Notes from Shoreline City Council meeting Monday February 27

Shoreline City Council Meeting February 27, 2012

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Shoreline Public Works Director Mark Relph and Senior Transportation Planner Alicia McIntire presented information for discussion on the potential annexation of 145th Street which runs along the southern border between Shoreline and Seattle. 

Shoreline does not own any of this right-of-way but is affected by 150 accidents a year, traffic jams and dangerous sidewalks not ADA accessible. McIntyre said the corridor is in need of significant capitol improvements which will increase with tolling from Lake Washington bridges and the operation of light rail. 

McIntyre recommended a corridor study with the participation of the City of Seattle, WSDOT, Sound Transit and Metro Transit. Her report said, “The only way improvements to 145th Street will be undertaken is if Shoreline instigates, designs and constructs them” since the improvements are not a priority with any of the three entities with jurisdiction over the road. But taking over 145th Street would represent an added financial responsibility of $130,000 annually. 

Council members agreed to authorize the study. Even though council member McConnell said, “We don’t have the funding for this,” Mayor McGlashan said “We need to seriously look at it. We heard a lot about accidents on 145th when doorbelling. For safety we need to continue the process.” Council member Roberts said, “Doing nothing is not fair to residents of Southern Shoreline.” Council member Hall said, “We have a vision of a higher level of service here.”

Transportation Planner McIntire discussed the developing Pedestrian System Plan which prioritizes sidewalk projects. She said they used a score card to evaluate which sidewalks should be built first. Council member Eggen objected to the method which he said didn’t take into account safety as the number one priority in the decision making process. Council member Hall said he thought all the criteria covered safety. Council member Winstead suggested keeping the scoring process, but before deciding on the final sidewalk priorities council members walk the streets under consideration and get a feel for how safe they are.

The Shoreline City Council voted to adopt the 2012 Comprehensive Plan docket for public review prior to the council’s yearly vote to amend the plan. Amendment 4 was submitted by Save Richmond Beach and was not put on the docket. It would require extra time and resources including hiring a consultant to modify traffic models to address the level of emergency services affected by the proposed Point Wells development. Council member McConnell said that there are other means to maintain the quality of life in Richmond including limiting the road capacity to 4,000 cars.