My Name Is Rob Ahlschwede and I Live at 3726 Wesley Loop NW, Olympia
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
From: Shoreline Update To: Nancy Lenzi Subject: SMP RECORD -- FW: Comment to the Planning Commission on the SMP draft Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 11:04:53 AM From: robert ahlschwede [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2010 9:02 AM To: Shoreline Update Subject: Comment to the Planning Commission on the SMP draft My name is Rob Ahlschwede and I live at 3726 Wesley Loop NW, Olympia. Living outside of the city limits and the UGA, I have concerns about what this draft suggests Olympia may allow to happen on the shorelines within the city. The city that I consider my city!! My main area of concern is the listed setback distances and the heights allowed within those distances. The setbacks and heights in the draft are completely out of line with what the community and the council have indicated they want. In fact, the city council recently voted and you dealt with the down zoning to the historic 35' within the first 200 feet. The 42' in the first 100' and 65' in the next 100 is not what this community is trying to do. In fact, if you allow these figures to go forward, you are, in effect, allowing a rezone of the whole waterfront to what was just down zoned. If you allow these setbacks and heights to remain at those values it is more than possible the council will send it back to you expecting that change anyway. They did vote 7-0 on the above mentioned down zone. The other thing I am concerned about is that even at 35' the document allows(current zoning does also) for "sheds" and the like atop buildings . It is my suggestion that the heights be "the heights" allowed and that there be no extra heights allowed for HVAC, elevators, etc. Those allowances would actually take the proposed heights of 42' and 65' to 42+16= 58" and 65+16= 81'---that just cannot stand!!! I close with something else to consider. If we are to divide the first 200' in half, I suggest that we lower the heights below 35' inside the first 100' (maybe 20') and making sure that the second 100' does not go above 35' for any reason. Our shorelines are the most valuable amenities of our communities and should be protected and kept free of any buildings. Respectfully, Rob Ahlschwede -- Rob Ahlschwede 3726 Wesley Loop NW Olympia, Washington 98502 360-866-1935 From: Shoreline Update To: Nancy Lenzi Subject: SMP RECORD FW: dock construction Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 5:44:37 PM From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 3:58 PM To: Shoreline Update Subject: dock construction Olympia Planning Commission Dear Commissioners, At last night's meeting I was asked a question regarding nearshore enhancement in conjunction with construction of a dock that I don't believe I entirely answered. The important thing is that the nexus between land and water not be broken. To accomplish this, we can place the dock a short distance offshore and parallel to the beach. The beach remains in-tact to the upper beach which is lined with salt marsh or overhanging vegetation. We have a phobia of structures over the water that I don't believe is entirely warranted, particularly in the intertidal zone and in comparison to loss of the upper beach that would occur with a traditional dock. Harry Branch 239 Cushing St NW Olympia WA 98502 (360) 943-8508 [email protected] From: Shoreline Update To: Nancy Lenzi Subject: FW: Comments for shoreline planning Date: Monday, November 15, 2010 5:08:46 PM From: Ken and Katie Cameron [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 12:19 AM To: Shoreline Update Subject: Comments for shoreline planning I am writing to contribute my thoughts to the shoreline plan for Olympia WA. I am currently caring for a grandchild in California, but am an Olympia resident, and follow this issue closely even when I am away. I believe that any future shoreline plan should contain a provision for maintaining view and access along the isthmus. Building heights should be limited to two stories by the water, and no more than three stories one block back from the water. Public walkways should be provided for along the water. The current tall vacant building (which used to be occupied by the Department of Corrections) is a blight and an eye sore and should be purchased and destroyed. I tell friends that Olympia is the “Santa Barbara of the Northwest” and could be a major tourist draw. Look at what citizens of Santa Barbara did: they instituted strong (low) building height standards, and that town has become one of the jewels of the West Coast. Olympia has the same opportunity, and should seize upon it. Katie Cameron 360-970-5143 [email protected] From: Shoreline Update To: Nancy Lenzi Subject: SMP RECORD -- FW: Comment on SMP Update Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 11:03:30 AM From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 10:43 AM To: Shoreline Update Subject: Comment on SMP Update I concur entirely with the comments submitted by Holly Gadbaw on behalf of Olympia 2012 dated November 15, 2010. Low rise buildings promote urban decay and push people out to the suburbs. Low Impact Development is better than no development. Those who advocate wider setbacks, lower building heights, and private view corridors are simply trying to preserve the status quo in Olympia and stop its further improvement as a viable and sustainable City. Clydia J. Cuykendall, 4203 Amber Ct SE, Olympia, WA 98501 From: Shoreline Update To: Nancy Lenzi Subject: SMP RECORD -- FW: Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 11:05:37 AM From: Tim Dickey [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 7:17 AM To: Shoreline Update Cc: Tim Dickey Subject: Mr. Horn, I am concerned about the Shoreline Master Plan. There are ways to build that are environmentally safe in shoreline and other areas of water concern. Most waterfront lots could not be developed under the new proposed guidelines making the land useless to the owner. Many other tracts of land with waterways and bogs are destined to suffer the same problem. Additionally, we are not an agrarian state. Forcing land to remain “agricultural” will take away land owner rights to sell and develop that land which may have been their retirement or inheritance to their children. My observation is that yes, we want to preserve our natural beauty and be ecologically sound. Right now I see the people who already have their waterfront home and the people who will never have anything substantial making the most noise on this issue. Let’s preserve for the future, but do so in a way that does not harm our environment while allowing land owners the right to build to new environmental standards. I’ve never been happy with my “knee jerk” decisions—have you? Sincerely, Tim Dickey Dickey’s, Incorporated Remodel & Repair for your Home & Business P.O. Box 6250 Olympia, WA 98507 Voice: (360) 705-9957 Fax: (360) 705-1047 Toll Free: (866) 705-9957 “We Care…and It Shows!” Four-Time Olympia Master Builder Remodeler of the Year From: Shoreline Update To: Nancy Lenzi Subject: SMP RECORD -- FW: Shoreline Master Plan draft feedback Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 11:04:03 AM From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2010 11:20 AM To: Shoreline Update Subject: Shoreline Master Plan draft feedback Dear Ms. Hornbein, I've been reading the draft Shoreline Master Plan, and am very pleased to see these issues being addressed. The turmoil over the isthmus properties last year makes it clear that new ground rules, which really reflect the public's best interest, have to be made. Without this document, other divisive shoreline development battles would surely erupt. I was impressed with how comprehensive and thorough the SMP draft is. I have only a two suggestions: 1. None of the uses on the Development Standards Table 6.2A should be allowed to exceed the 35 foot height limit. 2. I think it's important to citizens who are evaluating this draft to see a brief table, which shows how it differs from from the previous SMP. Thank You, Jay Elder November 15, 2010 Olympia Community Planning and Development Department PO Box 1967 Olympia, WA 98607-1967 RE: Shoreline Master Plan View Provisions I am writing in support of protecting and preserving shoreline views. I believe the results of the public controversy this past year over building heights reflected clear policy direction for protecting water and shoreline views. Proposed section 5.10.2B eliminates view protection for existing property owners. I request that you reject this proposed section. The proposal should strengthen rather than eliminate shoreline and view protections. Existing property owner views and shoreline protections should not be destroyed, and Section 5.10.2B should be replaced with current law and regulation which states “residential development shall be arranged and designed to protect views, vistas, aesthetic values to protect the character of the shoreline environment and the views of neighboring property owners”. Unrestricted construction on privately or publicly owned shorelines is not in the public’s best interests and is not good public policy. The proposed revision to Section 5.10.2B reverses a longstanding policy that provides for a more fair and balanced approach. I do not think that is right. Again, I request that the proposed revision to proposed Section 5.10.2B be rejected and the current regulation be retained.