neighborhood villages

"Bedmond" is the new Redmond  ?? PRE-APPLICATION LAND-2018-00869, LMC Marymoor   Neighborhood:   Southeast Redmond near future Marymoor Transit Station  Description:   Proposal to construct (1) six story and (2) five story multi-family residential buildings with commercial space  Location:   17611 NE 70th Street Applicant:   Rocky Flores with Encore Architects Prior Review Date:   09/12/18, 12/06/18 & 12/20/18 Staff Contact:   David Lee, 425-556-2462 or  dlee@redmond.gov Review Materials :   Memo     Materials Click "Materials" and "Memo" for pictures and details of the proposed buildings. In regards to staff review and comments, staff believes the changes meets the intent of the goal of exhibiting �eclecticism� .  (What do you "believe?) "The mix of materials, the unique building shape/massing, and art interventions serve to make a statement gateway to the young Marymoor ...

Could something like this happen here? Maybe. Internet  Updated 1/29, 1:01 PM Quadrant is working with the City to develop "Business District" property at the intersection of NE 124th Street and Willows Road on the Southwest corner . Here goes.  The Applicant (Fred Proctor) is proposing a mixed-use development consisting of approximately 370 residential units with a variety of housing types that would include for-sale townhomes, triplex and traditional for-rent apartment style dwellings. The development would also include a minimum of 20,000 sq. ft. of ground-level or stand-alone retail or commercial space , to include neighborhood-scale commercial uses, office, and/or day care center uses. Transportation:   Willows Road is already congested and traffic is poor here but Council member Myers calls the development "a ten minute community" where many of the residents can work nearby, I assume keeping some cars off the road, and with shopping at Totem Lake.  A necessar...

"Finance, Administration and Communication" Council meeting talking points: The City Website :   Phase One involved community outreach and is complete.  Phase Two is underway and involves building out the design.  90% of the design is done with 5,000 pages reduced to 1500 pages.  (This just gives you and idea how outdated this website is; many of us have been asking for a new website for almost a decade.)  In response to Council member Steve Fields' question about how many employees were involved in Phase Two, Communications Director Lisa Mayre said 50 staff representing all departments participated in the updates.  12- 15 "super users" from planning and land use played a major role.  Mr. Myers asked for Search engine improvements.  Apparently, we'll have them. (I get better luck on google.)  We can expect more photos and videos too. Launch month is February. Neighborhood Conversations :    Jill Smith is now a member of the Com...

The following "New York Times" article by Karen Weise on Microsoft's pledge was published on January 16th,2019: https://nyti.ms/2RWTaya?smid= nytcore-ios-share The author summarizes and ends her article with: �This is where Microsoft is going to be, and the region needs to work,� Ms. Balducci said. �I don�t think this is wholly altruism.� Claudia Balducci, a member of the King County Council who helps lead the Regional Affordable Housing Task Force.   -- Bob Yoder

Eugene Zakhareyev If you follow Redmond city politics, I have a newsflash for you - at the next meeting, the City Council will consider moratorium! There has been a lot of development in the last decade, and many residents asked the council and the mayor whether Redmond should take a break and evaluate the impacts of new buildings in Downtown and Overlake. So surely the Council plans to address these impacts? They are finally listening, and new developments will have to pay for the development! No more school district levies & bonds, or tax increases, no more new multi-story buildings replacing one story plazas and driving small businesses out of town! But if you followed Redmond local politics for some time, you already know the answer. The moratorium is not targeting developers. The Council instead is concerned about �the triple density bonus for Retirement Residences with assisted living facilities in residential zones�. Yep, those pesky seniors invading our residential areas wi...

King County Public Hospital District No.2 (EvergreenHealth medical center) will ask district residents and families to pony up $325,000,000 for 1) an extensive seismic retrofit, 2) a family maternity care refresh and 3) relocation of critical care, with enhancements, to the Silver tower. The bulk of bond monies will go to the seismic retrofit. Regarding the seismic retrofits Laurene Burton, the hospital's Executive Director of Community Affairs says: "Our goal is to not just be safe, but to be available when the region needs us most and be open and ready to care immediately for patients in our community and beyond, in the event of a catastrophic earthquake."  "In 2004 when we went to the voters to build the Emergency Department safety was paramount. We have been good stewards of your tax dollars.  Through these seismic upgrades, we will provide the safest environment for our entire community from our tiniest babies to those in critical care." The Board of Commis...

In the City Council's committee meeting on 10/23 Melisa Files, Director of Finance reported: 1)  Revenues were up by 5% of target and 2)  Expenditures were 4% below target So "we are in a nice place to be" says Ms. Files. Yes we are, many thanks to the "surge in permitting fees" from development and a "one-time construction tax," according to Files.  Historically, the City has assessed  property owners the State's maximum allowable 1% property tax.  But times have changed and the City is swimming in revenue like never before from the massive development of our Downtown and Overlake urban centers. Owing to this unprecedented growth the City of Redmond should change their practices and forgo the 1% property tax this year.  Residents are already burdened by looming school district taxes and in April, an EvergreenHealth $300M bond initiative, among other taxes. It's time the City tightens their belt. -- Bob Yoder, Opinion Sources:  City Council Co...

Water Tender President Susan Wilkins at  Issaquah fish hatchery  Every year from September - October during the "Salmon Seeson" you will find the Water Tenders at North Bear Creek educating children, families and adults about the life cycle of salmon.  This Fall was the 4-year cycle for sockeye so we were expecting a good run.  The Water Tenders put up sandwich board signs along Avondale Road to direct viewers to the creek. We usually see a lot of  returning salmon but this year owing to a prolonged drought there were none to be seen so the exhibit was shut down. Usually over 100 viewers walk up the trail to see coho, sockeye and chinook salmon. Every year the Water Tenders pick up 1-2 Chinook salmon from the Issaquah fish hatchery for their Bear Creel exhibit.  Susan Wilkins, Water Tenders President says,"this is an excellent way for viewers to see and touch the gills, scaling, and fins for show and tell."  Here's a picture of Susan at ...

"yours truly" Save the date to plant trees with the Green Redmond Partnership!  Join us at Juel Park on Saturday, October 27th, 9 am - Noon to help keep our forests healthy and green. Everyone can help! All ages welcome, no experience necessary. Green Redmond will have all gloves and tools for you to use, as well as coffee and snacks to get the morning started. Planting events will be held at two other park sites this year.  Advanced registration is strongly encouraged as some sites will fill up.   Find your favorite park and sign up via the link below! We only have a few more spots open to volunteer with us on Oct 27th, so please email us below if you would like to sign up.  Sign up at  www.greenredmond.org . -- Bob Yoder Source:  redmond.gov

Credit:  B Yoder October 4th

redmond.gov The City of Redmond and the Redmond Police Association (RPA) have successfully completed a collaborative negotiation process resulting in the proposed 2019-2021 Labor Agreement. The Redmond Police Association represents uniformed, commissioned Police Officers, Police Sergeants, and new for 2019, Corporals. In 2019, Officer base salaries will increase by 4 percent, plus an additional approximate 1.19 percent to move the ranges to be competitive in the market. In 2019, there will also be a one-time cost of $15,249 to add vacation time to 37 employees� banks so that the Labor Agreement will be consistent with the City personnel manual with regard to vacation accrual. Police Officer (effective January 1, 2019)     > $79.608/year 0-12 months     > $92,916/year 49+ months Corporal:  $101,424/year Sergeant:  $108,516/year As second raise was negotiated effective January 1, 2020. Police Officer (effective January 1, 2021)      > ...

Fall colors My wife, Pam, is standing in front of our beautiful Palmataum Japanese maple tree. With great sadness we lost this cherished tree two years ago to severe back-to-back annual droughts.  It thrived on our property for 43 years. Other's in the neighborhoods lost their trees. The City also had to cut down some of their street trees and cottonwoods at Idylwood Park  owing to drought.    Bob Yoder

Click image to see the trees The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is cutting down numerous 80 - 100 year old cottonwood trees growing along SR520 next to Bear Creek. The agency says these trees pose a hazard falling onto SR520 in high winds.  The trees are on WSDOT property, not the City of Redmond's property as many think. For environmental reasons they are topping ...not removing....the trees to provide habitat for birds and other animals. The procedure creates an ugly outcome.  The Mayor said in the Regular Council meeting of 10/2 the tree logs will be scattered along Bear and Evans creek to improve salmon habitat.  Source:  WSDT blog

The Downtown Park  The city hosted a concert series in the Downtown Park that was curated in partnership with KEXP DJ Sharlese Metcalf to highlight local, Pacific Northwest musical talent, including musicians that have ties to Redmond.  My wife and I went to the last concert on Thursday, October 4th.  And guess what?  It wasn't raining and quite a beautiful Fall evening! Is this the "Redmond Moving Art Center?" Mayor Marchione said in a press release, this series brings " fresh new music and fun to Downtown Redmond,  It's a great way to spend a Thursday night with friends and family in the community�s new Downtown Park.� The City announced that "each evening�s concert takes place in the beautiful Redmond Moving Art Center  designed by Brooklyn-based artist Janet Zweig."  It was recommended residents "bring  your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy food from one of the many surrounding downtown restaurants."  Well, even with good weather...

Six council members with mayor speaking under the park pavilion The Ribbon Cutting was at 5:30 pm. Council member Steve Fields was absent. Plenty of parking at the Community Center.  Thirty minutes after the ceremony the park was twice hit with a downpour of rain.   At 7:10 pm right before the events a deluge of rain occurred. My wife and I retreated to our home. Bob Yoder, 10/1 Facebook comment:   M Harrison Gallagher --   A refurbished Redmond pool is estimated at $20 million; a new Olympic pool such as the King County Aquatic Center is about $35 to 40 million. $42 million bought us a tree-lined concrete slab. Redmond has many deserving communities that are neglected.