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Notes for March 12, 2008 SLSA Meeting
The first 2008 meeting of SLSA (South Lake Sammamish Association) was called to order at 7:10 by David Bangs (chairman). The meeting was held at the home of Becky Stenzel in Meerwood.
In attendance 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 SLSA rep); Eileen Hotchkiss (alternate Sammamish Beach Club SLSA rep); Deborah Parsons (Greenwood Point SLSA rep); Wayne Eddy (Weatherwood SLSA rep); Mary Victory (Meerwood SLSA rep); Kristi Wanner and Scott Hofer (Meerwood residents); Doris Ong, Margie Nelson, Kathy Magner, and Fernando DelValle (Greenwood Point residents); Dawn Matte and Connie Espe (South Cove residents); and Deb Freng (SE 42nd Street resident).
1) Our featured speaker was Joan Probala, SLSA Vice-Chair, local realtor and city activist extraordinaire (!) who provided materials from the City of Issaquah regarding two subjects:
A) A "Tree Preservation Amendment Review" currently underway in the city to amend the city codes regarding tree protection. Most of the proposed changes to the code relate to new development rather than existing developments like the South Lake Sammamish area. (Individual home owners may now remove up to three "significant" trees per year from a developed single family without a permit--subject to individual HOA regulations--"significant" being defined as at least 30 feet tall and more than six inches in diameter at chest height). The city encourages residents to attend a Town Hall Meeting regarding this issue on Tuesday March 18th at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Eagle Room at the City Hall Police Station.
B) A Central Issaquah Sub-Area Plan currently underway by the Planning Department regarding approximately 900 acres of commercial zoned property which forms the central commercial area of Issaquah (excludes downtown Historic Issaquah). Several public forums have been previously held and the Planning Department has drawn up sketches based on prior public input. There will be an Open House on Wednesday March 19th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Pickering Barn with the sketches and preliminary land use alternatives on display so that the public may review and comment. The City encourages public input and feedback on the preliminary ideas to be presented on Wednesday. This is a long term plan, a "vision" of what the future of Issaquah should be, with guidelines to be formed regarding height restrictions, density, open space, etc. which will encourage consistency of new development in the future. (It will augment the zoning code and the comprehensive plan already in place.)
C) Joan reported that Swedish Hospital has purchased land at the Issaquah Highlands and is proceeding with plans to construct a hospital there. It will be a state-of-the art facility to serve Issaquah and the Plateau and areas beyond. A decision about whether to keep the existing emergency room facility near our neighborhood has not been made at this point.
2) SLSA officers were re-nominated and re-elected to serve for 2008. Officers are David Bang (Chair), Joan Probala (Vice-Chair), and Becky Stenzel (Secretary).
3) Neighborhood reps were confirmed.
4) The SLSA budget was discussed. There is currently $484.20 in the "coffers", and there is no plan to ask for additional contributions until such time as it is needed. SLSA will again contribute $200 to the annual ice cream social held in Meerwood Park in August (August 18, 2008 is the date this year).
5) Lake Sammamish Parkway improvements were discussed. Gary Thede is the "issue owner" regarding this subject, but was not in attendance at the meeting. David Bangs commented that the city's wish list for improvements has inherent difficulties (due to the steep slope into individually owned driveways in some areas), and the city may be considering doing a bike trail and extensive pedestrian improvements on the Newport Way side of I-90 rather than on the north side near our neighborhood. Connie Espe volunteered to help Gary on this issue and would like Gary to contact her.
6) Doris Ong and Margie Nelson presented a conceptual drawing of a possible type of entry sign to the South Lake Sammamish neighborhood. They have decided to approach the signage portion of their 188th Ave SE "beautification" issue first and tackle the fence/uniformity/appearance issue thereafter. There was discussion about how to fund such a sign, who would pay, where would the sign(s) be located, which subdivisions would be named, etc. Doris will pursue determining the costs of signage and report back at a future date.
7) Kathy Magner, Greenwood Point HOA president, said that she has seven volunteers who will work on cleaning up the Greenwood Point fenced/barked areas along 188th. If anyone else would like to volunteer, there will be a meeting at her home on Wednesday March 19th at 7:00 PM (address is 4111 187th Avenue SE - the last house before Meadowbrook Point).
8) The annual South Lake Sammamish Ice Cream Social (Monday August 18, 2008) was discussed. Mary Victory (Meerwood) is the organizer. She commented that she needs additional staff to help out with the event. Meerwood has previously paid for the bulk of the event, despite the fact that it is for the entire community. Costs have escalated as more recreational activities are added to the event and more people from the overall community attend.
9) The city will be installing a sculpture within Meerwood Park as part of its arts financing. Joan Probala said the city would like suggestions of what type of sculpture should be commissioned, and where it should be placed within the park.
10) There was a reminder of the annual South Lake Sammamish garage sale, to be held June 6-7 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
11) Per Joan Probala, former mayor Rowan Hines, a proponent of the SE Bypass which was voted down recently by the current city council, wishes to survey the community regarding transportation issues. David Bangs suggested that he use the SLSA website to contact area residents to participate in any survey.
12) "Issue Owners" were confirmed. They are:
Lake Sammamish Parkway walkway/bike path: Gary Thede and Connie Espe
188th Ave SE "Beautification": Doris Ong and Margie Nelson
Lake Sammamish State Park Improvements: Joan Probala and Gary Thede
Critical Areas Ordinance & Shoreline Management: David Bangs
City of Issaquah Tree Ordinance: David Bangs and Joan Probala
Art (Sculpture) for Meerwood Park: Joan Probala
Annual Events--South Lake Sammamish Day (ice cream social) + annual garage sale: Mary Victory
13) Our next meeting will be held in May. Wednesday nights seem to be a good night, except the first Wednesday when the South Cove board meets. Becky Stenzel will coordinate a date.
We need a volunteer from the reps to host the next meeting!! If everyone would take a turn, it would only happen every few years!! Please e-mail Becky Stenzel if you would be willing to have the next meeting at your home.
Minutes compiled by Becky Stenzel, SLSA Secretary.
