Doe a Dear!

A deer was spotted near NE part of Shoreline, in Lake Forest Park
yesterday (Monday), according to Shoreline/LFP PATCH!
Shoreline resident Sonja Groset.

This is pretty remarkable! And a sharp eye and camera for Ms Groset!

Doe spotted in Shoreline
ph credit/ Sonja Groset

Last year a deer was also sighted in Lake Forest Park. Deer have also been spotted in Kenmore, and Kirkland in the last year.

We always appreciate reports of wildlife sightings, and efforts to improve wildlife habitat in the Shoreline area.

It's About Pride!

Yesterday the Pride Came Out Big Time in Seattle!

Governor Chris Gregoire was Grand Marshall
of the Seattle Gay Pride Parade.
She became a champion this year when
she came out for Gay Marriage and
signed it into law

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters of Gay Pride lined Fourth Avenue and cheered the many participants in the annual parade. Many elected officials and candidates joined them.

Excellent weather! Great participation and a banner year for Gay Rights.

Kathleen Drew is an enthusiastic supporter of civil rights
for all people. She is running for Secretary of State and
is the only Democratic woman running for statewide office.

KC Councilmember Bob Ferguson is running
for Attorney General and is a supporter of
Marriage for All.

Democrats were out in force!
Sen Maria Cantwell joined forces with the 2012
Obama Campaign. President Obama
recently declared his support for
Gay Marriage.

The Parade showcased the many faces of "Pride" including:

• US Military celebrating the end of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell).

All Branches of the Military represented including
Veterans for Peace

• "Washington Bus", which is a Coaliton representing all aspects of the voting populace

   and which seeks to elect progressive candidates 

• PFLAG supports Lesbian and Gays Family members

Major Corporations! Even Microsoft and Boeing were there in force!

Microsoft had a big contingent!

There were so many groups represented, including  Labor, Non-profits, City, County, School District and so many corporate sponsors for this major event. The organizers of Seattle Gay Pride are to be congratulated for an extremely well planned effort.

Humour and creativity all day long

Chief Diaz and Seattle Police marched and kept the
parade moving along efficiently.  The Chief recently
recorded a public service announcement for the
"It Gets Better Campaign."

Rat City Rollers!

Seattle City Council and many city departments participated

An amazing array of people and sights
showing pride

It was a day for Seattle to be Proud!

Shoreline's Trees: A Triumph of Hope Over Fear

Trees Represent Hope and Hope Is Alive in Shoreline

Old Madrones Frame and ARE the "View"
Above Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Last night, June 18th was a turning point for Shoreline's Trees. At the City Council meeting, four coucilmembers (Will Hall, Chris Roberts, Jesse Salamon and Chris Eggen) voted to protect trees.

They voted for some amendments in the Development Code crafted by the Shoreline Planning Commission. 

It is a significant victory for Shoreline's trees.

The major changes will be to require a permit for cutting a tree 30" in diameter or larger, AND for a 

provision which will be the cornerstone of a new policy. That is, no longer will any property owner be able to cut 6 trees in 3 years. Only those with lots of 1 acre in size. Smaller lots will be allowed to cut significant trees in smaller increments.

The Council agenda item is here and the public can watch the meeting online here. 

http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=71

There were over a dozen speakers and most spoke in favor of the Planning Commission amendments. Over 30 members of the public had sent comments to the council in favor of those amendments as well.

These new amendments to the Development Code cap a 10 year struggle to put in place protections for Shoreline's tree canopy. The Shoreline Preservation Society and others, including Thornton Creek Alliance, Interurban Trail Tree Preservation Society, and members of Sustainable Shoreline, and people from all over Shoreline advocated to better protect trees.

Councilmember Will Hall made the motion to move the Planning Commission amendments forward. There were some attempts to amend and some of the provisions were altered or removed, such as one that would have prevented pre-emptive cutting of trees for possible development before any proposal was submitted. According to one councilmember, this happened probably because the item was confusing.

But the heart of the ordinance, the provision to reduce the number of trees cut and protect 30" trees stands!

Southwoods Park, saved by the
passage of the 2006 Parks Bond

Longtime Briarcrest Neighborhood Association member, Bettelinn Brown testified that the community had voted by over 70% to protect trees such as Southwoods and the Kruckeberg Garden in 2006, in the 

Parks Bond measure and therefore it is clear that Shoreline residents want to protect trees.

Boni Biery, who is a Sustainable Shoreline boardmember testified about how many trees have been lost over the years surrounding her home.

There were implied threats made by some view neighborhoods that legal action could follow, and that remains to be seen.  But, other legal experts have asserted that under the Growth Management Act, cities and city councils are clearly permitted to take these actions. In related case law:

Upon review of a city’s planning decision, the Board “shall find compliance unless it determines that a [city] action is clearly erroneous in view of the entire record before the board and in light of the goals and requirements of the GMA.”  To find an action “clearly erroneous,” the Board must have a “firm and definite conviction that a mistake has been committed.”

So for now, Shoreline's trees have a shot at survival. Trees are a triumph of hope over fear for Shoreline.