 Photo credit: K. Zech
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City of Lake Forest Park17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.com
206-368-5440
March 2022 |
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 Mayor Jeff Johnson
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Mayor’s Corner – Sustainability of Our Amenities and Infrastructure
Lake Forest Park has eight developed parks and has recently purchased its newest park property on the north shore of Lake Washington, which is still in need of public planning, design and construction phases. We have also heard from residents that additional sidewalks are an important piece of infrastructure for our community.
As we all know, everything comes at a price and, as we move forward, I along with the City Council and residents must give some serious thought to decisions on how we will pay to maintain current amenities and construct the new ones desired by the community. This summer, we will begin discussing the 2023-2024 biennial budget and a big part of that discussion will be financial sustainability and how we will pay for the things we already have and the things we want moving forward.
It's time to roll up our sleeves and work together to figure out the path we take moving forward—how do we sustain what we have and develop new projects. An opportunity for you to share your thoughts with me about that is at the upcoming Coffee with the Mayor event. We are getting closer to determining a date, time, and location, and will advertise the information once it has been decided upon. I really look forward to meeting with you in person again. Please consider using the Coffee event as an opportunity to share your ideas with me.
If you would like to receive an email update once the details of the Coffee event are confirmed, please email the Deputy City Clerk.
--Mayor Johnson
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Lake Forest Park City Council Creates Climate Action Committee
The Mayor and Council of the City of Lake Forest Park have long recognized the need to address climate change and support the efforts of the People for Climate Action Coalition that works with local governments to help achieve King County Cities Climate Collaboration goals. The City has also taken initial steps to lessen its impact on the environment through a robust tree ordinance, code adoption to allow increased density at Town Center and near transit, City-sponsored recycling and composting efforts, installation of LED lighting in City-owned facilities, water bottle filling stations in city hall, and a model plastics ordinance.
The purpose of the Climate Action Committee is to gather and analyze climate information and draft a Climate Action Plan for recommendation to the City Council. As established in the approving resolution, the following considerations are part of the first-year workplan development process: review and use of existing municipal climate action plans, recommended changes to City operations, additions and amendments to legislation, community projects, interaction with City commissions and task forces, the financial needs for creating the Climate Action Plan, and how to achieve the Climate Action Plan goals financially.
At its meeting on February 10, 2022, the Council introduced the enacting resolution and, on February 24, 2022, took action to create the City’s Climate Action Committee and appoint nine of the established ten members. The high school/college student position has yet to be filled. The committee will meet once a month at 7:00 p.m. on either the first or third Tuesday; or second or third Wednesday of the month. The committee will be supported by a member of staff from the Public Works Department, who will have the support of the Planning Department.
At its meeting on March 24, 2022, the Council took action to appoint Councilmember Tracy Furutani as the Council Liaison to the Climate Action Committee.
The first group’s first meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m., via Zoom. In addition to determining the permanent meeting schedule, a committee chair and vice chair will be determined at the first meeting. The meeting agenda is available here.
The following Lake Forest Park community members were appointed by the Council: Julian Andersen, Miriam Bertram, Dana Campbell, Jessica Cótè, Tamara Erickson, Linda Holman, Sarah Phillips, Brian Saunders, and Anne Udaloy. At its first meeting, the Committee is charged with electing a chair and vice chair, and the first work product will be an annual work plan to be approved by Council. Following approval of the workplan, the Committee will next draft a Climate Action Plan for consideration by the Council.
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 Photo by Miguel A. Amutio on Unsplash
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Council Corner – Please Wear Your Life Jacket While Enjoying Our Waters
With the spring season upon us and more of us are enjoying the outdoors I want to remind everyone of the dangers that the cold water presents to the users of human-powered craft and to boaters. The current temperature of Lake Washington is in the low 40’s and the dangers of hypothermia upon immersion are very real.
With the adoption of Ordinance 1222 in May 2021, the LFP Municipal Code requires wearing of a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (personal flotation device or PFD).
While state law requires that a Coast Guard-approved PFD be on board a paddleboard or kayak, LFP Municipal Code requires the actual wearing of a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (personal flotation device or PFD). It cannot simply be on board the human-powered craft or paddleboard- it must be worn properly.
The intent of this ordinance is outreach, awareness, and education, and the first violation will result in educational outreach and a warning. Subsequent offences will result in a citation and a fine.
Over the past few years, we have observed a dramatic increase in human-powered craft out on Lake Washington and the pandemic has encouraged families to try new outdoor experiences and get out on the water more.
When I sponsored this Ordinance last year, it was with these first-time or more casual users of human-powered watercraft that I had primarily in mind. I hope it will help contribute to their awareness of the dangers of the water, particularly in the spring and early summer when the water is so cold.
Importantly, this is not like a helmet law- if someone chooses not to wear a helmet (they should wear one as required by our law), they are not placing a first responder in danger. Failing to wear a PFD can place a first responder's life in jeopardy out on the water.
The City of LFP contracts with the King County Sheriff's Marine Unit to provide safety and enforcement on LFP's portion of Lake Washington. On hot days, they also use their fire hose to cool down the kids on the docks at the Civic and Sheridan Beach Clubs!
LFP's waterways extend to the middle of Lake Washington, bordered to the north just south of Log Boom Park in Kenmore and bordered to the south at the Seattle city limits.
Soon, the city will be working on programs for PFD accessibility, including discounted PFDs and loaner programs and education about water safety at as many waterfront access points as possible.
National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27, 2022, and is a perfect time to begin the process of ensuring everyone who wants to access the water this season is safe and educated.
--Deputy Mayor Tom French
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 Lyon Creek
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Learn about the City’s Stormwater Management Action Plan
Lake Forest Park is developing a Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP) as part of its commitment to clean water. The plan will identify actions the City can take to help clean up rainwater runoff from developed areas – also known as stormwater – affecting at least one of our high-priority surface water basins in the City.
Why is the City creating a SMAP? Stormwater is the leading pollution threat to our natural waters like lakes, rivers, streams, and marine water bodies in Washington State. Runoff contamination comes from our vehicles, landscaping chemicals, building materials, and other sources and can harm our natural waters and the people and animals that depend on them. The Washington State Department of Ecology requires that the City create a SMAP as part of a their regulatory program that ensures compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act.
How can you learn more? - The City will post SMAP documents to this webpage.
- Sign up for project update via email or SMS here.
How can you get involved? We need your feedback to identify community concerns, help prioritize what locations are addressed first, and shape what actions will be taken. - Attend the public meeting to be scheduled later this year (details will be provided in future project updates)
- Contact the City SMAP representative, Andrew Silvia, at 206-957-2836 or by email.
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City Seeks Volunteers for Positions on the Tree Board and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Student Representative Vacancy on Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
The student representative position on this board is vacant. If you are interested and are a junior or senior in high school and reside in Lake Forest Park please contact Volunteer Coordinator Cory Roche for more information and application information. Terms are three years, but the City anticipates students may only be available to serve for one or two years.
Vacancies on Tree Board
The City is seeking applications for two vacant seats on the Lake Forest Park Tree Board. The Tree Board provides outreach and education to the community on tree-related issues, organizes and facilitates public events involving trees, and provides advice to the City Council on policy and regulatory issues involving trees. Board members should live within the Lake Forest Park city limits, but it is not required. Interests or backgrounds in urban forestry, horticulture, and habitat restoration are encouraged, but not required. Membership terms are for three years. If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact Assistant Planner Cameron Tuck.
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Safely Dispose of Paint through the PaintCare Program
Want to dispose of latex, water-based, or acrylic paint safely? You can find a PaintCare recycling location at paintcare.org/washington. Items like this are not accepted at King County collection sites. There is no fee to drop off paint. The PaintCare program is funded by a fee on the purchase of new paint.
It’s as simple as entering your zip code, city and state, or street address to find the nearest, most convenient paint drop-off site to you. All PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit (some take more). Please call ahead to confirm business hours and ask if they can accept the type and amount of paint you would like to recycle. Sites do not accept aerosols (spray paint), leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers.
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Planning Commission Focused on Sign Code and Comprehensive Plan in 2022
On February 8, 2022, the Planning Commission adopted its work plan for 2022. The work plan communicates to the City Council what the Commission’s priorities are. This year’s work plan is driven by federal case law related to free speech and requirements of the state Growth Management Act (GMA).
In the first quarter, the Planning Commission will focus on updates to the City’s sign code (LFPMC Ch. 18.52). Federal case law dictates that the City cannot regulate the content of signs, only the size and shape. Several parts of the Sign Code currently require that city staff read what the sign says to know how to regulate it – which is no longer allowed.
Most of the Commission’s time will be devoted to preparing for the upcoming state-mandated 2024 LFP Comprehensive Plan Update. The focus of these updates will likely be on diversifying housing options and dealing with climate change and inequities in the community. The Commission may also make recommendations on the dredging criteria in the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update and the reasonable economic use provisions in the City’s critical areas regulations (LFPMC Ch. 16.16).
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Spring Yard Care Tips – Keep Your Garden Thriving and Reduce Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Spring is here! Dig into some natural and chemical-free yard care tips with The Garden Hotline and KC Hazardous Waste Management Program. Learn how to keep your garden or yard thriving and reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals. Join a Q & A with The Garden Hotline every third Wednesday of the month on Zoom from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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 Image credit - City of Renton
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Council Adopts Changes to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Regulations
As part of its effort to the increase housing diversity and affordability in LFP, the City Council adopted changes to the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Accessory Building regulations on February 24. The Council took action after a public hearing on the matter in which a majority of speakers spoke in favor of the changes.
The adopted changes are very similar to those recommended by the City’s Planning Commission last October. They include removal of the rear-yard restriction, raising the height restriction to 25 feet to allow building an apartment on top of a garage or other structure, and allowing both an ADU and a detached ADU on lots of one acre or more. The minimum lot size for a detached ADUs was also lowered from 15,000 square feet to 10,000. This change alone makes an additional 1600 lots eligible for a detached ADU. Email the Planning Department for additional information.
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Mark Your Calendars, the King County Wastemobile will be in Bothell April 8-10
Do you have Household Hazardous Waste that needs disposal? The King County Wastemobile is making a stop in Bothell April 8-10, Friday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to provide household hazardous waste disposal services for King County residents. The address is: 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011.
You may drop off items such as antifreeze, batteries, gasoline, fluorescent lights, and pesticides. To view the full list of what you can and cannot bring and learn some safety tips visit the King County Household Hazardous Waste webpage or call the Household Hazards Line with King County at 206-296-4692.
If you cannot make it to the Wastemobile, do not dispose your hazardous waste like cleaning products, batteries, or pesticides in the garbage or down the drain. Take your hazardous waste to the North Seattle Hazardous Waste drop-off site for safe disposal. Additional information is available at the link above.
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Regional Animal Services of King County – License for Love Campaign, April 1 – June 30
During the License for Love Campaign, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is asking King County residents to license their cats and dogs. If you have an expired license and renew it between April 1 and June 30, 2022, your late fees will be waived.
RASKC would also like to get the word out about these benefits of licensing: • Reunites lost pets quickly 24/7 • Helps fund the care and adoption of shelter animals • Supports the protection of people and pets in your community
You can purchase or renew a pet license at Lake Forest Park City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. You can also license online at: Kingcounty.gov/licensemypet. If you would prefer to call, the RASKC phone number is 206-296-2712. Interpreter services are available.
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Stay Current on City News, Meetings, and Events
Want to keep up with what’s going on at the City? There are several ways to stay informed. Subscription options include notices of city meetings and events, planning announcements, emergency alerts, city newsflashes, and more! Click here for the full list of available subscriptions.
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