Firewood on the Move

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Updated: September 1, 2010

A homeowner in Broadview heard a loud crash 10:30 AM on 2nd and NW 105th. Investigating the sound the owner finds a firewood delivery truck in the yard. The truck was delivering wood across the street. The driver was not inside the truck when it started rolling across the street, crashing through the fence and hitting the house.

The homeowner feels sad that her antique birdbath was between the home and the truck but feels very lucky that no one was hurt.

Alert: Proposed Change to Seattle Tree Regulations

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Updated: September 2, 2010

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development issued proposed new protection and development regulations on July 14, 2010.  Recently I attended a DPD presentation to Seattle Great City, where the city presenters reviewed their study which showed the on-going loss of tree canopy in Seattle. The proposal—an update of the city’s existing tree regulations—is aimed at increasing Seattle’s total tree cover from 22.9 percent to 30 percent by 2037. Tree loss has been especially bad in predominantly low-income areas like Southeast Seattle. In the Broadview-Bitter Lake sector, the tree canopy loss was reported to have increased 0 – 2% from 2002 to 2007.  The bright green areas often reflect the increase planting and growth of street trees in the right of way.

Summarizing an excellent article in the Seattle news website, Pubicola.com, the proposal would:

  • Require people who tear down existing houses or build new ones to get a specific number of “tree credits” by preserving existing trees or planting new ones. The tree credit system would also apply to institutional buildings in single-family zones.
  • Require land owners in multifamily and commercial zones to meet so-called Green Factor requirements for planting or keeping trees (another complicated formula, this one aimed at retaining trees, which you can read about here).
  • Make it easier for developers to get exceptions to land-use rules if it means preserving an exceptional (very old or large) tree. Currently, getting land-use exemptions to save old trees can add as much as six months to permitting for a project.
  • Eliminate the requirement that land owners preserve all exceptional trees. A “permanent exceptional tree protection requirement would be extremely burdensome for the few people who actually have exceptional trees because it would allow no flexibility to manage trees that may outgrow their space or prevent light access, gardens, or other uses and would be a major incentive to cut trees before they grow to become exceptional,” the city’s tree report says.
  • Additionally, the city is considering: Requiring developers to get a “maintenance bond” to ensure that they actually plant trees at new developments, and allowing homeowners to contribute to a new tree fund instead of planting or keeping trees.

The proposal is not supported by many on the City’s appointed Urban Forestry Commission, who think the proposal is too weak, too complicated and will not adequately protected at large and Exceptional, heritage trees. We recommend you read the full the article, see the graphics and excellent discussion in the Publicola website on 8/25/10- here’s the link:

 http://www.publicola.net/2010/08/25/seattle-wants-to-make-cutting-down-trees-more-complicated/.

 Here’s a link to the proposed DPD regulations:

 http://www.publicola.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/dpdp019340.pdf

 The City is hosting an open house on the proposed changes on September 21st at the Bertha Landes Room of City Hall, (open house is 5:30 – 7:30,  with the presentation starting at 6:00 pm.)

Linden Design Update

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Updated: August 30, 2010

On August 20 the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) project team for the Linden Avenue N Complete Street project held an open house at the Bitter Lake Community Center to update the community on the latest version of the design for the street improvements. Project manager Connie Zimmerman and project design engineer David Vijarro described changes added to the project based on feedback from the design open house in  2009.

 The changes include:

  • Placed both bicycle lanes on the east side of the street, buffered from traffic. This is new to Seattle but is used successfully in other cities.
  • Added a sidewalk on the west side of Linden between N 128th St. and N 130th St., for better access to the Interurban Trail at N 128th St.
  • Added a crosswalk between the Bitter Lake Community Center and the east side of Linden at N 131st St, for access to the stores in the shopping area east of Linden.
  • Added a sidewalk on the west side of Linden north of N137th St., for a more direct route than the current sidewalk.
  • In addition, the design pictures included more detail about landscaping with street trees, and parking for cars.

 Connie Zimmerman explained the funding situation.  Currently there is enough funding in the budget to construct the improvements from N 130th St. to N 135th St., approximately $4.8 million.  The current project schedule would finish constructing that segment by the end of 2012.  Construction of the other segments would depend on when funding became available – it is estimated that the cost to construct the remaining blocks would be $7.5 million.  During the question and answer period the point was made that right now the 2011-2012 City budget is being put together, and if you want the rest of Linden improvements constructed now is the time to contact the mayor and city council members urging that.

 To get up to date information on the project visit http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/linden.htm You can also subscribe to e-mail updates at this site.

Two Missing Cats

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Posted: August 28, 2010

Earlier this Summer a resident on North 144th was awakened at 3AM by three Raccoons inside their house who had gained entry through a pet door. The resident’s Brown and Black tabby cat is now missing along with a small long hair cat named Miss Chiff or Chiffer from the same neighborhood. In the same area last week a small dog was attacked by a Mother Raccoon at 5PM as neighbors fought off the Raccoon with a rake and a garbage can. The Raccoons were filmed in a neighbor’s tree after the incident:
 
 In North Broadview Neighbors have lost pets to Coyotes in years past. Even in the most urban of settings, Raccoons live side-by-side with humans.  Most of the time we aren’t even aware that they are there.  One lesson to be learned from these horrible incidents are that we should not take the safety of our surroundings for granted.
 
Follow these tips to prevent conflicts with Raccoons this time of year while mothers and babies are out looking for food:
    * Before you let your pet outside quickly check your yard for Raccoons or other animals. Think of it as similar to looking both ways before crossing the road.
    * Securely cover your compost and garbage cans.
    * Feed pets inside or bring in the dishes immediately after pets are finished eating.
    * Close and lock pet doors at night.
    * Harvest ripe fruit and vegetables and pick up fallen fruits right away.
 

Coming: New Traffic Signal for Bike Route

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Posted: July 17, 2010

Fremont Ave N and N 105th Street

SEATTLE—The Seattle Department of Transportation will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Fremont Avenue North and North 105th Street early in August to serve the Interurban North signed bicycle route.  Bicyclists and pedestrians on Fremont Avenue North will be allowed to continue straight through the intersection (when the light is green) but vehicles on Fremont Avenue North will be required to turn right or left onto 105th Street. The purpose of the restriction is to prevent excessive “cut through” traffic on Fremont Avenue North.

Bitter Lake P-Patch

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Updated: September 2, 2010

Please join us at the Bitter Lake P-Patch General Meeting on Wednesday, July 21st, 7PM at the Bitter Lake Community Center (13035 Linden Ave N, 98133). 

Agenda topics…

  1. Update on outreach plan, pass out flyers to be posted. 
  2. Online co-ordination, facebook, website, local blogs and listserve.
  3. Greenwood parade plans.
  4. Designer discussion, we should have feedback from our top 3 designers to share.

Feel free to bring your volunteer hours report forms and sign in when you arrive so I can get complete contact information into our database!
FYI:  bitterlakeppatch@gmail.com is still a viable email address to give out to those interested in the P-Patch.  I will check it regularly and forward on requests etc…

North Precinct Picnic July 10, 1-4 PM

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Posted: July 4, 2010

 The Picnic at the Precinct is July 10th from 1:00-4:00 P.M. at the North Precinct 10049 College Way North.  Get a Precinct tour and meet your local police officers, S.W.A.T., K-9, Bomb Squad, and mounted officers!  Fun for the whole family.  Great food, magicians, balloonist, bouncy machine, music, and dance groups. I hope to see everyone there.  2006 Picnic http://www.youtube.com/user/willztube#p/u/43/xyyL74lTJhk
If you would like a table for your community group or if you can donate prize items please contact Sgt. Diane Newsom 684-0794

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