Friday, March 20, 2009
THIS BLOG HAS MOVED
Lots is happening! Please see us at our new site... http://www.pointwells.wetpaint.com/
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Make sure you are heard!
Please do not put it off. Write letters or e-mails clearly stating what your specific concerns about the Point Wells project are and why, and identify yourself. Letters can be addressed to the City of Shoreline, the Richmond Beach Community Association and/or the Snohomish County Council, but copies should go to all parties involved.
City of Shoreline (Attention: Joe Tovar, Planning Director and Steven M. Cohen, Senior Planner), 17500 Midvale Avenue N., Shoreline, WA 98133, schon@shorelinewa.gov; jtovar@shorelinewa.gov
Snohomish County Planning Commission (Attention: Steve Skorney, Project Manager, Planning and Development Services), 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201, 425-452-331. steve.skorney@co.Snohomish.wa.us
Richmond Beach Community Association (Attention: Ed Adams), Box 60186, Shoreline, WA 98160, www.richmondbeachwa.org; ed.adams@macmiller.com
Bob Ferguson, King County 1st District Council Member, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104. 206-296-1024, fax 206-296-0198. bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov.
Paramount Northwest (Attention: Mark Wells) mwells@ppcla.com
City of Shoreline (Attention: Joe Tovar, Planning Director and Steven M. Cohen, Senior Planner), 17500 Midvale Avenue N., Shoreline, WA 98133, schon@shorelinewa.gov; jtovar@shorelinewa.gov
Snohomish County Planning Commission (Attention: Steve Skorney, Project Manager, Planning and Development Services), 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201, 425-452-331. steve.skorney@co.Snohomish.wa.us
Richmond Beach Community Association (Attention: Ed Adams), Box 60186, Shoreline, WA 98160, www.richmondbeachwa.org; ed.adams@macmiller.com
Bob Ferguson, King County 1st District Council Member, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104. 206-296-1024, fax 206-296-0198. bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov.
Paramount Northwest (Attention: Mark Wells) mwells@ppcla.com
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Point Wells prime topic at February General Meeting
A spirited discussion of the Point Wells project dominated the February General Meeting of the Richmond Beach Com¬munity Association. Joe Tovar, Planning Director for the City of Shoreline, spoke and responded to questions from the approxi¬mately 75 people who attended, although some questions do not yet have answers.
Tovar stated that both the City of Shoreline and the Town of Woodway are interested in annexing the Point Wells property. However, annexation would hap¬pen only if the property owner, Paramount Northwest, wishes it to happen. The prop¬erty lies in Snohomish County, and would remain there, even if it were to be annexed by Shoreline. It is not unprecedented for a city to extend across two counties. Scope of project questioned
Snohomish County states that the property is appropriate for mixed urban use, and has drafted a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS), which will be published in March. Their Comprehensive Plan Amendment would change the site from “Urban Industrial” to “Urban Center.” The current version, a 646-page document, is available through the City of Shoreline website: http://shore-linewa.gov/index.aspx?page=176.
Paramount’s initial proposal was for 1400 residential dwellings. However, their rezoning application to Snohomish County indicated the project might include up to 3500 residential dwellings, a population of 6400, between 60,000 and 70,000 square feet of commercial space (largely of¬fice), and additional retail space. This is an increase of two to three times what Paramount initially estimated. Mark Wells, a rep-resentat ive f rom Paramount, said these are the company’s theoretical numbers, which they included in their application to cover the absolute maximum, but they are not necessarily planning that the development will be that large. The project is in its very early stages, and it will be some time before all legal requirements have been resolved. Plans have yet to be drawn up. A cleanup of the site to make it safe for construction would also be time-consuming.
Fire, police and ambulance service a concern.
Emergency service to the development was discussed extensively. If the property is annexed by Woodway, that town would be responsible for fire, police, and am¬bulance coverage. However, there is no quick access to Point Wells from Woodway, and because of the steep, 250-foot-high embankment between them it is unlikely that a road could be put through to di¬rectly connect them. Emergency vehicles would have to reach the property from Richmond Beach Road, which would be a time-consuming trip.
Two of Woodway’s concerns are that the development might block views, and it might emit enough light to pollute their dark evenings—both of which are prized by residents and add to property values.
If the property is annexed by the City of Shoreline, Shore¬line would assume emergency service. Currently, EMTs from Shoreline or King County are not authorized to go into Snohomish County. The five residences in the unincorporated area are now served only by Snohomish County EMTs.
County taxes from the property would go to Sno¬homish County, but city taxes would go to whichever city annexes it. How¬ever, tax revenue is not the main con¬cern for Shoreline. Whichever city annexes the property could draft regulations to control the height and extent of the project, but this could not be done if the property were to be developed prior to any annexation.
Increased traffic a major issue
A second major issue is the traffic impact on the Richmond Beach community. Currently, Richmond Beach Road is rated as underutilized; with the addition of a 4-way stop light at the intersection of 15th NW, traffic experts say it could handle significantly more traffic. Residents might feel otherwise. The addition of a Sounder station at Point Wells might pos¬sibly alleviate some of the traffic.
The Snohomish County Council held a meeting on February 24 in which the project was to be discussed. A number of items were planned to be covered in the meeting, and there was no assurance how much time would be spent on Point Wells. Unfortunately, this newspaper was at the printer by that time—too early to provide coverage of the meeting, and too late to no¬tify those who would have liked to attend. For news regarding that meeting go to the Snohomish County or RBCA web sites.
Richmond Beach does not have the funds for legal representation, and there is no assurance that the City of Shoreline will have the same concerns as we at Richmond Beach do. It is vital that residents make their views known. We need to present a strong, coordinated voice to the Snohomish City Council, stating the views of Richmond Beach residents. There is still some limited time for public input after the February 24th meeting, but the exact cut off date for public comment is a little uncertain, so the sooner you act, the better.
Richmond Beach News - Point Wells Project update
Richmond Beach Community News
Box 60186
Shoreline, WA 98160
Visit Richmond Beach at:
www.richmondbeachwa.org
Tovar stated that both the City of Shoreline and the Town of Woodway are interested in annexing the Point Wells property. However, annexation would hap¬pen only if the property owner, Paramount Northwest, wishes it to happen. The prop¬erty lies in Snohomish County, and would remain there, even if it were to be annexed by Shoreline. It is not unprecedented for a city to extend across two counties. Scope of project questioned
Snohomish County states that the property is appropriate for mixed urban use, and has drafted a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS), which will be published in March. Their Comprehensive Plan Amendment would change the site from “Urban Industrial” to “Urban Center.” The current version, a 646-page document, is available through the City of Shoreline website: http://shore-linewa.gov/index.aspx?page=176.
Paramount’s initial proposal was for 1400 residential dwellings. However, their rezoning application to Snohomish County indicated the project might include up to 3500 residential dwellings, a population of 6400, between 60,000 and 70,000 square feet of commercial space (largely of¬fice), and additional retail space. This is an increase of two to three times what Paramount initially estimated. Mark Wells, a rep-resentat ive f rom Paramount, said these are the company’s theoretical numbers, which they included in their application to cover the absolute maximum, but they are not necessarily planning that the development will be that large. The project is in its very early stages, and it will be some time before all legal requirements have been resolved. Plans have yet to be drawn up. A cleanup of the site to make it safe for construction would also be time-consuming.
Fire, police and ambulance service a concern.
Emergency service to the development was discussed extensively. If the property is annexed by Woodway, that town would be responsible for fire, police, and am¬bulance coverage. However, there is no quick access to Point Wells from Woodway, and because of the steep, 250-foot-high embankment between them it is unlikely that a road could be put through to di¬rectly connect them. Emergency vehicles would have to reach the property from Richmond Beach Road, which would be a time-consuming trip.
Two of Woodway’s concerns are that the development might block views, and it might emit enough light to pollute their dark evenings—both of which are prized by residents and add to property values.
If the property is annexed by the City of Shoreline, Shore¬line would assume emergency service. Currently, EMTs from Shoreline or King County are not authorized to go into Snohomish County. The five residences in the unincorporated area are now served only by Snohomish County EMTs.
County taxes from the property would go to Sno¬homish County, but city taxes would go to whichever city annexes it. How¬ever, tax revenue is not the main con¬cern for Shoreline. Whichever city annexes the property could draft regulations to control the height and extent of the project, but this could not be done if the property were to be developed prior to any annexation.
Increased traffic a major issue
A second major issue is the traffic impact on the Richmond Beach community. Currently, Richmond Beach Road is rated as underutilized; with the addition of a 4-way stop light at the intersection of 15th NW, traffic experts say it could handle significantly more traffic. Residents might feel otherwise. The addition of a Sounder station at Point Wells might pos¬sibly alleviate some of the traffic.
The Snohomish County Council held a meeting on February 24 in which the project was to be discussed. A number of items were planned to be covered in the meeting, and there was no assurance how much time would be spent on Point Wells. Unfortunately, this newspaper was at the printer by that time—too early to provide coverage of the meeting, and too late to no¬tify those who would have liked to attend. For news regarding that meeting go to the Snohomish County or RBCA web sites.
Richmond Beach does not have the funds for legal representation, and there is no assurance that the City of Shoreline will have the same concerns as we at Richmond Beach do. It is vital that residents make their views known. We need to present a strong, coordinated voice to the Snohomish City Council, stating the views of Richmond Beach residents. There is still some limited time for public input after the February 24th meeting, but the exact cut off date for public comment is a little uncertain, so the sooner you act, the better.
Richmond Beach News - Point Wells Project update
Richmond Beach Community News
Box 60186
Shoreline, WA 98160
Visit Richmond Beach at:
www.richmondbeachwa.org
3/3/09 Post Snohomish County Council Meeting Email to RBCA
March 3, 2009
Hi All,
The Snohomish County Council meeting was held but the Point Wells rezone was not concluded this eve. The eight members present voted five to three in favor of the rezone but a sixth vote for the change is required for it to pass. They will have to wait until the next meeting and it seems very likely it will pass.
The Point Wells folks (Steve Olenbach – sp?) were visibly frustrated with the Council. They wanted a pass this eve and also they had presented the County Council with a 15 Million dollar transportation mitigation plan which the Council hadn’t acknowledged.
WHAT WAS CLEAR FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS:
-The council hopes to:
1) Give the owners of Point Wells assurance and certainty that they will be able
to develop the property so they can begin the
clean up (estimated at 20 – 30 Million dollar project).
2) Develop this land as mixed use and fulfill their comprehensive plan - all
county council members see this as a jewel and in
concert with their long range growth plans.
3) Include the Edmonds and Woodway planning goals in the process and partner with
them.
-This is not a prototypical urban center and in order to rezone it the location must be in close proximity to high capacity transit services like a major highway, Rail Line, Bus route, etc. This is required by Policy 383 of the “existing” comprehensive plan rules.
-Puget Sound Rail had considered putting a Sounder Station at Point Wells sometime in the distant future – post 2025 at a cost of 30 to 40 Million dollars.
-A few council members have been frustrated to see that nothing has been done with Point Wells over the past 27 years and they wish to right that wrong.
-They are currently conducting a programmatic “non-project” based look at this area which means there is no specific plan set out from the Point Wells owners yet.
-Possible payment to Shoreline for inter-jurisdictional roadway agreement(s) and mitigation.
-A recreational use marina was an important to the final outcome.
-This will all likely take place 20 to 30 years down the road.
WHAT REMAINED UNCLEAR WAS:
-Which set of comprehensive plan rules apply? The existing ones or the newly proposed ones?
-Can any smaller or different project occupy this space and succeed financially given the cost to clean up and mitigate traffic?
I requested a copy of the minutes and will share them when they become available.
Jack
Hi All,
The Snohomish County Council meeting was held but the Point Wells rezone was not concluded this eve. The eight members present voted five to three in favor of the rezone but a sixth vote for the change is required for it to pass. They will have to wait until the next meeting and it seems very likely it will pass.
The Point Wells folks (Steve Olenbach – sp?) were visibly frustrated with the Council. They wanted a pass this eve and also they had presented the County Council with a 15 Million dollar transportation mitigation plan which the Council hadn’t acknowledged.
WHAT WAS CLEAR FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS:
-The council hopes to:
1) Give the owners of Point Wells assurance and certainty that they will be able
to develop the property so they can begin the
clean up (estimated at 20 – 30 Million dollar project).
2) Develop this land as mixed use and fulfill their comprehensive plan - all
county council members see this as a jewel and in
concert with their long range growth plans.
3) Include the Edmonds and Woodway planning goals in the process and partner with
them.
-This is not a prototypical urban center and in order to rezone it the location must be in close proximity to high capacity transit services like a major highway, Rail Line, Bus route, etc. This is required by Policy 383 of the “existing” comprehensive plan rules.
-Puget Sound Rail had considered putting a Sounder Station at Point Wells sometime in the distant future – post 2025 at a cost of 30 to 40 Million dollars.
-A few council members have been frustrated to see that nothing has been done with Point Wells over the past 27 years and they wish to right that wrong.
-They are currently conducting a programmatic “non-project” based look at this area which means there is no specific plan set out from the Point Wells owners yet.
-Possible payment to Shoreline for inter-jurisdictional roadway agreement(s) and mitigation.
-A recreational use marina was an important to the final outcome.
-This will all likely take place 20 to 30 years down the road.
WHAT REMAINED UNCLEAR WAS:
-Which set of comprehensive plan rules apply? The existing ones or the newly proposed ones?
-Can any smaller or different project occupy this space and succeed financially given the cost to clean up and mitigate traffic?
I requested a copy of the minutes and will share them when they become available.
Jack
March 9 2009 Draft City of Shoreline CPA for Point Wells
DRAFT 3/9/09 draft
Point Wells Subarea Plan
Point Wells is an unincorporated island of approximately 100 acres in the
southwesternmost corner of Snohomish County, bordered on the west by Puget
Sound, on the east by the Town of Woodway (shown in yellow on Fig. 1), and on the
south by the City of Shoreline (shown in blue on Fig. 1). The island is bisected
roughly north-south by the Burlington Northern Railroad (B.N.R.R.) right-of-way.
The only vehicular access to the lowland portion of this island (shown in purple on
Fig. 1) is to Richmond Beach Road and the regional road network via the City of
Shoreline. There is a small segment of Richmond Beach Road within the corporate
limits of the Town of Woodway, however, that segment does not connect to any other
public road in Woodway.
The upland portion of the Point Wells Island (shown in white on Fig. 1) does not have
access to Richmond Beach Road due to very steep environmentally sensitive slopes
that separate the upland portion from the lowland portion. However, the upland
portion does have potential easterly access through the Town of Woodway via 238th
St. SW.
All of the Point Wells Island was previously designated by the City of Shoreline as a
“Potential Annexation Area” (PAA). The Town of Woodway, and Snohomish County,
have previously identified all of the Point Wells unincorporated island as within the
Woodway “Municipal Urban Growth Area” (MUGA). The Washington State Court of
Appeals, in a 2004 decision, determined that the overlap of Shoreline’s PAA and
Woodway’s MUGA does not violate the provisions of the Growth Management Act.
Upon a review of the topography and access options for Point Wells documented in
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued by Snohomish County in 2009, the
City of Shoreline no longer wishes to include the upland portion of this
unincorporated island within its designated urban growth area. Because of the
upland portion’s geographic proximity and potential for direct vehicular access to the Town of Woodway, the City of Shoreline concludes that the upland portion should be exclusively within the Town of Woodway’s future urban growth area. Any people
living in future developments in the upland portion of the Point Wells Island would
feel a part of the Woodway community because they would share parks, schools,
and other associations facilitated by a shared street grid.
Applying the same rationale to the lowland portion of the Point Wells Island, the City of Shoreline wishes to reiterate and clarify its policies. These lands all presently connect to the regional road network only via Richmond Beach Road in the City of Shoreline. Any enhanced governmental services to future redevelopment of this
area could only be provided by the City of Shoreline and its public safety partners,
the Shoreline Fire Department and Shoreline Police Department. Neither Snohomish
County nor the Town of Woodway now provide police, fire, parks, code compliance,
or utility services to the lowland areas, nor have they indicated their interest or ability to provide such urban services in the future.
The City of Shoreline will not issue street cut or right-of-way permits to any utility district to increase the capacity of water or sewer to unincorporated urban
development north of the city limits. Because the City of Shoreline, the Shoreline
Police Department and Shoreline Fire Department have all stated they will not
provide urban governmental services to more intensive development outside the city
limits, the City opposes the designation by Snohomish County of Point Wells as an
Urban Center. A development of such magnitude is inappropriate regardless of the
governing jurisdiction.
At such time as these lands annex into the City of Shoreline, they would immediately
receive urban levels of police and fire protection, as well as the full range of other local governmental services, including land use and development permitting and
code enforcement, access to parks, recreation and cultural services, and public
works roads maintenance. Any future businesses or residents of the lowland portion
of Point Wells would become a part of the broader Richmond Beach and Shoreline
communities by virtue of the shared parks, schools, libraries, shopping districts and
road grid.
The future geometry and operation of Richmond Beach Road to Point Wells is a major issue for the City, regardless of the ultimate uses or jurisdictions involved in the development of that property. The City wishes to improve safety for local resident traffic as well as pedestrians and will identify appropriate measures to mitigate the traffic impacts of any future development at Point Wells, including but not limited to improvements to road segments and intersections.
The City continues to support a mix of land uses at Point Wells, including but not
limited to residential, retail, restaurant, office, service and recreational uses. A public access trail should be provided and appropriate signage installed along the entire Puget Sound shoreline and secured with an appropriate public access easement
document. Building size and placement should be evaluated and approved pursuant
to an adopted Master Development Plan with particular attention paid to creation of
public views to the Sound, building and site design standards to minimize off-site
visual impacts. The maximum number of dwelling units, building height, and
maximum floor area of commercial uses should be set forth in a pre-annexation
zoning document prepared with the input of the property owner, the City’s public
safety partners, the Town of Woodway, Snohomish County, and the Richmond
Beach Neighborhood. The Shoreline Planning Commission should conduct public
hearings on the proposed pre-annexation zoning document and provide a
recommendation to the Shoreline City Council.
Interjurisdictional Coordination
The City should work with the Town of Woodway to identify ways in which potential
future development in the lowland portion of Point Wells could be configured or
mitigated to reduce potential impacts on Woodway. Access to Point Wells waterfront
should be afforded to both Shoreline and Woodway residents by bicycle and
pedestrian facilities.
Point Wells Subarea Plan
Point Wells is an unincorporated island of approximately 100 acres in the
southwesternmost corner of Snohomish County, bordered on the west by Puget
Sound, on the east by the Town of Woodway (shown in yellow on Fig. 1), and on the
south by the City of Shoreline (shown in blue on Fig. 1). The island is bisected
roughly north-south by the Burlington Northern Railroad (B.N.R.R.) right-of-way.
The only vehicular access to the lowland portion of this island (shown in purple on
Fig. 1) is to Richmond Beach Road and the regional road network via the City of
Shoreline. There is a small segment of Richmond Beach Road within the corporate
limits of the Town of Woodway, however, that segment does not connect to any other
public road in Woodway.
The upland portion of the Point Wells Island (shown in white on Fig. 1) does not have
access to Richmond Beach Road due to very steep environmentally sensitive slopes
that separate the upland portion from the lowland portion. However, the upland
portion does have potential easterly access through the Town of Woodway via 238th
St. SW.
All of the Point Wells Island was previously designated by the City of Shoreline as a
“Potential Annexation Area” (PAA). The Town of Woodway, and Snohomish County,
have previously identified all of the Point Wells unincorporated island as within the
Woodway “Municipal Urban Growth Area” (MUGA). The Washington State Court of
Appeals, in a 2004 decision, determined that the overlap of Shoreline’s PAA and
Woodway’s MUGA does not violate the provisions of the Growth Management Act.
Upon a review of the topography and access options for Point Wells documented in
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued by Snohomish County in 2009, the
City of Shoreline no longer wishes to include the upland portion of this
unincorporated island within its designated urban growth area. Because of the
upland portion’s geographic proximity and potential for direct vehicular access to the Town of Woodway, the City of Shoreline concludes that the upland portion should be exclusively within the Town of Woodway’s future urban growth area. Any people
living in future developments in the upland portion of the Point Wells Island would
feel a part of the Woodway community because they would share parks, schools,
and other associations facilitated by a shared street grid.
Applying the same rationale to the lowland portion of the Point Wells Island, the City of Shoreline wishes to reiterate and clarify its policies. These lands all presently connect to the regional road network only via Richmond Beach Road in the City of Shoreline. Any enhanced governmental services to future redevelopment of this
area could only be provided by the City of Shoreline and its public safety partners,
the Shoreline Fire Department and Shoreline Police Department. Neither Snohomish
County nor the Town of Woodway now provide police, fire, parks, code compliance,
or utility services to the lowland areas, nor have they indicated their interest or ability to provide such urban services in the future.
The City of Shoreline will not issue street cut or right-of-way permits to any utility district to increase the capacity of water or sewer to unincorporated urban
development north of the city limits. Because the City of Shoreline, the Shoreline
Police Department and Shoreline Fire Department have all stated they will not
provide urban governmental services to more intensive development outside the city
limits, the City opposes the designation by Snohomish County of Point Wells as an
Urban Center. A development of such magnitude is inappropriate regardless of the
governing jurisdiction.
At such time as these lands annex into the City of Shoreline, they would immediately
receive urban levels of police and fire protection, as well as the full range of other local governmental services, including land use and development permitting and
code enforcement, access to parks, recreation and cultural services, and public
works roads maintenance. Any future businesses or residents of the lowland portion
of Point Wells would become a part of the broader Richmond Beach and Shoreline
communities by virtue of the shared parks, schools, libraries, shopping districts and
road grid.
The future geometry and operation of Richmond Beach Road to Point Wells is a major issue for the City, regardless of the ultimate uses or jurisdictions involved in the development of that property. The City wishes to improve safety for local resident traffic as well as pedestrians and will identify appropriate measures to mitigate the traffic impacts of any future development at Point Wells, including but not limited to improvements to road segments and intersections.
The City continues to support a mix of land uses at Point Wells, including but not
limited to residential, retail, restaurant, office, service and recreational uses. A public access trail should be provided and appropriate signage installed along the entire Puget Sound shoreline and secured with an appropriate public access easement
document. Building size and placement should be evaluated and approved pursuant
to an adopted Master Development Plan with particular attention paid to creation of
public views to the Sound, building and site design standards to minimize off-site
visual impacts. The maximum number of dwelling units, building height, and
maximum floor area of commercial uses should be set forth in a pre-annexation
zoning document prepared with the input of the property owner, the City’s public
safety partners, the Town of Woodway, Snohomish County, and the Richmond
Beach Neighborhood. The Shoreline Planning Commission should conduct public
hearings on the proposed pre-annexation zoning document and provide a
recommendation to the Shoreline City Council.
Interjurisdictional Coordination
The City should work with the Town of Woodway to identify ways in which potential
future development in the lowland portion of Point Wells could be configured or
mitigated to reduce potential impacts on Woodway. Access to Point Wells waterfront
should be afforded to both Shoreline and Woodway residents by bicycle and
pedestrian facilities.
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