HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2013 - Agenda PacketMEDINA, WASHINGTON
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Medina City Hall, Council Chambers
501 Evergreen Point Road, Medina
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013
5:00 PM
MAYOR
MICHAEL LUIS
DEPUTY MAYOR
KATIE PHELPS
COUNCIL MEMBERS
PATRICK BOYD
JAY DECKER
DOUG DICHARRY
DAVID LEE
JANIE LEE
CITY MANAGER
DONNA HANSON
CITY ATTORNEY
KARI SAND
CITY CLERK
RACHEL BAKER
CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM
ROLL CALL
DISCUSSION
1. State Route 520 Update
2. Council Visioning Discussion
ADJOURNMENT
Next Regular Meeting: Monday, February 11, 2013
Volunteers NEEDED For Park Board, Planning & Civil Service Commissions.
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CITY OF MEDINA
501 Evergreen Point Road, Medina WA 98039
425.233.6400 (phone) 425.451.8197 (fax) www.medina-wa.gov
MEMORANDUM
To: CITY COUNCIL
From: ROBERT J. GRUMBACH, AICP
Date: JANUARY 28, 2013
Subject: VISIONING THE FUTURE
The Medina Comprehensive Plan establishes a blueprint that provides an overall vision
for the community’s built and natural environment looking out over the next 20 years.
Often comprehensive plans are thought about as plans narrowly focused on land use,
but they are more than simply a guide to zoning and development. Comprehensive
plans can guide everything from the levels of public services provided such as police
and fire, to future recreational and infrastructure opportunities; and because land use
touches just about everything, it can have budget implications including property values
and taxes.
The following outlines a general process for considering a vision of the future for the
City:
I. Planning
Public participation/ public outreach
Overall vision of what the community is – high quality residential setting
Determine what it takes to support creating the overall vision
Develop goals and policies
Vetting of the goals and policies with the community and adopting them as
part of the plan
II. Code Development
III. Implementation
Permits
Enforcement
Budget
Important trends: Sustainability, environmental stewardship, promoting healthy living,
and transportation tend to gather the most attention for Puget Sound planning. Green
Building Codes and Low Impact Development are increasingly important tools
supporting these aspirations.
CITY OF MEDINA
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
May 9, 1994
Amended by Ordinance No. 660, passed July 12, 1999
Amended by Ordinance No. 783, March 14, 2005
CITY COUNCIL
Mary Odermat, Mayor
Todd Nunn, Deputy Mayor
Robert Rudolph
Pete Vall-Spinosa
Katie Phelps
J. Drew Blazey
Miles Adam
PLANNING COMMISSION
Mark Lostrom, Chairman
Mark Nelson, Vice Chair
Robert Brog
Bret Jordan
Jim Lawrence
Holly Greenspoon
City Manager
Douglas J. Schulze
Director of Development Services
Joseph Gellings, AICP
The Watershed Company
1410 Market Street • Kirkland, WA 98033
425) 822-5242 • Fax (425) 827-8136
watershed@watershedco.com 1425 Fourth Avenue, Suite 901
Seattle WA 98101
p 206.652.5080 f206.652.5079
Berryman & Henigar
720 Third Avenue, Suite 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
206) 505-3400
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PREFACE .............................................................................................................1
B. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................3
STATE PLANNING GOALS .........................................................................................3
COUNTY PLANNING GOALS .....................................................................................4
C. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT .........................................................................7
HISTORY .......................................................................................................................7
SETTING AND CHARACTER ......................................................................................7
1. LAND USE ELEMENT .........................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................9
EXISTING CONDITIONS..............................................................................................9
POPULATION AND GROWTH POTENTIAL ............................................................10
SPECIAL PLANNING AREAS AND ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITES ..................12
LAND USE PLAN ........................................................................................................14
GOALS .........................................................................................................................14
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................14
2. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT .............................................................20
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................21
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................21
GOALS .........................................................................................................................22
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................22
2.1 Shoreline Management Sub-Element ..............................................................23
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................23
GOALS AND POLICIES ..............................................................................................23
3. COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT .....................................................................25
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................25
GOALS .........................................................................................................................27
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................28
4. HOUSING ELEMENT .........................................................................................33
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................33
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................33
PROJECTED HOUSING NEEDS .................................................................................33
HOUSING PLAN .........................................................................................................33
GOALS .........................................................................................................................34
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................34
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5. TRANSPORTATION & CIRCULATION ELEMENT ...........................................37
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................37
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................37
TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION PLAN ....................................................42
GOALS .........................................................................................................................43
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................43
6. PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT ............................................................48
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................49
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................49
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN .............................................................................50
GOALS .........................................................................................................................50
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................50
7. CAPITAL FACILITIES ELEMENT ......................................................................51
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................51
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................51
CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN .....................................................................................52
GOALS .........................................................................................................................53
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................53
8. UTILITIES ELEMENT .........................................................................................60
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................61
EXISTING CONDITIONS............................................................................................61
UTILITIES PLAN .........................................................................................................61
GOALS .........................................................................................................................62
POLICIES .....................................................................................................................62
APPENDIX A - DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................63
APPENDIX B – 6-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN .........................................69
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Zoning Map........................................................................................................17
Figure 2. Land Use Plan ...................................................................................................18
Figure 3. Medina Landscape Plan....................................................................................29
Figure 4. Key to Medina Landscape Plan .........................................................................31
Figure 5. Street Classifications.........................................................................................45
Figure 6. Non Motorized Transportation Plan....................................................................47
Figure 7. Existing Capital Facilities...................................................................................55
Figure 8. Major Drainage Basins.......................................................................................57
Figure 9. Stormwater Capital Improvements Projects.......................................................59
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Land Use Inventory............................................................................................10
Table 2. Medina Housing Statistics (per the 2000 U.S. Census)......................................33
Table 3. Average Weekday Traffic Volumes....................................................................39
1
A. PREFACE
This Plan represents the vision of Medina
residents on the City’s development as a
unique residential community and as part of
the Seattle/Bellevue metropolitan region. If
the Plan is carried out, the quality of life
enjoyed by Medina's residents will be
preserved for the future.
Preparation of the original Plan was preceded
by four related efforts:
1. Growth Management Joint Workshop
held in April 1991 with Clyde Hill,
Hunts Point, and Yarrow Point;
2. Inventory of Critical Areas conducted in
1991 and the adoption of the Critical
Areas Ordinance in March 1992;
3. Joint workshop with Clyde Hill, Hunts
Point, Yarrow Point, and King County
Officials on County Policies, September
1992; and
4. Review of the City's zoning ordinance
by the Planning Commission with
adoption by the City Council in June
1993.
These efforts resulted in the identification of
issues of a citywide nature to be addressed in
the Comprehensive Plan, and the adoption of
the Medina Comprehensive Plan in May
1994. The Comprehensive Plan was later
amended by Ordinance No. 660 in July 1999.
The Planning Commission has been
responsible for assuring citizen involvement
in updates of this Plan by holding regular
meetings and special community meetings
during all of their review processes.
Community meetings and public hearings are
typically posted in prominent locations in the
community, published in the monthly City
newsletter, and published in the Eastside
Journal newspaper. After the public
hearings, the Planning Commission
recommendations are sent to the City Council
for review, and adoption.
This Comprehensive Plan is supported by a
number of documents. For detail on a
particular issue, reference is best made to the
appropriate supporting document. These
include the Medina Municipal Code, the
Shoreline Management Master Program
1974, 1991), Community Design Inventory
and Preferred Landscaping Species List
1990), Critical Areas Inventory (1992),
Comprehensive Stormwater Management
Plan (1993), and the Six-Year Transportation
Improvement Program (updated annually).
This Plan is not intended to be static; it will
be periodically reviewed and revised as
necessary. The Planning Commission will
carry out a review of this Plan at least once
every seven years, in accordance with RCW
36.70A.130, as amended by Washington SB
5841 (2002).
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3
B. INTRODUCTION
A comprehensive plan is a collective vision
about how a community perceives itself and
a statement about the kind of place the
residents want it to become. The plan is an
opportunity for articulating what needs to be
preserved and enhanced and, conversely,
what the community wishes to avoid. It is a
document that functions as a guide for
instituting land use regulations and making
public decisions concerning individual
development proposals.
The comprehensive plan must periodically be
updated in order to respond to changing
conditions and attitudes, both within and
outside of the community. Medina's
Comprehensive Plan had its first substantive
update in April 1986. In 1990, the Plan was
amended to reflect recommendations from
the Land and Tree Committee, which
included tree preservation requirements and
design standards for City rights-of-way.
In 1990, the state legislature passed the first
of two Acts regarding growth management.
The first, SHB 2929, required that all
communities within King County must
inventory critical areas, update their
comprehensive plans to include a number of
specific elements, and adopt regulations to
implement the plan. The second, HB 1025,
passed in 1991, required that King County
countywide planning policies (CPPs) be
developed and adopted to address issues of a
regional nature. Each city and town within
the county must also respond to these issues
within their comprehensive plan.
In 1994, the Plan was updated with four
objectives in mind:
1. To repackage the previous plan and
amendments for greater clarity and ease
in interpretation;
2. To incorporate the appropriate
provisions of other City plans, i.e.
stormwater, critical areas, and street
design guidelines;
3. To respond to local and regional
development trends and pressures;
4. To address the issues raised in the State
Growth Management Act and the
Countywide Planning Policies.
The Plan was updated again between 2002
and 2004 with three objectives in mind:
1. To repackage the plan and amendments
for greater clarity and ease in
interpretation;
2. To meet current requirements of the
Growth Management Act (GMA); and
3. To include Endangered Species Act
ESA) considerations.
STATE PLANNING GOALS
The Growth Management Act sets out
thirteen statutory goals. The GMA
legislation mandates inclusion of five basic
plan elements and associated information
requirements that are to guide development
of comprehensive plans. For a community's
plan to be valid, it must be consistent with
the requirements of the GMA, which means
that a plan must not conflict with the state
statutory goals or countywide policies.
The thirteen statutory state goals are as
follows:
1. Guide urban growth to areas where
urban services can be adequately
provided;
2. Reduce urban sprawl;
4
3. Encourage efficient multimodal
transportation systems;
4. Encourage the availability of affordable
housing to all economic segments of the
population;
5. Encourage economic development
throughout the state;
6. Assure private property is not taken for
public use without just compensation;
7. Encourage predictable and timely permit
processing;
8. Maintain and enhance natural resource-
based industries;
9. Encourage retention of open space and
development of recreational
opportunities;
10 Protect the environment and enhance the
quality of life for Washington residents;
11 Encourage the participation of citizens in
the land use planning process;
12 Ensure adequate public facilities and
services necessary to support
development;
13 Identify and preserve lands and sites of
historic and archaeological significance.
Medina is a small, fully developed residential
community. The City cannot increase its land
area and the population will increase only by
the amount represented by the few remaining
vacant and/or redevelopable lots, changes in
family size, or the potential inclusion of
accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The 2002
Buildable Lands Report states that the City
has capacity for about 40 additional
residences. Adequate urban facilities and
services are in place to meet the foreseeable
needs of a stable population. There is no
business district, and there is no land for one
to develop, nor do residents wish to see such
development occur.
There are few actions the City could take that
would be in conflict with the requirements of
the Growth Management Act. Since there are
no large tracts of undeveloped land, Medina
can not contribute to additional urban growth,
sprawl, or inappropriate economic
development, and there are no resource lands
to protect and no real threat to individual
property rights. The City has historically
imposed strict environmental controls
through the State Environmental Policy Act
SEPA), its Shoreline Management Master
Program, the grading and drainage permit
process, and the 1992 Environmentally
Sensitive Areas regulations in Chapter 18.12
of the Medina Municipal Code (MMC).
COUNTY PLANNING GOALS
Actions taken by the City will have little
impact on planning issues within King
County. The King County countywide
planning policies (CPP) adopted in response
to the requirements of the Growth
Management Act are aimed at more
effective use of existing land. Their goal is
to establish higher density centers within the
County and promote infill development to
accommodate new growth so that remaining
rural and resource lands may be preserved.
Transportation and housing have emerged as
key issues in this process.
Eight major areas of concern are addressed
by the CPPs, and include the following:
1. Protection of environmentally critical
areas;
2. Promotion of an efficient and rational
land use pattern, with specific emphasis
on resource lands, rural areas, continued
growth in existing urban areas, the
establishment of urban and employment
centers, and urban growth outside of
identified centers;
5
3. Creation of an efficient and responsive
multi-modal transportation system;
4. Preservation of community character and
public open spaces;
5. Provision of accessible and affordable
housing opportunities;
6. Assurance of contiguous and orderly
development among adjacent
jurisdictions;
7. Provisions for the siting of public capital
facilities of a countywide or statewide
nature; and
8. Promotion of economic development
strategies that further the overall land
use goals and encourage the analysis of
fiscal impacts.
Medina's size and lack of undeveloped land
precludes it from becoming an urban or
manufacturing center and makes siting of
major public capital facilities (other than SR
520) or engaging in economic development
an impossibility. Medina does not contribute
a significant amount of traffic to the regional
transportation system because there are no
major employers or commercial districts and
a relatively small population size. Medina
supports development of an improved
regional transportation system and
encourages residents to utilize the public
transit that is available to the community. To
help ensure that there are housing
opportunities, the City allows development of
undersized lots and reasonable improvements
of nonconforming structures. The City also
allows for accessory dwelling units to
accommodate increased population demands.
The City is exploring strategies to
meaningfully participate in addressing
countywide housing issues that are within the
limited resources available to the community.
Medina's land use pattern is consistent with
that of its neighboring jurisdictions. There is
a high degree of cooperation and sharing of
information between the City and its
neighbors, which is exemplified by the
monthly meetings held between each
jurisdiction's mayor and city/town
administrators. This high level of
communication ensures consistency between
each jurisdiction’s plans and capital projects.
Medina recognizes its place in a larger
regional community where collective
decisions are necessary to protect and
enhance the quality of life we all enjoy. The
City will continue to involve itself in regional
issues and, to the extent possible, participate
in their resolution.
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C. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
And now the sturdy ferries no longer ply from Leschi to Medina; the axe blade
has given way to the bulldozer; nor do strawberries grow on the land. Yet there is
a spark, a feeling which unites today with yesterday - and augurs well for
tomorrow.
William Parks, Mayor 1955
HISTORY
Medina was originally a collection of farms
and orchards on the shore of Lake
Washington across from Seattle. During the
late 1880s, wealthy land -owners began
purchasing waterfront land from the
homesteaders. By the 1890s these lands had
been converted into broad lakefront estates.
In 1913 the Medina ferry terminal was
constructed, and in 1914 the town was
formally platted. Medina grew slowly until
1941, when the first floating bridge was
constructed. With the increased accessibility
to Seattle, more people began to settle
permanently on the east side of the lake, and
the residents of Medina began to feel the
pressures of growth.
Plans for a second floating bridge that would
have the east terminus in Medina and bring
the town within minutes of Seattle’s
population caused residents to begin
considering incorporation. Three alternatives
were debated over several years:
incorporation with Bellevue, incorporation
with the other "Points" communities, and
separate incorporation. Residents voted to
incorporate separately in July 1955, and in
August 1955 Medina officially became a city
of 1,525 people. In 1964 a perimeter portion
of Medina Heights was annexed to the City,
with the remainder of this neighborhood
added in 1967. From 1959 to 1971 Medina
acquired and developed Fairweather Nature
Preserve, Medina Park, and Medina Beach
Park. Another seven residential parcels
located on the east side of Lake Washington
Boulevard adjacent to Clyde Hill were
annexed in 1987. With these acquisitions, the
land use pattern and mix was established.
At the time of incorporation there were five
major objectives:
1. To maintain the residential character of
the area,
2. To place zoning and planning under
local control,
3. To spend a greater share of taxes locally,
4. To institute a small government under
full local control, and
5. To maintain the maximum freedom of
choice for change.
SETTING AND CHARACTER
Medina occupies a large peninsula
projecting into the central portion of Lake
Washington on the lake's east shore. The
lake separates Medina from Seattle, with the
SR 520 floating bridge, which enters
Medina at the base of Evergreen Point,
bringing Seattle's downtown to within nine
miles of Medina. Medina is bordered on the
northeast by the Town of Hunts Point and on
the east by the City of Clyde Hill, both
single-family residential communities. On
the southeast, Medina is bordered by a
relatively low-density, single-family
residential section of the City of Bellevue.
The downtown commercial center of
Bellevue has grown rapidly and is
approximately one and one-half miles to the
east. More industrial sections of Bellevue
are located near Interstate 405, which runs
8
north-south, intersecting SR 520
approximately three miles to the east of
Medina.
The commercial center of Bellevue provides
Medina residents with ready access to a wide
variety of stores, restaurants, and other
commercial establishments, including
Bellevue Square. Bellevue has zoned the
areas abutting the commercial core for high-
density residential development, which
allows apartments and townhouses.
Consequently, there is a full range of
residential opportunities near Medina
available for people who choose this kind of
environment and wish to live in close
proximity to commercial amenities.
Certain limited non-residential development
exists in Medina, such as the gas station,
Medina grocery store, the post office, and
City Hall, which provide services to the
City's residents. The City Hall building,
which is the former ferry terminal, and the
Medina grocery store were constructed when
Medina was served by ferry from Seattle. At
least six private buildings remain from this
era (houses, cottages, a barn, the telephone
exchange, etc.). Although these structures
have been put to different uses, they continue
to serve as important reminders of the City's
cultural past.
Medina finds itself in the center of an
increasingly urban metropolitan area. The
City is attempting to maintain its identity in
the face of exploding growth that has been
occurring all through King County. Medina’s
unique character is due in part to its lake
front location. With approximately five miles
of waterfront, the City is graced by premium
single family residential development along
the lakeshore, and a mixture of modest
homes in the north-central portion of the
City, establishing the character of the City as
a high-quality residential community.
Medina also has a distinctive and informal
natural setting that is typified by semi-
wooded and heavily landscaped lots that
provide visual and acoustic privacy between
neighbors and abutting city streets. Many of
the residences are situated in open settings,
which take advantage of the attractive lake
and territorial views. Additional contributing
factors are the large tracts of open space,
which can be seen from city streets. The
more significant of these open spaces are the
City's two interior parks, Fairweather Nature
Preserve and Medina Park, and the Overlake
Golf & Country Club. Overlake's golf course
is an attractive open green space located in a
shallow valley, which runs through the center
of the City. The golf course serves as a visual
amenity for surrounding homes, passers-by
who view it from city streets, and residents of
Clyde Hill.
It is the position of the community that
development should continue in the form of
single-family residences. Maintaining overall
densities and instituting controls to limit the
over-development of individual lots are seen
as important to protecting the City's
character. It is felt that the City should take
steps to preserve the natural amenities and
other characteristics, which contribute to the
quality of life for the benefit of its citizens of
all ages and a wide range of income levels.
9
1. LAND USE ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Land Use element has been developed
in accordance with the GMA (RCW
36.70A) to designate the proposed general
distribution, location, and where
appropriate, extent of land uses. The Land
Use element includes population densities,
building intensities, and estimates of future
population growth.
This element has also been developed in
accordance with King County countywide
planning policies (CPP), which direct
jurisdictions to focus growth in the cities
within the designated Urban Growth Area.
Medina lies within the King County
designated Urban Growth Area, but is not a
designated Urban Center or Activity Area.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Residential Uses
Medina is a developed community that
consists almost exclusively of single family
homes on individual lots. At the time of the
City's incorporation it was the desire of the
community to promote a development
pattern that would maintain a single family
residential character. Since that time,
Medina has developed and matured
according to that vision. Medina historically
promoted a development pattern of
approximately two homes per acre, which
originally corresponded to the maximum
enrollment capacity of the two elementary
schools. The walking scale of the City's
limited street grid, the narrow streets
requiring sufficient area on a building site
for off-street parking), the level of fire
protection service, the limited internal public
transportation system, and the density
patterns adopted by neighboring
communities – all suggest that the existing
overall densities are appropriate for Medina.
In some parts of Medina the development
pattern that existed prior to the City’s
incorporation is sufficient to justify a
downward adjustment of the 20,000 square
foot average lots size. The Medina Heights
area, for example, has been largely developed
to an average lot size of 15,000 square feet;
however, many of these lots are significantly
smaller. In this area and others where such
circumstances are present, the 16,000 square
foot average lot size specified in the Medina
Municipal Code is appropriate. In other areas
of the City, existing development patterns,
topography, or proximity to Lake
Washington justify lower development
density; hence a 30,000 square foot average
lot size has been instituted for these areas
see Figure 1).
Actual residential densities range from
approximately five units per acre in the area
between NE 24th Street and NE 28th Street to
less than one unit per acre along sections of
the Lake Washington shoreline. Average
density based on the 2000 census count of
dwelling units is 1.61 units per net acre.
Non-Residential Uses
The non-residential uses that exist in Medina
are dispersed throughout the City (see
Figure 2). Below is an inventory of land
uses found in Medina (Table 1).
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Table 1. Land Use Inventory
Land Use Acres
Single-Family Residential 722.25
Overlake Golf & Country Club 140.00
Medina Park 15.00
Fairweather Nature Preserve 11.00
View Point Park .06
Medina Beach Park & City Hall .64
Bellevue Christian School 7.90
Medina Elementary School 8.20
Wells/Medina Nursery 6.00
St. Thomas Church/School 5.60
Medina Post Office .50
Medina Grocery Store .20
Gas Station .35
Puget Power Substation 1.65
Puget Power Substation .63
METRO Pump Station .22
City Rights-of-Way 103.30
TOTAL 1,024.00
Most of the non-residential land uses that
exist in Medina have been in place since
before or around the time of the City’s
incorporation and have become an accepted
and integral part of the community. These
non-residential uses are subject to the City’s
special use provisions under the Municipal
Code. Since Medina is fully developed, there
are no tracts of land available for further
commercial development nor is there zoning
or public support for such development. If
the existing use of any of the non-residential
properties should change, it is to be
developed in conformity with its underlying
residential zoning classification or in a
manner compatible with surrounding
properties in accordance with the City’s
conditional use provisions. In addition,
property currently used or designated for
residential use is strongly discouraged from
being utilized for additional churches, clubs,
fraternal societies, schools, museums, historic
sites, conference centers, or other additional
non-residential facilities. These larger scale
facilities create additional traffic, disrupt
residential traffic patterns and are
inconsistent with Medina's residential
character.
POPULATION AND GROWTH
POTENTIAL
The Growth Management Act (GMA) and
the King County countywide planning
policies (CPP) encourage cities to assume an
increasing share of new growth in the future,
in order to minimize new growth in rural
areas of King County. This means that cities
planning under GMA should accommodate
more compact development patterns in
appropriate areas” to absorb the additional
share of future growth.
Although Medina is expected to absorb some
growth over the next twenty years, the
following factors severely constrain
Medina’s ability to provide significant
population growth:
Medina is landlocked, with no
opportunities for annexation;
There are limited areas in the City
capable of supporting development or
redevelopment;
Limited public transportation system;
No business district; and
Environmental constraints.
Population and Employment
Population and employment trends are the
basis for determining the amount of land and
services required to accommodate
anticipated growth in the City.
The 2000 census places Medina’s population
at 3,011, with 1,111 households and an
average household size of 2.71 persons.
Although the population has increased by 30
persons since 1990, the number of
households has decreased from 1,129 to
1,111. This is contrary to the trend seen
between 1980 and 1990, when the number of
households increased from 1,094 to 1,129
11
and the population decreased from 3,220 to
2,981. While the trend between 1980 and
1990 may be attributed to an aging
population and a reduced number of children
persons under 18), the recent trend indicates
a substantial increase in the number of
children (810 persons under 18 in 2000 as
opposed to 696 in 1990).
According to the 2003 King County Annual
Growth Report, there are 348 jobs based in
Medina. The majority of these are classified
as finance/services and major employers in
the City include the City, the Overlake Golf
and Country Club, the Chevron gas station,
and the schools.
Population Forecast
The Washington Office of Financial
Management provides population forecasts
for counties every ten years. As required by
Growth Management Act, the jurisdictions
in King County allocate forecasted growth
for the succeeding 20 years. Eastern King
County is expected to accommodate a share
of the countywide population increase
commensurate with its share of forecasted
job growth, as per the Puget Sound Regional
Council. Based on Eastern King County’s
share, representatives from each city (East
King County Sub-Area Group) allocate
population forecasts for the individual cities
based on the following factors:
Availability of water and capacity of
sewer system;
The remaining portions of previously
adopted household targets;
The presence of urban centers and
activity centers within each jurisdiction;
The availability of zoned development
capacity in each jurisdiction;
The apparent market trends for housing
in the area.
Based on these factors, development in
Medina is expected to result in a net increase
of 31 additional households by 2022.
Future Growth Issues
The GMA requires cities in King County to
participate in the Buildable Lands Program,
which offers the opportunity for local
governments to coordinate and analyze land
supply to make sure that they have enough
lands for development and to make sure that
their respective comprehensive plans are
doing what they are expected to do.
Medina’s Buildable Lands Analysis,
completed in 2002, estimates that the City
has the capacity to accommodate a total of
an additional 40 households under current
zoning with recognition of current market
trends (although, as noted above, only 31
new housing units are anticipated by 2022).
Eventual full build out would ultimately add
an estimated 108 people to Medina’s
population, based on the current household
size.
There are several general trends occurring in
Medina that make the potential for increased
growth through redevelopment limited. First,
there are a number of older, smaller homes
on existing lots. The most common
redevelopment practice has been to raze such
a structure and construct a new, larger
residence in its place. Consequently, there is
no net increase in the total number of
households.
Increasing house size through remodel is also
common, particularly in the R-16 zoning
district. The R-16 zoning districts contain a
number of lots that were platted before
incorporation of the City that are now of sub-
standard size. Since the current lot
development standards are more restrictive
than before incorporation, it is often easier to
increase the size of a home by making
additions rather than tearing down and
12
rebuilding. Again, the result is no net
increase in the number of households.
The purchase and agglomeration of several
adjacent lots to create one parcel is one type
of development activity that leads to a flux in
the number of developable properties.
Agglomeration has occurred on a few
occasions in the past, and is likely to continue
to a limited extent in the future. The result is
a net loss of potentially developable sites.
The common theme to current development
in Medina is a move towards larger, single-
family households, which precludes any net
increase in household number.
In the R-20 and R-30 zoning districts there
are a limited number of large parcels that
could potentially be replatted. While a
handful of new lots may be created, the
addition of these lots would probably be
offset by the net loss through agglomeration.
Consequently, the number of households
created through redevelopment will likely
maintain the existing housing supply.
Medina is surrounded by incorporated
municipalities and cannot extend its
boundaries through annexation; therefore, its
Urban Growth Area corresponds to its
existing boundaries.
Household growth in Medina can be
achieved per existing zoning only by the
following actions:
Development of the few remaining lots;
Subdividing and developing existing
properties to their maximum
development potential;
Restricting lot consolidation;
Development of accessory dwelling
units.
Therefore, the current land use pattern and
general densities will remain largely
unchanged over the next 20 years.
Within a four-mile radius of City Hall, there
are hundreds of commercial establishments
providing well over a million square feet of
retail space and an increasing number of
professional, health, and social services. Due
to their extent and proximity, it is
unnecessary for Medina to duplicate these
land uses.
In addition, the public transportation system
within Medina does not support higher
residential densities or increased commercial
development. The Countywide Policies are
specific about encouraging increased
densities and development to locate in those
areas of the county where there are sufficient
transportation opportunities. Medina has only
one major arterial (on the east side of town)
and only a few direct transit connections.
The major employers in Medina are the three
schools and the golf course. Together they
are anticipated to account for about 139 jobs.
City government, including administrators,
staff, and police, provides 22 jobs. There are
also approximately 19 people employed by
the gas station, Medina grocery store,
nursery, and post office. Total employment
within Medina is listed in the 2003 King
County Annual Growth Report as 348 jobs.
There is no planned or expected increase in
retail or commercial space in Medina.
However, there are an increasing number of
people working from home. Consequently,
traditional employment in Medina is
forecasted to remain relatively stable, but
there will likely be an increase in home
occupations.
SPECIAL PLANNING AREAS AND
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITES
Certain areas within the City have unique
planning requirements because of the impact
these areas and the facilities they contain
have on surrounding uses. These areas and
facilities typically serve regional needs, and
13
any planning involving them requires
coordination with other jurisdictions and
agencies. By establishing a process for
reviewing requests for development within
these designated Special Planning Areas, the
City can ensure that (i) the public will be
included in the planning process, (ii)
appropriate mitigation is implemented, (iii)
adverse impacts on the surrounding uses and
the City as a whole will be minimized, and
iv) regional planning will be facilitated. To
accomplish these goals, development within
designated Special Planning Areas will be
handled through the City's Special Use
Public Hearing process.
It is intended that future development of
Special Planning Areas will be guided by the
need to limit or mitigate the impact of such
development on surrounding uses and the
City as a whole. The role of government, in
this context, is to seek a balance between the
needs of a growing population and
preservation of the environment and to
ensure the maintenance of a high standard of
living.
Any consideration of facilities to be sited
within Special Planning Areas (or the
expansion of existing facilities within Special
Planning Areas) should follow submittal by
the applicant of a Master Plan for the facility
providing at a minimum the application
criteria specified in Chapter 17.56.055 and
must apply and integrate, to the extent
applicable, the policies and requirements of:
This Comprehensive Plan.
The City’s Shoreline Management
Master Program (Ch. 18.08), the SEPA
Ordinance (Ch.18.04), Critical Areas
Ordinance (Ch. 18.12), Construction
Mitigation Ordinance (Ch. 15.20), and
Tree Preservation and Landscaping
Requirements (Ch. 12.28).
Environmental assessments and studies
procured by the City dealing with
drainage and water quality, wildlife
habitat, noise, the City’s shoreline and
aquatic habitat, and air quality.
State and regional plans and studies.
Reports and studies generated by the
towns of Hunts Point and Yarrow Point,
and the City of Clyde Hill on issues
common to the Points Communities.
SR 520 Corridor Special Planning Area:
This Special Planning Area consists of the
SR 520 right -of-way, including the
Evergreen Point Bridge to mid-span, which
runs across the City at the base of Evergreen
Point, from Lake Washington on the west to
the City's boundaries with the cities of Hunts
Point and Clyde Hill on the east. A small
Washington Department of Transportation
WSDOT) facility and a Park & Ride lot are
located within the right -of-way. There is
pedestrian access from the Park & Ride lot
to transit stops within the north and south
sides of the SR 520 right -of-way.
84th Avenue N.E. Corridor Special
Planning Area:
This Special Planning Area consists of that
portion of the 84th Avenue N.E. right - of-
way within the City of Medina between the
SR 520 interchange on the north and N.E.
12th Street on the south. The easterly portion
of the 84th Avenue N.E. right -of-way is
located within the City of Clyde Hill.
Essential Public Facilities:
The GMA requires that jurisdictions
planning under its authority develop and
adopt a process for identifying and siting
essential public facilities. The GMA defines
essential public facilities as "those facilities
that are typically difficult to site, such as
airports, state education facilities, state or
regional transportation facilities [such as SR
520], state and local correctional facilities,
solid waste handling facilities, and in-patient
facilities, including substance abuse
14
facilities, mental health facilities, and group
homes." The County and all its cities must
jointly agree upon the siting process for
these types of facilities. The GMA states
that no Comprehensive Plan or development
regulation may preclude the siting of
essential public facilities. SR-520 is the
only essential public facility currently
located in Medina.
The City reviews proposals for the siting of
essential public facilities or the expansion of
existing essential public facilities through
the Special Planning Area process. If a
proposed essential public facility is not
located within a Special Planning Area, the
proposed essential public facility shall be
designated as a Special Planning Area. The
boundaries of the resulting Special Planning
Area will be the boundaries of the proposed
essential public facility.
LAND USE PLAN
Medina has developed and matured into the
type of community envisioned at the time of
its incorporation. Old and new residents
alike have invested substantially in their
homes on the premise that Medina will
continue to maintain its residential quality
and character. Development ordinances and
regulations have been adopted over time to
assure that these expectations are met. As
the above discussions indicate, there are no
compelling reasons for Medina to institute
fundamental changes to its basic land use
pattern.
It is important to the community that uses
such as the post office and the Medina
grocery store, and facilities such as the City
Hall, clock tower, and water tower are
retained because of their functional, historic
and cultural contribution to the City. The
historical character of these buildings and
structures, and appropriate uses should be
retained for future generations.
In the absence of any substantial future
growth, it is the basic policy of the City to
retain and promote the high-quality
residential setting that has become the
hallmark of the Medina community. Medina
will continue to consider ways in which to
restrict the size of homes so that individual
lots do not become over-developed and
adversely impact the character of the
community or the environment.
Future Land Use Designations
The Future Land Use Map adopted in this
plan establishes the future distribution,
extent, and location of generalized land uses
within the City (see Figure 2). The land use
categories on the Future Land Use Map
include Single Family Residential, Local
Business, Public Facility, School/Institution,
Utility, Park, and Open Space.
GOALS
LU-G1 To maintain Medina’s high-quality
residential setting and character.
LU-G2 To maintain, preserve, and enhance
the functional and historic
contributions of Medina’s public
facilities and amenities.
LU-G3 To maintain active community
involvement in land use policy and
regulations.
LU-G4 To preserve community treasures,
including, but not limited to, those
structures and uses that reflect the
City’s heritage and history.
POLICIES
LU-P1 The City shall minimize changes to
existing zoning and land use
patterns except as to meet above
goals when deemed necessary by
its citizens.
15
LU-P2 The City shall consider ways to
restrict the size of homes in order
to retain the character of the
community and lessen impacts
associated with construction.
LU-P3 Residential uses shall not be
considered for conversion to non-
residential use except when clearly
supported by the community and
when impacts to the surrounding
area can be fully mitigated.
LU-P4 The City shall develop a program
to preserve community treasures,
including, but not limited to, those
historical structures that reflect the
City’s heritage and history.
LU-P5 Existing non-residential uses are
encouraged to be maintained.
Existing non-residential uses
include:
City Hall
Medina Grocery Store
Post Office
Bellevue Christian School
Wells-Medina Nursery
Overlake Golf and Country
Club
St. Thomas Church
St. Thomas School
The Gas Station
Medina Elementary School
City facilities and parks
Utilities
LU-P6 Existing non-residential uses
within a residential zone may be
converted to residential use, or
may be redeveloped with a new
non-residential use in a manner
compatible with surrounding
properties when allowed through
the conditional use process.
LU-P7 The City shall work with WSDOT
and City residents to develop
mitigation measures that it seeks to
be implemented as part of regional
facilities development or
improvement projects, such as SR
520 and related structures and
improvements.
LU-P8 The City shall encourage and
facilitate public participation in all
land use planning processes.
LU-P9 The City shall afford due
consideration to all stakeholders
prior to any land use decision.
LU-P10 Development of Special Planning
Areas and essential public facilities
shall require review of a Master
Plan that addresses mitigation of
impacts on surrounding uses and
the City as a whole.
LU-P11 If a proposed essential public
facility is not located in an existing
Special Planning Area, the
proposed site of the essential
public facility shall be designated
as a Special Planning Area.
LU-P12 The City shall not preclude the
siting of essential public facilities.
LU-P13 The process to site proposed new
or expansions to existing essential
public facilities should consist of
the following:
a. An inventory of similar
existing essential public
facilities, including their
locations and capacities;
b. A forecast of the future needs
for the essential public facility;
c. An analysis of the potential
social and economic impacts
and benefits to jurisdictions
receiving or surrounding the
facilities;
16
d. An analysis of the proposal's
consistency with County and
City policies;
e. An analysis of alternatives to
the facility, including
decentralization, conservation,
demand management and other
strategies;
f. An analysis of alternative sites
based on siting criteria
developed through an
interjurisdictional process;
g. An analysis of environmental
impacts and mitigation; and
h. Extensive public involvement.
S. R. 520
F
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NE 21ST ST
NE22NDST
77TH
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79
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78
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77TH
AVE
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80
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AVE
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PL79TH
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RAMBLINGLANE
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88TH
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88TH AVE NE
UNOPENED
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81
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POST
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TOWNOFHUNTSPOINT
CITYDOCK
FAIRWEATHER
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SCHOOL
BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN
PSESUBSTATION
NURSERY
WELLS MEDINA
CLYDEHILLCITYOF
OVERLAKEGOLF& COUNTRYCLUB
ST. THOMASCHURCH
CITYOFBELLEVUE
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MEDINA
SUBSTATION
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ELEMENTARY
SUBSTATION
CITYPARKHALLBEACHMEDINA
PARK
VIEWPOINT
DOCKCITY
P o i ntEvergreen
Fairweather
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B a y
M e y d e n b a u er
Lake
W
ashington
200 2000 400
SCALEINFEET
CITY OF MEDINA
LEGEND
R-16
R-20
R-30
SR-30/PLUD
NEIGHBORHOODAUTO
PUBLICPARKSANDPLACES
Existing Zoning (for reference only)
17
Figure 1
FIGURE 1: ZONING MAP
18
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1.
2
6
S. R. 520
F
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EVERGREENPOINT
80
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NE28THST
NE28TH PLACE
84
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AVE
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AV
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AVE
NE
NE26THST
NE27THST
82
ND
79TH
AVE
NE
78
TH
AVE
NE
NE24TH ST
NE 21STST
NE22ND ST
77TH
AV
E
NE
NE 18TH ST
79TH
AVE
NE
78TH
AVE
NE
77
TH
AVE
NE
NE26TH ST
80TH
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NE 16THST
PL79TH
NE 14THST
NE
RAMBLING LANE
PLNE
74TH
73R
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PL
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18THST
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88TH
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NE
88THAVENE
UNOPENED
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82NDAVENE
80TH
NE 12TH ST
NE10TH ST
81ST
AVE
NE
NE5THST82
ND
AVE
NE
NE8TH ST
OVERLAKEDRIVE WEST
80
TH
AVE
NE
87
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OVERLAKEDRIVEEAST
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R.5E
R.4E
CITY
LIMIT
CITY
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CITYLIMIT
CITYLIMIT
MEDINAGROCERYSTORE
POST OFFICE
CITY LIMIT
TOWNOFHUNTSPOINT
CITY DOCK
FAIRWEATHER
NATURE PRESERVE
SCHOOL
BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN
PSE SUBSTATION
NURSERY
WELLSMEDINA
CLYDEHILLCITYOF
OVERLAKEGOLF& COUNTRY CLUB
ST. THOMASCHURCH
CITYOFBELLEVUE
PARK
MEDINA
PSE SUBSTATION
CITY
SHOP
SCHOOL
METRO
SCHOOL
MEDINA
ELEMENTARY
SUBSTATION
CITY
PARK
HALL
BEACHMEDINA
PARK
VIEWPOINT
DOCKCITY
P o i ntEvergreen
Fairweather
Bay
B a y
M e y d e n b a u er
Lake
W
ashington
200 2000 400
SCALEINFEET
CITY OF MEDINA
LEGEND
Single Family Residential
Local Business
Public Facility
School / Institution
Utility
Park
Land Use Plan
Open Space
FIGURE 2: LAND USEPLAN19
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21
2. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The quality of life in the Pacific Northwest is
often equated with the quality of the
environment. Protecting and restoring air
quality, water resources, soils, and plant, fish
and animal habitats are important goals for
the City of Medina.
This is particularly vital in light of recent
federal Endangered Species Act listings of
several salmonid species. Chinook salmon
and bull trout are listed as threatened by the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USFWS), respectively. Coho salmon are a
candidate species listed by NMFS. All of
these species are found in Lake Washington.
Medina is committed to federal, state, and
regional goals of endangered species
recovery of listed salmon species by
addressing salmon habitat needs within and
adjacent to its boundaries with Lake
Washington. However, protecting these
resources is challenging for a fully developed
community.
The Growth Management Act (GMA)
requires that comprehensive plans establish
critical areas policies based on best available
science as defined by WAC 365-195-905. In
addition, “…cities shall give special
consideration to conservation or protection
measures necessary to preserve or enhance
anadromous fisheries.” King County
countywide planning policies (CPP) direct
local jurisdictions to “protect and enhance the
natural ecosystems,” including critical areas.
Critical areas include wetlands, fish and
wildlife habitat conservation areas, aquifer
recharge areas, frequently flooded areas, and
geologically hazardous areas. This section
establishes critical areas policies based on
best available science to protect the
environment and enhance the community’s
quality of life within the constraints of a fully
developed community.
The GMA also mandates the conservation of
natural resources, such as agricultural, forest,
and mineral resource lands. However,
Medina has none of these areas so natural
resource lands will not be addressed further.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The City of Medina is located within the
Lake Washington/Cedar River/Sammamish
Watershed, also known as Water Resource
Inventory Area (WRIA) 8.
The 1992 Critical Areas Inventory identifies
and describes some of the most important
critical areas within Medina. The study
identified six potential fish and wildlife
habitat conservation areas:
Fairweather Park [Fairweather Nature
Preserve],
Medina Park and adjacent wetlands at
Overlake Golf & Country Club,
Portions of the Lake Washington
shoreline,
Medina Creek (a.k.a, Fairweather Bay
Creek),
an unnamed creek draining from the
Medina Park ponds, and
an unnamed creek originating in the
south Clyde Hill area.
These features and their vegetated buffers
provide moderate habitat functions for small
mammals, a variety of birds, amphibians,
reptiles, and invertebrates typically found in
urban green spaces. In addition, all of these
22
features are adjacent to or ultimately drain
into Lake Washington, a water body which
contains Endangered Species Act-listed fish.
However, none of these features, aside from
the Lake Washington shoreline itself, contain
listed fish. Therefore, from an ESA
perspective, the most valuable function of
these features to be preserved and enhanced
is water quality treatment and storage, and
groundwater recharge. Other possible
functions include passive recreation and
environmental education.
GOALS
NE-G1 To achieve a well-balanced
relationship between the built and
natural environments utilizing
guidance derived from best
available science.
NE-G2 To prioritize stormwater
management, point and non-point
pollutant discharge reduction, and
erosion control methodologies to
reduce short-term and long-term
water quality impacts.
NE-G3 To promote community-wide
stewardship of the natural
environment for future generations
through protection,
preservation/conservation, and
enhancement of those natural
environment features which are
most sensitive to human activities
and which are critical to fish and
wildlife survival and proliferation.
POLICIES
NE-P1 The City shall maintain and update
critical areas regulations as
required by the GMA, and utilizing
the best available science.
NE-P2 The City shall preserve and should
enhance where possible the
functions and values of Medina’s
critical areas in a manner
consistent with best available
science.
NE-P3 The City shall coordinate with
other cities, King County, federal
and state agencies, tribes, and the
WRIA 8 Steering Committee on
regional environmental issues,
such as surface and groundwater
quality and quantity, and salmon
conservation.
NE-P4 No net loss of wetlands functions,
values, and acreage should result
from development.
NE-P5 The City shall work to protect,
preserve and, where possible,
enhance water quality in Lake
Washington and Medina Creek.
NE-P6 The City shall develop a mitigation
incentives program that promotes
improved water quality. Incentives
should be monitored to determine
effectiveness.
NE-P7 The City shall work to preserve
stream corridors wide enough to
maintain and enhance existing
stream and habitat functions in all
development proposals by use of
native growth protection easements
or other appropriate mechanisms.
NE-P8 The City should restore Medina
Creek to provide salmon habitat by
developing and implementing a
salmon restoration/habitat recovery
plan that addresses, among other
things, management of SR 520
stormwater run-off.
NE-P9 The City shall prohibit the
introduction of invasive plant
species and encourage
enhancement of native plant
communities in natural areas,
which include, but are not limited
23
to, fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas and their
buffers.
NE-P10 The City should encourage and
educate residents on development
and land use practices that
minimize impacts on the natural
environment, with emphasis on
anadromous fisheries.
2.1 SHORELINE
MANAGEMENT SUB-ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Washington State Legislature passed into
law the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) in
1971 with the paramount objectives to
protect and restore the valuable natural
resources that shorelines represent and to
plan for and foster all "reasonable and
appropriate uses" that are dependent upon a
waterfront location or which will offer the
opportunities for the public to enjoy the
state's shorelines.
Administration of the SMA is a cooperative
effort balancing local and state-wide interests
in the management and development of
shoreline areas by requiring local
governments to plan (via shoreline master
programs) and regulate (via permits)
shoreline development. The master program
is essentially a shoreline comprehensive plan
with a distinct environmental orientation
applicable to shoreline areas and customized
to local circumstances. Collectively, the
local master programs comprise the State
Shoreline Master Program. Under the law,
each city and county in Washington State is
responsible for the following:
1. Administration of a shoreline permit
system for proposed substantial
development and uses within shoreline
jurisdiction.
2. Development of an inventory of natural
characteristics and land use patterns
along those designated water bodies.
3. Preparation of a shoreline master
program to manage the uses and
activities on local shorelines.
Medina originally adopted a Shoreline
Management Master Program in 1974. The
Program was last updated in 1991.
A draft Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish
Watershed (WRIA 8) Chinook Salmon
Conservation Plan was released November 8,
2004. Following finalization, Medina will
evaluate the approved WRIA 8 study or other
cooperative programs for possible
incorporation into its Shoreline Management
Master Program.
GOALS AND POLICIES
The City’s Shoreline Management Master
Program provides goals and policies
involving the protection of, and appropriate
uses for, the shoreline. Engrossed Substitute
House Bill 1724, passed by State Legislature,
states that such goals and policies approved
under Chapter 90.58 RCW shall be
considered an element of the county or city’s
comprehensive plan. All other portions of
the shoreline master program for a county or
city adopted under Chapter 90.58 RCW,
including use regulations, shall be considered
a part of the county or city’s development
regulations. The City’s Shoreline
Management Master Program is available for
review at City Hall, and the goals and
policies contained therein are incorporated
here by reference
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25
3. COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
King County countywide planning policies
CPP) direct jurisdictions to encourage
growth that improves local neighborhoods
and landscapes, and builds a strong sense of
place.
The quality of Medina's neighborhood
development is distinct and enhanced by a
combination of natural and built features,
including:
proximity of the lake shore,
views,
narrow streets with extensive mature
landscaping, and
large tracts of public and private open
space which can be seen from residential
lots and City streets.
Trees and vegetation help reduce the impact
of development, by providing significant
aesthetic and environmental benefits. Trees
and other forms of landscaping improve air
quality, water quality, and soil stability.
They provide limited wildlife habitat and
reduce stress associated with urban life by
providing visual and noise barriers between
the City's streets and private property and
between neighboring properties. They also
have great aesthetic value and significant
landscaping, including mature trees, is
always associated with well-designed
communities.
It is important that citizens be sensitive to the
impact that altering or placing trees may have
on neighboring properties. Trees can disrupt
existing and potential views and access to
sun. Residents are urged to consult with the
City and with their neighbors on both
removal and replacement of trees and tree
groupings. This will help to protect views
and to prevent potential problems (e.g.,
removal of an important tree or planting a
living fence). Clear cutting should not be
permitted on a property prior to development.
Medina Landscape Plan
The Medina Landscape Plan lists
landscaping alternatives to perpetuate the
informal, natural appearance of Medina's
street rights-of-way, public areas, and the
adjacent portions of private property. The
Landscape Plan provides the overall
framework for the improvement goals and
should be reviewed periodically and updated
where appropriate. This plan should be used
to create landscaping arrangements, which
meet the following goals:
provide a diversity of plant species;
screen development from City streets
and from neighboring properties;
respect the scale and nature of plantings
in the immediate vicinity;
recognize restrictions imposed by
overhead wires, sidewalks, and street
intersections;
recognize “historical” view corridors;
and
maintain the City's informal, natural
appearance.
The Medina Landscape Plan consists of three
items:
1. A map diagramming the Landscape Plan
for streets and neighborhoods (Figure 3).
2. A chart, “Key to Medina Landscape
Plan,” which relates the street and
neighborhood designations to
appropriate trees, shrubs, and
groundcover (Figure 4).
3. A Preferred Landscaping Species List
separate document).
26
That portion of the City' s highly visible
street (formally designated as arterials) right-
of-way not utilized for the paved roadway,
driveways, and sidewalks is to be landscaped
as specified in the Medina Landscape Plan,
using species from the Preferred Landscaping
Species List. This list has been developed to
provide a selection of landscape alternatives
applicable to the various City streets and
neighborhoods, as indicated on the
Landscape Plan. Property owners are
encouraged to use the list when selecting
landscaping for other areas of their
properties.
The City's design objective is to maintain the
City's natural, low-density, and informal
appearance. The City's arterial street rights-
of-way should be heavily landscaped with
predominantly native trees and shrubs
arranged in an informal manner. Fences
should be screened with vegetation so they
are not generally visible from the street. The
historic landscaping along the perimeter of
the golf course should be retained and/or
replaced with suitable trees.
In addition, special design and landscaping
consideration should be given to the five
entry points to the City. Standards
recommended by the Parks Board should be
considered. The five entry points are:
SR 520 off-ramp at 84th Avenue NE,
NE 24th Street at 84th Avenue NE,
NE 12th Street at 84th Avenue NE,
NE 10th Street at Lake Washington
Boulevard, and
Overlake Drive East at the City limits.
Street Design and Treatment
The design and treatment of Medina’s
streets is a major element in the City's
appearance. The character and quality of the
landscaping of these streets are extremely
important in maintaining the City's natural,
informal character. Over-development of
these streets could result in the significant
loss of trees and other vegetation,
compromise pedestrian safety and
enjoyment, and add visual "clutter" to
Medina's neighborhoods.
Vehicular Surfaces and Parking
All collector streets should be maintained as
narrow, two-lane roadways except for 84th
Avenue NE (from NE 12th Street to the SR-
520 bridge/interchange), which requires
additional lanes for turning at intersections.
Along collectors, parking is discouraged and
the rights-of-way should not be improved
for parking except in designated areas.
Street rights-of-way in neighborhood areas
and private lanes have historically been used
to supplement on-site parking. Where
practicable, these uses should be minimized
and new construction and major remodeling
should make provisions for the on-site
parking of cars. All parking for recreational
vehicles and boats should be screened from
the public right-of-way, and parking in front
yard setbacks should be minimized and
screened. The number and width of
driveways and private lanes accessing
arterial streets should be minimized to
reduce potential traffic conflicts and to
retain the continuity of landscape.
Street Landscaping
Planting strips between a sidewalk and the
street should be planted with trees and
shrubs from the City's Preferred
Landscaping Species List. Grass within
street rights-of-way should be limited to
those areas noted on the Medina Landscape
Plan. Rocks and other barriers shall not be
placed within the planting strip. In historical
view corridors, view preservation should be
maintained by the selection of appropriate
species, and periodic trimming and limb
removal of such species. Views which are
framed by vegetation or interrupted
periodically by trees located along property
27
lines are preferable and more consistent with
the City's character than views maintained
by clear cutting or topping. If the desire is to
preserve or augment views, limb removal
and pruning should be employed rather than
topping. Consideration should also be given
to the removal of taller trees and
replacement with shorter species (see
Preferred Landscaping Species List) rather
than repeated topping.
A number of existing streets have drainage
ditches adjacent to the roadway. As adjacent
properties are developed, or redeveloped,
and/or as street improvements are made, the
City may require these drainage ways to be
placed in pipes and filled, or otherwise
improved, and landscaped to City standards.
Any resulting area should be landscaped to
screen properties from the street. Where
natural drainage courses exist, provision
should be made to preserve adjacent natural
vegetation. The impact of SR-520 on
adjacent public and residential properties
should also be minimized by landscaping the
highway corridor, including the Park & Ride
lot, in a manner consistent with the Medina
Landscape Plan. Additionally, such
landscaping that may impair the visibility of
pedestrians, cyclists, and/or vehicles should
be discouraged.
Public Spaces
The City's large open spaces, Fairweather
Nature Preserve, Medina Park, and the
Overlake Golf & Country Club, are defining
elements of Medina's community character.
Medina Beach Park, the two schools, and St.
Thomas Church and School also contribute
to the City's neighborhood character.
The distinctive landscaping along the
perimeter of the golf course is an important
visual feature long identified with Medina. In
particular, the long stand of poplars along
84th Avenue NE has become a historic visual
landmark and is the first thing one sees when
entering the City. It is the intent of the City to
maintain this landmark. As the existing
poplars reach the end of their useful life they
will need to be replaced with a species that is
visually similar, since poplars are not on the
Preferred Landscaping Species List. The City
is working with the Country Club to secure a
landscaping plan that maintains the integrity
of this historic visual feature.
Fairweather Nature Preserve and Medina
Park both have a significant area that has
been left in a natural state. Fairweather
Nature Preserve has a dense stand of trees
and understory, and Medina Park has a large
wetland. Non-native landscaping has been
minimized in both parks, with the exception
of a landscaped portion of Medina Park at the
comer of NE 12th Street and 82nd Avenue NE.
The natural areas of these parks should be
left undisturbed. If some maintenance
activity is required due to severe winds or
other destructive forces, these areas should be
restored with native species. Landscaping in
other areas of these parks should be
consistent with the overall natural setting
found in the parks.
City Hall and Medina Beach Park are located
on the site of the former ferry terminal that
connected Medina with Seattle. Landscaping
in the park has been primarily hedges along
the parking area and north property line and
maintenance of a number of shade trees.
These grounds are used extensively by City
residents during the summer months, so
landscaping must leave much of the park
open. A long-term landscaping and
maintenance plan should be developed to
maintain this historic site in a manner that is
consistent with and enhances public use.
GOALS
CD-G1 To retain Medina’s distinctive and
informal neighborhood
development pattern.
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CD-G2 To maintain the informal, natural
appearance of the Medina’s street
rights-of-way and public areas.
POLICIES
CD-P1 The City shall maintain and
implement the Street Design
Standards and the Landscaping
Plan, including landscaping of
arterial street rights-of-way.
CD-P2 The City should refine and update
the Street Design Standards and
Landscaping Plan as needed based
on community input.
CD-P3 The City's design objective is to
maintain the City's natural, low-
density, and informal appearance.
Medina’s highly visible streets as
identified in the Landscaping Plan
should be heavily landscaped with
native trees and shrubs arranged in
an informal manner. Fences should
be screened with vegetation so
they are not generally visible from
the street. The historic landscaping
along the perimeter of the golf
course is an iconic part of Medina's
character and should be retained
and/or replaced in the future with
an appropriate selection of trees.
Equally as important with this
perimeter area is maintaining view
corridors into the golf course
which contributes a sense of added
open space in the heart of the
community.
CD-P4 Special design and landscaping
consideration should be given to
the entry points to the City.
CD-P5 Residents are urged to consult with
the City and with their neighbors
on both removal and replacement
of trees and tree groupings to help
to protect views and to prevent
potential problems (e.g., removal
of an important tree or planting a
living fence).
CD-P6 Clear cutting should not be
permitted on property prior to
development.
FIGURE 3: Medina LandscapePlan29
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Figure 4. Key to Medina Landscape Plan
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4. HOUSING ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Growth Management Act (GMA)
requires a housing element that ensures the
vitality and character of established
neighborhoods. This element includes:
1. An inventory and analysis of existing
and projected housing needs;
2. A statement of goals, policies and
objectives, and mandatory provisions for
the preservation, improvement, and
development of housing, including
single-family residences;
3. Identification of sufficient land for
housing, including, but not limited to,
government assisted housing, housing
for low-income families, manufactured
housing, multifamily housing, and group
homes and foster care facilities; and
4. Adequate provisions for existing and
projected needs of all economic
segments of the community.
In addition, King County countywide
planning policies (CPP) require that each
jurisdiction take actions that will collectively
meet the expected growth in, and make
housing available to, all economic segments
of the county population. Medina's ability to
participate at this level is limited by a lack of
available and suitable building sites and the
realities of the real estate market.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
While Medina is an incorporated city, its
character and function are more like that of a
mature residential neighborhood within a
larger community. According to the 2000
U.S. Census of Population and Housing,
there are 1,160 total households in the City.
Households are in the form of detached
single-family units on individual lots. There
are no multiple -family structures and current
zoning does not allow such development.
Medina is an established residential
community that abuts single-family
residential areas of Hunts Point, Clyde Hill,
and Bellevue. Medina maintains a high
percentage of owner -occupied units (91.7%)
and a healthy vacancy rate (4.6%). Medina's
development pattern is consistent with that
of neighboring communities.
Table 2. Medina Housing Statistics (per
the 2000 U.S. Census)
Households 1,160
Persons per household 2.71
Vacant households 54 (4.6%)
Occupied households
Owner occupied 1,019 (91.7%)
Renter occupied 92 (8.3%)
PROJECTED HOUSING NEEDS
Medina is expected to accommodate 31
additional households by the year 2022 (see
population forecasts in the land use element).
HOUSING PLAN
Medina has several mechanisms to assist in
the provision of affordable housing. These
are as follows:
Adult Family Homes are permitted
within existing households as a home
occupation. This provides housing
opportunities for a segment of the
population that often has difficulty
obtaining reasonably priced, quality
housing.
Current regulations allow domestic
employees to reside in separate units on
the properties where they work.
34
Additional detached units are allowed to
be constructed on properties where there
is sufficient lot size to meet the
underlying, minimum zoning.
Accessory dwelling units are permitted
in all residential zoning districts subject
to the requirements of the Medina
Municipal Code.
The City makes contributions to ARCH
A Regional Coalition for Housing), an
eastside housing agency, and Habitat for
Humanity to support regional affordable
housing.
Beyond these mechanisms, the City may
actively explore other reasonable means to
address affordable housing issues. One
consideration is to broaden the definition of
accessory dwelling units to allow them to be
built as separate structures on the same lot,
but subject to other existing requirements.
This would allow a measure of affordability
without significantly changing the City's
character, provided that other existing
requirements of Chapter 17.50, MMC are
met.
GOALS
H-G1 The City shall preserve and foster
housing development consistent
with Medina’s high-quality
residential setting.
H-G2 The City shall explore affordable
housing opportunities.
POLICIES
H-P1 The City shall minimize changes to
existing zoning designations
except as to meet above goals
when deemed necessary by
citizens.
H-P2 The City shall consider ways to
restrict the size of homes in order
to retain the character of the
community.
H-P3 The City shall seek to maintain the
informal single family character of
its neighborhoods, including
preventing the intrusion of non-
residential activities.
H-P4 When a home is constructed such
that it may potentially have no
feasible resale market as a single
family residence, the owners
should be aware that this would not
set the stage for a future
conversion to a nonresidential use.
H-P5 The City should work with cities
and community representatives on
countywide or subregional funding
sources for housing development,
preservation, and related services.
H-P6 The City should continue
participation in inter-jurisdictional
organizations to assist in the
provision of affordable housing on
the Eastside.
H-P7 The City shall continue to make
contributions to agencies that
support affordable housing.
H-P8 The City shall explore additional
affordable housing options that are
compatible with the City’s high-
quality residential setting.
H-P9 The City shall not discriminate
between a residential structure
occupied by persons with
handicaps and a similar residential
structure occupied by a family or
other unrelated individuals.
H-P10 The City shall assure that zoning
does not unduly restrict group
homes or other housing options for
persons with special needs by
making reasonable
accommodations in its rules,
35
policies, practices, and services,
when such accommodations may
be necessary, to afford persons
with disabilities equal opportunity
to use or enjoy a dwelling.
H-P11 The City shall permit group living
situations that meet the definition
of “family status”, including where
residents receive such supportive
services as counseling, foster care,
or medical supervision, within a
single family house.
H-P12 To reduce the loss of households,
the City should discourage lot
aggregation that impacts the scale
and character of the neighborhood.
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5. TRANSPORTATION & CIRCULATION
ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Growth Management Act (GMA)
requires jurisdictions to demonstrate the
availability of transportation facilities
needed to accommodate the growth in traffic
over the next twenty years. King County
countywide planning policies (CPP) direct
jurisdictions to develop a balanced
transportation system as well as coordinated
financing strategies and a land use plan to
implement regional mobility and reinforce
the countywide vision. Since Medina is
landlocked and expects minimal population
growth in the foreseeable future,
transportation issues are largely concerned
with the maintenance and function of the
existing street system and the impacts to this
system from decisions made by larger land
uses within as well as outside of the City.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Medina’s street pattern has developed as an
extension of the original City plat, which was
laid out as a basic grid. The exception to this
pattern is the Medina Heights neighborhood,
which has been subdivided such that the
streets are more curvilinear and tend to
follow the prevailing topography. Nearly all
streets in Medina are two lanes with one lane
in each direction, with one exception.
Provisions for cyclists and pedestrians are
made on some collector streets. Regionally
oriented transportation facilities consist of a
state highway (SR 520), a (WSDOT)
maintenance facility and a Park & Ride lot.
SR 520 passes through Medina and connects
the eastside communities with Seattle via the
Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. There is an
east -bound off-ramp exiting SR 520 at the
north end of 84th Avenue NE along with a
west bound on-ramp. A small WSDOT
facility left over from the former toll plaza is
located within the SR 520 right-of-way
adjacent to the north side of Bellevue
Christian School. A Park & Ride lot is
maintained next to the WSDOT facility, and
is accessed from Evergreen Point Road. From
this Park & Ride lot there is pedestrian access
to two public transit stops located on either
side of the SR 520 roadway.
Issues relevant to transportation in Medina
primarily concern road surface maintenance,
storm drainage, and sidewalks. Traffic
volumes are expected to remain relatively
constant considering Medina is fully
developed and no substantive population
increases are expected. There are no current
plans or needs for new road construction.
Regional Transportation Facilities
At present, the SR 520 corridor has
significant adverse impacts on the
surrounding residential uses and public
facilities (e.g., Fairweather Nature Preserve
and the Bellevue Christian Elementary
School). These impacts include excessive
noise, water and air pollution, and the
unsightly appearance of the SR 520 corridor
and the Park & Ride lot, which is
unscreened. During periods of heavy rain,
unfiltered drainage from the roadway
produces an oil sheen on Fairweather Bay.
In hearings before the City Council and
Planning Commission, the public has
frequently asked that efforts be made to
reduce the many impacts of the SR 520
corridor on the adjacent single-family
residential neighborhoods and public
facilities.
It is anticipated that the continued growth of
the entire eastside will place increasing
38
pressure on the SR 520 corridor. In 1998,
WSDOT initiated the Trans-Lake
Washington Study to find ways to improve
mobility for people and goods on SR 520,
while minimizing negative impacts to the
environment and surrounding neighborhoods.
WSDOT is continuing to study two build
alternatives for replacing the Evergreen Point
Bridge as well as a no -build alternative.
Modifications or replacement to SR-520
could have very significant impacts on the
adjacent residential and public uses within
Medina, both during the construction process
and after completion. Unless effectively
mitigated, the construction activity and
modifications to the corridor will increase air,
noise and water pollution; increase light and
glare; remove significant vegetation; increase
the separation of neighborhoods within the
City; adversely impact the shoreline,
sensitive areas and wildlife habitat; and
reduce the City's recreation resources.
Street Classification
Streets in Medina are classified on a three-
tiered hierarchy developed by the Federal
Highway Administration. The hierarchy
reflects their functional characteristics (See
Figure #5). They are described below in
descending order.
Minor Arterial - Interconnects and
augments the Urban Principal Arterial
system providing service to trips of
moderate length at a somewhat lower level
of travel mobility than a Principal Arterial.
Distributes travel to geographic areas
smaller than those identified with the higher
system(s). Contains facilities which place
more emphasis on land access than the
higher systems(s) and offer a lower level of
traffic mobility. Such facilities may carry
local bus routes and provide intra-
community continuity, but ideally should
not penetrate identifiable neighborhoods.
Provides urban connections to rural collector
roads. The spacing of Minor Arterial streets
may vary from 1/8 to 1/2 mile in the central
business district and 2 to 3 miles in the
suburban fringes. The only street in this
category is 84th Avenue NE between NE
12th Street and NE 28th Street. This street is
utilized by Clyde Hill, Medina, and Bellevue
residents to access SR 520 and as a route
into downtown Bellevue.
Collector - Provides both land access
service and traffic circulation within
residential neighborhoods, commercial and
industrial areas. Differs from the arterial
system in that facilities on the collector
system may penetrate residential
neighborhoods, distributing trips from the
arterials through the area to the ultimate
destination. The Collector also collects
traffic from local streets in residential
neighborhoods and channels it into the
arterial system. This category includes the
following streets:
Evergreen Point Road between Overlake
Drive West and 78th Place NE,
Overlake Drive between Evergreen Point
Road and Lake Washington Boulevard.
NE 12th Street between Evergreen Point
Road and Lake Washington Boulevard,
NE 24th Street between Evergreen Point
Road and 84th Avenue NE, and
Lake Washington Boulevard between
NE 12th Street and the Medina city limit
near 851 Lake Washington Boulevard.
Local Access - The local street system
comprises all facilities not on one of the
higher systems. It serves primarily to
provide direct access to abutting land and
access to higher order systems. It offers the
lowest level of mobility and usually contains
no bus routes. Service to through traffic
movement usually is deliberately
discouraged. This category includes all
39
those City of Medina streets that do not fall
into the previous two categories.
Level of Service
Level of service (LOS) is generally defined
as the ability of a roadway or intersection to
carry the volume of traffic. LOS is typically
measured using a six-tiered rating system
that can be found in the Highway Capacity
Manual. Its use provides a level of
consistency between adjacent communities
and the County.
At one end of the scale is an LOS of 'A,'
where motorists experience a high level of
freedom of operation and there is seldom
more than one vehicle waiting at an
intersection. The low end of the scale is an
LOS of 'F,' which represents a forced flow of
traffic and indicates a failure of the roadway
or intersection to accommodate traffic
volumes. The LOS ratings between ‘A’ and
F’ represent increasing degrees of traffic
volumes relative to roadway configuration
and waiting times at intersections. LOS
ratings of 'D' and above indicate that there is
reserve capacity on a roadway or at an
intersection. For purposes of this Plan, the
City adopts an LOS rating of ‘C’ for its
arterials and an LOS rating of ‘D’ for
intersections.
Adjacent cities employ criteria nearly
identical to Medina’s for LOS standards.
Medina residents currently enjoy relatively
little traffic on internal streets due to the
City’s location, configuration, and land use
mix. There are no east-west streets that offer
through-routes for regional traffic except for
SR 520, but since there is direct connection
off of SR 520 to the internal street grid there
are no substantive impacts on neighborhood
streets from motorists seeking alternative
routes.
The average weekday traffic volumes for the
four most traveled streets in Medina are
estimated based on the Institute of Traffic
Engineers Trip Generation Tables since there
are no traffic counts on record for internal
City streets. They are as follows (Table 3):
Table 3. Average Weekday Traffic
Volumes.
Average
Weekday
vehicles/day)
PM Peak
Hour
vehicles/hour)
Evergreen Pt Rd 2000 210
NE 24th St 3500 365
NE 12th St 2400 250
84th Ave NE 6000 630
Major trip generators in Medina include the
Overlake Golf & Country Club, Medina
Elementary School, Bellevue Christian
School, St. Thomas School, the Wells-
Medina Nursery, and traffic related to
personal services or special events for, and at,
individual residences. Funerals, weddings,
and church functions at the St. Thomas
Church, located on the corner of NE 12th
Street and 84th Avenue NE, affect the entire
area within a radius of about three blocks.
These occur during the regular work week
and on weekends. Traffic associated with St.
Thomas impacts the functioning of the
adjacent intersection as motorists tend to
queue up just past the intersection as they
access the parking/pick-up area at St. Thomas
Church and then make left turns out of this
area to once again pass through the
intersection. This contributes to congestion at
this intersection during peak travel hours.
Many parents transport their children to and
from the Medina Elementary and Bellevue
Christian Schools and use neighborhood
streets for access. Residents of the
neighborhood just south of Bellevue
Christian School have expressed concern
over the number of vehicles that are using
neighborhood streets to access the school.
40
Other than construction-related trips,
Overlake Golf & Country Club accounts for
the largest number of trips originating outside
of the City. Traffic volumes fluctuate
seasonally, between weekdays and weekends,
and with Club-sponsored special events. The
entrance to the Country Club is at the end of
NE 16th Street off of Evergreen Point Road.
It has been estimated that the Country Club
accounts for 12% to 16% of the average daily
traffic on Evergreen Point Road depending
on the season.
Because the City is fully developed, it is
unlikely that there will be a substantial
increase in traffic on internal city streets due
to additional residential development. While
the Country Club's membership is expected
to increase by 10%, the absolute numbers of
vehicles associated with this increase should
not be significant.
The traffic along 84th Avenue NE between
NE 12th Street and SR 520 is likely to
increase during peak hours, special events, or
bad weather due to increases in some
regional traffic using this route as a
connection between SR 520 and downtown
Bellevue. This may cause increased delays at
the intersections at NE 12th Street, NE 24th
Street, and Points Drive (SR 520 access).
There have been several “mega-homes” built
in Medina over the last 15 years. These have
increased traffic during construction and
upon completion. There has been a tendency
for these homes to require increased
personnel for the daily operations of the
residences, and security requires numerous
personnel to access the property. Parties,
outdoor art displays, and other functions are
regular occurrences. This creates temporary
increases in traffic flow on Medina’s
neighborhood and arterial streets.
Public Transit There are two METRO bus
routes that provide direct service to City
residents via 84th Avenue NE (routes 261
and 271). Figure 5 shows the location of
the transit stops. The two routes operating
on 84th Avenue NE provide direct access to
downtown Seattle, the University District,
and downtown Bellevue. A 52-space
METRO Park & Ride at the St. Thomas
Episcopal Church (84th Avenue NE and NE
12th Street) serves both routes.
Also, the Evergreen Point Station and Park &
Ride adjacent to Evergreen Point Road and
SR 520 provide direct access to over 20 bus
routes, including four Sound Transit routes
and one Snohomish County Community
Transit Route. The Park & Ride, located on
the south side of SR 520, includes parking
for approximately 45 vehicles. Both the east -
bound and west -bound stops are accessible
from Evergreen Point Road by pedestrian
pathways.
METRO has developed level of service
LOS) guidelines for urban centers,
manufacturing centers, activity areas, and
residential areas using CPP definitions of
urban centers and manufacturing/industrial
centers. In general, the higher the density,
the more demand for public transportation
service. Medina falls under the categories
ranging from low to high urban densities per
METRO LOS standards. Standards for high
to medium urban density areas (4,500 to
7,500 people/square mile) call for transit
stops within one-half mile of all residences
and service at no less than 30-minute
intervals between 6 am and 11 pm. With
transit service on 84th Avenue NE and at
Evergreen Point Station, all but the
southwestern shoreline portions of Medina
meet this standard. Standards for low to
medium urban density areas call for 30-
minute or better transit service from a Park &
Ride facility within 5 miles of all residences.
Medina meets this requirement.
41
Pedestrians and Bicycles
A pedestrian walkway system should be
designed to provide residents with safe and
convenient access to public facilities,
services, and recreational amenities. This
includes getting children safely to and from
schools and parks and providing good
pedestrian access to transit uses at the
Evergreen Point Station and along the 84th
Avenue NE/NE 12th Street/Lake
Washington Boulevard corridor.
Since Medina was platted with large lots and
developed at a slow, incremental pace, most
streets were constructed without curb, gutter
or sidewalks. Although residents have
embraced the informal, natural setting that
these streets provide, key streets have been
retrofitted with sidewalks and pathways as
more homes have been built and school
enrollments have increased.
Sidewalks have been installed along portions
of Evergreen Point Road, 77th Avenue NE,
79th Avenue NE, 81st Avenue NE, Overlake
Drive West, NE 10th Street, NE 12th Street,
NE 16th Street, NE 21st Street, NE 24th Street,
Lake Washington Boulevard, and 84th
Avenue NE (see Figure 6). On all other
streets, pedestrians must walk in the street or
on the street shoulder.
Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, and Yarrow
Point have created a walking path, referred to
as the Points Loop Trail. It utilizes the
asphalt -paved path that is adjacent to the SR
520 roadway, and meanders through Medina
and Clyde Hill (see Figure 6 for route
through Medina). This trail has scenic and
recreational attributes that, it is hoped, will be
enhanced as time goes by. A key link in this
route is the “Indian Trail” that occupies the
unopened portions of 77th Avenue NE.
Future efforts to enhance connectivity
between the Points Loop Trail and other
regional trails should be encouraged.
Popular City cycling routes include Lake
Washington Boulevard, 84th Avenue NE,
Overlake Drives East and West, NE 12th
Street, Evergreen Point Road, NE 24th Street,
and the SR 520 pathway due to their regional
connectivity and scenic qualities. Of these
streets, only 84th Avenue NE features bike
lanes. NE 24th Street features striped wide
curb lanes that function somewhat as bicycle
lanes, but are not officially designated as
such since they are less than the standard
bicycle lane width of 5 feet. Cyclists share
the road with vehicles (and sometimes
pedestrians) on Lake Washington Boulevard,
Overlake Drives East and West, NE 12th
Street, and Evergreen Point Road. Lake
Washington Boulevard and portions of
Evergreen Point Road contain relatively wide
shoulders and little or no on-street parking,
making these roads safer for cycling.
Cyclists share the roadway with vehicles on
all other streets. Most of these streets have
minimal traffic and low travel speeds making
them relatively safe for cyclists.
Nearby Air Facilities
Nearby Seattle -Tacoma International
Airport provides air transportation for
Medina residents.
Puget Sound Air Quality Attainment
Zone
The City of Medina is located within the
Puget Sound Air Quality Attainment Zone
specified in the Washington State Clean Air
Conformity Act. This Act is intended to
implement the goals and requirements of the
Federal Clean Air Act Amendments. Medina
is committed to participating in the regional
efforts to attain reduction in the criteria
pollutants specified in the Act.
42
TRANSPORTATION AND
CIRCULATION PLAN
Consistent with the Growth Management Act
GMA) and King County countywide
planning policies (CPP), Medina’s
transportation plan strives for a balanced
transportation system coordinated with the
land use plan. Since Medina is landlocked
and expects minimal population growth in
the foreseeable future, the transportation plan
largely concerns maintenance and function of
the existing street system. The current Six-
Year Capital Improvement Plan (see
Appendix B) includes the Transportation
Improvement Plan and identifies a list of
projects the City will undertake to improve
selected roadways. The improvements
involve a combination of surface
improvements, sidewalks, and storm drainage
improvements. Subsequent improvements to
Medina’s streets should continue to focus on
maintenance, storm drainage improvements
see Figure 6), and pedestrian improvements
see Non-Motorized Facilities below and
Figure 6 for proposed improvements). All
proposed improvements should incorporate
recommendations in the City’s Landscape
Plan and the Community Design Inventory.
Regional Facilities
The City should continue discussions and
coordination involving the Trans-Lake
Washington Study. The objective of the
City is to preserve property values; to
mitigate, to the extent feasible, the adverse
impacts that currently exist; and to prevent
further degradation of the environment.
Mitigation measures should include a
combination of methods, including, but not
limited to, sound barriers, landscaping,
landscape screening, and landscaped lids.
Improved access to transit and pedestrian
facilities within the corridor should be
provided. Access to the facilities should be
improved for citizens of Medina and the
Points Communities. Bicycle and pedestrian
pathways should be constructed within the
margins of the right -of-way and should
connect with the City and regional bicycle
and pedestrian trail system.
The overall efficiency of the SR 520 corridor
should be increased by emphasizing its use
for public transportation and by providing
incentives for multiple occupancy in private
vehicles.
Public Transit
The continuation of public transportation by
METRO is essential to a balanced
circulation system for the City. The
Evergreen Point Park & Ride is an important
transit resource and should be maintained
and enhanced, when possible. The City will
continue to encourage transit use by
prioritizing those improvements that
enhance multimodal access to transit
facilities. The bus routes should continue to
utilize arterial streets. The location of transit
stops should be periodically reviewed by the
City Engineer and Planner to assure
consistency with street design standards.
Non-Motorized Facilities
The City’s Six-Year Transportation
Improvement Program includes two non-
motorized transportation improvements,
including new sidewalks or pathways on:
Evergreen Point Road north of overpass,
and between 12th and 14th Streets
NE 32nd Street
78th Place NE
NE 8th Street
Several other sidewalk/trail improvements
may be considered to enhance pedestrian
access to schools, parks, transit, recreation
and fitness, community facilities, and
services:
80th Avenue NE from NE 8th Street to
Medina Park to enhance pedestrian
43
access to the Medina Elementary School
and Medina Park.
77th Avenue NE to enhance the Points
Loop Trail/Indian Trail.
NE 26th Street to enhance pedestrian
access to the Bellevue Christian School,
Evergreen Point Freeway Station, and
Fairweather Nature Preserve.
East side of Evergreen Point Road
between SR 520 and 78th Place NE to
enhance pedestrian access to the
Bellevue Christian School, Evergreen
Point Freeway Station, and Fairweather
Nature Preserve.
Where sidewalks or trails are installed, they
should be designed and landscaped in
accordance with the Landscape Plan, and
public input.
Signage for the Points Loop Trail will be
maintained and, where appropriate, enhanced
to educate the public and encourage use of
the trail.
GOALS
T-G1 To maintain existing roadway
surfaces.
T-G2 To enhance pedestrian and bicycle
access throughout the City.
T-G3 To minimize transportation-related
impacts of public facilities and
uses on adjacent residential uses.
T-G4 To minimize impacts of regional
transportation facilities on adjacent
residential uses and the City as a
whole.
T-G5 To maintain and enhance access to
public transportation.
T-G6 To maintain and enhance the
informal landscaped character of
the City’s public streets.
T-G7 To maintain and/or improve local
and regional air quality.
POLICIES
T-P1 The City should provide street
repairs as necessary to maintain
safe driving and biking surfaces.
T-P2 The City should prioritize
pedestrian improvements that
provide safe and convenient
network of pedestrian access
throughout the City, including
access to and from schools, parks,
transit, and community facilities.
T-P2.5 Pedestrian and nonmotorized
improvements should be designed
and prioritized to improve
pedestrian and nonmotorized
safety.
T-P3 The City shall seek to provide
pedestrian improvements in
conjunction with stormwater
drainage improvements, when
desirable.
T-P4 Where sidewalks, trails or
pathways are installed, they shall
be designed and landscaped in
accordance with the Landscape
Plan, and public input in order to
maintain the City’s natural and
informal character.
T-P5 The City shall seek to maintain and
enhance the Points Loop Trail
within the City.
T-P6 The City shall implement
transportation improvements as
needed to maintain adopted levels
of service for local streets through
the implementation of a Six-Year
Transportation Improvement Plan.
44
The Transportation Improvement
Plan shall be periodically updated
to reflect the current needs of the
community.
T-P7 The City shall encourage the
development of a
bicycle/pedestrian path in
conjunction with the improvement/
expansion of SR 520 and the
Evergreen Point Bridge to connect
to and enhance key non-motorized
routes.
T-P8 The City shall work with WSDOT,
city residents and other groups,
stakeholders and agencies to
develop mitigation measures that
may be implemented as part of any
SR 520 improvement/expansion
project. The City shall seek an
overall reduction of impacts,
including measures such as:
Noise reduction measures,
Landscaped lids and open
space,
Landscaped buffers,
Protection of Fairweather
Nature Park,
Enhanced motorized and non-
motorized local connectivity,
Water and air quality
improvements, and
Overall environmental
protection.
T-P9 The City shall continue to be
involved in regional transportation
discussions and coordination such
as the SR 520 Bridge Replacement
and HOV Project.
T-P10 The overall efficiency of the SR
520 corridor should be increased
by emphasizing its use for public
transportation and by providing
incentives for multiple occupancy
in private vehicles and, at a
minimum, retaining the current
number of transit stops.
T-P11 The City shall seek to maintain and
enhance access to the Park & Ride
lot.
T-P12 The City shall continue to work
with state, regional, and local
agencies and jurisdictions to
address those transportation issues
affecting air quality attainment.
T-P13 The City shall promote public
education efforts aimed at reducing
transportation related activities that
increase air pollution.
T-P14 The City shall consider the air
quality implications of new growth
and development when making
comprehensive plan and regulatory
changes. When planning highway,
street, and utility line extensions or
revisions, the City should consider
current state and federal air quality
standards and possible increases in
emissions as a result of such
extensions or revisions.
T-P15 The City adopts the FHWA system
of street classification.
T
T
T S. R. 520
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79TH
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ELEMENTARY
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CITYPARKHALLBEACHMEDINA
PARK
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DOCKCITY
P o i ntEvergreen
Fairweather
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B a y
M e y d e n b a u er
Lake
W
ashington
200 2000 400
SCALEINFEET
CITY OF MEDINA
Street Classifications
Minor Arterial
Collector
Transit Station
LEGEND
T
Figure 5: StreetClassifications45
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T
T
T
S. R. 520
F
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W
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NE 21ST ST
NE 22ND ST
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79
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CLYDEHILLCITYOF
OVERLAKE GOLF&
COUNTRY CLUB
ST. THOMAS
CHURCH
CITYOFBELLEVUE
PARK
MEDINA
SUBSTATION
PSE
CITY
SHOP
SCHOOL
METRO
SCHOOL
MEDINAELEMENTARY
SUBSTATION
CITYPARKHALLBEACH
MEDINA
PARK
VIEWPOINT
DOCKCITY
P o i ntEvergreen
Fairweather
Bay
B a y
M e y d e n b a u er
Lake
W
ashington
200 2000 400
SCALEINFEET
CITY OF MEDINA
Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
Off-Street Pathway*
Parks and Open Space
Existing Pathway*
Points Loop Trail
Schools
Planned Pathway*
Public or Commercial Use
Potential Pathway*
Transit Station
Bicycle Lane
Proposed Bicycle Lane
LEGEND
T
Pathways” may includeconcretesidewalks, asphalt sidewalks or
walkways, or gravel walkways, or
other walkways
FIGURE 6: NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN
47
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49
6. PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Although the Parks and Open Space
Element is not required by the Growth
Management Act (GMA), the following
planning goal for open space and recreation
is provided in the Revised Code of
Washington (36.70A.020):
Encourage the retention of open space and
development of recreational opportunities,
conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase
access to natural resource lands and water,
and develop parks.”
Additionally, King County countywide
planning policies (CPP) direct jurisdictions to
identify and protect open spaces within their
comprehensive plans.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
For its size, the City has an extensive
combination of parks and other open spaces.
They are dispersed through the community
and readily accessible by City residents.
Recognized national parks standards state
that there should be 2.5 to 10 acres of
neighborhood and community park space for
every 1,000 residents. There are 26.7 acres
of parks in Medina, which equates to nearly
9 acres of park space per 1,000 people.
Fairweather Nature Preserve is located off of
Evergreen Point Road and adjacent to the
north side of SR 520. The park/preserve
covers approximately eleven acres and
includes two tennis courts and a small open
field adjacent to Evergreen Point Road. A
significant portion of Fairweather Nature
Preserve has been allowed to remain as
forested open space.
Medina Park is located on the south side of
NE 12th Street and covers fifteen acres.
Facilities include one tennis court and
exercise stations. There are also two ponds
surrounded by a pedestrian trail and several
benches. Much of the southern portion of
Medina Park has been left as undeveloped
wetlands and habitat.
Medina Beach Park is located on the
shoreline at the south end of Evergreen Point
Road. The park contains a public pier,
benches, picnic facilities, and a children’s
swimming beach. During summer months
there is a lifeguard on duty. This park is also
one of the sites of the yearly “Medina Days”
celebration. Medina Beach Park is
historically significant in that it was the site
of the former ferry terminal that connected
Medina with the Leschi neighborhood in
Seattle. The ferry terminal building was
restored and now houses the City’s
administrative offices, council chambers, and
police force.
View Point Park is a small triangle of land
near the south end of 84th Avenue NE. It has
a commanding view of Lake Washington, the
Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains.
A bench is provided for enjoying the view.
The City also owns and maintains two other
public piers. One is located on Fairweather
Bay off of NE 78th Place, and the other is
found at the south end of 84th Avenue NE
near View Point Park.
Other open spaces that are accessible to the
public include the two elementary schools.
Both contain playfields and a variety of
children’s play equipment.
50
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN
The City’s large open spaces are the
defining elements of Medina’s community
character. The system of open space also
provides a major recreational resource for
the City’s residents. Existing parks and
open spaces should be maintained and
enhanced pursuant to Medina’s population
and needs. Where opportunities arise, the
City should acquire properties to enhance
waterfront access, retain existing views,
and/or preserve important environmental
resources.
GOALS
PO-G1 To maintain and enhance Medina’s
parks and open spaces to meet the
City’s needs.
PO-G2 To expand the total acreage of City
parks and open spaces through
property acquisition when such
opportunities arise.
POLICIES
PO-P1 The City shall seek to acquire
additional waterfront access along
the shoreline, when opportunities
arise.
PO-P2 The City shall seek to develop
additional view parks at
appropriate points in the City,
particularly in the Medina Heights
area, when opportunities arise.
PO-P3 The City shall seek to acquire view
rights to preserve the view from
View Point Park, if necessary.
PO-P4 The City should preserve
easements to protect unique trees
and tree groupings, which are
important to the City’s character.
PO-P5 The City should work with the
Overlake Golf & Country Club to
secure a landscaping plan that
either maintains the long stand of
poplar trees along 84th Avenue NE
as a historic visual landmark or
replaces them with suitable trees.
PO-P6 The City should retain the
Fairweather Nature Preserve in its
natural state and provide
maintenance only when necessary.
PO-P7 The City shall develop a long-term
landscaping and maintenance plan
to maintain the historic Medina
Beach Park in a manner that is
consistent with and enhances
public use.
51
7. CAPITAL FACILITIES ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Growth Management Act (GMA)
requires cities to prepare a Capital Facilities
Element. Capital facilities refer to those
physical structures and infrastructure that
are owned and operated by public entities
and the associated services provided. The
locations of Medina’s capital facilities are
shown on Figure 7.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Administration and Public Safety
City Hall is housed in the former ferry
terminal building located at the south end of
Evergreen Point Road in Medina Beach
Park. City Hall contains City Council
chambers, City administrative offices, and
the police department. There are currently
22 City staff including the police
department. Public hearings for the
Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner,
and City Council are also held in this
facility. Public restrooms are also provided
in conjunction with park use. City Hall
provides 5,000 square feet of space. The
Public Works shop has an office of
approximately 1,000 square feet. Some City
functions might be contracted to outside
vendors.
The City of Medina maintains its own police
force, which is housed within City Hall. The
Medina police force also serves the adjacent
Town of Hunts Point under contract. Marine
Patrol is provided by the City of Mercer
Island Police Department, under contract.
Fire protection is provided under contract by
the City of Bellevue. However, there is no
fire station located within Medina; the
nearest station is in the adjacent City of
Clyde Hill on NE 24th Street between 96th
Avenue NE and 98th Avenue NE.
The City also has a maintenance shop located
in the southwest corner of Medina Park
adjacent to the Puget Power substation.
Schools
The Bellevue School District maintains two
facilities in Medina. Medina Elementary
School is located on NE 8th Street between
Evergreen Point Road and 82nd Avenue NE.
The current enrollment of 405 is above
capacity. The school currently uses three
temporary portable buildings to support
increased enrollment. The other facility is
the former Three Points School, which is
now leased by Bellevue Christian Schools, a
private school, for their elementary school
campus. It is located on NE 28th Street
adjacent to Evergreen Point Road and SR
520. There are 350 students attending
Bellevue Christian Elementary School. They
have indicated that they are at capacity.
St. Thomas School, another private school, is
located at the corner of NE 12th Street and
84th Avenue NE, adjacent to St. Thomas
Church. St. Thomas School recently
underwent a remodel and upgrade. The
school has an enrollment of 190, which is
close to maximum enrollment.
Private schools are mentioned only because
they may contribute to, or reduce, the
demand on public facilities.)
Water and Sewer
Water and sewer services are provided by
the City of Bellevue. The Bellevue Public
Works Department has estimated the water
consumption and sewage flow for Medina
based on 1990 per capita use information
52
compiled from Bellevue's water and sewage
comprehensive plans. Residential water
consumption in the Bellevue service area is
estimated at 36,676 gallons per person per
year and sewage flow amounts to 25,639
gallons per person per year. Average use for
the schools for both water consumption and
sewage flow averages 7,257 gallons per
person per year for faculty, staff, and
students. It should be noted that the golf
course does not use potable water for
maintaining their greens, fairways, and
landscaping, but rather is allowed to pump
water from Lake Washington under a
grandfathered” water use rights agreement
with the State Department of Natural
Resources.
METRO maintains a sewage pumping station
at the corner of NE 8th Street and 82nd
Avenue NE on the Medina Elementary
School property in an agreement with the
Bellevue School District.
Storm Drainage
Federal clean water regulations require
jurisdictions to adopt and implement
stormwater management plans. The City
adopted its Stormwater Management Plan in
1993.
In addition, King County countywide
planning policies (CPP) require all
jurisdictions to identify natural drainage
systems, including riparian and shoreline
habitat, to be maintained and enhanced.
Jurisdictions in shared basins are to
coordinate regulations to manage the basins
and the natural drainage system.
Jurisdictions are also directed to maintain or
enhance water quality through control of
runoff and best management practices.
Medina operates and maintains its own storm
drainage system. In recent years significant
storm events have concentrated attention on
deficiencies of the system. Problems related
to the system deficiencies have included
standing water on roadways, flooded
basements, soil erosion, and, in at least one
case, slope failure causing severe property
damage. Many of the inadequacies of the
overall system can be attributed to poor on-
site management of stormwater runoff on
individual properties. Certain sections of the
City-owned system have also been identified
as requiring an upgrade to correct old or
undersized lines and to install pollution
control devices (e.g., catch basins, oil
separators).
CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN
The City will most likely continue to have
water and sewer service provided by the
City of Bellevue. Bellevue has indicated that
they have adequate capacity to continue to
service the relatively stable population in
Medina.
Medina Elementary School, Bellevue
Christian School, and St. Thomas School are
all near or at enrollment capacity. Since
voters in the Bellevue School District passed
a construction levy in 2001, funding will be
available to reconstruct the Medina
Elementary School by 2006 on the same site
pursuant to enrollment forecasts. School
administrators at Bellevue Christian School
have indicated there are no major expansions
planned for this facility in the foreseeable
future.
The City has completed a Comprehensive
Stormwater Management Plan that identifies
major drainage basins (see Figure 8) and
addresses drainage system problems. The
plan includes analysis of overall system
condition and capacity, identification of a set
of stormwater management techniques, a
model ordinance to address development on
individual properties, and a suggested capital
improvement program. The majority of the
capital improvements outlined in the
53
Comprehensive Stormwater Management
Plan focus on increasing the flow capacity of
a number of individual sections of the system
and reconditioning some of the open ditches
see Figure 9).
Recommendations concerning the control of
point sources of stormwater runoff are aimed
at either providing stormwater
retention/detention and/or encouraging the
use of the best management practices as
defined under Department of Ecology
guidelines. The Comprehensive Stormwater
Management Plan encourages the use of
public information programs or other such
educational efforts to raise the awareness of
City residents concerning water quality issues
and solutions.
The City’s 6-year Capital Improvement Plan
is listed in Appendix B.
GOALS
CF-G1 To have adequate, cost effective
and efficient facilities and services
for the City’s needs.
POLICIES
CF-P1 The Six-Year Capital Improvement
Plan shall be periodically updated
to reflect the projected needs of the
community.
CF-P2 The City Council may periodically
evaluate the adequacy of City
facilities. If there is any
consideration of the development
of new or the expansion of existing
facilities, a full comprehensive
financial analysis, including cost
justification, must be completed
before any proposal is
recommended to Council.
CF-P3 The City shall continue to contract
with the City of Bellevue for water
and sewer services.
CF-P4 The City should make
improvements to the stormwater
system based on the
Comprehensive Stormwater
Management Plan, including
increasing the flow capacity of a
number of individual sections of
the stormwater system and
reconditioning some of the open
ditches.
CF-P5 The City shall maintain
requirements for stormwater
retention/detention and/or the use
of the best management practices
as defined under Department of
Ecology guidelines, and according
to the objectives of the Puget
Sound Water Quality Management
Plan.
CF-P6 The City shall pursue stormwater
management strategies to minimize
flooding, significant erosion to
natural drainage ways, and
degradation of water quality.
CF-P7 The City shall encourage the use of
public information programs or
other such educational efforts to
raise the awareness of City
residents concerning water quality
and quantity issues and solutions.
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LAKE LA N E
7
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SUBSTATION
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FAIRWEATHERNATUREPRESERVE
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NURSERYWELLSMEDINA
CLYDEHILL
CITY OF
OVERLAKEGOLF
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ST. THOMASCHURCH
CITYOF
BELLEVUEPARKMEDINA
SUBSTATIONPSE
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ashington
BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN
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CITY OF MEDINA
Existing Capital Facilities
200 2000 400
SCALEINFEET
LEGEND
School
Public Facility
Police Station
MEDINA
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
FIGURE 7: Existing Capital Facilities
55
56
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FIGURE 8: MAJOR DRAINAGE BASINS
CITY OF
CLYDE HILL
57
58
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P o i ntEvergreen
Fairweather
Bay
B a y
M e y d e n b a u er
Lake
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ashington
200 2000 400
SCALEINFEET
CITY OF MEDINA
Stormwater/CapitalImprovementProjects
EV
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TH
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MEDINA
Fill existing ditch and
install storm drains
Preliminary analysis of storm
drainage and utilities to
determine scope of project
Fill existing ditch, storm
drainage improvements
Removal of fish
passage barrier
and replacement
with open bottom
box culvert
Storm drainage
improvements
Storm drainage
improvements
Storm drainage
improvements to
address minor
flooding problem
FIGURE 9: STORMWATER/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTPROJECTS59
60
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61
8. UTILITIES ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Growth Management Act (GMA)
requires the utility element of the
comprehensive plan to consist of “the
general location, proposed location, and
capacity of all existing and proposed
utilities, including, but not limited to,
electrical lines, telecommunication lines,
and natural gas lines.”
EXISTING CONDITIONS
There are four utilities that provide services
to Medina: electricity, natural gas,
telecommunications, and garbage and
recyclables collection. The majority of
electrical, gas and telephone lines are
located along or within public rights-of-way.
Electrical power is supplied by Puget Sound
Energy, Inc. It is estimated that the average
residential customer uses 16,456 kilowatt
hours per year. Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
maintains two sub-stations in Medina: one
adjacent to Wells-Medina Nursery on 84th
Avenue NE and the other at the corner of NE
10th Street and 80th Avenue NE adjacent to
Medina Park.
Natural gas is provided by Puget Sound
Energy.
Cable television is provided under a
franchise agreement with Comcast.
Telephone service is provided to Medina by
Qwest. State law (WAC 480-120-086)
requires Qwest to maintain adequate
personnel and equipment to handle any
reasonable demand. The telecommunications
industry is in the midst of significant
advances in technology. Cellular and optical
fiber technologies are transforming the way
service is delivered, and the physical barriers
that separate voice, data and video
communications are rapidly disappearing.
These changes make it difficult to assess the
long-term siting requirements for
communications facilities. However, the
trend appears to be towards physically
smaller individual transmission/receiving
facilities.
Solid waste and recycling for Medina is
handled under a franchise agreement with
Eastside Disposal. There is currently no
household hazardous waste repository in the
City, though Medina is proportionately
funding Bellevue's recycling activities to
allow its residents the opportunity to utilize
hazardous waste programs.
All of the above services are provided to
Medina customers on an individual basis, and
it is the providers' responsibility to maintain
equipment and handle service problems and
inquiries. With the exception of the two
Puget Sound Energy, Inc. electrical
substations there are no other major facilities
operated by these providers within the City
limits.
UTILITIES PLAN
Utilities services will likely continue to be
provided by the companies previously
indicated. Given the minimal population
growth, growth related impacts on system
capacities are not likely to occur very
rapidly. Presently, there do not appear to be
any problems related to system capacity.
Yet, while existing utility lines should be
sufficient to meet the City's present needs,
over time repairs and upgrades to the
existing system may be necessary to
maintain and/or improve efficiency,
reliability and/or capacity. Additional gas,
62
telephone and electrical hook-ups will be
made on an individual, as needed basis.
There are no plans by any of the providers to
locate major facilities in the City.
The City is currently encouraging future
undergrounding of remaining above ground
utility lines in conjunction with street
projects. Although undergrounding has been
required for new construction for some time
there are a number of areas of the City that
are still served by aerial lines. Above-ground
installations are aesthetically problematic and
subject to weather-related damage. The
replacement of aerial wiring has been and
should remain the primary responsibility of
homeowners. However, the City can provide
leadership to encourage progress on
undergrounding.
Household waste reduction and recycling of
waste materials will continue to be
encouraged. In addition, the City will
continue to work with Bellevue to provide
special and hazardous waste programs.
GOALS
UT-G1 To maintain utility services
sufficient to serve the City’s needs.
UT-G2 To minimize aesthetic and
environmental impacts caused by
utility services.
UT-G3 To underground all remaining
overhead utilities.
POLICIES
UT-P1 The City shall coordinate with
applicable service providers to
seek repairs and upgrades to
existing utility facilities as
necessary to maintain and/or
improve efficiency, reliability,
and/or capacity.
UT-P2 The City shall provide leadership
and seek to develop a plan to
underground remaining above-
ground utility lines.
UT-P3 The City shall encourage
household waste reduction and
recycling of waste materials.
UT-P4 The City shall continue work with
Bellevue to encourage special and
hazardous waste programs.
63
APPENDIX A - DEFINITIONS
Accessory Dwelling Unit: A subordinate dwelling unit incorporated within a single-family
structure, within an accessory building, or located on any developed residential property. The
unit may not be subdivided or otherwise segregated in ownership from the primary residence
structure.
Activity Areas: Areas defined in the Countywide Planning Policies as locations that contain a
moderate concentration of commercial land uses and some adjacent higher density residential
areas. These areas are distinguishable from community or neighborhood commercial areas by
their larger size and their function as a significant focal point for the community.
Affordable Housing: Housing which is affordable to a family that earns up to 80 percent of the
area median income, adjusted for family size.
Alteration: Any human induced change in an existing condition of a critical area or its buffer.
Alterations include, but are not limited to grading, filling, channelizing, dredging, clearing
vegetation), construction, compaction, excavation or any other activity that changes the
character of the critical area.
Anadromous Fish: Fish that spawn and rear in freshwater and mature in the marine
environment. While Pacific salmon die after their first spawning, adult char (bull trout) can live
for many years, moving in and out of saltwater and spawning each year. The life history of
Pacific salmon and char contains critical periods of time when these fish are more susceptible to
environmental and physical damage than at other times. The life history of salmon, for example,
contains the following stages: upstream migration of adults, spawning, inter-gravel incubation,
rearing, smoltification (the time period needed for juveniles to adjust their body functions to live
in the marine environment), downstream migration, and ocean rearing to adults.
Aquifer Recharge Areas: Areas that, due to the presence of certain soils, geology, and surface
water, act to recharge ground water by percolation.
ARCH - A Regional Coalition for Housing: A regional group formed by King County and the
cities of Redmond, Kirkland, and Bellevue to preserve and increase the supply of housing for
low and moderate income families on the Eastside.
Best Available Science: Current scientific information used in the process to designate, protect,
or restore critical areas, that is derived from a valid scientific process as defined by WAC 365-
195-900 through 925. Sources of best available science are included in “Citations of
Recommended Sources of Best Available Science for Designating and Protecting Critical Areas”
published by the state Office of Community Development.
Best Management Practices: Conservation practices or systems of practices and management
measures that:
A. Control soil loss and reduce water quality degradation caused by high concentrations of
nutrients, animal waste, toxics, and sediment;
B. Minimize adverse impacts to surface water and ground water flow, circulation patterns,
and to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of wetlands;
C. Protect trees and vegetation designated to be retained during and following site
construction; and
64
D. Provide standards for proper use of chemical herbicides within critical areas.
Bicycle Facilities: A general term referring to improvements that accommodate or encourage
bicycling.
Bicycle Route: Any route or portion of public or private roadway specifically designated for use
by bicyclists and pedestrians, whether exclusive for bicyclists and pedestrians or to be shared
with other transportation modes.
Buffer: An area contiguous to and protects a critical area that is required for the continued
maintenance, functioning, and/or structural stability of a critical area.
Built Environment: Altered natural lands that accommodate changed topography, utilities,
pavement, buildings, or other structures.
Community: The combined interests of the City, its residents, commercial interests, and other
local parties who may be affected by the City’s actions.
Countywide Planning Policies (CPP): A growth management policy plan required by the state
Growth Management Act (GMA) that promotes regional cooperation and specifies the roles and
responsibilities of cities and the county.
Critical Areas: Critical areas include any of the following areas or ecosystems: aquifer recharge
areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geologically
hazardous areas, and wetlands, as defined in RCW 36.70A.
Eastside: A geographic area that includes the King County communities east of Seattle.
Environmental Stewardship: The responsibility to make land use decisions with proper regard
for protecting and enhancing the environment.
Erosion: The process whereby wind, rain, water, and other natural agents mobilize and transport
particles.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas: Areas necessary for maintaining species in
suitable habitats within their natural geographic distribution so that isolated subpopulations are
not created as designated by WAC 365-190-080(5). In Medina, these areas include:
A. Areas with which state or federally designated endangered, threatened, and sensitive
species have a primary association;
B. Habitats of local importance, including but not limited to areas designated as priority
habitat by the Department of Fish and Wildlife;
E. Naturally occurring ponds under twenty acres and their submerged aquatic beds that
provide fish or wildlife habitat, including those artificial ponds intentionally created from
dry areas in order to mitigate impacts to ponds;
F. Waters of the state, including lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, inland waters, underground
waters, salt waters and all other surface waters and watercourses within the jurisdiction of
the state of Washington;
G. Lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers planted with game fish by a governmental or tribal
entity;
H. State natural area preserves and natural resource conservation areas; and
I. Land essential for preserving connections between habitat blocks and open spaces.
65
Frequently Flooded Areas: Lands in the flood plain subject to a one percent (1%) or greater
chance of flooding in any given year. Frequently flooded areas perform important hydrologic
functions and may present a risk to persons and property as designated by WAC 365-190-080(3).
Classifications of frequently flooded areas include, at a minimum, the 100-year flood plain
designations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance
Program.
Functions and Values: The beneficial roles served by critical areas including, but not limited to,
water quality protection and enhancement, fish and wildlife habitat, food chain support, flood
storage, conveyance and attenuation, ground water recharge and discharge, erosion control, wave
attenuation, protection from hazards, historical and archaeological and aesthetic value protection,
and recreation. These beneficial roles are not listed in order of priority.
Geologically Hazardous Areas: Areas that may not be suited to development consistent with
public health, safety or environmental standards, because of their susceptibility to erosion,
sliding, earthquake, or other geological events as designated by WAC 365-190-080(4). Types of
geologically hazardous areas include: erosion, landslide, seismic, mine, and volcanic hazards.
Ground Water: Water in a saturated zone or stratum beneath the surface of land or a surface
water body.
Growth Management Act (GMA): State legislation enacted in 1990, and amended in 1991,
requiring counties and cities to create cooperative regional strategies to manage growth and to
adopt comprehensive plans and regulations that will implement these strategies
Impervious Surface: A hard surface area that either prevents or retards the entry of water into
the soil mantle as under natural conditions prior to development or that causes water to run off
the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the flow present under
natural conditions prior to development. Common impervious surfaces include, but are not
limited to, roof tops, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots or storage areas, concrete or
asphalt paving, gravel roads, packed earthen materials, and oiled macadam or other surfaces
which similarly impede the natural infiltration of stormwater.
Metro - Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle: A regional governmental entity with
responsibility for wastewater treatment and public transportation. In January 1994, Metro
became a department of King County government, the Department of Metropolitan Services
DMS).
Mega-Homes: A common description for atypically large single-family residences.
Mitigation: Avoiding, minimizing or compensating for adverse critical areas impacts.
Mitigation, in the following order of preference, is:
A. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
B. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its
implementation, by using appropriate technology, or by taking affirmative steps, such as
project redesign, relocation, or timing, to avoid or reduce impacts;
C. Rectifying the impact to wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, and habitat
conservation areas by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring the affected environment to the
conditions existing at the time of the initiation of the project;
D. Minimizing or eliminating the hazard by restoring or stabilizing the hazard area through
engineered or other methods;
66
E. Reducing or eliminating the impact or hazard over time by preservation and maintenance
operations during the life of the action;
F. Compensating for the impact to wetlands, critical aquifer recharge areas, and habitat
conservation areas by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute resources or
environments; and
G. Monitoring the hazard or other required mitigation and taking remedial action when
necessary.
Mitigation for individual actions may include a combination of the above measures.
Monitoring: Evaluating the impacts of development proposals on the biological, hydrological,
and geological elements of such systems and assessing the performance of required mitigation
measures throughout the collection and analysis of data by various methods for the purpose of
understanding and documenting changes in natural ecosystems and features, and includes
gathering baseline data.
Native Vegetation: Plant species that are indigenous to the area in question.
Multi-modal Transportation: Means of transport by multiple ways or methods, including
automobiles, public transit, walking, bicycling, and ridesharing.
Nonmotorized Transportation: Means of transport that does not involve motorized vehicles,
including but not limited to walking and bicycling.
Open Space (Parks): Public land for active and/or passive recreational uses. Includes parkland,
wildlife corridors, natural areas, and greenways. May also include school lands and private land
permanently reserved as undeveloped.
Passive Recreation (Parks): Outdoor recreation which does not require significant facilities,
such as walking, picnicking, viewing, and environmental education activities.
Public Access: A means of physical approach to and along the shoreline available to the general
public. Public access may also include visual approach (views).
Restoration: Measures taken to restore an altered or damaged natural feature including:
A. Active steps taken to restore damaged wetlands, streams, protected habitat, or their
buffers to the functioning condition that existed prior to an unauthorized alteration; and
B. Actions performed to reestablish structural and functional characteristics of the critical
area that have been lost by alteration, past management activities, or catastrophic events.
Shoreline: The water, submerged lands, associated wetlands, and uplands of Lake Washington.
Sidewalks: The portion of a roadway designed for preferential or exclusive use by pedestrians.
Sidewalks are usually constructed of concrete and are typically grade separated horizontally and
set back vertically from the roadway.
Public Facility: Facilities which serve the general public or provide public benefit, such as
schools, libraries, fire stations, parks, and other city facilities.
Region: An area which in its largest sense generally includes King, Pierce, Snohomish, and
Kitsap Counties. It may also be limited to a smaller area. If so, this is generally noted in the
context of the policy.
Sensitive Area: (see Critical Areas)
67
Stream: Water contained within a channel, either perennial or intermittent, and classified
according to WAC 222-16-030 and as listed under water typing system. Streams also include
watercourses modified by man. Streams do not include irrigation ditches, waste ways, drains,
outfalls, operational spillways, channels, stormwater runoff facilities, or other wholly artificial
watercourses except those that directly result from the modification to a natural watercourse.
Trail: Any pedestrian walkway within the City, including, but not limited to, paved surfaces
such as sidewalks and unpaved, informal pathways.
Wetlands: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence
of vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps,
marshes, bogs and similar areas. Wetlands do not include those artificial wetland intentionally
created from non-wetland sites, including, but not limited to, irrigation and drainage ditches,
grass-lined swales, canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, and
landscape amenities, or those wetlands created after July 1, 1990, that were unintentionally
created as a result of the construction of a road, street, or highway. Wetlands may include those
artificial wetlands intentionally created from non-wetland areas to mitigate the conversion of
wetlands. For identifying and delineating a regulated wetland, the Washington State Wetland
Identification and Delineation Manual shall be used.
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69
APPENDIX B – 6-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PLAN
CITY OF MEDINA
2005 - 2010 SIXYEARCAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) ---Pages 1 thru3 Approvedby: Pending
2005 - 2010SIXYEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (TIP) ---Pages1 & 2 Date: Pending
2005 - 2010SIXYEAR NON-TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (NON-TIP) ---Page3 ResolutionNumber: TBD
DATESUBMITTED: April21 2004 (Draft)
LENGTH PAVEMENT PROJECT
NO.YEAR STREET / LOCATION FROM / AT TO (mi)PROJECT SCOPE CONDITION BUDGET
I. STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (ACP Overlays, Sidewalks, Storm Drainage, etc.)
I - 1 2005 RidgeRoad 84th Avenue NE UplandRoad 0.19 Subgrade repair as required, ACP overlay 5 $80,000.00
Storm drainimprovementsasrequired
I - 2 2005 NE6th Street 86th Avenue NE 87thAvenue NE 0.09 Subgrade repair as required, ACP overlay 4 $70,000.00
Storm drainimprovementsasrequired
I - 3 2006 77thAvenueNE NE 16thStreet 500 feet Northof 16th St 0.10 ACPoverlay and storm drainageimprovementsto address minor flooding 4 $144,000.00
problems
I - 4 2007 Evergreen PointRdNorthof SR 520 Overpass FairweatherLane 0.5 Subgrade repair as required, ACP overlay 4 $470.000.00
Overpass Storm drainimprovements asrequired, pedestrian sidewalk
I - 5 2008 NE32nd Street Evergreen Point Road 80thAvenue NE 0.27 Subgrade repairas required, ACP overlay, stormdrainageupgrade 4 $250,000.00
Possiblepedestrianpath
I - 6 2008 78thPlaceNE NE 32ndStreet Evergreen Point Road 0.23 Subgrade repairasrequired, ACPoverlay, pedestrian path, and storm drainage 3 $300,000.00
improvements
I - 7 2009 82nd AveNE NE 24thStreet NE 26th Street 0.14 Subgrade repair as required, ACP overlay 3 $230,000.00
Major storm drainimprovements
I - 8 2009 NE28thPlace Evergreen Point Road Westterminus 0.05 Subgraderepair, ACP overlay, drainage improvements asrequired 3 $30,000.00
I - 9 2009 NE28th Street Evergreen Point Road Eastterminus 0.4 Subgraderepair, ACP overlay, drainage improvements asrequired 3 $170,000.00
I - 10 2009 NE26th Street 82nd AvenueNE Eastterminus 0.11 Subgraderepair, ACP overlay, drainage improvements asrequired 3 $33,000.00
I - 11 2009 NE18th Street Evergreen Point Road 74th PlaceNE 0.08 Subgraderepair, ACP overlay, drainage improvements asrequired 3 $28,000.00
I - 12 2009 Rambling Lane NE 18thStreet Southterminus 0.07 Subgraderepair, ACP overlay, drainage improvements asrequired 3 $32,000.00
I - 13 2010 NE16th Street Evergreen Point Road Overlake Golf Course 0.22 Subgraderepair, ACP overlay, drainage improvements asrequired 3 $65,000.00
ParkingLot
PavementConditionLegendfor Part I. ACPOverlays:
1 = excellent (new/recentoverlaywithin past5-10 yr. +-)
2 = good (older overlay, no obviousdamage)
3 = fair (somecracks)
4 = fair-poor (severalcracks, some alligators/settlement)Page 1
5 = poor (several cracks, alligators, settlement/potholes)
CITY OF MEDINA
2005 - 2010 SIXYEARCAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) ---Pages 1 thru3 Approvedby: Pending
2005 - 2010SIXYEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (TIP) ---Pages1 & 2 Date: Pending
2005 - 2010SIXYEAR NON-TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (NON-TIP) ---Page3 ResolutionNumber: TBD
DATESUBMITTED: April21 2004 (Draft)
LENGTH PAVEMENT PROJECT
NO.YEAR STREET / LOCATION FROM / AT TO (mi)PROJECT SCOPE CONDITION BUDGET
II. STORM DRAINAGE PROJECTS (Not including storm drainage improvements in conjunction with street or path projects)
II - 1 2005 Throughoutthe City 12locations in theCity 12locations in the City N/A Repair and line allCity stormdrain outflow lines $150,000.00
12of 13DischargePoints
II - 2 2006 Dredge Storm DrainDetention Medina Park Medina Park N/A Dredge ponds inMedina Park - part ofCity's storm drain dentionsystem -$120,000.00
Ponds - Repair Rockery repair rockeryaround south sideof northernpond
II - 3 2010 NE24thStreetCulvert UnderNE24thStreet Under NE24thStreet 0.09 Removalof fishpassage barrierand replacementwithopen bottombox $200,000.00
Fish friendly culvert culvert
III. SIDEWALKS / PATHS PROJECTS (Including storm drainage improvements as noted)
III - 1 2006 NE8th Street 80th Avenue NE EvergreenPoint Road 0.25 Install sidewalk with curbandgutter, planting strips, parkingstrips, storm drain, and $170,000.00
other supporting landscaping requirements
III - 2 2007 EvergreenPointRoad NE 12thStreet NE 14th Street 0.11 Install retaining wall, replacethickened edge with curb, gutter, and reconstruct $100,000.00
sidewalk
IV. MISC. STREET PROJECTS (Retaining Walls, Landscaping, etc.)
Page2
CITY OF MEDINA
2005 - 2010 SIXYEARCAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) ---Pages 1 thru3 Approvedby: Pending
2005 - 2010SIXYEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (TIP) ---Pages1 & 2 Date: Pending
2005 - 2010SIXYEAR NON-TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (NON-TIP) ---Page3 ResolutionNumber: TBD
DATESUBMITTED: April21 2004 (Draft)
LENGTH PAVEMENT PROJECT
NO.YEAR STREET / LOCATION FROM / AT TO (mi)PROJECT SCOPE CONDITION BUDGET
NON-TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECTS:
V. PARKS PROJECTS
V - 1 2005 FairweatherNature Preserve Fairweather Nature Preserve N/A Streamrehabilitation by EarthCorps based onAnderson design $18,000.00
V - 2 2005 Medina Beach Park Medina BeachPark N/A Repairbulkhead, upgrade jetty, create fish habitat, renovate docks (PhaseII)$270,000.00
V - 3 2006 ViewpointPark and Community South terminusof 84th AveNE N/A Repair and upgrade dockto makefishfriendly $35,000.00
Dock
V - 4 ?FairweatherNature Preserve Variouslocations N/A Gymnasium area improvements, supplemental plantings, parking area upgrade ?
Improvements
VI - 1 2005 Police Facility TBD N/A Architectural design, propertyacquisition, construction Unknown
SUMMARYTOTALPROJECTED BUDGETBYYEAR:
2005 588,000$
2006 469,000$
2007 570,000$
2008 550,000$
2009 523,000$
2010 265,000$ Page3
TOTAL SIX YEARC.I.P. 2005 - 2010 2,965,000$
NOTES:
1) The above budgetfigures shownarein2004 dollars andareto be considered preliminary probable projectcostsonly. More precisebudget figures willneedto be determinedonce thefinal scope ofeach project is defined,
whichwillrequire more extensive research, survey, andscopedefinitionpriorto the particularyear'sbudgeting.
2) The projects identifiedabove are preliminary inscopedefinition. Additional projects maybeaddedto, orproposed projects maybe deletedfrom thislist.
1
MEDINA POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: January 25, 2013
TO: City Council
FROM: Chief Mark Thomas
RE: Visioning
Police department operations in Medina for the next decade are likely to stay substantially similar to what they are
today. Medina’s low crime rates and stable population will likely keep the police department at its current size.
Crime rates have been trending down in Medina and the State of Washington for the last several years. Two
notable exceptions are burglaries and financial fraud/ID theft that are trending up in Medina and across the nation.
Technology advances will be incorporated into operations when they make sense such as our current use of video
surveillance.
Police trends across the nation include regionalization of services and moving toward “Intelligence Led Policing”
models to maximize the efficiency of expensive human resources. Regionalization has met with mixed reviews and
has generally not yielded the expected level of cost savings. The concept of “Intelligence Led Policing” is
incorporated into our department with the completion of some crime analysis. Additional expenditures on
expensive software programs or additional staff to complete analysis is not warranted as the added value to our city
would be minimal with our low crime rates.
Police operations are affected by the latest events or crimes. Often the shift in focus is temporary and changes after
the next high profile incident. The current “hot topic” is school safety and the presence of police at schools. The
school shooting in Connecticut may create some lasting changes with the level of support for officers at schools
full-time.
Emergency preparedness in the next ten years will likely follow the pattern of the last ten years. When major
events occur it spurs some people to action for short periods of time often followed by most people losing interest
fairly quickly. Federal funding for local preparedness efforts has decreased substantially and there is a strong
likelihood that grant programs will continue to dwindle. Periodic opportunities will continue to be offered by the
city to educate residents on personal and neighborhood preparedness. We will continue to look for opportunities to
combine emergency preparedness with other activities the city to maximize our audience.
CITY OF MEDINA
501 EVERGREEN POINT ROAD | PO BOX 144 | MEDINA WA 98039-0144
TELEPHONE 425-233-6400 | www.medina-wa.gov
January 26, 2013
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rachel Baker, Central Services Director
Subject: Central Services Visioning
The central services department houses general customer and administrative service responsibilities
for the city, communication outreach to the Medina community and agency customers, human
resources, records management and public records disclosure, and shared information services and
technology responsibilities.
Trending forward we are predicting financial resources will dwindle becoming less available for the
department to meet its responsibilities, goals of the city council, and requirements established by
law. Below is a short list of areas which could be impacted by this trend.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Decreased resources paralleling increased workforce costs may:
Impact ability to sustain salary matching the area’s cost of living and pay scales of
comparable jurisdictions.
Influence both employees’ and employer’s ability to afford increasing health care and
benefit costs.
Decrease ability to attract and retain quality workforce.
Reduce training budgets and abilities for certified staff to maintain qualifying credentials
and professional memberships.
Be harder to align experienced and educated talent to meet the goals and visions expected
of the community and city council.
Apply an increased demand on existing employees to provide more efficient and broad-
scope services.
Result in reduced employee engagement, satisfaction and work product.
PUBLIC/COMMUNITY SERVICE
We continue to experience difficulty attracting and retaining volunteers to staff boards and
commissions. It is likely this downturn will continue as personal priorities and energies are
allocated elsewhere.
SOCIAL OUTREACH/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The need to reach out and have the ability to contact multiple generations residing in the
community and through a variety of formats tailored to their lifestyles.
Increased reliance by the public and agency customers through mobile devices, mobile
applications, and other technologies to reach out to, garner information from and contact
the city.
Continued demand by agency customers and the community for social broadcasting of
agency information, actions, and records.
Financial limitations in the call for the city to meet, match, or exceed technology security
requirements, keeping technology equipment and software current, and providing social
engagement capabilities of larger entities with greater staff and financial resources.
Technology advances and requirements exceeding capabilities of workforce, increasing
training and consulting costs.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT/PUBLIC RECORDS
The Public Record Act activist era appears to linger and gain momentum with more and
more citizens submitting PRA requests and suing when they are denied.
Increased legal costs for PRA assistance, advice, and defense.
Possible financial consequences and penalties associated with PRA.
Continued challenge balancing requests with other essential agency duties and
responsibilities.
Sustained demand for transparency and publicly accessible records.
Endless shift to electronic records and the imperative need and limited resources available
to frequently organize, maintain, and manage records in accordance with state records
management standards.