Bellevue Reporter Open Letter Feb 17 2012

Added 2-12-2012

Check out the presentations from Bainbridge Shoreline Homeowners 

The Science Behind Shoreline Mangaement

Martin Nizlek Ph.D Speaks to pending state legislation

Statement to City Council Jan 23 2012

Review Lake Sammamish Weir Sept 2011

by Martin Nizlek, Ph.D. Civil Eng.

 Setbacks, Vegetation, and Related Shoreline Issues

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide input to Planning Commission deliberations on the above topics. WSSA has previously provided information and recommendations. These are referenced for the PC and additional topics are discussed.

Article from the Puget Sound Business Journal by
Bellevue City Council Candidate Aaron Laing

PSBJ Shoreline Residents Swamped by Regulation Sept 9, 2011

Thank you Bellevue Shoreline Homeowners!

The Public Hearing on May 25th had over one hundred people in attendence at the four hour session and over thirty people give testimony on the SMP update before the Planning Commission.

AN ALTERNATIVE FOR BELLEVUE’S SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

The Sensible Shoreline Plan 3-21-2011 PDF

Community Meeting March 22, 2011

Printable  Flyer

Vasa Park Ballroom

Tuesday March 22, 6:30 PM

Please tell your neighbors and attend!

Come if you care about …

• Consistent unnaturally high water levels – Why?
• Degraded water quality/stormwater runoff and new development in Eastgate
• Existing structures being deemed non-conforming & in most cases not rebuildable
• Your bulkhead, your right to keep it, and maintain it
• Increased restrictions for property redevelopment with large additional costs
• Your home setback being increased 100%
• Your shoreline being required to be 60% vegetated
• Your dock being required to fit unsafe or un-user-friendly standards
• Costly ineffective regulation that fails to improve our lakes

During the past year shoreline homeowners have experienced extraordinary high water levels on the shores of Lake Sammamish and Phantom Lake. In many areas this has caused irreparable damage to shoreline trees, the inability to use docks and loss of property due to higher water levels. The high water is not due to high precipitation levels or flooding from snowmelt, but to the mismanagement of storm water runoff, and poor of maintenance of weirs (dams) that regulate outflows.

The Lake Sammamish weir is managed by multiple agencies at the federal, state, county, and local levels. We have yet to find one of these agencies that will take the lead and manage this to a sensible outcome. We do have a few local elected officials who are acting responsibly to formulate a solution and long-term plan. Attending the community meeting will be representatives from local government to listen, and answer questions regarding these problems.

Please join us for an information session on these issues and the impending Shoreline Master Plan, to learn what you can do to protect your property.

The City has finally released proposed Shoreline Regulations  – March 9, 2011

After apx 1.5 yrs of theoretical discussions.

The Regulations remove most of the Property Rights of Shoreline Owners.

WSSA  (Bellevue citizens – who formed Washington Sensible Shorelines Association) have been attending every Shoreline Master Program – City of Bellevue Planning Commission Meeting(s) – and have been making significant Public Comment from the beginning.

The Regulations are long (355+ pages – a local tax attorney commented they are longer than the IRS tax code!)

Every element of the:  Use/ Repair/ Maintenance/ Re-build ability / Re-development/ Enjoyment – of your property is addressed/compromised.

No valid peer-reviewed balanced science corroborates the actions the City is proposing — which is, THE  basic premise/requirement of the Shoreline Management Program (SMP).

We need you – at THIS MEETING – WED, March 23, 2011 – City Hall – 6:30PM

Council Conference Room, 1E-113

Planning Commission Meeting 3-23-2011 PDF

Printable Flyer

SMP Revised Policies 3-9-11 PDF