Minutes Land Use & Natural Resources Committee Meeting - June 21, 2000 7:30 pm McMurray School Library Land Use Committee attendees:, Vic Bottomly, Enid Dolstad, John Gerstle(Chrm), Donna Klemka, Joel Kuperberg, Jacqui Pegues, Sharon Price, Lorin Reinelt, Carol Salkind, Mark Salkind, and Susan Oxholm and Katy Vanderpool from KC Water & Land Resources Division Surface & Ground Water Management Program Susan reported that the SWM repeal ordinance was to have been discussed last week at the KC Committee of the Whole but was postponed. Meanwhile the Regional Water Quality Committee (RWQC), to which the the SWM ordinance which had been referred, has opposed repeal and has passed a motion supporting the extension and asked the KC executive staff to draft a "pilot" program to investigate additional discounts and or ways in which non-residential property owners can reduce fees. (The RWQC is a multi-jurisdictional body.) In addition, the Division/Executive has introduced an ordinance of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) totaling $500K. This money is from cost savings derived from not being able to yet implement the program. Among other recommendations, the DNR staff proposed that $100K of the CIP projects be allocated for drainage improvements on Vashon with a specific suggestion of Shinglemill or Judd Creek and with project scope to be determined after receipt of community input.The final allocation of CIP funds will be subject to Council debate and negotiations. Susan said that she is being assigned to a new job and that the implementation of the SWM Program is being shifted to the KC service organizations. Katy Vanderpool will be the interim lead for the stewardship program until the hiring issues are sorted out.. Katy said that KC is soliciting candidates for the VMI Groundwater Management Committee. The Groundwater Plan, which was approved by the KC Council, calls for a core committee of nine members to be constituted as follows: One representative from Ground Water Advisory Committee, one from KC-Dept of Natural Resources, one from the Island’s water purveyors, one representing the Community Council, one representing the Island’s residential well users, one from the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, a representative of business owners, a representative of commercial agriculturalists, and a representative of a Vashon environmental organization. Members will be appointed by the KC Council and will serve staggered terms of 3 years. Application for membership including a letter of interest and a resume should be sent to Ken Johnson by email to Ken.Johnson@METROKC.GOV or by mail to 201 South Jackson St., Suite 600, Seattle, WA. 98104-3855. John voiced concern that the Committee is to only meet three times a year, one meeting of which would be for regional discussions. Katy said that she has been already working with Vashon people and becoming familiar with the Shinglemill Creek and Ellisport projects. A KC grant (not SWM money) has been applied for to fund the groundwater outreach program. KC has been funding the Washington Trout Organization’s Vashon stream typing survey. Both Donna and Joel commented that the latter was very valuable work. Ray Eldridge, who reports to Ken, is the groundwater lead for outreach work which will include water quality and watershed health issues. Katy said that the Vashon Steward position will be funded as a full time equivalent, but that could mean a half time person, probably located in the Seattle area, (a decision regarding a field office on Vashon is yet to be determined) and cumulative funding of half time for biologists, engineers, and other specialists, since no one person would have all the expertise needed.. There is a 2001 budget, but not a work program yet for year 2001 or for the remainder of 2000 . KC Roads Division and the Water and Land Resources Division are working an agreement on sharing funding for projects related to culvert and erosion control improvements. There is also no budget yet for overall Basin (i.e.Island) planning, but it was agreed by our committee that watershed planning should be broadened to include all resourcessuch as surface and groundwater and fish. Katy said she is planning a public workshop on Vashon as a first step towards a Basin plan. Katy can be reached at 296-8362 or via email at katy.vanderpool@metrokc.gov. Mission Statement In response to the request of the Community Council, Vic and Lorin drafted a mission statement last month. The following mission statement was approved by unanimous vote. "The purpose of the Land Use and Natural Resource Committee is to study and advise the VMICC regarding issues relating to zoning policy, development, the Comprehensive Plan, water supply and quality, water resource management and other land use and natural resource issues of importance to the community." Short Reports We have not received a revised draft of the Trails Corridor Ordinance. There has been no further news on Maury Regional Park Development. Nancy Silver sent a report on the hearing on Vashon Meadows, Major concerns were the lack of mention of any drainage or wetlands study, the aquifer recharge dimunition due to hooking up to the sewer, the onus placed on Water District 19 if the four-home-well runs dry (though the water district has a trust fund paid for by the developer), and some of the conflicts of the 1994 Comprehensive Plan’s Chapters on Rural Land Use, Natural Resources, and the 1996 Vashon Town Plan. There was no mention in the planner’s staff report of any restrictions on the scale or appearance of the homes though the Comp Plan urges that development be reflective of the surrounding community. The row of trees across the street from the project and the historic homes nearby merit consideration of the impacts of 12 new homes per ordinance and the Town Plan. The Comp Plan directs the county to inventory historic resources and keep it inventoried yet no inventory nor eligibility review was conducted. The applicant will probably appeal the recommendation made at the hearing by King County Traffic to eliminate the most northeasterly lot due to increased right of way dedication because Vashon Highway is catergorized as a “principal arterial.” . A more complete report by Nancy is available in the Ticket Septic Systems There was short discussion by Mark and Lorin on the possiblity of more flexible or alternative approaches to septic systems. As a result Mark will invite Gordon Clemans from KC to discuss the issue at our next meeting. Vacating of KC property John will check if Jake or the Committee can be notified of KC notices regarding vacating of KC propery on Vashon. Next Meeting: July 19, 7:30 pm, same location.We probably will not hold an August meeting.