Opinion: Councilmember Varisha Kahn Is Back!

Varisha Kahn

Breaking news!  Councilmember Varisha Kahn  physically, in-person attended both Council meetings last night for the first time in over 20 months. Here's a June, 2020 snippet from Crosscut praising her: 

The New Normal: When your living room becomes City Hall / Crosscut:

"Redmond City Councilmember Varisha Khan is navigating her first term from home while supporting her community through the pandemic.

Varisha Khan is a first-time city council member in Redmond. She drafted, proposed and passed recent legislation that protects Redmond residents from late fees and evictions, and offers support during other hardships. She recognizes this pandemic as a collective trauma for society and the only way she feels she can cope is by doing what she knows: helping her community through writing humane policy that mends a frayed social safety net."

-- Dorothy Edwards, June 22, 2020, Crosscut.

In addition to remote attendance Varisha presided over the Public Safety Committee for several months and coordinated the new Safety and Sustainability work plan. Other than that, her in-person attendance was rare until last night.

Since not everyone participates when attending remotely, the Mayor started a roll call policy for accountability.

Councilmember Kahn's constituents are diverse and her representation is critical.  Ms. Kahn is the youngest councilmember in the history of this City.  She's a woman in her mid-twenties (the average age in Redmond is 34.5 yrs.)  She's a Muslim.  And, she's a native, having graduated from Horace Mann Elementary.

The six councilmembers have worked hard to carry her load.  Varisha is pretty confident. She is articulate, likes to talk, and eventually makes her point heard. 

-- Bob Yoder, 6/22/2022

Facebook "Oculus" Expansion Underway

The Facebook Oculus development is not solely "Building X."  Facebook Oculus has permits for eleven buildings on Willows Road totaling $106 million.

Thus, the  need for the "10 Minute Community" on 124th and Willows, which is currently under construction. 6/21/2022,

A picture of a model of Facebook’s proposed Building X in Redmond. It will include trees on rooftops to help it blend into the surrounding forest.The rooftop forest will cover 2.5 acres. The remaining roof will have solar panels.
Credit:  Redmond Reporter

In the documents, Building X is planned to be constructed in a way that makes it hard to see, if not invisible, from the road and [Willows Run] golf course. It will be set back from the road in addition to having trees planted on many of its roofs. Two existing buildings onsite will be demolished.

Facebook is hiring, looking to fill more than 170 positions in Redmond, including nearly 70 for Facebook Reality Labs and 38 for Oculus, its virtual reality program. Facebook already has space in Redmond near the Microsoft campus and it is unclear how many of these positions would be placed at Building X. It also remains unknown exactly what will be researched at the Building X facility, but plans call for several of its labs to have high, glass ceilings to let in natural light.

-- By Aron Kunkler, Redmond Reporter, 11/16/2018

"Building X" is directly across from Willows Run Golf course. It will have 1,400 parking spaces under the building and 678,000 square feet of space.  Photo, Bob Yoder

What is Oculus?  

-- Compiled by Yoder, 6/21/2022

UPDATED: Big-time Construction Is Creeping Into Education Hill

Well, it looks like they're advancing into our neighborhoods; ever so slowly, just creeping & crawling along.  This one made it as far as Herfy's hamburgers  (164th & NE 85 Street.) before catching it's breath. 😃

6-story "Sunrise Apartments" will replace a grungy, old mall.

Yoder / 6/19/2022

Derby Days! Don't Miss The Drone Show! July 8

                                    Derby Days is July 8th - 9th

Mayor Angela Birney Developing Vision For Redmond

 

Mayor Angela Birney / redmond.gov

Mayor’s Biography

Term: 2020-2023

Elected as Mayor in 2019, Angela Birney is now in her first term as Mayor of Redmond. The community of over 72,000 is home to a variety of several large industries such as aerospace, high tech, video game production, and biotech, as well as thousands of small businesses where over 85,000 people are employed.

As Mayor, she is the executive leader who develops the vision and implements the strategies for Redmond. She oversees eight departments and over 700 employees. The Mayor collaborates with Council to set policies for the City of Redmond.

The Mayor serves on the Sound Cities Association Board as President, King County Council Regional Policy Committee, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Cascade Water Alliance Board as Vice Chair, King County Regional Homelessness Authority, OneRedmond Board, Hopelink Board of Directors, King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C), I-405/SR 167 Executive Advisory Committee, and Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee as an alternate.

Mayor Birney was elected to City Council in 2015 and served as Council President from 2018 to 2019. Prior to her Council service, she was the chair of the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission and volunteered her time at several different organizations throughout the Redmond community. She is a 2017 Leadership Eastside graduate.

Angela is a Washington native and grew up in Eastern Washington. She moved to Redmond in 1998. Formerly a middle school science teacher, she earned a Master of Education from Heritage University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Education from Eastern Washington University. She lives on Education Hill with her husband and daughters.

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Per "Redmond 2050"  Mayor Birney is working with two visioning concepts:

1)  Vision is "the intersection of community aspirations, market input, and physical opportunities." 

2)  Vision is "Where growth will go and what it will look like." 

Mayor Birney is asking for community feedback. I like the following Vision definition:  "What Redmond will look like after we're finished changing it."  

-- Bob Yoder, 6/16/2022

"Move Redmond" / Safe Routes To Light Rail

This is a cool video of what's to come with light rail services in Redmond!  Mayor Birney speaks, too.

This is Ride Transit Month and we at "Move Redmond"  want to get you pumped up for the East Link light rail coming to Redmond! While we don't have a set date for the Overlake Village or Redmond Technology Stations to open yet, we know that now is the time to get Light Rail ready!  "Move Redmond" has a whole campaign about safe routes to light rail, you can learn more here. 

READ MORE to learn about "protected bike lanes,"  see the Eastside Transit Map and ORCA

Young Children May Soon Be Eligible For COVID Vaccination

 

Children Ages 6 months - 4 Years May Soon Be Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccination Long-awaited pediatric vaccinations are currently in the authorization process OLYMPIA: Several COVID-19 vaccination series for children are being considered for emergency use authorization in the coming days, including: A Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months -- 4 years A Moderna vaccines for children ages 6 months -- 5 years A second Moderna vaccine for youth ages 6 -- 17 years

Rosemarie Ives Funds Two Scholarships For Redmond High Graduates

Rosemary Ives / soundaction.org

Four years ago, former Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives (1992-2007) funded a new scholarship to support a Redmond High School graduate furthering her/his education.   

"One of the most rewarding aspects of being mayor was observing and recognizing potential in people, telling them what she saw and believed about them, and encouraging them," Ives said.  As the words from the Bette Midler song "Wind Beneath My Wings" suggest, Ives hopes that the scholarship will provide a bit of "wind beneath their wings" of a Redmond High School graduate.

 

For the first time this year, there are two scholarship recipients:  Mia Moran and Delaney Chenevert.  Previous recipients are Asma Masude (2021) at University of Washington, Marina Montanez (2020) at University of Idaho, and Melanie Ortigoza-Rios (2019) at Washington State.

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Several times when watching our daughter play basketball at RHS we saw Rosemarie and her husband in the bleachers!  So exciting to see her!  BY

Rosemarie is a Board Member of Sound Action.  "Sound Action is a watchdog group working to protect vital nearshore habitat."

6/16/2022

"Emotions and Motions," 2021

 

"Emotions and Motions," 2021
Josef Kote (American born, 1964)
acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48"

UPDATED 6/19: The High Value Of Downtown City Trees

Three landmark oak trees. The Design Review Board says one must go.

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Councilmember David Carson led Council discussion on the Senior & Community Center monthly report.  It was the April 26th "Committee of the Whole" meeting. Councilmembers Varisha Kahn and Steve Fields were absent.

Eric Dawson, Project Manager gave each councilmember a tree heath assessment map  (or something similar.) Thirty-two trees will be removed,  mostly from around the building. 199 replacement sapling trees will be planted.  The high count is attributable to the 128 replacement tree requirements in the "Shoreline jurisdiction."  

President Jessica Forsythe asked "how many trees can potentially be saved, especially looking at the first one nearest the River Trail?  It's a pretty substantial tree and lots of people enjoy the shade. There's about five I'm hoping we can do something." 

Mr. Dawson said mildly, he was looking into small shrubs to give away to homeowners.  huh?  At one time he said the City could afford a "green roof" on the Center.  A sliver of one is planned.

President Forsythe asked about reworking the trail rather than removing the tree.  Mr. Dawson said the Design Review Board studied every angle to find the "best connection point" between the river and the Center. They decided the entrance to the Center near a landmark tree was the most inviting and the tree would need to go; yet he committed to one more look.  

Parks Chair Councilmember David Carson was positive about saving the tree saying "it took 50-60 years to get that tree to where it's at."  He said it was an ideal shade tree for the picnic tables. City planner Cameron Zapata said Red Oaks are sometimes called "Champion Trees." 

Odds & ends:  Vice President Vanessa Kritzer asked about the pickleball courts. Eric said they will stay open until the cranes are up.  "Art Hill" will close for staging.  Late 2022, early 2023 construction cranes will be up.  Councilmember Malissa Stuart got assurances from Mr. Dawson that full programing with some finishing touches will be in place late 2023 when the Center opens.  

I did quite a bit of research on the "inviting entrance" near the landmarks seen in this photo. The OPSIS Health Assessment marked the three trees as "significant" Oaks measuring 24", 20", and 24".  I measured them: all three were a minimum 30 inches ABH while standing on their roots. These Oaks are landmarks.  I fear the the middle landmark will be removed unless Council intervenes. I'm not positive they are Red Oaks. The foliage of  three Oaks looks different from the Heritage tree.

It's interesting four Oregon White Oaks are designated tree replacements.  For more information about the tree replacements.  READ MORE: 

UPDATED, 6/26/22: Redmond's Heritage Oak Tree

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The Oak Heritage Tree
Chris Weber, Arts Administrator next to trunk 
(click to enlarge)

Opinion:  Mayor Angela Birney's "Senior & Community Center" groundbreaking ceremony yesterday was fabulous.  After the ceremony, we walked to City Hall for a poster session and to meet *city staff, our elected and city leaders.  

We were asked to "vote with stones" for a building name we liked best. I recommended "Red Oak Senior Center" on one side and "Redmond Community Center" on the other side. I really hope it's the peoples' choice.  So, what's so special about "Northern Red Oaks" Quercus Rubra?

• They grow 300+ years and have been in existence 400 years.
• Excellent shade trees, beautiful fall colors.
• Tolerant to urban conditions, powerful winds, drought.
• They originated in England. Not native to the NW.  "Easy and comfortable to transplant." 
• Fast growing, 2 feet/year, the first 10 years
• Top off at 70 feet - 88 feet, round shape
• Diameter:  47 inches.

This Red Oak may have gotten it's start from a sapling, a transplant (or an acorn 😁 )  Construction at the site will yield 191 tree replacements; I hope some of the  replacements will be Red Oaks. Perhaps a grove could be planted with tables and chairs under the canopy?  Three other landmark Red Oaks are on the property.

The Heritage Tree is decorated with lights every year for the holidays.  A mayoral ceremony under the tree usually starts the Luminary Walk.  The tree is actually not on the Senior Center site. 

* SEEN:  Hank Myers, Hank Margeson, Vanessa Kritzer, Angela Birney, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Laura Lee Bennett, John Oftebro, Cherl Strong Magnuson, Rosemarie Ives, John Couch, Jessica Forsythe, Eric Dawson (project manager,) Zach Houvener, Loreen Hamilton (parks director.) Jim Kalelage (architect,) John Marchione, Sue Stewart, Chris Weber, Marty Boggs, David and Chip. 

Source:  https://localtreeestimates.com/northern-red-oak/

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, 6/3/2022

UPDATED OPINION: Redmond's Building Designs / 2050

Woodinville is designing some attractive buildings and open places for pedestrians and bicycles. These buildings are next to City Hall.  

Opinion:  A few, but not many, architectural designs of downtown Redmond buildings are "inspired by history." Unlike Woodinville, our City doesn't have an overarching design theme. Redmond's use of history for design is sporadic and unsupported by code. As a result, buildings don't always use the most appropriate materials and aren't visually connected. Wood, stone veneer and building art are uncommon. (Green scaping is more prevalent and welcome!)  The proposed RTC and Nelson Villages' are remaining places where an overarching design theme can be implemented.

Designs of the following projects were "inspired" by Redmond's past: 

"The Osprey" The applicant has a solid start in the design concept acknowledging the history of the region’s indigenous populations with its strong roof forms, reminiscent of the Haida house across the street in Dudley Carter Park, the City’s early timber industry with its choice of wood and stone material, and the City’s future as a modern technology hub with the building’s irregular shape and significant glazing."  (DRB)

"18th & 164th" project:  "The architectural design was inspired by the Cascades and the Nokomis Library of the early 1900's.  How the book stacks were organized and how books can be arranged on the shelf was inspirational to the Applicant in designing elevations." (DRB)

Will Redmond have an overarching design theme to build character into Town Center?  Is the theme underpinned with choices of required elements?   Below, find Woodinville's approach to design code describing their theme and underpinning elements.  

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The following analysis of Woodinville's Building Design and Details was found in their Design Review Committee Planning Commission memo:  

Senior and Community Center Groundbreaking Ceremony June 2nd! Read All About It!

 enlarge this video

Join your neighbors and our elected at the Senior & Community Center groundbreaking ceremony June 2, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.  Mayor Angela Birney will be holding the golden shovel!  After the ceremony community members are invited to meet up at City Hall.

Find anything and everything about the Centers HERE.

Source:  redmond.gov, 5/31/2022

Detention Tanks Safeguard Sammamish River, WLWB Exit Dangerous

In this image, notice the beginning of  the West Lake Sammamish Blvd. exit off of SR-520.  Do you see the beginnings of  light rail construction on the right?  The train will run right over the exit ramp. 

This exit was one of the most dangerous for me in Redmond for a while, especially at night.  The "fake" stop light, further down the sharp ramp was very misleading. Did this exit frighten you too?  Finally, it's fixed.

The video shows two points of interest.  

1)  As you drive east on SR-520, notice how close the rail is to the highway.  

2)  Orange stormwater detention tanks are densely massed together for a good reason; the Sammamish River is immediately below the filthy construction site.  Detention tanks "filter" contaminated sediment from construction runoff. 

Sound transit is a steward of our environment.  

--Bob Yoder, opinion/ Video Yoder, 5/29/2022

Redmond Square Apartment Construction In-sync With Light Rail

 Redmond Square Apartment & Light Rail  

Once complete, Redmond Square Apartments will offer 1,2,3 and 4 room apartments, rooftop activities and many other amenities.  

The two new 6 story buildings with approximately 623 dwelling units will be split by a narrow street (woonerf.)  The site is approximately 3.47 acres.  The Downtown light rail station is a block or two away.  Incredibly convenient.  

Approximately 30,120 square feet of commercial space is  proposed at the street level along Redmond Way, Cleveland Street and 166th Avenue NE. 

Legacy Partners partnered with a Chinese corporation to develop the project. 

Video / Yoder, 5/26/2022

King County Property Taxes Rise At 'Unprecedented' Rates; 2023Tax Hikes Likely

Property Value Data Released 5/13/2022

 "King county hasn’t yet determined next year’s 2023 property tax bills, but the hottest local housing markets are likely to see “a double-digit increase,” said King County Assessor John Wilson."

"The local market has taken off since early in the pandemic, spurred by a combination of few houses for sale, a flood of buyers taking advantage of low mortgage-interest rates, and a continuing influx of highly paid workers with stock options. That has driven up home prices across the region and worsened housing affordability. The median sale price for a single-family house in King County hit nearly $1 million last month."

-- By Heidi Grover, Seattle Times business reporter, 5/13/2022 (excerpted, edited)

Twin Six-story Apartment Building With "Pouch Porch" and "Woonerf"

Location:  AMLI:  Redmond Way & Avondale Way.  Adjacent McDonalds and Anderson Park; in the old Value Village mall. 

The applicant proposes the construction of two adjacent buildings, referred to as the “West” building and the “East” building respectively. The project includes a "pouch porch" dog run with space for hop scotch, 4-square and living green walls.  The applicant is proposing a woonerf on Avondale Way to safely connect the buildings.

Plantings and a green wall element were added along the ground level to enhance the pedestrian experience along the Redmond Central Connector. Two variations for the integration of planters and vertical green wall trellises are proposed to create visual interest along the concrete wall. 

The west building is a mix of residential and retail uses and varies in height ranging from five to seven-stories. 11,070 sf of commercial retail uses located along Redmond Way. On levels two through seven, there are 249 residential units. 237 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1

The east building is six stories and is a multi-family apartment building. Residential amenity space is provided at the ground level. On levels two through six, there are 127 residential units. 205 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1. 

A future elevated rail line is proposed south of the project as a part of the Sound Transit Downtown Redmond Link.

-- Design Review Board, April 2022

Message From The Mayor Of Woodinville: Development Continues Downtown

Mayor Angela Birney's monthly "Let's Connect" videos are well done, with staff interviews and a brief comment from the Mayor herself. Her last video was on sustainable gardening. 

The Mayor should consider a "Let's Connect" series on growth, infrastructure and development, as well. We need her compass.

The Harvest / Courtesy of the City of Woodinville

"Development Continues In Downtown Woodinville" by Mike Millman, Mayor

Woodinville Weekly, April 14, 2022

Three large developments:  Harvest, Eastrail Flats, and Molbak's Garden + Home

Two boutique hotels, 42-mile pedestrian trail, living roof surrounding greenhouses, restored Woodin Creek, bike lanes, 206 residential units, 63 for-sale townhomes, retail, grid roads.

King County Tax Increase Proposed To Preserve 65,000 Acres

The price of preserving 65,000 acres of natural lands, trails, farmlands, and urban green space in King County averages $22.00/year/ $700,000 assessed property. 
Photo, Seattle Times, 5/19/2022

Tax will also restore full funding of Conservation Futures
West Seattle Blog, May 19, 2022

OPINION:  King County proposed property tax increase ‘tone deaf’ against incredibly high cost of living facing families. 

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Thursday issued the following statement in response to a proposal from Executive Dow Constantine that would raise property taxes across King County:

“We cannot again raise taxes on King County residents who are already struggling to make ends meet. A new property tax in particular would raise costs for homeowners and renters alike, even as so many are more vulnerable than ever to losing their housing. Meanwhile, every King County resident is already feeling the financial pain of record-level inflation and the massive rise in gas prices — and there are many economic unknowns on the horizon including the significant risk of a recession. To add to this mounting list of financial burdens at this time is tone deaf.”

-- Press Release, May, 2022

Council Approves Mayor Birney's Director Appointments

 Redmond Appoints New Directors of the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments

Loreen Hamilton, Parks and Recreation Director

Redmond, WA – At last night’s meeting, the Redmond City Council approved Mayor Angela Birney’s appointment of Loreen Hamilton as the City of Redmond’s new parks and recreation director and Aaron Bert as the new public works director. 

“Loreen and Aaron are knowledgeable, energetic, and compassionate team players,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “Both have a passion for public service and leadership skills that will create positive outcomes for our Redmond community.”

Hamilton will immediately begin her new role as the Parks and Recreation Department director. She joined the City of Redmond in 2019 as the Events and Marketing Administrator and, in 2020, was promoted to deputy parks director. She has 12 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector as an executive director for The Salvation Army. Hamilton’s experience encompasses executive leadership, strategic planning, budget management, event and program planning, staff training, capital project management, and facility management. Director Hamilton holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Updated, 5/29: ATTENTION TREE HUGGERS: Council To Act On Neighborhood "Tree Regulations Update," June, 7th

 

Twenty-eight inch Significant tree too close to our house / photo Yoder

Redmond City Council will make a decision on the proposed "Tree Regulations Update," Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 7:00pm, City Hall. If you can't make it to their meeting to give testimony (4 minutes) email your comments to: MayorCouncil@redmond.gov. 

RESOURCES:  

Most of the improvements from the proposed updates are directed to large developments. For example, penalties are tripled for topping trees in native growth easements. And, replacement tree requirements for landmark removals are increased three-fold. Single Family Homes receive few benefits from the update. I've included some resources for assistance in sending comments to Council. Email: Council@redmond.gov.

ATTENTION:  PROPOSED TECHNICAL TREE REGULATIONS RELEVENT TO DEVELOPERS (RCZ 21.72) AND INCLUDING SINGLE FAMILY HOME REGULATIIONS, BELOW:   

1) Tree Replacement requirements for Single Family Homeowners:  For every "landmark tree" removed (MINIMUM 30 INCHES DIAMETER) three replacement trees are required. For every "significant tree" removed (6 inch diameter) one replacement tree is required. Minimum sizes for replacement trees shall be two-and-one-half-inch caliper for deciduous trees and six feet in height for evergreen trees.  

2) City of Redmond Residential Tree Removal Application. One heathy landmark tree may be removed every 365 days by deviation request and/or two "significant" trees may be removed every 365 days on a 10,000 sf lot.

Enforcement: All single family home permits are "enforceable" but are not enforced;  They have no teeth.  No fines, no penalties, no off-site planting or fee-in-lieu alternatives.   

3) Single Family Homeowners support the Tree Canopy Strategic Plan by monitoring canopy changes against a citywide target of 40% coverage over 30 years. 

Redmond's Tree Canopy by neighborhood:  January 2019  (dated, over three years ago.)

Rose Hill/Willows:  49.9%, Idylwood: 40.3%, Education Hill: 40%, Bear Creek: 38.5%, Grass Lawn:  37.6%, North Redmond, 36.5%, Overlake:  31.7%,  Downtown: 19.3%, Sammamish Valley: 17.2%, SE Redmond:  15.3%, Major deforestation in North Redmond. 

4) "The Director of Planning & Community Development may consider smaller-sized replacement trees if:  the applicant is a single-family homeowner applying for a tree removal permit and the homeowner will plant the replacement tree(s) versus hiring a contractor. In this case, the homeowner may request a waiver as part of the tree removal permit to have the size at installation of a deciduous replacement tree reduced to five-to-ten gallon sized trees. There is no waiver for size at installation for evergreen trees. The minimum size for evergreen replacements is six feet tall."

When is a tree removal permit required?

City of Redmond Residential Tree Removal Permit:  No permit fee.

-- Bob Yoder, 5/18/22

Questions?

Contact Cathy Beam, Principal Planner

cbeam@redmond.gov

425-556-2429