South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails Neighborhood Association

 

November 13, 2001

 

Jessica Greenway called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.

 

Announcements

 

  • Deirdre Johnson announced McTeacher night on Nov 14 at the McDonalds. Proceeds go to RHE.
  • Street is planned to be open along 124th south of 60th.  Part of ‘Bridle Rose Trail’. Properties being developed
  • New reporter for Kirkland Courier Mary Thurber

 

Neighborhood Connection Grant Program

 

Jessica introduced Kari Page, Kirkland Neighborhood Coordinator, to describe the Neighborhood Connection Grant Program suggestions submitted. (See attached materials).

 

Kari discussed the action plan (handed out) developed from the September 25th workshop.  The city received 75 action requests. Our neighborhood is in the top 3 in terms of ideas submitted.

 

Some actions can be done within existing programs in the city.  Some other ideas were identified (see handout).

 

Examples:

 

Snyder’s Corner- not part of the park master plan, but will be ultimately developed.  The scotch broom has been cleared out.  3 issues with this property:  It is Kirkland property but it is the drainage for BT shopping center; it is physically located within the City of Redmond; King Co also has influence. 

 

Neighborhood traffic control—many ideas are things that can be done within existing programs, but so many it will take awhile. 124th 126th, 128th

 Avenues are ideas identified.  The city will have a neighborhood open house on this topic.  All 3 streets have speeds that qualify, but some are on primary fire routes.

 

Large Capital Projects

 

  • Parks suggestions
  • Road improvements
  • 132nd Ave- not widen, but add bike lanes

 

Small Capital Projects

 

Comments included the following:

 

Idea suggestions total $59,900- we need to get to $25,000

 

Don’t combine bus stop locations on list.  Mention Sound Transit improvements on NE 85th—possible funding source.

 

Plants- look at compromise size to not block views.

 

Signs- some signs have been removed over the years.  What is the status?

 

Do we want to have the sign locations compete against each other? Maybe make locations less specific or leave the option open for other locations.  Jessica argued for having them compete so that residents can choose the most important location by voting. Kari is asking the city council for up to 2 signs come out of existing sign budget.

 

Flashing crosswalk-- approach Redmond and School District to help fund the project.  Add the comment that it would provide access to the Junior High.

 

Other ideas:

 

  • Improve Bridle Rose trail- 60th to 70th. Alternative:  put barrier(s) to stop through traffic. Likely around 65th. PSE easement creates a complication. Improving the trail was sent in as a suggestion and should have been on the list of projects. It will be included in the projects that are voted on.
  • Ben Franklin representatives suggested this as part of safe walkway program- 2nd tier of project priorities.
  • 80th crosswalk placed wrong at 126th.  Probably on safe walk routes.

 

  • Put list of project ideas onto web site.

 

Deadline for revisions/new ideas- end of November. Please contact Kari Page.

 

Kirkland Honda application

 

Honda dealer has applied to expand north into residential area.  This runs counter to NE 85th corridor study.  NRHNA representatives, Linda Jones and Mary Alyce Burleigh, made a presentation and answered questions. The previous rezone was approved, but this decision created blight (and excess light) into the neighborhood.  Now Honda wants more space.  They purchased house to the north—would the neighborhood support?  A task force was formed.   It met with city staff to outline concerns- sales tax loss etc.  Steve Tindall is on the task force for our neighborhood.   The group met with the city manager and council members.

 

Issues:

  • Policies on expansion by dealers
  • No guarantee for the future, if Honda leaves
  • Traffic count to be performed

 

There will be a meeting on Nov 29 to hear dealer’s viewpoints.

 

The Dealer has been a good neighbor for the most part, so we need to work through this issue.

 

Steve Tindall-- RHBT will support NRHNA in their position.   Issues include the transit lane in front of Honda dealer west to I-405.  If a 3rd lane is created in front of the Honda dealer, then they will likely need additional parking.

 

Neighborhood Association Ideas

 

Jessica reviewed the neighborhood association ideas previously submitted and tallied the votes that had been received.

 

She then asked for comments and volunteers.

 

  • Put transfer station and state parks under ‘land use’.
  • Add to transportation- keep abreast of regional projects- I-405 for example.  Bridle Trails Community Club meeting will be held on Thursday night to discuss the I-405 project from 7-9 pm. 
  • Suggest make this a topic for January meeting.

 

 The following volunteers were identified:

 

  • Steve Tindall- NE 85th
  • Bruce Feuling, Ray Schlienz- Transfer Station
  • Deirdre Johnson- add to safe school routes
  • Jessica Greenway, Heidi Schorr- I-405
  • Lorraine Trosper, Imeria Schuler- traffic volumes and speeds
  • Skinny Streets Program (minimize impervious surface)- Kim Kacoroski (822-4927)
  • Water tower earthquake proofing - Bill Anderson.
  • Youth involvement- Heidi Schorr
  • Signal at 124th – Laura Seitz

 

Preservation of Trees

 

Denny Schorr came to the executive committee meeting to indicate his concerns over this issue.  The tree issue relates mostly for development issues.  City requirements make this problem worse.   We need to check development guidelines. The 3rd meeting of the tree management focus group (Ellie Moon) will be held on 11/14.  Bridle Trails (Bellevue) is working on a city ordinance on this topic.  Residents can also call code enforcement.  (Bill Anderson: put number on web site).  Call police on weekends if needed.  It was suggested that we ask for a moratorium on tree cutting (topic not followed up on). Need education about unwarranted fears about trees.  The city offers a site assessor to come and give a site perspective.  We can also get in touch with developers and understand their needs relating to lot size, profitability, etc. 

 

Reports and Updates:

 

  1. Houghton Transfer Station- nothing new.
  2.  NE 85th Street- Comp plan has been approved.  The next step is zoning.
  3. Mailbox Moving Project- Jessica encourages neighbors between 70th and 80th on 132nd to contact her regarding the process to move mailboxes to the Kirkland side of the street.
  4. Kirkland Tree Project- The city has hired and arborist is working on developing a natural resources management plan, which includes trees.
  5. Safe School Routes- Meeting in December.  126th and 130th Avenues are moving ahead.
  6. Central Park Tennis- No report.
  7. Treasurers Report- a report was provided.  We are applying for 2002 grant with similar topics. It was moved and seconded by neighborhood members that the neighborhood association apply for the city neighborhood grant to fund the same projects as in 2001, which consist primarily of mailing meeting announcements to neighborhood residents. Approved unanimously.
  8. Transportation- Nothing new added.
  9. KAN- various land use issues are being discussed. Neighborhood “U” happening.
  10. NRH Neighborhood Plan- Open house will occur in two weeks. Ken to provide information to Bill for broadcast email.
  11. Planning Commission- There are 3 openings on the Planning Commission. Neighborhood representatives are encouraged to apply.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Donald Samdahl, Secretary