Land-use statements from Shoreline council candidates Richey and Salomon
Thursday, October 1, 2015
By Evan Smith
Shoreline City Council candidates Lorn Richey and Jesse Salomon both recently sent statements about what the council should consider in land-use decisions.
Incumbent Salomon and challenger Richey will meet on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot.
Here are their statements in the order their names will appear on the November ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet:
Shoreline City Council, Position No. 6
Jesse Salomon
I have been to cities in developing nations that have done little planning for urban development. While visiting it became obvious to me that lack of urban planning can be disastrous and can result in extreme traffic, pollution, lack of public space and unending sprawl. King County is growing fast and Shoreline is an attractive place to live. As a Councilmember I must plan for this growth taking into account concerns such as traffic, home values, affordable housing and the environment.
Increases in density should be near mass transit opportunities such near light rail and Aurora Avenue. That way new residents have the option of using bus rapid transit and light rail to avoid adding to and becoming stuck in traffic.
That is why I supported a rezone at the 185th light rail station. It is also the reason I feel deeply that the proposed development at Point Wells, which is far from efficient transit stations, is a terrible idea.
While Sound Transit, the entity that is building the light-rail system, is using imminent domain to make room for light rail stations, the Shoreline City Council has used re-zoning regulations to allow more housing near the 185th station. This is different in that rather than forcing a sale at market rate prices, re-zoning changes housing market dynamics. The changes will increase demand for land in that limited area around the light rail station (4.7 percent of Shoreline's land area near 185th) thus increasing current homeowners' housing values.
Lorn Richey
Shoreline needs a City Council that embraces planning AND community development. Land use decisions have to recognize the people who have invested their lives into creating homes and communities where people from all around the world can share schools, parks, and lives.
Buildings are built of concrete and wood. Homes are made of people. Our zoning decisions are being made based on dollars not people. The incumbent tells us change is coming, sell your home, and move on. Seattle has embraced density at any cost, and Shoreline should be next. I do not share that vision.
I am working to save the beautiful natural environment we call home. Children riding bicycles in the streets in front of homes, with large trees filling the yards, is not something that should quickly be discarded. Large apartment buildings should be placed for close access to transit with the least possible impact to existing homes. Council should be protecting you, not making you a sacrifice.
I have respect for the families of Shoreline and will incorporate their needs into planning. “If you don’t like it, just move,” is not what I expect from my public servants.
Change is part of life. Change does not need to destroy what currently exists. Zoning should build on the best the city has to offer and strive to make things better. I want to enhance natural habitat, support small business and increase affordable family amenities. I will work to protect senior communities, not zone them out of existence.
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8 comments:
Salomon does realize that Point Wells is situated right next to an existing rail line, right? A rail line where Sounder Trains operated by SOUND TRANSIT run frequently during commuter hours?
And by the way it's eminent, not imminent.
Jesse Salomon, what about the upcoming 145th area rezone? Do you support that? What about the plan to "improve" 145th street which requires the city use eminent domain? Do you support that?
Dear Jesse Salomon, allowing developers to build 7 story mixed use buildings next to single family homes is just as bad as eminent domain. You are FORCING existing residents to just accept this, there is no real choice here when you fundamentally change their neighborhood. You are being disingenuous.
Anders in Richmond Beach
Lorn Richey is right!
Did it not occur to Mr. Salomon, or his three Council colleagues who also voted for the 185th St. rezone, that six-story apartments 3/4 of a mile from the station (walking distance) do not qualify as "near mass transit opportunities such near light rail (sic)"?
Did it not occur to him that four-story buildings over a mile away do not qualify as "more housing near the 185th station"?
Could he perhaps explain how all this upzoning far from the station will "increase demand for land in that limited area around the light rail station"?
Last month, a home in the rezone area, at 18317 10th Ave. NE, sold for $240,000, almost 15% BELOW its 2015 appraised value of $282.000. How, exactly, does that count as "increasing current homeowners' housing values"? Could Mr. Salomon explain?
Probably not.
Salomon’s statement provides only half the truth about the 185th street rezone. Density may be increased near the light rail station. He neglected to tell us that the rezone area extends all the way from the light rail station along 185th street to route 99, extending out 300 feet on each side. He neglected to tell you that there is a similar proposal for 145th street and the light rail station. This represents one quarter of the city, not just 4.7%. The area within a quarter mile of the light rail. He left out the fact that it is estimated that 10,000 more people will fill each of these two rezone areas and they will have cars that will add to our traffic woes. How many people will take public transportation everywhere they need to go? He did not tell us that the taxpayers will pick up most of the added costs for infrastructure improvements because of developer tax incentives. He did not tell us that 1400 homes will need to be razed to make room for all the apartments. That is 1400 families displaced from the homes they love and may have lived in all their lives. He claims property values will increase in the area close to the light rail which is incorrect because the large area that is rezoned commercial will dilute the value of all the existing homes. The existing homes will be designated non-conforming use because they are now in a commercial area versus residential. Who will want to by those houses? He did not tell us about all the trees that will be removed when 1400 homes are razed to make way for the new apartments, and wider roads. Jesse did not tell us about the 20,000 new residents many od whom will be children that we will be responsible for educating, which I gladly agree to do. But is he prepared to pay for the new school facilities, staff, supplies, etc. we will need to accomplish this?
Come on Jesse, give us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
I am distressed by the never ending story of move and make money. Mr Salomon seems to celebrate the fictional increase in land values in the 185th rezone area. He apparently believes that every home owner should just go someplace else and get out of the way. A home is more than a bank. It is a place where community begins. I do not know where I can find a better community than the one I live in with my neighbors. The skyrocketing costs of homes in this region assures that I will not be able to sell my very affordable home and move into anything nearby for the same costs. People like councilman Salomon moved to Shoreline because it offered affordable housing. Why didn't he choose to move into an Apartment? Not one of our council members lives in an apartment. They think everyone wants something that doesn't appeal to them.
I helped incorporate shoreline years ago, so we all could have a voice in our city. So, that everyone here would benefit from not being swallowed up by seattle! I believe that Lorn Richey represents our original dream for shoreline! I pray that Lorn Richey gets elected.
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