Upper Bear Creek UAC Meeting Minutes

Date: Dec 17, 2002
Time: 7:30 - 9:10 PM
Location: Woodinville Library
Board Attendees: Geoff Clayton, Nancy Stafford, Jerry Hicks, Mary Filkins, Rick and Kathy Ravenscroft County Attendees: Marissa Algeria, Harry Reinert, Joe Miles, Claire Dyckman, DDES. Mathew Pruitt

For Kathy Lamberts Office
Community Attendees:
Tim Schriever, Wendy Walsh, Juanita Verschuyl, Dick Schaetal, Judy Westall, Maxine Keesling

Pres. Geoff Clayton called the Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting to order. Geoff briefly named a number of items that could be mentioned in mitigation negotiations with King County if the Highway 9 site is chosen for Brightwater, beginning with the purchase of 192 acres of DNR land near Crystal Lake serving headwaters of Bear Creek. In January, he'd like to meet jointly with Larry Phillips, Kathy Lambert, and Active Sports Comm. to review new structure of King County Parks Dept and their assets. He then introduced new UBCC Board members Kathy and Rick Ravenscroft.

Harry Reinert gave a power point slide presentation noting proposed changes in the Sensitive Areas (now to be named Critical Areas) and Stormwater Ordinances. Joe Miles addressed land issues; Claire Dykeman works as an educator for DDES. Stephanie Warden was other occupied. The proposed Ordinances may be found on the King Co site of the Internet. These ordinances address potential hazards to streams, slopes, wetlands & flood areas, generally bringing the rest of the County up to Bear Creek Basin standards. Stormwater issues generally require engineering solutions. King County is required to update these ordinances periodically since conditions and needs are constantly changing. "Best Available Science" is one of the "yard sticks" used in the balancing process that takes in needs of growth, environment, work and living space, health issues, recreation, clean water and protection of Endangered Species. The solution has many parts including rules and regs, education and use of volunteers. The new ordinances will affect only new development/new activity and only in unincorporated King County, land use regs apply only to land outside cities and non-government owned property. "BAS" limits regulatory options/range of choices. An update of the Stormwater Design Manual is in process. Proposed changes apply to rural residential properties, calling for 65% of a parcel to be managed open space with native vegetation and a limit of 10% or less impervious surface (includes house, patio, drive etc.) Wetland (now Aquatic Areas) classifications are being changed along with accompanying buffer requirements. Buffers will begin at the outside edge of streambeds, migrating or stationary using WA State System Categories. Agricultural areas, existing and proposed farm areas have their own regulations. Effect of development on existing and endangered wildlife will figure into the equation on each parcel. For more complete information, attend one of the public meetings offered, *see handout or go to the county web site www.metrokc.gov/ddes/cao/. Public Comment period closes Feb 7, 2003.

The meeting closed at 9:15. Next public Forum Jan 28, 2003, 7:30 Woodinville Water District Offices