During the past SNA meeting on January 26, neighbors discussed the merits of a proposal to amend the Samish Neighborhood Plan. Samish neighborhood is just east of our South neighborhood on the other side of I-5.
As a result our South Neighborhood Association submitted the following comments to city council:
The South Neighborhood Association asks Council to please not docket the Padden Creek Trails rezone. Overall density in that area should not be increased.
The Padden Creek Trails property is 113 acres of rugged steep slopes with wetlands in the valleys and ravines. There is some confusion because the staff summary of the proposal to be docketed states the allowed density would be increased from 20,000 sq ft per unit to 6,250 sq ft per unit, or 787 units allowed on the 113 acres, while a copy of the docket application proposes 8,000 sq ft per unit or 615 units allowed. Padden Creek Trails has permits to build 220 units at this time.
We have learned from Sustainable Connections smart growth and green building conferences, and from the Planning Department's planning academy, that brown field development is smart growth and that green field development is not. We need high density multi family housing in the City core and urban villages. Residential neighborhoods at the edge of the City should be low density transitions to very low density outside the city. High density multi family housing at the edge of the City would also dilute the market for that type of housing and delay development where we need it in the Water Front District, urban core, and urban villages. Planning Department staff and resources should be focused on City Core and urban village infill.
Sustainable development provides housing to people where they can live without owning cars. Padden Creek Trails is so isolated most people who live there would rely on cars. High density multi family housing at the edge of the City would make effective transit services even more difficult than it already is in Bellingham.
The Padden Creek Trails development is a large cul de sac that would be a nightmare for residents trying to get out and for emergency services trying to get in if there is a fire, or if the predicted high impact earth quake blocked the only access road.
Another very important reason not to approve higher density at this location is the traffic impact. The "stair step" road from the Fairhaven Parkway freeway exchange uphill toward Lake Padden is already inadequate. The addition of 2000 trips daily from the already permitted development will likely overwhelm it and would choke the Fairhaven Parkway freeway exchange. Any increase in density would make the traffic that much worse.
Increased density is a bad idea from an environmental point of view. At this time Padden Creek Trails property provides clean runoff in both the Padden Creek water shed and the Chuckanut Creek water shed. The Partnership for Puget Sound has identified as one of its highest priorities preserving water sheds in order to protect the Puget Sound and its tributaries. Run off from roads is polluted by motor vehicles. Run off from buildings and chemically managed landscaping is damaging to wetlands, creeks and the Sound. Increased density would result in more vehicles, more pet waste and more chemically managed landscaping. Current storm water management requirements are not sufficient to prevent water born pollution from leaving the site.
There are good things that could result from a rezone if it did not include increased density. We support the use of flexible (tool kit) housing types. A new plan would be subject to the Critical Areas Ordinance. It would be good if affordable housing could be provided. It may decrease development costs and therefore the cost of housing. For these reasons we would support docketing if the proposal was not for increased density. Please do not docket the Padden Creek Trails rezone request for increased density.
The Padden Creek Trails property is 113 acres of rugged steep slopes with wetlands in the valleys and ravines. There is some confusion because the staff summary of the proposal to be docketed states the allowed density would be increased from 20,000 sq ft per unit to 6,250 sq ft per unit, or 787 units allowed on the 113 acres, while a copy of the docket application proposes 8,000 sq ft per unit or 615 units allowed. Padden Creek Trails has permits to build 220 units at this time.
We have learned from Sustainable Connections smart growth and green building conferences, and from the Planning Department's planning academy, that brown field development is smart growth and that green field development is not. We need high density multi family housing in the City core and urban villages. Residential neighborhoods at the edge of the City should be low density transitions to very low density outside the city. High density multi family housing at the edge of the City would also dilute the market for that type of housing and delay development where we need it in the Water Front District, urban core, and urban villages. Planning Department staff and resources should be focused on City Core and urban village infill.
Sustainable development provides housing to people where they can live without owning cars. Padden Creek Trails is so isolated most people who live there would rely on cars. High density multi family housing at the edge of the City would make effective transit services even more difficult than it already is in Bellingham.
The Padden Creek Trails development is a large cul de sac that would be a nightmare for residents trying to get out and for emergency services trying to get in if there is a fire, or if the predicted high impact earth quake blocked the only access road.
Another very important reason not to approve higher density at this location is the traffic impact. The "stair step" road from the Fairhaven Parkway freeway exchange uphill toward Lake Padden is already inadequate. The addition of 2000 trips daily from the already permitted development will likely overwhelm it and would choke the Fairhaven Parkway freeway exchange. Any increase in density would make the traffic that much worse.
Increased density is a bad idea from an environmental point of view. At this time Padden Creek Trails property provides clean runoff in both the Padden Creek water shed and the Chuckanut Creek water shed. The Partnership for Puget Sound has identified as one of its highest priorities preserving water sheds in order to protect the Puget Sound and its tributaries. Run off from roads is polluted by motor vehicles. Run off from buildings and chemically managed landscaping is damaging to wetlands, creeks and the Sound. Increased density would result in more vehicles, more pet waste and more chemically managed landscaping. Current storm water management requirements are not sufficient to prevent water born pollution from leaving the site.
There are good things that could result from a rezone if it did not include increased density. We support the use of flexible (tool kit) housing types. A new plan would be subject to the Critical Areas Ordinance. It would be good if affordable housing could be provided. It may decrease development costs and therefore the cost of housing. For these reasons we would support docketing if the proposal was not for increased density. Please do not docket the Padden Creek Trails rezone request for increased density.
Thank You,
South Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
Also, we have been contacted again by 30th St. residents who report a cougar is still in the area.
Please contact the police, at 911, if you witness any cougar sitings. Thanks!--
South Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
Also, we have been contacted again by 30th St. residents who report a cougar is still in the area.
Please contact the police, at 911, if you witness any cougar sitings. Thanks!--
