Transportation Committee chairman Dave Hutchison reported that Redmond will soon carry out two road projects. A four-lane roadway will be created from Marymoor Park southwest to 51^st. On the residential portion of the Parkway as second project will breakup the concrete roadway and rebuild it to the existing characteristics (number of lanes, bike lane on the west side, etc.). This option has been supported by WLSA, since it will not increase road capacity, attracting more traffic.

Recently Redmond added radar controlled speed limit warning signs similar to those placed a year ago south in the Bellevue section.

This slide occurred last winter when an illegal fill on private property slid across the road at about the 1500 block north. All work associated with the slide’s restoration is complete. The property owners have replanted the slope. City Planning is monitoring the "revegetated" slope to ensure a majority of plants survive and will sign off on the permit after the monitoring period is over (… not sure of the exact date but usually a year from planting).

This project, intended to improve pedestrian safety, will move mailboxes to the opposite side of the street where residents must cross to retrieve their mail. Bellevue staff reports that they have been working closely with the post office over the last couple of months to determine exact locations relocating mailboxes. After the post office verifies each location (probably in the next couple of weeks). The next step is to move into the public involvement stage. Staff will be sending a mailing out to the community explaining the project in general terms and likely have some media releases. This would then be followed by more specific notifications to each property owner affected by a suggested mailbox move and allow that individual to opt out of the project if they so choose. If you would like any additional information on this project, please contact the City at 425-452-6020.

Another safety project along the Parkway is at Vasa Park’s crossing from the lakeside to the parking on the west side. An overhead, lighted crossing sign will be added and the road widened slightly so that a narrow median can be added to protect those crossing.

Vasa Home Association recently granted the easements needed to complete the project. Bellevue will be advertising the project in October, and will be awarding it at the Nov 4th council meeting. The objective is to get construction started before the end of the year to ensure funding is not reallocated. Modification should be completed fairly quickly, with just the final paving waiting for warmer weather this spring. Bellevue plans to send out a flyer to the community soon.

The school, which is located near the traffic circle at I-90 has been approved through the development process for an expansion of their facilities. Approval by the City was conditioned on their placement of a turn pocket to access their facility, primarily because of traffic congestion. City staff report that the entire cost will be borne by the school. The changes must be in place prior to the school taking occupancy of their expanded facilities. Recently approved, the permits are for a one-year time period. While WLSA’s Board has only recently received word of this project, we are always concerned about modifications that will increase traffic through the community.

WLSA has advocated for the improvement of the traffic circle just north of the I-90 interchange. There was a proposal through Bellevue’s Neighborhood Enhancements Program (NEP) to landscape the center of the circle. WLSA continues to advocate improvement of what has been mostly a positive influence on traffic.

At this time, Bellevue staff reports they are in preliminary design of modifications. Alternative schemes can be reviewed at Sunset Elementary School or on the City’s web site at -

The NEP will also fund a sidewalk segment west of the Parkway along SW 34^th.

Tri Plex

Through a process called Transfer of Development Rights, our Neighborhood has inherited a County development that the WLSA Board opposes. Members of the Board have been working with neighbors of the proposed development, which is in the 2200 block SE, to encourage the City of Bellevue to oppose the development as "out-of-character" with surrounding uses. At present Bellevue staff are required to carry out the review process, since the area has been annexed to the City.

The hillside development at about the 1600 block south continues to be an eyesore for the community. Now known as the "Plastic Mountain", Bellevue reports that what originally was to be a single-family driveway is now under redesign to accommodate three houses on the ridge above. They have assured us that the hillside is stable and have reacted quickly when Board members have reported deterioration of the unsightly plastic that protects the embankment from runoff. Final approval is pending and construction may occur soon.

WLSA is opposed to this ballot measure, recently rejected by voters, that would have raised $68 million for additional parks in Bellevue. Revised downward to about $60 million and returned to the November election, we are still opposed to the measure. Lack of a definitive plan for providing access to Lake Sammamish, our continuing concern regarding increased traffic, as well as rising needs for other public services brought us to this conclusion.