Chuckanut Ridge Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scoping Concerns

Transcription

1 Chuckanut Ridge Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scoping Concerns Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

2 Chuckanut Ridge Hilly Terrain: Potential for Erosion? Possible Adverse Drainage? May Be Difficult to Access? Costly to Develop? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

3 Neighborhoods Directly Affected by Proposed Development Edgemoor Fairhaven Happy Valley South South Hill Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

4 Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods Associations Led by 5 Presidents Edgemoor: Fairhaven: Happy Valley: South: South Hill: Brad Rose Vince Biciunas John Hymas Steve Wilson Cathy Cameron CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

5 Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods Chuckanut Ridge Committee Comprised of 5 Representatives Edgemoor: Fairhaven: Happy Valley: South: South Hill: Larry Horowitz Stuart Plotnick Tip Johnson Christopher Grannis Ray Ballweg One from Each Southside Neighborhood Citizens Who Are Concerned About the Scope of Chuckanut Ridge EIS CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

6 EIS Scope Concerns Are the EIS Scope & Process Adequate to Identify All Potential Impacts? On Site & Off Site Impacts Local & City Wide Context Direct & Indirect Consequences Qualified Data Sources Accuracy & Completeness of Existing Studies Peer Reviews as Quality Control Check Multiple Site Visits & Assessments CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

7 Neighbor Concerns Appears to be poor location for concentrated residential development Could generate severe traffic congestion Possible unsafe conditions for pedestrians and bikers Destruction of mature forested wetlands Potential increased risk of landslides from construction on steep slopes Possible increased stress on existing infrastructure Bridge, Roads, Schools, Police, Fire Fighting CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

8 Neighbor Concerns 2 Potential flooding from changes to storm water runoff & subsurface water flows Potential loss of Fairhaven Park ball fields as a result of increase flooding from runoff Possible overcrowding of our parks & recreation facilities Likely damage to salmon-bearing streams and fish & wildlife habitats CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

9 EIS Topics Need To Be Addressed Earth Air Water Plants & Animals Noise Recreational Land Use Transportation Public Services & Utilities CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

10 Earth What will be the impacts on remaining wetlands within the property? What will be the impacts on adjacent and connected wetlands? What effect on flood and storm control by the hydrologic absorption and storage capacity of wetlands? What effect on erosion control, sedimentation, siltation, and water absorption? What effect on wildlife habitat? What is the likelihood for landslides, erosion, and increased siltation and sedimentation downstream, both during construction and after completion? What is the risk that runoff and siltation and sedimentation might fill in and damage adjacent and connected wetlands and associated streams? What will be the impact of pollution from road runoff, household spills and waste, and from pesticides/weed killers, etc.? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

11 Air What is the expected impact of motor vehicle, truck and heavy equipment emissions during construction? What will be the impact from motor vehicle, lawn mowers, leaf blowers etc, from new development? What will be the increase in vehicle emissions, due to longer wait times at intersections and bridge crossing? What will be the impact on air quality due to removal of a large portion of trees and vegetation? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

12 Water What are the impacts on plant and animal life resulting from loss of water habitat in both seasonal and permanent wetlands ponds and streams? What are the requirements for wetland and stream buffers? Have wetlands, including the mature forested wetlands, been properly rated and classified? What will be the impact on the RATE of absorption, evaporation, and ground water flow? How will the QUALITY of surface runoff and ground water be impacted? Will the likelihood of flooding and/or storm water overflow increase? How will the loss of tree canopy affect rainwater flow moderation? How will existing nearby residences, roadways and parklands be impacted by changes in ground and surface water flow? How will changes in rainwater and storm water flow and quality affect groundwater levels, creeks, rivers, and estuaries? Will water qualify be affected? What are the hydrological impacts and risks to existing homes, streets, and infrastructure down slope from the proposed development? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

13 Plants & Animals How much habitat of all kinds will be lost? Will there be a significant loss of insects, birds, amphibians, small mammals, and predatory birds and mammals? What protected and candidate species are threatened directly or indirectly? What will the impact be on the diversity of resident species as a result of the loss of functional wildlife corridors to nearby green spaces? Will the health of food chain supporting upper predators be adversely affected? How will wildlife on site and on adjacent and ecologically connected properties be affected? Will Fairhaven Highlands isolate plant and animal populations? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

14 Plants & Animals 2 What will the impact be on the diversity of species in adjoining lands? What is the viability of isolated pockets of undeveloped land? Will the health of the remaining isolated stands of trees be impaired? Is the plant and wildlife inventory thorough, accurate and adequate? How will the conclusions and recommendations of the Bellingham Wildlife and Habitat Assessment be considered? What are the impacts on the dry land habitats associated with the wetlands and ponds? Will there be a loss of wetland function and values? Will the five Category 1 mature forested wetlands continue to function as wetlands? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

15 Noise What are the anticipated noise impacts during the construction? How will this development affect quality of life for residents, people using the Fairhaven Park and the associated trail system? How will noise levels affect nearby wildlife? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

16 Recreational Land Use Will development result in a loss of recreation and of recreational opportunities? How will this development affect the City s ability to meet its goal of 90 acres of public parks and facilities for the South neighborhood? Will the development impair the connection between Fairhaven Park and the Interurban Trail system? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

17 Transportation What is the current traffic load on the 12th Street bridge, and what are the likely effects on traffic load during construction and after full development? What are the anticipated impacts on wait times and congestion levels? What are the likely the traffic impacts on the intersection of 12th Street and Old Fairhaven Parkway and on the Fairhaven truck route? Will emergency access routes be required? Will the bridge be weakened by heavy traffic loads during construction? Will construction traffic be routed down Old Samish and up 30th Street? What will be the traffic impacts southward, along Old Samish and up 30th Street? What will be the impacts on Police, Fire Department, and EMS response times? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

18 Transportation 2 How will drivers respond to increased congestion and wait times at the 12th Street Bridge over Padden Creek? How will development affect traffic through Fairhaven via Cowgill? Will a connection between Chuckanut Drive and 24th Street/Old Fairhaven Parkway be considered? If there is a connection through 24th Street, how would such a route affect the Interurban Trail? What will be the impact of the single entry point to the development from Chuckanut Drive? What will be the impact on pedestrian traffic (including students) and safety along Chuckanut Drive and across the bridge? What will be the impact on bicycle traffic and safety? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

19 Public Services & Utilities Fire & EMS Service Will the nearest fire station continue to be across the 12th Street bridge? What are the response times now, and how will they be affected by increased traffic and workloads? Where and how could a new fire station be accommodated, and at what cost? Will there be emergency access routes? Police Service How will development affect police coverage and response times? How many new uniformed officers (or FTE) would be needed to serve the new development? Will crime increase? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

20 Public Services & Utilities 2 Schools How many new school students are expected? Will new schools need to be built or expanded? If so, where? How will students who travel to elementary and high school across the 12th Street Bridge be affected? What will be the long-term costs to add to school district capacity? Neighborhood Character Alternative locations for future residential and commercial growth have been identified in other parts of the South Neighborhood. How would the impact of the proposed residential development compare to such alternative developments, nearer to the highway and among and near existing development? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

21 Public Services & Utilities 3 Parks and Recreation What is the current level of service within the five Southside Neighborhoods, and how will development of Chuckanut Ridge affect that level of service as well as future parks and greenways plans? City Finances What are the direct and indirect costs to city tax payers to pay for new infrastructure and for system development costs? What are the direct and indirect costs to city tax payers to pay for increased workload on all city departments and services? How much of the financial expense incurred by the City would not be offset by developer impact fees? CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,

22 Conclusion We, the member associations of the Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods, believe that a full and adequate scope for the EIS is a crucial first step in establishing a trustworthy process in order to achieve a credible EIS for Fairhaven Highlands. We therefore request that all of the above-mentioned concerns and issues be included in the scope of the EIS and specifically addressed in the Draft EIS. CSN Comments for Fairhaven Highlands EIS Scope Hearing, Jan 16,