Agenda For Tonight's Laurelhurst Community Club Board Meeting

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) is holding its monthly Board meeting tonight at 7pm at the Laurelhurst Community Center in the Fireside Room.

Here is the agenda:

7:00
WELCOME

ADMINISTRATION
· Calls/Concerns from Neighbors
· Changes to the Agenda
· Announcements

7:15
REPORTS/ACTION
· Crime Prevention
· SR520 Update
· Mayor’s Neighborhood Summit Update 
· Burke-Gilman Multimodal Connector Project
· Metropolitan Park District—Should LCC reaffirm its position opposing formation of an MPD?
· Traffic/Pedestrian Safety Update

8:30
· Talaris Update (possible Executive Session)

9:00
Adjourn

Join Friends Of The Burke-Gilman Trail For Special Restoration Walk On Saturday





The community is invited to join Jim Corson of the Friends of the Burke-Gilman at Sand Point, a volunteer group  dedicated to restoring and preserving the trail, for a free Restoration walk on Saturday at 10am. 

Betsy, Board Member of the Northwest Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration, told us that Jim will be showcasing the restoration work the Friends group has engaged in the past few years, along the Rails to Trail project, which was opened in 1977 as a multi-use pedestrian and bike trail.  

 

The one mile walk will cover portions of the trail that are in restoration, were recently restored, and areas that were restored 3 years ago, and Jim will also discuss restoration techniques and challenges.

 

Friends of tbe Burke-Gilman Trail at Sand Point, formed in 2007, is "dedicated to clearing 2500 acres of Seattle Parks of noxious and non-native invasive plants and replacing them with native trees and shrubs, replacing many of the  dying or diseased trees, and reforesting many areas that have already lost their tree cover."

 

Their website says:

The greening of the Burke Gilman Trail at Sandpoint will create a pleasanter forest walk, run or bicycle ride. Increasing the number of native trees and shrubs will attract more birds, bats, insects, and perhaps small mammals. Increasing the number of plants will help to slow down global warming by sequestering carbon. Renovation of the Sandpoint section of the trail will provide an example of what other groups could do for the rest of the trail.

Friends of Burke Gilman Trail at Sandpoint works under the auspices of the Green Seattle Partnership. Green Seattle Partnership is a partnership of the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and Cascade Land Conservancy.  Green Seattle Partnership works with Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment.

For more information go here.

(photo courtesy of Friends website)

 

 

 

Participants can register here and then meet at the corner of NE 65th St and 58th Avenue NE. 

Community Support Needed For Burke-Gilman UW To UDistrict Trail Multi-Modal Connector

A Laurelhurst Blog reader sent us this information about the UW seeking community support for the Burke-Gilman Trail Multi-Modal Connector:

 

The University of Washington is seeking letters of support for their application for federal TIGER funds to fully-fund their Burke-Gilman trail replacement project. As you may know, the UW owns and operates the 1.7 miles of trail that run through its campus. This portion of the trail is known for being a bit challenging to all who use it - root damage, poor sightlines, tree-cover, over-crowding. With the new light rail station scheduled to open in the next two years, and with the proposed plans to add a bike/ped trail over SR 520, this trail is going to see a dramatic increase in use. The University expects an eventual 92% increase in pedestrians and 238% increase in cyclists over the next 15 years.

The Burke-Gilman Trail Multi-Modal Connector will better connect the trail to the U-District, solve the conflict and capacity issues on the current Burke-Gilman, improve safety and security, and accommodate our growing community. UW needs your help to secure this grant for the University of Washington and our community. One of the factors USDOT will consider in evaluating our application is whether there is clear public support for the project. Please take a moment to visit http://uw.edu/BGT to learn more about the project and to sign on as a citizen supporter. The University has provided the attached two documents that describe the project, and that describe how to write a letter of support.

Description of Project 

A guide to writing Letters of Support

 

This TIGER program is highly competitive, with only 4% of applicants nation-wide winning. Therefore, EVERY letter counts. For more information, please contact Betsey McLaughlin at the UW Transportation Services Department - 206-616-6685.

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Burke-Gilman New Trail Connection Preparation Underway This Week



Machine used for taking soil samples


The Hospital posted on its blog that geo-technical engineers will drill three soil samples this week on the Burke-Gilman trail in preparation for construction of the Burke-Gilman Trail connection at Hartmann this summer.

The Blog says:

On the first day,  the crew will take a sample of the soil in the area adjacent to the Burke-Gilman trail. They will access the location via the trail accompanied by two flaggers to alert walkers and cyclists.  

On the second day, workers will drill two core samples on the parking lot of the Hartmann building. The equipment will be unloaded at 7 a.m.; work will begin at 8 a.m. and finish by 4 p.m. on both days. 

The Bobcat utility vehicle used for this work is relatively light and equipped with rubber treads so there should be no damage to the trail surface. Our engineers are also coordinating with arborists to make sure that the drilling locations will not compromise the roots of the Sequoia tree(s).  

We expect minimal noise (about 75 decibels) from the Bobcat’s engine, and some periodic hammering noise (between 90 and 100 decibels).

The proposed new trail connection was discussed at last week's SAC meeting with several people during the public comment period, questioning why the specific location of the new connection, talking about destruction to the trail with the proposed connection, expense of the project as opposed to putting the connection elsewhere with much less cost, and no research carried out on other possible trail connections, other than the one the hospital is proposing.

Todd Johnon, VP of Development, responded in short that where they are proposing, right behind the Hartmann Building, will give the Hospital "control" of it. The connection includes a 300 square foot plaza with lights, path from Hartmann property leading up to the trail and several other features.

A woman from Friends of the Burke-Gilman Trail also spoke about her disappointment with the Hospital not communicating with her group at all during the process to let them know the location of the connection which was of utmost importance as the Group had received a City grant for new plantings at the exact location of the new connection.

The group has also recently spent numerous hours removing invasive plants, which was all for naught as the area they worked on will all be removed by the Hospital for the new connection.

Here is a previous blog post on the issue along with residents comments.

Children's Presenting Their Final Burke-Gilman Trail Connection Concept Tonight At SAC Meeting, Read Neighbor's Comments On Connection



The Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) will hold its 10th meeting tonight from 6-8pm in the Sound Cafe on the 7th floor.
 
The SAC is made up of representatives from Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods, chosen by Children's and the City, who advise the City and the Hospital on development that is occuring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan adopted by the City Council in 2010.

Tonight's agenda will include:

• Presentation of the final Concept for the Burke-Gilman Trail connection being developed on the Hartmann property. (Children's is required to build the connection, and make nearly $4 million on other transportation improvements in adherence to the Master Plan) 
• Public comment (6:35pm)
• Project update - Replacement housing
• Presentation of Children's Annual Report

For more information about the meeting, contact Steve Sheppard at 206-684-0302 or steve.sheppard@seattle.gov.
 
The Burke-Gilman Trail connection has been controversial for residents in both Laurelhurst and Bryant.
 
Some comments received were:

The plan entails taking about 2,000 square feet of park property. In addition, Initiative 42 prohibits the taking of park property for non-park purposes without some kind of a land swap and public process.

Todd Johnson, VP Development, Children's: The Burke-Gilman Trail/Sand Point Way NE Connection at Hartmann site, will continue to be fully available for public use and is  extended onto those portions of the connection that cross the Hartmann property owned by Children’s between the Trail and Sand Point Way NE. There is not an Initiative 42 issue here since the City is neither transferring park property to Children’s for non-park purposes nor changing the park and recreational use of the Burke-Gilman Trail.

The plan uses vegetated park land that is over time is getting smaller and smaller and I have concerns about the use of parkland to make the connection.  I am not sure if the connection will still be park property, as it seems it will be park property that has been converted to a non-park use.

Does Initiative 42 apply - will Children's own the connection to the trail or is ownership being transferred? Or is Children's paying for the trail access and not purchasing the land where the connection will be? 

The Friends of Burke-Gilman Trail have spent over 1,000 volunteer hours on this portion of the trail and it is my understanding that they were never contacted, even though they had received grants for additional vegetation. 

The connection will have a huge benefit keeping cyclist and pedestrians away from 40th ave NE and SPW.

And here is an email received from a nearby resident of the trail:

 

Subject: Building Hopes - Taking Parks?

Dear Laurelhurst Blog:

This past fall Seattle Children's Hospital presented a conceptual design for a pedestrian and bicycle ramp linking their Hartmann Site to Sand Point Way. In order for the ramp to connect to the Burke-Gilman Trail it must also cross city parkland. A community volunteer group, and both Bryant and Laurelhurst residents are opposing this ramp as it proposes to remove upwards of 50 trees and build huge concrete walls to shore up the hillside (mostly on park property). A volunteer group, Friends of the Burke-Gilman Trail Sand Point, is devastated because hundreds of hours of work removing weeds and planting native plants are going to be for nothing.

This isn't a NIMBY issue. It is really more about Children's stretching their influence onto public lands away from the main hospital campus. It is also an issue about good public policy, leveraging private dollars where they will do the most use, and protecting the Burke-Gilman Trail as our city's green ribbon.

Children's did hold a couple of open houses (not really public meetings) where they showed off slight various to one design. There was nothing really to comment on. No alternative sites were considered or shown. Since it was Children's open house none of the conceptual designs clearly, accurately showed parkland, and how much of the ramp really was taking trees on parkland. While Children's sent postcards advertising the open houses, nothing was mentioned about taking parkland. If you walked or rode along the trail today you would not see any signs, notices, or banners telling passersby that a big concrete ramp is proposed for this location.

Children's staff believes that they have gone through all the applicable planning processes and now they have a right to construct this ramp. Yes since December some changes were made to the design so that it does not remove so many trees, but the fact remains that a private concrete ramp will be built on public parkland. Children's hasn't offered any data on how many people might use this ramp, costing at least $600,000, but information from their master plan points to somewhere around 40 bike riders and maybe the same amount of walkers per day. This is very little change from the amount of bike riders who current commute to Children's. Is it worth removing public parkland and open space for so little benefit? 

Where are better locations? One is about 900 feet to the north, another with a little work just 100 or so feet to the west, and another about 600 feet to the west. All of these would not remove trees or green space like exists along the Hartmann Site. Why not put the cost of the ramp where it can be leveraged into improvements which support the entire community - not just Children's employees?
 

It is interesting that this issue popped up now. Starting this year the Burke-Gilman Trail enters into its 40th year of existence. On February 9, 1973 the city came to agreement with the Burlington Northern Railroad to buy the right-of-way. The city has made many improvements to the trail in the intervening years. However Seattle has changed. It has become more dense and will become denser. Citizens value other ways of getting to work. As a result there are threats to the Burke-Gilman. Encroachments are one threat. For example going eastward from UW to NE 65th Street there are a least ten or so spots where someone has built stairs, a ramp, or gate onto the Trail. So what's the issue? These are private connections to the Trail which take away from general public use. They also make the Trail a little bit less useful. Think of Aurora Avenue and how there are so many driveways. Can you drive safely along Aurora without worrying about cars pulling out in front? No. This is what could happen to the Burke-Gilman Trail if all property owners put in their own ramps, gates, paths. This is also why Seattle Children's should not be allowed to construct their Hartmann Site ramp. It just establishes a really bad precedent.

The Burke-Gilman Trail is actually owned by three institutions: Seattle Parks and Recreation; the University of Washington; and the Seattle Department of Transportation. North of the city King County owns another portion which extends to Woodinville. A few plans exist which call for long-term improvements or maintenance of the green open space. However these plans are fragmented, not coordinated. In late 2012 the University of Washington looked at their portion of the trail and developed a great master plan. King County also studied their portion of the trail through Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore. A key task in both of these plans are the tasks to remove connections, not add them. After 40 years it seems time for the city to take a more coordinated and regional approach to how the Trail and areas along the Trail should be developed. For example a couple of years ago a developer proposed a condo project to the southwest of the Hartmann Site. At three or more stories it would have created one more wall just like the Blakeley Place condos east of 25th Avenue NE. Also take note that within a couple of months a new lease agreement will likely allow a fiber optic cable to remain under the Trail. Is the city getting enough revenue from this? Is this the future we want along our public green ribbon?

Children's is preparing to open their new hospital wing within the next month. Their ad campaign it is called "Building Hope". It is admirable all the work Children's does to advance the health of children. That's their mission. They have also done the right thing, been the good neighbor on their recent expansion, for example buying out the Laurelon Terrace condo owners, but again their mission is medicine and pediatric health not community development. So why do they need to take public parkland? I for one don't want to remember them as "Building Hope - Taking Parks".

View And Give Input On Proposed Burke-Gilman Connection Trail Options From Behind Hartmann Building



Children's Hospital has just posted 2 options (one pictured above) for a new trail link that will provide access to the Burke-Gilman from the  Hartmann property where Sand Point Pediatrics is located. 

Ideas and comments for the new trail connection were collected at an open house last month for the new connection and as we posted about yesterday the options will be shown and discussed at tomorrow's open house in Gould Hall at the University of Washington from 10-2pm..

Children's is required to build the connection in adherence to the Master Plan adopted by the City Council in 2010. The trail should be complete by late this year.

All ages are welcome and kids’ activities will be provided, including free bike helmets with complimentary fitting and free kids bike safety inspections.

The new connection will:

• provide ADA access to new Sand Point intersection at 40th Avenue NE
• remove diseased trees with new native trees
• remove invasive non-native species from the property (public and that owned by the Hospital)
• provide ongoing maintenance of Hartmann building connection with the trail (currently maintained by Friends of Burke-Gilman Trail)

Go here for more information on the Livable Streets Project.

Children's Hosting Open House Saturday To View Final Bike/Ped Burke Gilman Connection Plan, Free Bike Helmets And Kids Activities As Well

 

This Saturday from 10-2pm, Children's Hospital is hosting an open house to view the final concept plan on a proposed bike/pedestrian connection to the Burke-Gilman Trail, as part of Seattle Children’s master planning process.
 

All ages are welcome and kids’ activities will be provided, including free bike helmets with complimentary fitting and free kids bike safety inspections. 
 

The open house will be held at Gould Hall on the University of Washington campus, 15^th Avenue and NE 40^th Street.

 

Go here for more information on the Livable Streets Project.

 

NE 65th Street Magnuson Park Connection Open House Meeting Tonight

Tonight from  6:30-8 p.m Seattle Department of Transporation (SDOT) and Seattle Parks and Recreation are having an open house for the public to learn about the proposed new bicycle and pedestrian improvement to connect Magnuson Park and the Burke-Gilman Trail.   

There will also be updates on the Headwaters, Off-Leash area wetlands, Lakeshore Drive parking, central wetland and shoreline improvements and the combined sewer overflow project.  . 

Here is more information:

SDOT is proposing a project to create a more family-friendly connection between the Burke-Gilman Trail and Magnuson Park on NE 65th Street—a bike lane on NE 65th. To make this connection today, people on bicycles must either ride in the street, which is not comfortable for all types of riders, or on the sidewalk, which affects pedestrians.  

The proposed cycle track would be on the south side of NE 65th Street between the trail and Sand Point Way.  SDOT is also proposing a number of pedestrian improvements at the intersection of NE 65th Street and Sand Point Way to provide more waiting area, such as new pedestrian curb ramps, and shorter crossing distances of NE 65th Street.

The meeting will take place in the Garden Room at the Magnuson Brig, 6344 NE 74th Street.

For those who are unable to attend tonight's meeting, SDOT will be repeating the same open house presentation and taking questions on Wednesday.

For more detail and history with maps and graphics on the NE 65th Street Magnuson Park connection project go here and for questions or comments contact SDOT at walkandbike@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-7583.

CIty Seeking Artist For Burke-Gilman Trail Artwork Project

                
                                                                          
The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), is looking for an artist or artist team to develop a permanent, multi-site outdoor artwork at two to five select points along the Burke-Gilman Trail.

The call is open to artists and artists teams, residing in Washington state.

Applications are due no later than 11 p.m., Monday, August 1st.

The City will work with the winning artist to choose specific locations for the artwork, which will be located along the stretch of the trail from the wooden bridge near 35th Avenue Northeast along the trail to Magnuson Park.
..
The information says:

Each part of the installation will enliven its location on the trail and collectively create a larger cohesive artwork. The artwork will identify the trail as a connector through the city and add an element of discovery to peoples’ experience on the trail.

The artist will coordinate with staff at SDOT, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs to select sites and develop the artwork.  The budget is $80,000, inclusive of all costs to design, fabricate and install artwork.

Developed on the site of the former Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway, the Burke-Gilman Trail was one of the first “rail trails” developed in the United States. The original 12.1 miles of the trail were dedicated in 1978.  At 13.9 miles within the city today.

The Burke-Gilman Trail is a popular corridor used for both recreational and commuter purposes. More than 3,000 cyclists per day have been counted on the trail during the warm-weather months. The trail traverses a diverse section of Seattle.  Along the trail’s route are residential areas; the University of Washington; views of Lake Union, the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Puget Sound; and industrial and maritime areas.  SDOT recently extended the trail from Fremont to Golden Gardens Park, ending with a dramatic view of the sound.  Beyond the Seattle city limits, the trail connects to the Sammamish River Trail as part of the King County Trail System. 

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in communities throughout Seattle.  The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.

For more information or questions contact Jason Huff, public art project manager, at (206) 684-7278.

(photo courtesy of City website)

Sheriffs Patrolling Parts Of Burke-Gilman Trail Through Labor Day

If you're a frequent user of the Burke-Gilman Trail, you may have noticed King County Sheriff deputies out patrolling parts of the trail.

They are providing trail users, ranging from bicyclists, pedestrians, runners, skaters, and others, with information about keeping everyone safe - conduct rules, posted speed limits, leash laws and other rules.

If a deputy sees a  violation, such as exceeding the 15 mph speed limit, alcohol use or not following pet laws, you could be issued a warning or a fine.

Sheriff’s deputies will be handing out copies of the trails code of conduct, which you can also find here.

The enhanced enforcement and safety program will continue through Labor Day on selected portions of the Burke-Gilman trail as well as parts of the Sammamish River trails, both part of the Regional Trail System, at a cost of about $20,000 which is funded through the King County Parks budget.

(photo courtesy of King County Parks website)