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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPN_Project Narrative_252802To: City of Renton Attn: Mariah Kerrihard, Assoc Planner Re: Barbee Mill Fence Extension Proposal From: Steve Rodgers, Co-Chair, Barbee Mill Neighborhood Committee Doc Title: Proposal Coordination Letter Dear Ms. Kerrihard, Thank you for assisting me in preparing our Barbee Mill Fence Extension Proposal. Attached with this letter in our most recent (~2/26/25) fileshare link is this letter in slot 1. Following the “Shoreline Exemption Submittal Requirements”, document item 2 we have attached our completed “Land Use Permit Master Application”. The 3rd item in slot 3 is our original proposal dated 1/16/25. It should include all items requested in item 3, “Project Narrative” including a number of drawings and details on exact location and no less than 23 reasons this proposal should be granted to protect our Barbee Mill community. The 4th item in slot 4 is a hand drawn elevation of the fence extension. Item 5 requests “Neighborhood Detail Map” and again, please reference multiple maps and drawings provided in our attached proposal. Again, thank you for your assistance. Steve Rodgers, Co-Chair Barbee Mill Neighborhood Committee 206-779-1451 srcascade@gmail.com 1/16/25 To: City of Renton Planning Department Attn: Mr. Clark Close From: Steve Rodgers, Co-Chair, Barbee Mill Neighborhood Committee Purpose: Our Committee and Community is requesting authorization from the City of Renton to block what we see as an “Unauthorized Access Path” that has developed since the completion of the King County Eastrail Trail in 2015. The unauthorized path starts at the northwest corner of the Eastrail Trail Bridge over May Creek and extends to the west, 40 feet, to our Barbee Mill property line. This is where our current north to south property border fence prematurely ends, right where the path comes into our property. (See Photos #1-#5). Why? There are three equally important reasons we are requesting this action. 1. The path in question is unauthorized and thereby illegal. 2. The unauthorized path is allowing direct and unfettered access to our Barbee Mill community and will lead to environmental damage in our Tract B NGPA and May Creek Delta Tract A NGPA where laws and ordinances are increasingly broken on a regular basis. (See photos in #6). 3. Barbee Mill resident security and safety are threatened due to unfettered access directly from the Eastrail Trail into our community. The unauthorized entry path into Barbee Mill is into a partially hidden area with no lighting after sunset. Due to this almost hidden path, anyone with ill intent could be easily concealed. Our Proposed Solution: Our Barbee Mill community is requesting the City of Renton Planning Department to authorize 2.5 sections of eight foot cedar fence (20 feet) that will act as a deterrent to close off the illegal and unauthorized access path in question. Our community currently has a border fence of 365 ft stretching from our north entrance to the south, stopping just short of where the access path in question enters our authorized and maintained “Public Access Chip Trail” (See photos #7, #9 & #10) that then parallels the May Creek through the mid portion of our community. Factors to consider about our request: -The proposed fence addition would be the same construction and color as our entrance fence. -The additional fence sections will not result in any trees or other foliage cut in any way, shape or form therefore no changes will be made to our current NGPA tract B, (See photo #11). -Since the fence already borders the east border of Tract B of our NGPA it will not invade, bisect or enter the existing NGPA since it’s only a border, just like our existing fence. -The entire 2.5 sections totaling 20 feet will extend south in the same direction as our existing fence. In those 20 feet there is no foliage, trees or shrubs that could be disturbed or damaged. (See photo #12). At that point there is a large 11” diameter evergreen fir tree with many branches that extend about 4-5 feet. Where the last proposed fence post to the south is set is where the lower limbs of the large fir mentioned extend out. Past that, toward the May Creek there are two deciduous cottonwoods before the creek. The first is 6 feet past the fir and has a larger, 19” diameter. The next cottonwood is 7 feet further toward the creek and has a diameter of 11”. All three trees appear to be in excellent health. The proposed fence addition should have absolutely no detrimental effects on any of these trees. There will be about 23 feet between the end of the proposed fence extension and the creek. (See photos in #13). -As the last cottonwood is on a raised bank it is clear that any high water area of the May Creek will not encroach near the end post of the extension and that the proposed fence extension will not change the nature of the NGPA in any way. -The cost to our community for this short fence section was quoted by Alpine Fence and will be cost our community about $2550.00. Background: 1) The Barbee Mill Community Plat and Master Plan were defined in 2008 and 2006 respectively. These included definitive agreements as to access and community maintenance of said agreements. Plat Link: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=d79d1f78cd&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg- a:r1183302488519103456&th=193c1fe752ec9fcf&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=193c1f18dec b2c1530c1&zw Master Plan Link: https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/0/edoc/1133487/Report%2001.pdf 2) General Note: We have made significant efforts to review all available documents and there does not appear to be any specific Landscape Plan notes for the east border of our Tract B. Since our proposal does not change, bisect or amend any current, established and mature foliage, shrubs and trees we are confident our proposal should not be intrusive to any of our NGPA regulations. 3) Before 2015 King County Parks acquired rights to develop the BNSF railway integrating it into the trail system we now know as the “Eastrail Trail”. Prior to construction of the Eastrail Trail few used the railway stretch for walks and excursions as it was not user friendly. (See photo #14). About 2015 KCP’s finished the Eastrail Trail including two open, unfenced stretches on the southeast corner of the Barbee Mill development and to the north around the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge. The larger of the two fencing gaps (130 feet) was along the south margin of Wells Ave N and N 40th Pl. The second fencing gap was on both sides of the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge between our north and south auto entrances. As mentioned neither location was fenced like the majority of the Eastrail Trail areas to the south and north of Barbee Mill bordering other housing areas. Unfortunately for Barbee Mill these open, non-fenced areas immediately caused a number of problems due to unfettered access into our community. 4) To the north, completion of the Eastrail Trail, May Creek Bridge in 2015 included compact gravel that supported the abutments and short fence extensions on each corner. This gravel extended off the northwest corner of the bridge about 8 feet and encroached and migrated onto a small opening in the brush to the west. (See photos #5-#6). This gap in the weeds, brush and grasses went directly, 40 feet west into our community. At that time it was nothing more than a crease in the brush! (See photo #15). After the official Eastrail Trail opening, trail foot traffic increased, and it didn’t take long for some of its users to find this unauthorized, illegal access gap. These users began tromping down the vegetation more and more, making it into an even more inviting “access of opportunity”. The original gap in the underbrush had now become an unauthorized path into Barbee Mill! 5) Both unfenced Eastrail Trail accesses to Barbee Mill immediately brought loads of trail users entering our community. Some just walked our streets and exited without issue. Others had other intentions, invading our May Creek Delta waters on the south end of Barbee Mill and breaking State of Washington Shoreline Protection Act and Renton Municipal Code laws. (See photos #6-#7). Some of these groups also trespassed to our private dock and clubhouse by jumping or bypassing our gates and fences. Many of these same people often had their floatables, kayaks and beach chairs along with their dogs that quickly went off leash once they hit the delta waters! Residents with a direct view of the area estimated that 80% of those entering the delta area were coming directly off the Eastrail Trail and adjacent parking lots. (See photo #16). The numbers of trail users accessing Barbee Mill was further multiplied by two non- descript parking areas all within sight of the adjacent Eastrail Trail Bridge and its new “access of opportunity” path! 6) On the northeast corner of our development is the May Creek Eastrail Trail Bridge. It is also allowing the funneling of others into our community with the same intentions. This illegal entrance also has its own set of additional problems for our community. Because it was behind homes that border the May Creek there is extensive tree, brush and bush coverage. (See photo #12). It’s an area that most non-residents entering via this unauthorized route would not be seen or noticed, especially with many residents working during the day. It’s also “dark as mud” in the evening as one area resident has mentioned. (See photo #17). There is no lighting along our authorized Barbee Mill Chip Trail. After dark, with such easy, unlit and direct path access to our community, it then becomes a potentially dangerous area! Just like the larger south access area, some of those entering via this route have also used it as a direct and fairly unnoticed route to our delta, dock and clubhouse. Some have setup parties just inside this illegal entrance. In recent weeks Eastrail Trail users have also brought in multiple 1.5 foot high tree stumps and cuttings as seating, placing them just inside our fence line! (See photo #12). Some have inquired about some of our VIP/Celebrities names and their home locations? Recently area residents have been spooked by several disheveled looking people lurking the area and noted they may have been taking pictures of surrounding backyards and homes! Just last week on 12/17/24 there was a property theft on one of the homes along our Chip Trail, very close to the unauthorized path entrance! It’s only a matter of time before something more dangerous occurs in this area! 7) In the near future, Barbee Mill will be seeing extreme, new challenges with the completion of the Kennydale Gateway Apartments. There will be 385 new apartments with up to 1000 residents all looking for how to use their free time and how they might handle their limited parking. This will be directly across Lake Washington Blvd from the Eastrail Trail Bridge, its adjacent parking lot and the unauthorized path of opportunity. (See photo #18). If the unauthorized Eastrail Trail Bridge path is not shut down this will be the Kennydale Gateways apartment residents most direct route into Barbee Mill and our delta and private facilities. Why? 1) So Why is the path illegal and unauthorized? (See photo #19), “Dedication/Certification”) The Barbee Mill Plat and Master Plan authorizes just one agreed upon and authorized access to the May Creek that flows through the mid portion of our community. The page 1 plat reference states, “PUBLIC ACCESS WITHIN TRACTS “A” AND “B” IS LIMITED TO USE OF A SOFT SURFACE TRAIL TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY THE DECLARANT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANS APPROVED BY THE CITY OF RENTON”. Barbee Mill has and does maintain the “Public Access Chip Trail” and the public are welcomed to enjoy this trail that extends from the north off N 42nd PL and ends to the southwest at Williams Ave N. (See photos #2 & #8). Through thorough review of our Barbee Mill Plat and Master Plan it is obvious that the illegal “path of opportunity” was never agreed upon nor endorsed by the Barbee Mill Community Organization (BMCO). The second item of note comes from item f. Public Access Requirements by Reach. (See photo #20). It states: “Provision of public access from future redevelopment of the Seahawks and Barbee Mill site shall include a continuous public access trail parallel to the shoreline with controlled public access…..” Although this appears to clearly apply to the access and shoreline of the Barbee Mill delta and NGPA Tract A, the main point here is that this is what was agreed to by Barbee Mill, the City of Renton and King County! , Again, Barbee Mill does offer and maintain the authorized and agreed to May Creek Chip Trail that the general public is welcome to use as they wish. There is absolutely no agreed provision anywhere that authorizes the unauthorized “trail of opportunity”! 2) Environmental Protection The second issue is also of supreme importance! Again, referencing our Plat document “Dedication / Certification” (See ph#19). This clearly states: TRACTS “A” AND “B” ARE HEREBY CREATED TO PROVIDE A NATIVE GROWTH BUFFER TO PROTECT MAY CREEK”. The Barbee Mill community has been tasked with protection and maintaining our multiple NGPA areas. The important word here is “protect”! Unfortunately, the unfettered access to our Barbee Mill community from the Eastrail Trail has opened our Tract A and Tract B areas to potential damage of existing foliage, trees, ground cover, and salmon habitat. Our delta, on the south end of the Barbee Mill community, (Tract A), has seen regular invasions on warm sunny days breaking clearly posted Shoreline Protection laws and Renton Municipal Codes that cover this area! Fortunately, we have already seen agreement and direct action by King County Parks who we petitioned in late August 2024 to close the major, south, unfenced Eastrail Trail area. During October 2024, KC Parks agreed that the unfettered access to our delta was an environmental threat to our delta and required immediate action. We were very pleased to advise that KC Parks then installed 130 feet of chain link fence to close off this major southern opening off the Eastrail Trail into our community! Thank you King County Parks for quickly realizing the importance of limiting access to our important NGPAs and delta! Why is this important? First and as mentioned the larger south access opening was the larger of two access points off the Eastrail Trail with the other being the unauthorized access path off the Eastrail Trail Bridge to the north. Unfortunately the unauthorized access path also allows anyone to enter our community with their floatables, dogs initially on leashes and more directly trespassing on our private dock, clubhouse and again easily accessing our Barbee Mill delta! Just today (12/20/24) an older, non-resident was seen with two large dogs bypass the newly placed Eastrail Trail fence put in by KC Parks and proceeded directly into our delta where she quickly let the dogs off their leashes to run on and off of the designated Chip Trail and into the protected nearby delta waters. One immediately deposited a doggie mass that was then ignored and left for others. This is a direct example of what we deal with on a daily basis! (See photo #6). We have in the past requested assistance from Renton PD to help with enforcement but they have advised in writing that they cannot do this for our community even though delta invaders are clearly breaking Shoreline Protection Laws and Renton Municipal Code. Our streets are obviously open to all since they are owned by the City of Renton. It is clear our remedies are limited with unauthorized accesses to Barbee Mill! There now, continues to be a steady stream of non-residents who enter off the north side of the Eastrail Trail Bridge on this path to the west. Once inside this sheltered area inside Barbee Mill they then follow our “Chip Trail” exiting on Williams Ave N. Once there they have a short, direct access to our Barbee Mill delta, private dock and private clubhouse. Allowing closure of the unauthorized access path will significantly assure less potential for environmental damage to both the Barbee Mill delta and Tract B along the May Creek and Barbee Mill “Chip Trail”. 3) Security Issues We have two vehicle accesses to our community. Just like the City of Renton who has now installed 24 Flock Safety License Plate Readers, the Barbee Mill community is currently investigating the same for our two vehicle entrances. With the additional efforts our Barbee Mill community is making to enhance our vehicle entrances security, we should not have to tolerate any unauthorized and illegal path entrances into the back yards of some of our residents who reside along May Creek! There is no logic to securing the community in the best way we can but then leaving the back gate open by allowing the “path of opportunity” to stay open! Non-residents exiting the adjacent parking areas along Lake Washington Blvd need only travel 40 feet off the Eastrail Trail before entering this partially hidden area of Barbee Mill. (See photos #12, #16). This easy access to Barbee Mill has allowed non-resident groups (up to 20 have been seen) setting up parties just inside our boundary fence path entrance. In recent weeks they have moved in several larger cedar stumps that were cut elsewhere for seating inside our boundary fence! They arrived via the adjacent parking lots and via the illegal access path. (See photo #16). In recent weeks a number of disheveled people have entered the area off the Eastrail Trail. Area residents noted they were moving around in a peculiar and suspicious ways. They appeared to be taking pictures and possibly casing the area! When they noted they were being watched they scurried out of the area via the unauthorized and illegal access path. Again, it’s only a matter of time before a more dangerous criminal incident occurs at this unauthorized entrance! Due to the Barbee Mill community location just off I-405, we are especially prone to opportunistic criminal behavior. In recent years we have seen more and more car prowls, package thefts, several home intrusions by hopped up and mentally ill people, home vandalism and a few break-ins of course. A few years back we had a major, random home invasion and very severe assault of an older couple just because of our location to I-405! Our Neighborhood Committee has started keeping a log of criminal activity in our community to assess hot spots of increased activity. There seems to be a trending focus of activity in the NW quadrant of Barbee Mill. This area is the closest to I-405, our north auto entrance, the adjacent parking lots along Lake Washington Blvd and the unauthorized access trail in question. It’s not hard to argue that the easy access, through a semi-hidden access trail with two adjacent parking lots just outside Barbee Mill may be contributing to the ease of casing and carrying out criminal activity! Closing Arguments 1. The unauthorized, illegal entrance path at the NW corner of the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge is a “path of opportunity”. It never existed until Eastrail Trail foot traffic trounced down the small gap in the underbrush after 2015. 2. The unauthorized, illegal entrance path was never approved in the Barbee Mill Plat or anytime after. The Eastrail Trail opening caused it to become an unauthorized entry into our community. 3. The “path of opportunity” allows just that: a. Opportunity to get almost hidden, direct access and to invade the protected waters of the Barbee Mill delta and trespassing our private dock and clubhouse. b. Opportunity to party inside our Chip Trail illegal access and under the N 40th Pl Bridge. c. Opportunity to damage our NGPA tracts B and A. Their dogs are quickly off-lease once they enter the Tract A delta and its protected waters. Dogs off leash on our Chip Trail, Tract B area have also been noted. d. Potential opportunities to easily setup home invasions, burglaries by illegal entry into a hidden, back yard area via the illegal, unauthorized access path. (See photo #17). It would then be a quick getaway via the unauthorized access trail and the very close adjacent parking lots. The area where this unauthorized path enters Barbee Mill is an open invitation to criminal behavior. This is a direct danger to the security of residents and property within Barbee Mill! 4. Barbee Mill and King County Parks are doing and have done all we can to make our community more secure. We need to the City of Renton to do their part and allow this closure. 5. Closure of this illegal, unauthorized access is most easily accomplished by our simple addition of 2.5 X 8 foot sections (20 feet) of cedar fencing that will have absolutely no affect on our Tract B NGPA. The unauthorized access path that has developed as a result of the completion of the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge completion in 2015 is an issue that needs to be resolved. Our short, boundary fence extension solves this issue while providing increased safety, security and increased protection for our many NGPA tracts. We look forward to your positive response and guidance so we can complete this important project! Thank You, Steve Rodgers, Co-Chair Barbee Mill Neighborhood Committee srcascade@gmail.com 206-779-1451 Photos & Documents #1 Barbee Mill Area #2 Please notice the four labels. Please also note the close proxmity of the two nearby Eastrail Trail Parking Lots off Lake Washington Blvd. The single car pointing west is no more than 45 feet to the unauthorized access path. #3 This Drawing details the NW Corner of Barbee Mill and the Unauthorized Access Path in more detail. #4 This photo shows the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge with its gravel abutment to the nw. This gravel then extends over the unauthorized path that proceeds 40 feet into Barbee Mill to the right. #5 This photo shows the unauthorized path extending west from the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge nw corner into the Barbee Mill community. It is obviously not an authorized trail! #6 These photos shows an average warm day on the Barbee Mill Delta. As you can see there are about 20 people in separate groups blatantly breaking the Shoreline Protection Act and COR Municipal Code. Other periods show intruders launching their floaties, kayaks and letting their dogs run free and off leash. These are supposed to be protected waters and salmon habitat! #7 The photo shows the Barbee Mill N-S Border Fence that also separates our community boundary extending from our north auto entrance to the south, 356ft, ending just west of the north end of the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge nw corner and unauthorized access path. #8 This photo shows the north entrance of our authorized Public Chip Trail. It extends 158ft from its north entry start whereupon it cuts sw at the corner where the unauthorized access path enters Barbee Mill. #9 This photo is at the south end of our n-s entry boundary fence. This is where the unauthorized access path comes in from the east off the nw corner of the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge. This also shows our authorized Chip Trail veering to the sw where it then meets Williams Ave N. #10 This photo shows the inside area where our n-s boundary fence ends and meets the opening where the unauthorized access path enters from the east. As you can see this area is fairly wide open except for mature trees, shrubs and foliage that encircle the area. Directly to the right of center you can see the darker green fir tree lower bows. The proposed 20 foot fence extension would stop just short of these lower branches. The proposed fence extension would go just to the left of the very old, decaying stump studs that can be viewed just in front of the darker green fir tree. This area would not be disturbed to install the proposed fence extension. #11 This drawing shows the current Tract B NGPA. There will be absolutely no changes to this Tract since no trees, shrubs or foliage of any sort will be disturbed by our proposal. t #12 This photo shows the entrance of the Unauthorized Access Path into Barbee Mill. It also shows the south end of N-S boundary fence. Note the open area from the end of the fence to the dark green fir tree that is 25 feet to the south from the fence end. Our proposal is to add 20 feet of fence to the current fence. Note the stumps brought in for seating by non-residents that are having parties in this area! Please also note the thicker trees, bushes and brush. This area is unlit at night and very dark. #13 These photos shows the mature trees and growth that will not be disturbed by our proposal. The 2nd photo shows the opposite side of the large tree and shrub zone looking from the southeast. The point here is that the clump of growth south of our proposal is mature, lush and provides a complete separation zone from the end of our proposed plan. #14 View of the area west from the Eastrail Trail May Creek Bridge #15 This photo shows how the Unauthorized Access Trail looked like in 2015 after the May Creek Bridge was completed. It was no more than a crease in the brush where the leaves have gathered. #16 This photo shows the adjacent Eastrail Trail parking lots that are both no more than 45-80 feet from our Unauthorized Access Trail. Note the bridge abutment on the far left. #17 This is one of the brightest of photos from the backyards area where anyone entering Barbee Mill via the Unauthorized Access Trail after sunset might venture. Anyone with criminal intent would have easy sledding and a quick getaway via the path and nearby parking lots! #18 This photo was taken at the entrance of the Unauthorized Access Trail looking NE toward the exact spot where the Kennydale Gateway Apartments will be located directly across Lake Washington Blvd. 385 apartments with up to 1000 residents with a direct, unfettered access into Barbee Mill community! #19 This doc shows the only agreement for public access to the May Creek and delta area is via “A Soft Surface Trail….” (I.E. Our Barbee Mill Chip Trail). There are no other agreements made by anyone from our Barbee Mill Community Organization (BMCO) that allow any other accesses to Barbee Mill other than our two auto entrances. #20 This photo shows the COR Ordinance # 5633 also mimicking the Plat Agreement in photo #19.