2009/03/25 Council Agenda Packet

Planning Commission Meeting • October 24, 2006 Page 5 He would like to propose for Area B from the northside of the Simpson Pad south including what the DOT owns, develop that area as a biosphere park with a tidal basin, botanic garden, pedestrian and aquatic trails, steamboat base for touring the entire estuary from Snohomish to Possession Sound, an artifact research area, and museum about the early Indian inhabitants. Right across the River on his property, he and a few others are working on an environment integrated farm system with eleven subsystems which are oriented towards nature and agricultural survival. If the environment integrated farm system works and the City's project works, there will be two of the finest national projects in the United States. He referred to a wetland display board to explain location of a moderate flood area. Slater Williams, 5018 South 2nd Avenue, has lived in Lowell for 35 years and has seen five floods. Floods occur all the way from the railroad tracks on the west side, to Highway 2 on the east side, one solid lake of water. 1990 and 95 were especially bad. Because of the flood in 1990, it took the State highway department, five years to replace the entire road that was washed off out along the River highway. Thanked Mr. Alexander for his testimony and would hope that the Council would have the common sense to say this is a flood zone and buildings should not be placed in that area. It is a natural habitat and you have a chance to turn that whole area into a park which could be on the same level as Grand Central Park in New York and Stanley Park in BC. Would like to address the insurability of any buildings built in that floodplain— many insurance companies are no longer insuring buildings that are in floodplains. That area will always be in the floodplain irregardless of what is done to the area. Who is going to pay for the infrastructure that is lost during a major flood? Myrna Williams declined to comment at this time. Gail Chism declined to comment at this time. Michelle Hoverter, 5502 South 2"d Avenue, thanked City Council, Planning Commission, and OliverMcMillan for their work to date on the project. She was concerned over lighting and does not want lighting to interfere with birds and her night time views. Sean Edwards, 3503 Oakes Avenue, shares the concerns about building in a floodplain. The project represents an opportunity to try to improve the community in a number of ways including salmon habitat restoration, flood hazard management, public access, and connections to the Riverfront. He is the Port Gardner Neighborhood chair and they have been tracking the project and did work with Watershed Company and the other parties on the Habitat Enhancement Study. Katrina Lindahl, 2515 East Grand Avenue, stated that overall she liked the plan but was concerned about the residential component on Site B, Simpson. Originally the site was planned for Bastyr University and she did like that opportunity of having an open campus for the public. The residential and trails surrounding the property makes it appear that it is an exclusive neighborhood and she would like to insure that the neighborhood is open to the public. Also would like to see green spaces. She would like to see noise and lighting addressed. Acting Chairman Ebert asked if there were any more questions from the audience. There was no response. Dave Koenig, City staff, stated that the development team and City staff would be available after the meeting to discuss the project. He introduced Dave Davis, City Riverfront Project Manager; Lanie McMullin and Karen Shaw from Economic Development; and Jim Iles from Administration.