Subject: Black River Great Blue Heron rookery/FYI
Date: Apr 26 09:31:53 2000
From: Diann MacRae - tvulture at halcyon.com


For those that are interested and able to help, the following is
information regarding the Black River Great Blue Heron rookery and rezoning
laws:
>
>If you want, please post the following letter to tweeters. One thing that I
>need to clarify is that Citizens for Renton Wildlands Preservation is
>opposing the rezone (with the help of the Seattle and Rainier Audobon
>Societies). We don't necessarily support the rezone, we just feel that if
it
>is granted, the site needs to be developed responsibly. If tweeter members
>are more in favor of opposing the rezone, they should explain this in their
>correspondence to the City of Renton. The contact for Citizens for Renton
>Wildlands Preservation is Suzanne Krom 206-933-0222.
>
>Thanks,
>Tom Malphrus
>
>April 19, 2000
>
>Subject: Development of the wooded hillside near the Black River Heron
>Colony
> City of Renton reference: Merlino Comprehensive Plan Amendment Rezone
>
>In past correspondence I notified you that the owner of the wooded hillside
>behind the Black River Heron Colony is planning to develop the property as
>apartments or condominiums. I told you that we would notify you when the
>property is posted for public comment. I also explained that our primary
>concern regarding the development is with a pond, located adjacent to the
>property, in which heron forage.
>
>The property is currently zoned Arterial Commercial and Commercial Office.
>The owner has asked the City of Renton to amend its Comprehensive Plan to
>allow for a rezone of the property to Multi-Family Infill. The proposal
must
>first go to the City Planning Commission for review. The Planning
Commission
>will hold a public hearing and solicit public comment, after which the
>commission will make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council
>will have the final say on whether the property is rezoned.
>
>To support his request for a rezone, the owner of the property has submitted
>a conceptual plan for development of the property. In our opinion, the plan
>is acceptable. Multi-Family zoning of this property will allow for the
>construction of up to 482 apartment or condominium units. The owner's
>conceptual plan shows only 200 units. In addition, the plan shows a large
>buffer between the heron foraging pond and the development.
>
>The problem with the owner's plan is that it is not binding. After a rezone
>is granted, the owner can submit a plan for a more intensive development and
>the City will have little legal authority to stop it.
>
>We are asking the Planning Commission to require the owner to submit a
>binding site plan. This will allow both the Planning Commission and public
>to ensure that the owner builds a development similar to the one he now
>proposes. If the Planning Commission decides against requiring a binding
>site plan then we will ask the commission to impose conditions on the rezone
>that will protect the heron foraging pond and other wildlife habitat.
>
>We ask you to support us by writing the Planning Commission and/or by
>attending a public hearing to be held by the Planning Commission on May 3rd
>at 7:00 PM in the Renton Council Chambers at Renton City Hall. Renton City
>Hall is located at 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA. The council chambers are
>located on the 7th floor. If you attend the public hearing, you will not be
>required to speak.
>
>Your letter can be as simple as a statement of support for the Friends of
the
>Black River in their effort to ensure that the Merlino SR-900 property is
>developed responsibly, or your letter can be as complex as you wish to make
>it. Please title your letter: Merlino Comprehensive Plan Amendment Rezone.
>Letters should be sent to the Renton Planning Commission on or before May 3,
>2000, and addressed as follows:
>
>Planning Commission
>City of Renton
>1055 S. Grady Way
>Renton, WA 98055
>
>The Planning Commission will accept e-mails. E-mails should be sent to
>jwright at ci.renton.wa.us. Please be sure that your e-mail is addressed to
the
>Planning Commission and that it references the Merlino Comprehensive Plan
>Amendment Rezone.
>
>You may also fax the Planning Commission at 425-430-7300.
>
>It is important that the Planning Commission (and later the City Council)
>understand that this issue is important to many people. Your involvement
>will make a difference.
>If you have any questions, please contact me at a number listed below or
>contact Jerry Holmes at 425-226-0188.
>
>Sincerely:
>
>Tom Malphrus
>Friends of the Black River Home Phone: 425-277-8219
>18713 102nd Ave. SE Work Phone 425-430-7313
>Renton, WA 98055 e-mail: tomnyari at aol.com
>
>