Edgemoor Neighborhood Association

Monthly Board Meeting

May 1, 2008

 

 

The monthly Board Meeting of the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association was called to order at about 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008 by President Brad Rose.  Lauri grove recorded the minutes.  A quorum was present.

 

Guest Speakers

The evening started with Tim Wahl highlighting the history of Chuckanut Bay (also referred to as Mud Bay) summarizing how the area came together with acquisitions that occurred over many years.  At one time there was even a grant to purchase the ‘Jones’ property, but the owners didn’t agree to the offer so funds were redirected elsewhere.  Originally Chuckanut Bay was purchased by the Port with a plan to make it into a marina.  Obviously that never happened.  Interestingly that puts the railroad on public land without a lease. What did happen, as a result of the railroad, was the area became a mud bay that quietly allowed for wildlife to flourish. The Jones property used to offer Edgemoor access to the bay and beach, but unfortunately cars and undesirable transactions caused neighbors to complain.  Presently, there are no trails planned for public access. The Parks and Public Works Departments are looking into the status of the Chuckanut Village marsh.  Things are happening there that can’t persist such as traffic and parking on the beach.  Plans to restore the creek estuary and possibly remove the culvert would restrict if not eliminate vehicle access.  For future, wildlife reserve land continues to be protected by a Deed of Right managed by the State of Washington which means they would intervene if the land is sold or not used as intended. Tim concluded by mentioning the future of the house at the Fairhaven Rose Garden was in question.  Proposals were welcome to move the house or repair and adapt it for public/park use.  Many good questions and points were brought up throughout the discussion.

 

Clare Fogelsong from Environmental Resources talked about a grant to study the bay in an attempt to determine what it benefits, the character, the species present and how they interact.  Would it be in the best interest to open up the causeway to open the flow of water or leave it be?  The study should start this summer and a large part of it would be public outreach. The plan was to start the education portion with neighborhood input.  Kym Fedale was introduced and she brought up issues like dog use, bacteria in the waterways, endangered species, and salmon recovery.  A good question was asked about how the proposed Fairhaven Highlands development, especially the management of the storm water, might impact the bay and whether that would be part of the projected study.

 

               

Now to the business portion of the meeting.

Minutes:  The minutes of the April 3, 2008 meeting were accepted.

 

Reports of Officers

President’s Report: Brad commented on the ‘cleaned up’ landscaping of the corner house on Hawthorne.  Kathy added that the owners had the work done, but Sandy had mentioned to her that perhaps a work party could help with continued clean up.  Sandy talked with someone in Fairhaven neighborhood and thought it best if one group would approach the owners to offer help and if accepted organize the work – a very good thought.

 

Brad turned the floor over to Steve Wilson and Mary from the South Neighborhood to go into a little more detail on the fate of the Rose Garden House.  Mary turned in an application for a Small and Simple Grant to research and restore the gazebo.  Steve offered some history on the house that was built at the same time as the house at Woodstock Farm.  It was the home for the caretaker of Fairhaven Park.  If repaired the house must be used for something park related and suggested for example as a meeting place for a botanical society or garden club.  It would be nice if it could be used similarly to the Roder House on the north end and open for classes etc.  If interested contact Steve Wilson.  Thank you.

 

MNAC Report: Brad reported that Police Chief, Flo Simon, talked about policing renters.  Contact officers assigned to our neighborhood with any problems.  The TIP request from our neighborhood for sidewalks would not happen this year and we were not ready to make any proposal for the NTSP concerning the confusing round-about.

 

Planning Academy: John reported that the Planning Academy Code and Character Taskforce meeting was very interesting.  Big changes were expected downtown.  Simplified codes and economic incentives offered to attract builders to develop infill. Neighborhood Plans may fall by the wayside when necessary to accommodate infill.  Brad would not be available to attend the next meeting and Bill Grove volunteered to attend in his place.

   

Treasurer’s Report:  Diane submitted a report to file.  She also stated that Brad and Lauri needed to resign the signature card at People’s Bank.

 

Chuckanut Mountain Park District: Bob Gibb reported that the committee had a good meeting with Lake Samish Neighborhood.  75-100 people showed up and he felt the meeting weighed in favor of the CMPD.  No SEPA – it’s been over a year working on this matter with no consultant stepping forward to do the review.  CMPD filed a law suit to prevent the Whatcom Boundary Review Board from voting on the proposal before the environmental review.  Bob stated that it was necessary to get this done so the petition could get on the ballot - people shouldn’t be denied the right to vote.   

 

Communications: Kathy and Pam would no longer be able to head Communications and would like to be replaced…Any Volunteers?

 

Disaster Preparedness: no report

 

Growth and Land Use: Pam informed us that the Fairhaven Neighborhood Updated Plan was docketed by the city and they were waiting for the design charrette to be scheduled.

 

Membership: no report

 

Neighborhood Plan Committee: Please take some time to read over the drafts for the 5 chapters posted on the website and offer your comments.  Thank you.  The Neighborhood Plan Committee meets on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Martin’s house.    

 

Neighborhood Safety:  no report

 

Representative Reports

AOBN: no meeting.  John Erickson volunteered to be the rep for ENA

 

CSN: Pam reported that the group is trying to schedule a meeting and Pam would attend. CSN would consider hosting another candidate forum.

 

RD: Joe reported that the group had engaged a civil engineer who used Google Earth to create a superimposed view of how development would impact Chuckanut Ridge.  They were making a DVD that should be ready in a couple weeks.  

 

Business

 

Closing

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

The next meeting scheduled will be an Edgemoor Neighborhood General Membership Meeting to be held from 7-9 p.m. on June 5th at Fairhaven Park Pavilion.  All residents are encouraged to attend.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Lauri Grove