Southern Gateway public meetings in Lake Forest Park

The City of Lake Forest Park is developing a plan for the Southern Gateway Area (Bothell Way NE corridor between NE 145th and NE 155th Street) to encourage land redevelopment that is more walkable, provides a wider array of services and housing options, and has more of the look and feel of Lake Forest Park. Now, the Planning department wants citizen comments on the possible environmental impacts of this plan.

Description of the project

The City of Lake Forest Park Planning Commission proposes to adopt a Sub-area Plan for the Southern Gateway (Lake Highlands) neighborhood. A sub-area plan identifies needs and establishes goals for a specific neighborhood or area within the City. Through a series of public workshops and Planning Commission meetings held in the fall of 2011 and winter of 2012, the City has begun a planning process that will direct future development of the area. As a result of this process, the Planning Commission has identified a “Preferred Alternative” that will be considered in the EIS. To achieve the goals of the Sub-area Plan, the Preferred Alternative consists of several implementation actions, including:

• Rezones to allow a mix of uses and buildings up to 5 to 7 stories in height and a residential component of 20 dwelling unites per acre or more. (See map).
• Design, setback, landscaping, and bulk regulations to protect adjacent residential neighborhoods.
• Public roadway or publicly accessible drive between NE 147th Street and NE 145th Street, generally in alignment with 35th Ave NE.
• A publicly accessible plaza or other open space along or near the new roadway.
• Gateway requirements for new development at the corner of NE 145th Street and Bothell Way
• Retain critical area protections along the creek and ravine.
• Improve the Bothell Way intersections at NE 145th Street and NE 153rd Street.
• Construct a safe pathway with low level pedestrian lighting between NE 153rd Street and NE 145th Street to provide better pedestrian access for neighborhood residents. 

Two public meetings have been scheduled on June 5 and 6, 2012. On June 5th, there will be an open house style meeting where questions will be answered and comments received anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 PM at City Hall in the Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. 

The same format will be repeated on June 6th between 6:00 and 8:00 PM at the Third Place Commons (stage area) in the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

For associated documents or to comment on this project, see our online project page, call the Planning and Building Department at 206-368-5440, or email .