City of Lake Forest Park

17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.com
206-368-5440

March 2021

Town Center Ordinances Adopted by City Council

On February 25, the City Council adopted five ordinances which update the Town Center zoning regulations and Town Center Framework Design Guidelines, along with proposed images for Town Center Framework Design Guidelines. Some of the newly adopted regulations also create a Multi-family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program which is designed to encourage affordable housing in the Town Center and other mixed-use and multifamily zoning districts. The final ordinances adopted by the City Council are available on the City’s Town Center Process webpage (https://www.cityoflfp.com/593/Town-Center-Process). Both the Town Center Framework Design Guidelines and MFTE maps will be posted to the website as soon as they are available.

Here is an outline of the adopted ordinances:

Ordinance No. 1217

Adds Chapter 2.41 Design Review Board
Amends Chapter 2.22 Volunteer Commission System (as relates to Design Review Board)
Amends Chapter 18.08 Planning and Land Use Regulations, Definitions
Amends Chapter 18.42 Town Center and also adopts new Town Center Framework Design Guidelines by reference

Ordinance No. 1218

Adds Chapter 18.72 Development Agreements (applicable City wide)

Ordinance No. 1219

Amends Chapter 18.58 Off-Street Parking (applicable City wide)

Ordinance No. 1220

Amends Chapter 18.62 Screening and Landscaping (applicable in RM, BN, TC and CC zones)

Ordinance No. 1221

Adds Chapter 3.23 Multifamily Residential Property Tax Exemption (applicable in designated Residential Targeted Areas)

The Town Center Process webpage (https://www.cityoflfp.com/593/Town-Center-Process) also has slide presentations and memoranda that provide detailed information about the contents and purpose of the proposed provisions. These presentations and memoranda may still be helpful in understanding the intent and effect of the new regulations and guidelines.

Public Hearing Scheduled regarding Northshore Fire Department Proposed Merger with Woodinville Fire & Rescue

The Northshore Fire District has placed an item on the April 27 special election ballot regarding a potential merger with Woodinville Fire & Rescue.

The Lake Forest Park City Council believes it is in the best interests of the residents of Lake Forest Park to hold a public hearing regarding the merger. Residents and other interested persons are invited to attend the meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, 2021. The City Council regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held virtually, via Zoom, as City Hall is currently closed due to COVID-19.

Information about how to join the meeting will be available on the meeting agenda as of Monday, April 5.

Lake Forest Park City Council

Council Corner – Accomplishments and Looking Ahead

I want to start this newsletter post by thanking all those LFP residents who participated in the process of updating our Town Center zoning regulations which began more than three years ago. The Council benefitted tremendously from all the input from residents, recommendations from the Planning Commission, and the presence and comments of a dedicated group of citizens who showed extraordinary tenacity and patience by attending and commenting at our meetings throughout the final push to get the ordinances approved before the March 10 moratorium expiration deadline.

While no-one got everything they wished for, the Council heard loud and clear that environmental protections, preservation of our community character, and provision of affordable housing were all values that needed to be included in our ordinances. We feel confident that these crucial values have been upheld and hope that developers will soon recognize the unique and valuable opportunities that exist in Lake Forest Park.

The City Council is now turning its attention to a work plan for the rest of the year and looking forward to identifying and planning for the crucial work of taking our community into a recovery from the pandemic. While we have all needed a few weeks to breathe and recover from the intensity of completing the Town Center zoning ordinances, we hope that our residents will soon take the opportunity to join the Council as we discuss the future of our city and how we can best serve residents throughout the coming years. Please stay tuned to meeting notices as we plan a review of recent accomplishments and determine a new set of priorities. As always, we value and count on your input and participation.

--Deputy Mayor Phillippa Kassover

King County Elections – Special Election on April 27

A special election has been scheduled for April, with ballots due on Tuesday, April 27. Northshore Fire Department will be asking area voters to approve a merger with Woodinville Fire & Rescue. More information about the proposal can be found on the Northshore Fire Department website, under “Merger Updates.” Ballots will be mailed on April 5, with ballot drop boxes (including the one next to Lake Forest Park City Hall) open on April 8. Be sure to have your ballots postmarked by April 27 or dropped in the ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m.! For more information, please visit the King County Elections website, or reach them by phone at (206) 296-VOTE (8683).

Police Department Annual Report Available

At the March 25 City Council meeting, Chief Harden and Lieutenants Lehman and Zanella presented the Police Department’s Annual Report. A copy is now available on the City website, here.

Records and Information Management Month - April 2021

April is Records & Information Management (RIM) Month

In 1995, ARMA International introduced Records and Information Management (RIM) Month to celebrate the importance of records management professionals and highlight the value they bring to organizations and communities. RIM Month is now recognized internationally, as a time to highlight the important impact that good records and information management has on government and business. Good records management can also help at home and in your home office:

Information is an asset – protect it! Password-protect mobile devices and media. Lock your laptop screen before you walk away. Clean your desk and secure work papers each day. Shred paper if disposing of private or confidential information. Do not discuss sensitive information in public.

Organize it! Use standard file names that are appropriate. Use meaningful subject lines on your emails, so you can find them again later. Move important emails to the proper place.

Manage it! Know what information is available. Learn where information is and how to access it. Use the latest version of a document. Save information to the proper place.

Delete it! Delete duplicate messages. Shred paper with sensitive information. Discard notices that are outdated or have little value. Delete messages and files that are no longer needed.

Celebrate RIM Month and be a records superhero!

Now is a Good Time to Go Online with Your Sewer Bill

If you are sending us a paper check when you pay your sewer bill did you know you can now view and pay your sewer bill online? Using the City’s online bill service lets you view and pay your sewer bill, go paperless, set up autopay and receive notifications when your sewer bill is due.

You can use either an electronic check from your bank (EFT) or a credit card. Using an electronic check from your bank is free. A fee of $3.95 will be assessed by the online service provider (Invoice Cloud) for using a credit card, and there is a limit of $400 per transaction for credit card payments. The information you will need to access the online services is the name on the account (last name is enough) and the account number.

To get started, visit the City’s website, www.cityoflfp.com, and click on the Payments button on the left side of the page.

Measuring a Champion Tree

Arbor Day Champion Tree Contest for Students!

Submitted by LFP Tree Board
Every April, we celebrate our beautiful natural resources with days dedicated to the Earth. This year’s Arbor Day celebration is April 30, and the Lake Forest Park Tree Board wants to enlist students to celebrate the “forest” in Lake Forest Park by entering our Champion Tree contest! A Champion Tree is the biggest tree of its kind. Many states, including Washington, have an official register of Champion Trees. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a register of our own Champion Trees in Lake Forest Park?

Any Lake Forest Park resident or student 18 and under will be invited to enter the contest. Watch for more information from your schools, local social media and the LFP website for the qualifying tree species and PRIZES! Kickoff details will be released on Arbor Day, April 30, 2021.

As In-person School Resumes, So Do School Zone Traffic Cameras

Now that students in Lake Forest Park are back to school for in-person learning, the City would like to remind drivers that school zone traffic cameras have also resumed. Please remember to slow down in school zones, watch for children walking and bicycling to and from school, and follow the direction of crossing guards.

See below for enforceable hours and locations:

Lake Forest Park Elementary School (four cameras)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
6/18/2021, Early Release: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Brookside Primary School (three cameras)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
6/18/2021, Early Release: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The schools are on hybrid learning models, with two sessions--morning and afternoon. Because of this, children will be present in the morning, noontime, and afternoon. So yes, the cameras will be on all day. On Wednesdays there is no school for either group, so the cameras will not be active on Wednesdays.

Compost Days coupon for free bag of compost

Coupon for 15% off bulk purchase of compost.

Spring is Here and That Means Compost Days Return to Cedar Grove!

To help get your garden jump-started for the new season, Cedar Grove is offering great deals on bag and bulk soil products at all Cedar Grove locations and participating retailers throughout the Pacific Northwest!

Through April 26, 2021, you can receive 15% off all bulk soil orders of 5 yards or more (delivery and pick up options available) as well as one free bag of compost for any two bags of Cedar Grove soil purchased (pick up only).

For more information on Compost Days, where to buy, which soil product to use, follow the link here: https://cedar-grove.com/featured/compost-days-2021.

King County Hazardous Waste Management Program Resumes Home Collection Program for Seniors and Residents with Disabilities

The Home Collection Program for hazardous waste resumed on March 10, after being on hold due to COVID-19. King County seniors 65 years or older and residents with disabilities who cannot access a collection site can call to schedule a free at-home pickup of hazardous waste. The pickup will follow strict COVID-19 protocols from Public Health - Seattle & King County to protect workers and customers.

Read more here about eligibility and how to schedule a free pickup.

The City is Recruiting for Several Positions

The City of Lake Forest Park is currently recruiting for the positions listed below. If you or someone you know are interested, click on the links, and check them out!

Maintenance Worker, regular full-time position

Seasonal Maintenance Worker, seasonal position

Records Specialist, regular full-time position

Mark Your Calendars for April 9-11; the King County Wastemobile will be in Bothell

Do you have Household Hazardous Waste that is in need of disposal? The King County Wastemobile is making a stop in Bothell / Woodinville Friday – Sunday, April 9 – 11, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Wastemobile provides household hazardous waste disposal services for King County residents and accepts a wide variety of materials!

You may drop off items such as antifreeze, batteries, gasoline, fluorescent lights, and pesticides. To view the full list of what you can and cannot bring and learn some safety tips visit the King County Hazardous Waste Management Program webpage, or call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692.

Can’t make it to the Wastemobile? Don’t dispose of hazardous waste like cleaning products, batteries, or pesticides in the garbage or down the drain. Take them for safe disposal to the North Seattle Hazardous Waste drop-off site.

Dog with thought bubble: I poop. You pick it up. Any questions?

Clean Yards & Parks = Clean Shoes & Paws = Clean Waters!

What’s the problem with dog poop? Leaving dog poop in your backyard and on parks and trails allows you, your kids, and your pets to track it indoors, inviting a whole army of nasty bacteria into your house and washed into our waterways. The quality of our rivers, lakes and Puget Sound is impacted when fecal matter is left on the ground. When it rains or snows, rain and stormwater have the potential to wash pet waste into our natural waterways, generating harmful levels of fecal coliform bacteria and making them unsafe for recreational use. Landfills are designed to safely handle substances like dog waste. Always remember to scoop the poop, bag it, and place it in the trash!

City News, Meetings, and Events

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City Council Agendas (regular meetings and work sessions)
City eNewsletter
Early Recreation Registration
LFP Times (quarterly print newsletter)
Planning Announcements
Town Center Development
Emergency Alerts
Bid/RFP Postings
News Flash