellings, I hear senior housing and assisted living of sorts are planned.  This excites me because it brings a diversity of economic segments and household types.  And, the land use doesn't conflict with the character of our Education Hill neighborhoods.

One of my questions is the challenge of ingress and egress at Avondale Road.  Well, I guess if other multi-family complexes can navigate Avondale Road, Pier 67 can too. It's also nice there's a bus stop at 104th and Avondale. Residents could ride scooters to the bus stop right?  

Stormwater runs off the western hills.  Of course, the city requires keeping our stormwater clean.  Thus, Pier 67 will install two "wet vaults." and maintain  a bioswale to filter dirty water before it enters Bear Creek.  Pier 67 management are good stewards of our environment.

To make this all work, and bring diversity to this part of Avondale zoning would have to change from 4-dwellings per acre to 12 (or more) dwellings per acre.  The Planning Commission is holding a HEARING, next Wednesday the 16th at 7 p.m.  They're asking for comments on zoning and the neighborhood element. 

Please email your comments to the Planning Commission at:  planningcommission@redmond.gov

The Planning Commission unanimously denied the amendment. 7/11/2021

--Bob Yoder, 6/11/2021

   Photo, Yoder

Opinion: We need more school buses

If all students in LWSD who were eligible for school bus transportation were provided bus service and rode the bus to school, the traffic jams around our schools would not exist. The trouble is that our students are not provided with buses so their parents must drive them to school. 

Note that in Washington State, students who must walk more than a mile to school are eligible for bus transportation as part of basic education. (See the section on the 1-mile walk-area in 28A-160-160 in the R C W)

Water Tenders is resurrected

Key Club members help to restore a Bear Creek tributary
My daughter Lexie is far left; she recruited the Key Club
members.

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King county.

The torch of Water Tenders (WT) leadership was passed from President Eric Soshea to Susan Wilkins at the WT Annual Meeting last week.  Many of the of the original tenders were present, including a relative of the founder. Leader Terry Lavender and past president Dick Schaetzel were out of town. Gary Smith was present. Debbie Aftebro from Novelty Hill had never attended a WT meeting yet she collects and measures rainwater for Guy Baltzelle's program. She wanted to meet Guy but unfortunately he wasn't at the meeting.  Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was up front with Susan and Eric. Shirley was once President and is now the Treasurer, replacing John Reinke,who replaced Dick S.  One of the new board members, Heather Poe was president and secretary for WT in the Early 2000 - 2005 era (before Susan became a member.) Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was also once a president along with five others. 

In her presentation, (video) Susan held up a map of the entire Bear Creek watershed. She was re-directing and expanding our attention to the entire Bear Creek watershed.  She states:

UPDATED: Bear Creek advocates hold meeting

Credit/ Water Tender John Reinke 

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King county.

The torch of Water Tenders (WT) leadership was passed from President Eric Soshea to Susan Wilkins at the WT Annual Meeting last week.  Many of the of the original tenders were present, including a relative of the founder. Leader Terry Lavender and past president Dick Schaetzel were out of town. Gary Smith was present. Debbie Aftebro from Novelty Hill had never attended a WT meeting yet she collects and measures rainwater for Guy Baltzelle's program. She wanted to meet Guy but unfortunately he wasn't at the meeting.  Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was up front with Susan and Eric. Shirley was once President and is now the Treasurer, replacing John Reinke,who replaced Dick S.  One of the new board members, Heather Poe was president and secretary for WT in the Early 2000 - 2005 era (before Susan became a member.) Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was also once a president along with five others. 

In her presentation, (video) Susan held up a map of the entire Bear Creek watershed. She was re-directing and expanding our attention to the entire Bear Creek watershed.  She states:

"The Bear Creek Basin is an exceptionally natural and healthy environment for our native salmon runs given that it is so close to a major metropolitan area.  We want to direct more community involvement into observing the stream habitat and collecting year-round data (such as rainfall, water temperature, stream flow) across the whole Bear Creek Basin.  We also want to carefully monitor land use planning by the local government jurisdictions to encourage preservation and protection of our land and water resources."

Five members who volunteered for the new Board met with Susan after the meeting.  The first order of business was to select officers.  Susan is the President, Mark Reynolds is the V.P. (he told a touching "avatar" story about the value of engaging children.)  Mark is a software engineer for Nordstrom and a "take charge" kind of guy.  He is working on a new website and very motivated for WT to make a difference for kids.  Me too.

Youth have been involved in WT over the years:

My daughter, Lexie Conley, was once a Youth Board member -- the first and last.  She wrote an article on the history of environmentalism that was published in the WT's 25th Anniversary Issue of the newsletter.  Terry recruited her to lead the Green Team in a Derby Day parade...and work the booth. Lexie recruited her Key Club members to help restore a forest in what is now the Redmond Bike Park site.  Notably, Dick S. attended that.  The Key Club also spent a day restoring a northern Bear Creek tributary -- an ongoing WT project.

Susan Wilkins actively engaged her children in the environment.  Her daughter was a docent for the annual WT salmon "SEEson" event.  In 2007 her children surveyed the Camwest Perrigo Heights preliminary plat's northern forest boundary ...in preparation for the citizen/council/mayor/Eric Campbell's woodland march to the proposed Steep Slope sewer location.

Colorful salmon cut-outs were made for children. (don't have the details.)  Kiosks were built to educate children and adults. Exhibits were held at REI.  Terry Lavender worked at the Redmond Medical Center from where the Derby Day Children's Parade started every year. She organized the kids and I think gave them a short education on salmon before they took off on their bikes. 

### 

A 5-minute YouTube of Susan Willkin's presentation at the Annual Meeting:  https://youtu.be/_SfMBTinhqg

A slide show of my daughter and her Key Club/ Bio-Chem classmates restoring the Bear Creek tributary.  

City Planning and Development Director Rob Odle and Capstone update Council on Overlake Village Development

Public process for the park is robust.  Sites are selected for off-site tree mitigation

When Capstone purchased the Overlake Group Health site this Spring to build their mixed-use urban village it didn't take them long to get to the drawing boards.  In last night's Council session Capstone's Mike Hubbard said the hotel and conference center would move to the Northwest corner and it was decided they would design, own, and maintain the park.  After the spine road and parcel access roads are built, residential units (near 152nd) owned by Avalon will be constructed in May/June of next year.  All other construction will come afterwards. 

1400 multi-family residential units, 1.2 million square feet of commercial (office and retail) an 180,000 sq. ft. hotel/conference center, 2.7 acre public park and 10 acres of off site forest canopy are slated to be constructed eventually in this transit friendly mixed-use village.  The Group Health Hospital has already been demolished; possibly the second largest demolition in the State after the Kingdome, according to Hubbard. 

The public process for development of the park will be robust.  The Parks Commission and Design Review Board will hold special meetings on the park.  A Public Hearing is scheduled for October 15.  The first of two Community Meetings will be held mid-November.  Councilmember Allen asked that Council have input before the project goes to a formal "Type II" Review.  So there will be plenty of public comment time up front before formal review. 

Off Site Tree mitigation of all the trees that will be chopped down at the site drew the most interest and discussion from Council.  After consulting with Sustainable Redmond, staff narrowed down the potential sites for 81% of the trees from 14 to 7 and then 6.  They based their site selection on visibility, closeness to trails, habitat value, connection points between critical areas, and proximity to Overlake.  Perrigo Park, Perrigo Heights Open Space, Cascade View Park, the 2.5 acres behind Swedish Medical offices, and wetlands near the Marymoor Storage Center were finalists.  Councilmember John Stilin asked if citizens living near parks and open space gave any input, besides Sustainable Redmond members   View Point Open Space Corridor was the closest available location to Overlake for the remaining 2 acres of mitigation...but the slopes are steep.  The small tree "specimens" will be planted this Fall. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

REPUBLISHED: Underground Stormwater vaults the size of two City Halls are an option for Overlake.

This piece was written in 2009 and republished 720/2012 for your interest.  Details to follow here on it's slated development on the Eastern parking lots of Sears...

Underground Stormwater Treatment Vaults the size of two (2) underground City Halls are planned for Overlake Urban Center.

JULY 7, 2009    The Planning Commission is currently studying the second phase of the Overlake Urban Center Plan. 5,000 residents are expected to move into the Overlake center, many of them Microsoft workers. A proposed Group Health Tower (~10 stories) will anchor the Center. A light rail transit center is planned. The 36th Street Bridge is under construction.

On July 2, 2009 the Parks and Trails Commissioners listened to stormwater presentations for the Overlake Center, by senior stormwater engineer Steve Hitch and OTAK Consultants. All the new roads, buildings and other impervious surfaces will produce dirty stormwater. The runoff will contain oils, sediment, and chemicals that must be treated before it's discharged into streams. The underground "concrete box" (vault) appeared a recommended treatment of choice compared to open ponds. However, today Mr. Hitch commented that "vaults are very costly, and they hide the water, so open facilities are a good alternative."

Open ponds, rain gardens, plazas, walkways, trails, and other Overlake Village design features will be displayed during a public workshop and presentation. See you Thursday, August 6, 2009 5-8pm at the Silver Cloud Hotel, 2122 152nd Ave. NE, Redmond, WA. Overlake Room.

The underground vault(s) are large, equal in size to two (2) underground City Halls! That's correct, two City Halls.  The vaults have many advantages. They will free up 3-4 acres of Open Space. A park-like atmosphere can be designed for the community to embrace. Trails, sidewalks, bike trails, plazas, and other connections can be installed right on top of the vault lid. However, the top priority for it's use remains a stormwater facility.

After the stormwater is treated in the massive vaults, it is discharged into Kelsey Creek, travels to the Mercer Slough and falls out into the East Channel of Lake Washington at 1-90. The City of Redmond is partnering with Bellevue on the route.

The closest I can come to an example of what a large underground vault looks like is this photo. This vault is located on Camwest's 32 -lot Perrigo Heights development. It's the size of "a pin" compared to the proposed Overlake Urban Center's vaults. Camwest's lid top is only about 30 x 60 feet. The Camwest HOA doesn't appear to be using the lid for resident activity, at this time. Treated stormwater from the vault by-passes Hartman wetlands and is discharged into Perrigo Creek, a tributary of Bear Creek.

My primary source for this entry are the audio-tapes from the Redmond Parks & Trails Commission meeting of July 2, 2009 CONTACTS: shitch@redmond.gov (on stormwater vaults) and tmarpert@redmond.gov (on Overlake Urban Center).

Overlake Village Urban Center & Kelsey Creek Watershed GOOGLE DOC LINK.
Your comments and feedback are welcome! It's hard to believe, isn't it?

Shaughnessy Heights subdivision trees are removed -- neighbors adjusting

Territorial views of downtown Redmond and wood piles remain.  A 15' tree buffer between
the orange fence and the black fence-line will eventually buffer the neighborhoods.

UPDATED  7/5 7:04 pm:  Two hundred twenty-nine significant trees and most of the dust, is now cleared from the 15.1 acre Shaughnessy Heights subdivision project on Ed Hill.   It didn't take long.  About 4 days of tree clearing and a few more to grade the steep slopes and prep a minor stream drainage.  Neighbors say the multiple, large wood debris piles will be chewed up on site and scattered by the end of the week.

Despite the tree waste, over 51% of the significant trees will be saved according to land use tree preservation  map.  The preserved land remains home to a significant stream and trees large enough to house large cavity-dwelling animals like Pileated Woodpeckers, raccoons, and 'possum'.  The developer could install Pileated Woodpecker educational signage as an amenity if he wants to. 

The project is  a 42-lot, 64 housing unit "planned residential development" land use that was earlier appealed by residents and decided and approved by Redmond city councilmembers in a "quasi-judicial role."  (All area cities except Bothell and Redmond make land use appeal decisions through the county Superior Court.)  Construction is planned for Spring, 2013 by Element Residential of Bothell.  The homes and duplexes will be set close together and more affordable similar to North Redmond and older Education Hill neighborhood standards.

Immediate neighbors had some obvious concerns.  On the 20th, "Bambi" was seen straying uphill through back yards towards the Nike - Perrigo greenbelt.  A hawk's nest toppled down.  Some neighbors think they will hear more SR520 highway noise with the trees down.  They want the promised 15' tree buffer installed ASAP, but the developer has to wait for irrigation water before planting.  In the meantime, traffic is stalled on 171st Ave NE while the city runs a 14 inch water pipe to the project.  On the 25th, residents found door-knob notices their water would be shut off from 9-3 pm -- only to come home after work to a dirty "five-flush toilet."

But the dust has settled...

On-lookers visiting the 169th Ave cul-de-sac were amazed by territorial views towards the city.  Some of the neighbors can even expect incredible views of Mt. Rainier from their 2nd-story decks.  An 8-foot fence will delineate the project, but neighborhood connector trails are planned through and around the development.  The developer saved two cedar trees and a deciduous by the emergency  service entry on 169th. 

Steve Fischer, city planner, assured a few nearby residents that "developer violations (like any unlawful staging of construction equipment or delayed tree buffer plantings)  are typically handled with a "red tag" stop work order. Since time is money...this is a very good way to get someone's attention," wrote Mr Fischer. 

Report and Photo by Yoder

Mayor Emeritus Rosemarie Ives objects to clear-cutting 28-acre urban Group Health site

This Group Health structure in Redmond's Overlake Center will be replaced mostly by a park and nearby 13-story hotel.
  "The City is required to seek opportunities to preserve landmark and significant trees in connection with the design
of the park."  The approved plan identifies "approximately 12 significant trees and no landmarks" in the area of the
future park.  There is no guarantee they will be saved.  - D. Lisk, Assoc. Planner, Redmond.

The following, was presented to city officials by Redmond's Mayor Emeritus Rosemarie Ives, on January 3, 2012 during "Items from the Audience"

Good evening Mayor and Redmond City Councilmembers. My name is Rosemarie Ives. I am here tonight as a resident to ask for reconsideration of the council’s decision on December 13th regarding the Group Health Master Plan and Development Agreement.

As the former mayor, I know that this forested property matters to the people of Redmond and those of us who are here tonight object to the clear-cutting of this iconic site. I believe that the criteria for exception to the tree preservation/retention regulations have been misapplied and not justified.  Read More >>

Have you hiked Redmond's "Mystery Trail?"

Trailhead to Nike Park
"Whitey" is running from the "Mystery Trail" onto Perrigo Heights sewer easement road

The Redmond Parks and Trails Commission has been anticipating and planning for Redmond's Centennial Celebration for quite sometime.  A "Centennial Trail" is on the drawing boards.  It's a patchwork of hiking trails that could loop around the entire city once completed.

The Centennial Trail map hasn't been released to the public so it's length and location are unknown.  As far as the public knows, right now it doesn't officially exist.  Several "missing links" have slowed it's completion.

This final missing trail link between Nike Park and the Ashford Trail (and Hartman Park Trails) was discovered by a hiker last year near the "Perrigo Heights" development. The trail-head starts off at the Perrigo Heights sewer easement road and goes south through the forest up a series of switchbacks and small ravens to Nike Park.  From Nike the trail runs to Avondale.

Prior to construction of the switchbacks it was impossible to hike the steep slopes around Perrigo Heights development to, and from, Nike.   A citizen, excited by 'the find' reported the switchbacks to the Parks and Trails department.  Two city planners went out and took pictures. This trail link was a mystery to them!  They said it was too big a job for Parks to do.   So, a phone call was made to Camwest, the Perrigo Heights developer, since the trail link is built on their easement. The trail was new to them!

It's truly a mystery that no one will take credit for building this missing link to the "Centenniel Trail."   Do you know why?  Updated, 2/28/19:  Sections of the trail are on private property. Have you been on this trail, yet?  A tip:  Ashford Trail starts at NE 100th Street and 172nd Avenue near the Redmond BMX Bike Park. 

Report and Photo by Bob Yoder

Read the earlier story of 09/1/2010:  "Education Hill hiker asks for a Nike - Hartman Trails connector"

Celebrate Earth Day in Redmond, WA.

Perrigo Heights Preliminary Plat Trail  PHOTO/YODER

Arbor Day

Redmond, WA – Bring your neighbors and celebrate the importance of Redmond’s trees and forest ecosystems by joining the City of Redmond Parks and Recreation Department at Arbor Day 2011, Saturday, April 30 at the Watershed Preserve, 21760 NE Novelty Hill Road from 9 am to 12 noon.

This is the first year the City has joined with the Green Redmond Partnership to celebrate Arbor Day. No experience is necessary and gloves, tools and other materials will be available. It is important to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.  All ages are welcome.  For information or to participate in this event, please contact Chris Tolonen at 425-556-2369 or ctolonen@redmond.gov .

Take Action - April 22 - Earth Day

Sustainable Redmond Announces Spring Film Series

Redmond, WA – Sustainable Redmond (http://www.sustainableredmond.org/) is sponsoring two documentaries this spring on the Eastside. On April 17th they will show “Good Food – Sustainable Food and Farming in the Northwest” in Kirkland; and on May 10th they will present “Fixing the Future” in Redmond. This is a great chance for those on the Eastside to see some wonderful sustainability-related documentaries without having to drive to Seattle, and with free admission!   Read More >>

Backyard feral cats and kittens on Education Hill

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Last November my small dog was barking crazy. When I went to get her, a mom cat was hissing with all teeth showing protecting her small litter of kittens.  The mom nested her babies near a crawl vent under an eve.  We kept the dog away and fed the family, yet the Tom cat wasn't to be seen.  Soon after their birth, the heavy winds and rains came.  The nursing mom moved her babies (by the scruff) to our above-water, wooden club house about 130 feet away!  We kept feeding her.  Later, I learned most wild kittens die from starvation.  The mom cat hissed and wouldn't get near to us. Oh no, it's a wild, "feral" cat!  One of more than a million in Puget Sound!


It was cold!  The mom moved her kits, again, under the chimney framing to stay warm.  This mom is smart!   We kept feeding her.  The Tom cat finally made his appearance.  He was huge and strong.  He could have easily taken our 10 pound dog down; but Tom was wild and skittish, too.  OMG!  We were feeding a family of four now!  I told Pam and Lexie we had to start thinking about getting them fixed.  But they were so cute!  Look at those little guys looking at you  with their Mom protecting the rear.  What would you name them?

When they were almost up to this size, the Mom moved them from the chimney to our barn-shed down below.  Lots of shelter under the shed and some great places to practice climbing!  The mom was teaching her kits to run and climb when they saw me.  They were 8 weeks old and almost weaned.  Since we couldn't get close to hold them, they became "feral" kittens.  We kept feeding them   Tom always ate first to test the food.  Mom ate next, after submitting, and then her kittens.


I started to get anxious about these guys growing up and going off on their own to make more cats!  Plus, I inherited four cats and never wanted any!  So, I rummaged through the Internet to see what to do.  I was amazed at all the organizations and non-profits with help and advice.  I called a Redmond "Feral Cat Coalition" (no longer in operation) and guess who answered?   Richard Grubb, a beloved Redmond city councilman of 10 years.  [I always remember Richard speaking up to protect Perrigo Heights Woodlands and help us cope with the ordeal.  He is a friend of the environment, a great writer of Letters and true public servant.  I don't know anyone at City Hall who doesn't admire and respect Richard.  ]

Richard gave me four cat traps and told me how to be gentile while using them.  Traps are hard to come by.  I was lucky and caught the Mom first using food for bait.  Tom cats roam alot but he came to see what was wrong and got caught next!  The white kitten was next.  But "blackie" was coy; I caught him in the afternoon.  I drove all four caged cats to a clinic in Lynwood that fixes them for free.  The Tom was heavy!  12 pounds!   These Tom and Mom pictures were taken the day after they got fixed and just before I released them into my backyard.  You can see the mom cat wasn't too happy.  So what came of the family?  The kittens were fostered by a clinic volunteer expert in training wild kittens!  Phew!
The Tom ran off. Will he come see us?  I hope so!  The mom decided to stay and  is "ours"!  Do you want to see a picture of her in our yard?  She's living in the club house and we feed her every day.  She's a good ratter and is nice enough to let us (and Roxy) see her outside of meal-time.

Bob & Pam Yoder

Read More >>

Education Hill hiker asks for a Nike - Hartman Parks trail connector

Hiking from the South, on the left is the National Guard  (Nike facility), an easement, Lookout Ridge, & Perrigo Heights cul de sac. The Hartman Park Trails are further to the north.  Nike Park is south (below) the photo 

I love walking and running on the Education Hill trails, and one of my favorites is to connect Nike Park (via the trail that skirts the old missile station or whatever it is) to the Jonathan Hartman Park trails...but now there's a big new house right where the trail exits the "Nike Park Woods".

I can't remember the name of the street, but I've attached a photo (you can see the Nike facility in the lower left corner) of my gps tracks - as you can see, they're going straight through that property, and I'm assuming the new owners won't appreciate smelly runners sneaking across their lawn (there's actually a fence there now).

Do you know if "they're" going to make an alternate trail to connect the two parks, or was it never an official trail to begin with? Is there already and alternate trail that I don't know about?

By Ingunn
Education Hill
9/2

The Trail was discovered  --  Read the story:  "Have you hiked Redmond's "Mystery Trail"?" 

The City stalls on landscape maintenance at Camwest's "Perrigo Heights" development.

Updated 2/28/19:  Trees and shrubs were planted by Group Health for off-site mitigation from their development project.  Irrigation was installed.  Everything's grown up, it's all green and you can't  see the vault now!

Opinion:  The cement box photos show a "wet vault" (tagged with graffiti).  Vaults are designed to remove stormwater sediment and polluting chemicals.  This vault was built by Camwest Development, Inc. over two years ago as part of a 24-home "Perrigo Heights" urban forest housing project in Redmond. The vault was tagged with red graffiti in mid-January of this year.  This small photo was taken from the popular Ashford PED-BIKE Trail that connects 6 neighborhoods and two parks to three nearby schools.

VAULT SCREENING:  The city removed the graffiti (right photo) four weeks after it was reported to Mr. Fischer, a city development planner.  The deciduous saplings planted next to the vault by Camwest (see photo) will give no visual screening seven months of the year.   Furthermore, small deciduous trees create no physical barrier to graffiti vandals.   In response to citizen feedback, the city administration established a vague plan to install evergreen screening, as follows:

City Planner Steve Fischer said in a February email:

"I am working with other city staff to implement the planting of some evergreens between the trail and the vault. The response that I have received has all been positive so I am hopeful that that we can enhance the screening of the vault. This is still early on in the process so I do not have information about quantity or type of plant materials or when planting might take place. I am hopeful that I can begin to obtain answers to those questions in the coming weeks."  February 10, 2010. 

The City and Code Rewrite Commission seeks public participation

As part of the City of Redmond’s effort to rewrite its zoning code, the City (and Code ReWrite Commisioners) will host a drop-in Open Office Event on Thursday, April 15 from 3 to 6:30pm in the Trestle Room on the first floor of Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street. The purpose of rewriting the City’s zoning code is to improve the clarity, conciseness and predictability of the Municipal code for all users.

Drop-by the Trestle Room to tell City staff how regulations for Downtown, Overlake, land division, telecommunications, performance bonding and design standards can be improved. Ideas now being considered include:

■Update Downtown and Overlake street cross-sections to be consistent with transportation study outcomes

■Emphasize the relationship between buildings and the street in the Downtown and Overlake urban centers

■Clarify when design standards are required vs. when they are encouraged

■Consolidate and streamline performance bonding, telecommunications and land division regulations

City staff seeks your input prior to review of these sections of the zoning code by the Code Rewrite Commission, which will begin its review in May 2010.

If attendance to the event is not possible, provide all ideas either through RCDGrewrite@redmond.gov  or by calling 425-556-2440. To subscribe to the weekly code rewrite e-newsletter, send an email to the above address. More information about the process is available at www.redmond.gov/rcdgrewrite .
-City Press Release

COMMENT:  I participated.  I think I've been the only citizen who has participated, to date.  (Will confirm with public record request).  My total effort was 25 minutes of speaking during three commission visits.  I showed the commission a 15 minute slide presentation on Camwest's Perrigo Heights development - addressed land use public notice failures, final plat deficiencies, and poor maps.  The City would probably get more public participation if they gave more thanks to citizens for participating.
By Bob Yoder

Spotlight on Redmond Councilmember Hank Margeson

Spotlight on Hank Margeson,  Education Hill neighbor and Redmond City Councilmember

OPINION:  In many respects: Hank is Redmond.  You may pass him on the Power Line Trail walking his dog Dizzie.  Or find him umpiring a baseball game at Hartman Park, or touring Perrigo Heights development with concerned citizens.  One day, Hank tipped me about a black bear his friends saw at RHS.  Patti and Hank have donated hours to Farrel McWirther Park's Pony Club. 

I bump into Hank all the time.  We've met at the first Digital Arts exhibit, the Sonic Forest event, a Leadership Eastside conference and neighborhood meetings. Hank and Patti raised two children in LWSD schools; he worked the phones for past Levy Committees.  He cares deeply about our schools.  At Christmas time we always drive through their neighborhood and enjoy their manger scene and lights.

Hank's work output is phenomenal.  He has two "full time jobs" -  Safeco and Council!  Hank was recently promoted at Safeco (or is it now called Liberty Mutual)?  He was recently appointed Council Chair of Public Administration and Finance.  Two years prior, he took on the big job of chairing Planning and Public Works. Hank is also current Chairperson for the Redmond Disability Board.

On top of his regular job and Council work, Hank took the reigns from Concilmember Cole to represent Redmond to the Suburban Cities Association Policy Issues Committee (PIC) in 2009.  This is a huge job - by importance and work load.   PIC works on regional growth management issues.  In addition, this month  Mr. Margeson was appointed Redmond's "alternate" to the Cascade Water Alliance board.  Cascade Water is building a pipe to supply water from the mountains to eastside cities. 

How did Hank attain such heights of community leadership?    1)  He has a Masters in Public Administration, 2) is a baseball pal with Mayor John Marchione,  3) a four-year volunteer on the Parks & Trails Commission and 3) three-year volunteer on the Education Hill Citizens Advisory Committee.  4)  is on the Recruiting Committee of  "Leadership Eastside" and 5) was a Redmond West Little League board member.  He takes leadership positions in almost everything he does.

Hank Margeson's myriad of leadership experiences attest to his acumen for leadership and consensus-building on Council.  I'm posting his picture so you will recognize him around town.  Will you wave hi to Hank next time you see him?  I guarantee you'll be rewarded with a smile, in the least.  You can also watch Hank on Channel 21 TV Tuesday's, at 7:30pm or read the Minutes of his Finance meetings low on this side bar.  Contact Mr. Margeson at:  hmargeson@redmond.gov 

OPINION by Bob Yoder

Continued landscaping delays at CAMWEST Development's "Perrigo Heights" project.

 

UPDATED, 10/18/2018:  Trees and shrubs were planted along with irrigation lines.  The forest has since grown back and you can't see this stormwater vault.  Group Health planted the trees as part of an off-site mitigation requirement.

B. Yoder

Camwest's "Perrigo Heights" landscaping incomplete. (Part One)

UPDATED:  This photo shows a gaping hole in the greenbelt behind Camwest's 2-year old, 24 home "Perrigo Heights" development.  The damage occurred when Camwest felled a Landmark Maple into the   understory. According to a city planner, the greenbelt is supposed to be repaired with three evergreen trees.   As of June, 2012 the hole is filled and understory looks complete. 

The City paid Camwest over $300,000 for the greenbelt to buffer Ashford Trail and Hartman Wetlands from the housing project.  The greenbelt extends to the stone wall and a large concrete vault; all of
the significant trees here were removed.  According to Steve Fischer, Principal Planner, the City Permit Center is withholding all three landscape performance bonds.   The project is now fully developed and sold out
. 

For a brief narrative of the homes and greenbelt visit my video clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukfLNA1nvKI&feature=player_embedded
(corrections:  slip landslide (not avalanche); about 8 homes built -see CW website)  

Camwest's Perrigo Heights website is here. 

photo and story by Bob Yoder

OPINION Part Two: Thoughts on Council's Land Use Appeal Policy

UDATED OPINION, 6/13, Opinion: Councilmembers Kimberly Allen and Hank Margeson recently proposed taking the legal land use appeal component out of council's hands and into King County Superior Court. As Mr. Margeson stated, it's the Council's job to write policy, not to interpret it. Citizens would still maintain their right to appeal the Hearing Examiner's decision. In addition, Council could hold a secondary, legislative appeal to address code issues brought up by citizens. 

Most area cities choose to take the lawyering out of their Council's job description and give it to the county superior court i.e.  Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Woodinville, Edmonds, Seattle, Everett, and Mercer Island.  We should, too.  Only Redmond and Bothell land use appeals remain "judged" by city councils. 

After trying to participate in the review of three deforestation projects by CAMWEST, the Shauhanessy deforestation project, and Tent City review process, I agree it's time for a change. In fact, Council President Nancy McCormick described her frustration, if not agony, while presiding over the TC-4 and 172nd Ave extension appeals. The 42-lot Shauhanessy Plat/PRD drew a similar response from Nancy when an appeal to Council was remanded by Council back to the Hearing Examiner for a second Public Hearing. Shauhanassy is the longest land use review in the history of Redmond and the project still isn't built.

After thanking Ms. Allen for articulating the Shauhanessy case so well, Council President Nancy McCormick movingly stated:

"The public process may not have been violated but it was twisted. I can't keep from thinking about that couple who appeared at the Tent City public meeting and signed up to the Party of Record only to be denied on appeal to be heard.

The public needs accurate information and timeliness of an appeal, otherwise we make a mockery out of Public Hearings and caring about public involvement."

It is clear recent land use cases have demonstrated that our present public process needs fixing. The public has not been getting accurate information because their elected representatives are not allowed to represent or inform them. Conversely, staff gives full support and guidance to developers who already know the system and what questions to ask.

Councilmember Pat Vache' (and Cole, Carson, Myers) openly support the present quasi-judicial appeal process. They prefer not to give up their lawyering power in judging land-use policy. Rather, Mr. Vache' (and Mr. Myers) look at the present process as a "learning experience to get the feel for the impact of how code impacts the stakeholders". What Mr. Vache' doesn't learn about are his constituents' feelings and their understanding the project during the Review. Thus, mistakes get made (that could have been fixed in legislative appeal to council). Mr. Vache' says the Q-J process is more efficient. Shauhanssey PRD lasted years. Tent City-4 was a breath away from the State Supreme Appellate Court. Perrigo Heights,  The 172nd extension, Pearce, and Tyler Creek land use actions all took valuable time from Council policy-making duties while stressing the neighborhoods and landowners on code issues. No wonder Council work has become a full-time job.

Interestingly, Mr. Vache’ voted for the CAMWEST Perrigo Heights Plat Steep Slope Exception concluding "where else are we going to put the homes"?  Mr. Vache’ lives right off of NE 116th Street behind what later became Mosaic Meadows plat and sown 116th from CAMWEST'S huge Pearce PRD. 

Over time,  part of the issue is Council gets too close to the stakeholders and their judgment becomes affected, despite the appearance of distance and objectivity.
Part One: "Moving Redmond forward on Land Use Appeals"