Shoreline City Council Meeting March 18, 2013

Devon Vose Rickabaugh
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Notes from Shoreline City Council Meeting March 18, 2013

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

The City Council considered and passed several amendments presented by Councilmembers Will Hall and Chris Roberts to Ordinance 654  which amended the City’s Development Code for Commercial Design and Zone Consolidation.

In 2011 the City Council adopted the Town Center Development Code as the latest approach to commercial standards. Then the Planning Commission held public hearings and made recommendations to consolidate and streamline redundant commercial zones. The Council members emphasized that they value comments and concerns from the public and encouraged people to keep abreast of Planning Commission Meetings. The Council praised all the work done by staff to get the code document into presentable shape fro revision.

In other business Urban Tree Consultant Elizabeth Walker said there were some issues with Shoreline’s Urban Tree inventory done as part of becoming a First Tree City USA.  

The Tree Inventory has not been updated for ten years. Walker said, “Ten years is a long time for trees to grow. It’s important to get an updated inventory.” There are some critical areas where roots have pushed up underneath sidewalks and created heaving making them a possible danger to pedestrians. She suggested concentrating the updated inventory around major arterials. Staff resources are very limited. In 2009, the Urban Tree Canopy Report showed around 30% (“ quite commendable”) citywide canopy whereas optimal is 40% to start maximizing on the ecosystem benefits.” Walker’s recommended action is to put together a strategic plan. The city has gotten two grants from Washington Department of Natural Resources: one to help with tree inventory and the other a community assistant grant to help with training five new tree board members since five are leaving. Director of Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Director Dick Deal said, “We were the only city in the state to get both of those grants”.

Director Deal said that during April through June his department will review the Shoreline pool which is aging. It’s a wonderful resource, but needs help. Also Sunset School’s (now designated park) Phase 1 Improvements must be approved. And new Public Arts Committee Members must be appointed.

In July through April a review of the new Alcohol in Parks Policy will be evaluated.