South Lake Sammamish Update

Every year on the third weekend of September, South Cove, Meerwood and Greenwood Point homeowners associations host a combined, multi-neighborhood garage sale.

The associations will advertise our event in local newspapers and provide directional signage.

To join in the fun, just put out your stuff and provide some local signage so buyers can find your sale. Or - just go shopping!

The city council is expected to approve an interlocal agreement with King County on October 2nd which will result in the transfer of King County parks and open spaces here to the city by the end of the year.

The agreement will result in the transfer to Issaquah of Meerwood Park, Timberlake Park, Sammamish Cove park and the Lewis Creek open space. No money will change hands, but the city must promise to maintain these properties or "equivalent properties" as parks equally available to city and non-city residents.

Sammamish Cove Park consists of undeveloped meadows adjacent to the state park. This property is specifically restricted in that it cannot be used for active recreation (such as sports fields) because it was originally purchased by the county with an "Open Space" grant.

The agreement states that the city must take into account the role of the Meerwood Homeowners Association in maintaining Meerwood park.

This issue will next be discussed by the city council Services Committee, which meets on September 20, 5:00 p.m. City Hall/Police Station in the Eagle Room. Agenda bill #5532, which contains all the details, is expected to be referred to the full council for approval on October 2nd.

In July, many neighbors were startled to learn that a home in our area was slated to be converted to office building use. This was possible only because of an inadvertent change in zoning that occurred when our area was annexed to Issaquah.

Many neighbors responded by contacted the city and expressed opposition to such office conversions. As a result, the homeowner withdrew his application, and the city acted quickly to correct the zoning problem.

According to planning director Mark Hinthorne, the City Council approved a code amendment at its August 21st meeting which removes Office as a permitted use for lots zoned SF-SL (Single Family-Small Lot) in our part of the city. Offices can still exist within homes when certain conditions are met, including that the office use is accessory to the residential use of the dwelling by the primary practitioner.

Thanks to homeowner Melody Scherting for raising this issue and leading us to action. Thanks also to homeowner William Gevers for voluntarily withdrawing his permit application. Mr. Gevers wrote the following letter.

The King County Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), which had silently taken effect for Lake Sammamish shoreline in 2005, expired upon our annexation to Issaquah. To comply with state law, the city is now working on drafting a new CAO.

The goals of the CAO will be to protect Lake Sammamish water quality, which is threatened by phosphorous and chemical run-off, to improve habitat for salmon and other wildlife, and to reduce danger from flooding.

The city is attempting to draft a CAO which protects the lake environment while fully considering the realities of existing suburban development. Notably, Issaquah's entire shoreline is already developed with the exception of three vacant lots.

While the county had imposed a 130 foot building set back, the city recognizes that existing homes are typically just 50 feet from the water. So, the city considering a plan which would establish a 35 foot buffer from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) plus a 15 foot building setback from that buffer. In the case of new development, homeowners would be required to leave the buffer in a natural state and planted with native vegetation. Existing homeowners would be grandfathered, but could be asked to perform buffer "improvements" as mitigation for certain permit applications, such as bulkhead or dock changes or home expansion.

Some homeowners, such as me (David Bangs), have expressed the concern that such regulations could turn out to be inflexible and frustrating for homeowners while also taking a very long time to improve the lakeshore. So, planning department director Mark Hinthorne agreed to hold a couple of meetings with a group of lakeshore homeowners to discuss alternative ideas, such as education, assistance and incentives to encourage lakeshore improvements.

The city has is committed to involving effected homeowners in this process. All lakeshore residents will receive mailings notifying them of upcoming public meetings. The city hopes to have the new CAO adopted by the end of March 2007.

If you have questions, feel free to contact David Bangs (425-957-9733), for a homeowner's perspective, or Mark Hinthorne (425-837-3085), for the city's perspective.

The city has completed resurfacing of several roads in our area. The work went very smoothly, and the results are great. 2.5" of additional pavement should really strengthen these roads. No further overlay work is scheduled for this year.

The city has also been working on cleaning and improving drainage systems. The most visible work has been in Meerwood Park, where Public Works and Operation removed some trees and performed grading. According to Senior Water Resources Engineer Kerry Ritland, this was done to "take care of some long-deferred stormwater maintenance (overgrown trees in a drainage swale and over a culvert end)." As a result, Meerwood Park has become a bit more scenic. Is that a stream along the forest edge?

Sammamish Crown Condominiums (located just above the roundabout) has been working hard to complete the sale of a table top size piece of our property to WSDOT. We must have notarized signatures from 80% of the homeowners...just a couple more to go!

When this is done, WSDOT can complete the concrete sidewalk at the base of the hill above the roundabout. The current asphalt sidewalk is temporary. The new sidewalk will be safer and more accessible. In addition, designated funds for a public hearing for the sale of our property (which we waived) can be converted to funds for improving the landscaping around the current concrete barrier so that it will be more visually appealing.

Issaquah's Channel 21 allows most city residents with cable service to watch city council meetings and other city-specific programming. However, until now, our area's cable system has been connected the Bellevue signal.

Comcast has told SLSA chairperson Gary Thede that they will be able to switch our area over to the Issaquah system this month, as early as this week. In order to make the switch, they are doing some trenching to physically connect our system to Issaquah's. This has been delayed by permit and engineering issues.

As a result, the Seattle Channel will soon be replaced by Issaquah City TV (ICTV).

ICTV and the cable TV franchise in Issaquah are overseen by the volunteer Cable TV Commission.

The City Council has approved the placement of a $6.2 million park bond on this November's ballot. The bond would be used to purchase open-space and natural areas near creeks and streams, as well as renovate parks and build more trails.

Area residents Gary Thede, Terry Todd, and David Bangs served on the Citizens Advisory Task Force that held a series of meetings and accepted public input to consider this proposal.

The task force was charged with considering the advisability of launching a $6.25 Million city-wide park bond, and suggesting how the money should be spent. It turns out that there are a lot of worthwhile projects and $6.25 Million doesn't stretch very far. Surveys show that if the bond were larger it would be unlikely to be approved.

This bond will mostly be used to obtain key pieces of land before it is too late. By acquiring parcels along Issaquah creek, Issaquah is seeking to develop a downtown park and creekside trail. Other land acquisitions are required to preserve hiking trails and wildlife corridors on Squak mountain. Such investment is possible now and can help preserve and enhance the quality of life for all residents. A neighborhood park for the Talus development is also seen as a priority.

$1.1 Million, or about 18% of the bond has been allocated specifically for sports field improvements. This is mainly meant to cover drainage, restrooms, and other improvements at the soccer fields at Issaquah Highlands. That work is clearly needed!

Soccer groups are asking for more of the proceeds be allocated to new or improved soccer fields. However, no options to acquire additional land for sports field development have been identified. Many proposed improvements to existing fields are expensive and controversial. For example, lighting is usually opposed by neighbors, and costly astroturf needs to be removed and replaced every few years. This bond won't and can't solve the soccer field shortage.

The City Council will meet Monday night to discuss the allocation of bond proceeds.
Agenda: www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/Agendas.asp?AMID=1131

"Listening To Issaquah"
ECONOMIC VITALITY OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2006
5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM
PICKERING BARN
1730 10^th Avenue

A city-supported task force is drafting a strategic plan for Economic Vitality for Issaquah’s future. Economic vitality is a community’s capacity to be economically competitive, resilient, and attractive to private and public enterprise. A community with economic vitality enables its citizens to enjoy jobs in balance with a quality of life that sets the standards for long-term sustainability. The task force is composed of Issaquah residents, government representatives, educators, and business people. Task force members want to hear from Issaquah residents and businesses about your vision and thoughts for Issaquah’s economic future.

Please come to a community open house on September 27 at the Pickering Barn, from 5 to 8 pm, to discuss your own ideas on economic vitality with task force members, and your neighbors and colleagues.

For more information, please contact Joe Meneghini, Deputy City Administrator at joem @ ci.issaquah.wa.us; 425-837-3025

Sept 27, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Design Your Yard, Naturally
King County Library Administration Building
960 Newport Way

This workshop will help you create an attractive yard using healthy, natural techniques and materials. Doug Rice, co-host of Yard Talk, will assist you in reshaping your own outdoor space into a yard that is attractive, fits your lifestyle, is safe for family and pets and brings you great pleasure.

Sponsored by the King County Solid Waste Division, which encourages natural yard care to reduce waste and keep our waters clean by reducing the use of chemicals.

Sign up by Sept. 22nd by calling (425) 282-5885 or via e-mail: register @ naturalyardcare.com .

This did not turn out to be a safe year for recreation on Lake Sammamish. One accident hit particularly close to home, as teen Chandler Balkman, of the Sammamish View neighborhood, was hit by his family boat on August 3rd. As a result, Chandler's leg was amputated.

Chandler's family has set up a website to keep family, friends and well wishers up to date with Chandlers progress. Our heart goes out to Chandler and his family and we ask you to keep him in your thoughts and prayers in the hope of a speedy recovery.