Several North Bend residents aired concerns last week on wildlife, traffic safety and privacy at a 70-home development in the new Tanner annex.
Hearing Examiner Ted Hunter listened as seven citizens shared growth concerns in a hearing held Monday, Feb. 8, at City Hall regarding John Day Homes’ Tannerwood plan. Located off Southeast 140th and 453rd Place, the development would cover 17 acres, subdivided over three existing parcels. Developer John Day will build about 30 homes at a time in two phases.
While citizens who spoke Monday said they did not oppose the Tannerwood project, speakers questioned specific conditions.
More traffic
North Bend Planning Commissioner Sherwood Korssjoen testified as an individual on safety and traffic impacts.
He singled out Southeast 140th Street and North Bend Way, a busy school bus route where buses and passenger cars mingle with heavy trucks.
“I don’t know how close this comes to affecting this particular applicant, but it’s an issue of safety in the community,” said Korssjoen, who was concerned about the impact of additional residents. “It’s important that we make sure to provide good safe transportation corridors for people that purchase these homes,” he said.
Replying to Korssjoen’s concerns, North Bend Pubic Works Director Ron Garrow submitted two photos of the sight distance on North Bend Way and 140th Street. Official codes say that the streets are not a safety hazard, Garrow said.
Wildlife corridors
Snoqualmie Elk Management Group treasurer Ryan Kolodejchuk aired his problem with the size of a proposed wildlife corridor in the development.
Kolodejchuck said King County standards call for 200 feet of clearance. Tannerwood’s proposed corridor is 41 feet wide.
“It’s not adequate for the animals to travel and pass through freely,” Kolodejchuk said.
Concerned that the development is moving faster than data-collection efforts by the elk group, Kolodejchuk said that public safety could be affected along with wildlife.
“There is significant traffic going along 140th and the North Bend Way interchange,” he said. “We are studying fatalities of elk getting killed by vehicle collisions, and that’s one area that is a natural crossing for these animals.”
Neighbor Jennifer Parsons said elk already travel through the neighborhood.
Agreeing with Kolodejchuck, she said that elk will find a different way, perhaps across 140th Street, if they are not given a proper path.
“The solution could be 200 foot corridors,” Parsons said. “Corridors need to be rounded better in order to keep animals safe.”
Hunter commented that undeveloped land north of Tannerwood could become an additional corridor, if needed.
Property privacy
Neighbor Neil Bailey told Hunter that six of the Tannerwood lots are adjacent to his property. He aired concerns about view obstruction and privacy in his home.
“Do I have any say on the bedroom windows looking into my bedroom windows?” Bailey asked.
Tannerwood developer John Day replied that putting up a fence is not part of the application. However, in his experience, he added, it’s a certain inevitability that either his company or future residents will build a fence there.
“I will be willing to accept that as a plat condition for the second phase of development,” Day said.
Bailey’s home is in a cul-de-sac on 453rd Place. If the development is approved, 453rd turns into a through street.
According to Garrow, the Tannerwood plat calls for the dedication of additional right of way and street improvements, resulting in street widening and sidewalks. As North Bend develops its sewer line, the road will also be repaved.
“In the long run, the street will be improved by sewer or the subdivision coming in,” Garrow said.
Hunter told residents that he will take a close look at concerns and make his best judgment on what is suitable for the community.
Hunter’s approval is required for Tannerwood to proceed. Before he can make a decision, state law requires information to be presented from professional city planners as well as citizens with questions, comments or concerns. Hunter’s consideration is based only on the information presented last Monday.
He is expected to issue his decision early next week.
