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Notes for Summer SLSA Meeting
July 24, 2007
The special summer meeting of SLSA (South Lake Sammamish Association) was called to order at 7:05 by David Bangs (chairman). The meeting was held at the home of Becky Stenzel in Meerwood.
In attendance from SLSA neighborhoods were: David Bangs (Chair of SLSA); Joan Probala (Vice-Chair of SLSA); Becky Stenzel (Secretary of SLSA); Debbie Smith (Sammamish Crown Condos SLSA rep); Melody Scherting (Sammamish View Association); Carolyn Bader (SE 42nd Street resident); Doris Ong (Greenwood Point resident); Margie Nelson (Greenwood Point resident); Craig Kinzer (SE 42nd Street resident), Susie Carney (South Cove resident), Jean Fitzgerald (SE 42nd Street resident), Rod Putney (South Cove), Steve Balkman (NW Samm Rd), Stuart Johnson (South Cove), Sandy Ruggles (Sammamish Beach Club), Deb Freng (SE 42nd Street), and Caleb Tarleton (Sammamish View).
Featured speakers from the City of Issaquah were Bob Brock (Director of Public Works/Engineering) and Gary Costa (Transportation Manager Public Works/Engineering). They outlined a study currently underway regarding transportation issues on West Lake Sammamish Parkway/NW Sammamish Road:
1) Currently underway is a $15,000 “needs assessment” study, which is an independent study regarding roads in our area. The area studied extends from Lake Sammamish State Park to Lakemont Boulevard. Prior to the 7/24/07 SLSA gathering, they have met with Gary Thede (Sammamish Beach Club) and other residents (Caleb Tarleton and David Bangs) to get input. The study results will be presented to the City Council in draft form and then will be published for review.
2) The needs assessment study included traffic counts on arterials and interior streets, and site distance assessments (i.e. distance required to stop at intersections and on roadways). Brush and landscaping obscure some areas, creating hazards.
3) The study may recommend widening NW Sammamish Road to include a 12 foot multi-purpose pathway. The pathway would include a five foot landscaping area, bike and pedestrian paths, plus a curb. Ideally the bike lane would be nearest the freeway (typically bike lanes are five feet, but it would have to be narrower due to the wall against the freeway). The study is considering three lanes, including a center turn lane. Given the narrow roadway, three lanes may not be possible, as there are steep grades north of the road in some areas west of the state park, including steep driveways to individual homes in this area. All new improvements would be on the north side of the road. (The existing bike lane adjacent to the freeway would remain, acting as a required shoulder). All of the preceding description is open for consideration, but the city may propose much more modest improvements, depending on feasibility and cost and right-of-way issues.
5) A list of potential projects to address the numerous deficiencies on this roadway will be presented by September to the City Council in order for them to be considered in the City’s Capital Improvement Program.
6) The committee is considering street lights along NW Sammamish Road, specifically at 184th and 186th Avenues SE and at SE 51st Street to enhance safety at these intersections.
7) The earliest design phase of any improvements would be in 2008.
8) Budget discussions will occur in October and November, with appropriate Capital Improvement Program budget recommendations by the City Council to be made by December. Minor improvements along the roadway could be approved prior to any major re-design or improvements.
9) Any approval by City Council for these types of budget items will more likely be considered if SLSA and individual residents speak collectively.
10) There was discussion about coordinating any state park renovations with these proposed roadway improvements. Bob Costa suggested that the state would have separate road mitigation issues that will occur at a later date.
11) A radar speed sign is to be installed soon in the 5100 block of NW Sammamish Road, along with a “shared road” sign for improving safety for bicyclists.
12) There was discussion of traffic calming devices in neighborhoods. Criteria for the city to provide them is that the 85th percentile speed must exceed the speed limit by 10 miles per hour (based on a sample of 100 vehicles). There was some confusion as to how this is calculated. At any rate, were we to meet the requirements 70% of the neighborhood has to agree by petition to the city to install a traffic calming device.
13) The committee will present a draft of the study to City Council, and will then provide a copy to us (early September). We can then provide input to the City Council directly.
14) Call Gary Costa (425-837-3443) or Bob Brock (425-837-3405) with roads issues at any time.
15) With regard to code enforcement (i.e. illegal parking, semi-trucks on roadway shoulder, cars for sale, etc.), call Michele Forkner (425-837-3107), who is the code compliance officer.
16) Any future improvements will not be bundled together in an “all or nothing” situation. Rather, individual recommendations can be approved and funded prior to any major improvements.
17) The traffic synchronization program in the city will be completed by the end of the year.
18) The city intends to set up cameras at intersections which are problematic, enabling automatic ticketing of violators.
SLSA Issues Discussed:
1) Doris Ong (dorisong@cbba.com) and Margie Nelson (scott-margie@comcast.net), both (Greenwood Point residents, are "issue owners" regarding their interest in improving the appearance of fencing and landscaping along 188th Avenue SE. They will be forming a committee to explore possibilities of this enhancement. Craig Kinzer has not approached the city regarding his median on 188th idea. He feels there is not sufficient room for both a median and landscaping elements along the sidewalk. Discussion followed about the effect on parking and bicyclists. Joan Probala reported that the city just passed a new landscaping code which should be researched.
2) Regarding road noise along Interstate 90, the state indicates there is no funding to implement any of the recommendations they might have regarding noise from Bellevue to North Bend. Melody Scherting will follow this “issue” (mscherting@comcast.net).
3) For the Fall 2007 meeting of SLSA, we agreed to invite Issaquah City Council candidates (4 positions will be open), since we for the first time will be voting for these Issaquah positions. Joan Probala will contact candidates and research a venue large enough to hold such a gathering.
The meeting ended at approximately 9:00 PM.
These meeting notes were compiled by Becky Stenzel
