Open space plan update set for approval | City briefs
Published 10:48 am Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Open space plan update set for approval
At its March 30 meeting, the City Council got an update on the city’s Open Space Vegetation Plan. The update proposes changes to the goals, objectives and levels of service from the original plan.
It also proposes climate change adaptation strategies that did not exist in the original 20-year plan, which was adopted in 2004 to guide the maintenance and restoration of 300 acres of public open space, and called for a reassessment after 10 years.
In 2014, Parks and Recreation staff conducted an assessment of the open space properties, finding that significant progress has been made in reducing invasive plant cover and regenerating conifer seedlings.
The plan update also provided staff with the chance to evaluate current restoration practices, and solicited the opinions of leading ecological scientists.
In the development of the plan update, city staff engaged the Open Space Conservancy Trust board and former Trustees over the course of four meetings in the summer, fall and winter of 2014. The public draft was released on Jan. 14. A public meeting was held on Feb. 5, and comment was received until Feb. 17.
Lawsuit spurs Council to change solicitor ordinance
Mercer Island will change its definition of solicitors, and also revise the curfew start from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in response to a lawsuit about its solicitation ordinance.
Several other Washington jurisdictions are changing their definition of solicitors based upon the case, which was brought forward by the United States Mission. The Mission describes itself as a nonprofit religious and interdenominational Christian-based organization.
In late 2014, the attorney for the Mission threatened a lawsuit against the city for having a curfew against solicitors effective from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. The attorney demanded that the curfew be completely removed, or at least extended to 9 p.m., claiming the curfew violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The city declined to do so. The Mission filed its lawsuit in federal court, Western District of the State of Washington, and sought a preliminary injunction on Feb. 9.
The city argued that its solicitors ordinance protects public safety and privacy rights of its residents, and serves those interests in a constitutional manner. The Court held that the city could use less restrictive means to meet its interest in crime prevention and residential privacy.
Citizens needed to serve on City advisory boards
The City Council is seeking a diverse range of citizens to volunteer to serve on several advisory boards.
Appointments to boards and commissions are made by the Mayor and affirmed by the City Council.
Generally, terms run for a four-year period. Board members can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a month serving on the board. Boards and commissions with positions available are:
• The Arts Council,
• Design Commission,
• Planning Commission,
• Youth & Family Services Advisory Board (both adult and youth members are needed).
For more, visit www.http://www.mercergov.org/News.asp?NewsID=1873.
Planning department staff changes at the City
DSG lost a few senior staff members earlier this year, just as several projects, including the Town Center visioning, an impact fee analysis and the Comprehensive Plan update, started to pile up.
Shana Crick, who left DSG in the fall to move to California, will return as Senior Planner starting April 1. She was the lead on the Coval short plat project, as well as the GMA growth targets analysis.
Former planner George Steirer started his own firm in February.
The City’s Planning and Design Commissions haven’t had any meetings this year, partly due the moratorium on the acceptance of building permits in the Town Center. Most of the Planning Commission work is “city-initiated code or Comp Plan changes,” DSG Director Scott Greenberg said.
Those have taken a backseat to the Town Center visioning and code revision work, Greenberg said.
