Wanted: future vision for Bothell shorelines; city will hold three public workshops to gather input

September 8, 2010 1:56 pm

For three consecutive Thursdays in September, the city of Bothell will host public workshops throughout the community to hear from residents and property owners about the future of Bothell shorelines:

• Sept. 9, 1-3 p.m. at Russell’s Restaurant, 3305 Monte Villa Parkway

• Sept. 16, 6-8 p.m. at the Northshore Senior Center, 10201 E. Riverside Drive

• Sept. 23, 6-8 p.m. at Lockwood Elementary, 24118 Lockwood Road

All workshops will be designed to share the same information and collect input from the public. Citizens should visit the workshop most convenient for them.

Since June, the city has been mapping and inventorying the condition of existing shorelines, including areas where public access and shoreline restoration could be enhanced. This analysis will be presented at the September workshops, as well as the following questions posed to residents and property owners:

• How much and where should public access be provided?

• What types of commercial uses should be permitted along shorelines?

• How should flooding be addressed in the Shoreline Master Program?

• Which shorelines areas are best for restoration?

“This is the time for folks to come out, rather than waiting until the draft plan is out for public review,” said Bruce Blackburn, the city’s senior planner and project manager for the update program. “The plan will ultimately decide what happens on the shorelines for generations to come. Before we consider land-use changes or propose specific development regulations, we need to hear from the community — what ultimately should the future be for Bothell shorelines?”

The workshops are the next step in a 2½-year process to update the city’s Shoreline Master Program, rules and planning activities that guide development along the Sammamish River, North Creek and Swamp Creek, as well as associated floodplains and wetlands and all lands within 200 feet of these water bodies. When updated, the Shoreline Master Program will include policies and regulations that:

• Provides environmental protection and restoration for shorelines; preserves and enhances public access; and encourages appropriate development that supports water-oriented uses such as docks, marinas, recreation facilities and other uses that are dependent on, related to, or encourage enjoyment of the shoreline.