Twenty-five or more supporters of the appeal to the proposed

Treemont Development above Patterson Creek attended the King County

Council hearing on April 24 concerning this project. As part of that group, it

was interesting to see some of the council member’s reactions to what

they seemed to know little about.

Council member Maggi Fimia was appalled at the number of septic

systems going in above our homes. One hundred ninety-four drain fields

for 194 homes, on a low ridge full of springs, shallow wells and layers

of clay. Another council member, Larry Phillips, posed a question to

the developer’s lawyer by stating that the boundary for urban development

begins at the bottom of Duthie Hill, and that Treemont is inside the rural

area designated by the GMA. Their access road will come down on [State

Route] 202 between Duthie Hill Road and Southeast 8th, a curve with

potential for collisions.

Port Blakely, the developer, lacks sensitivity and awareness for our

community and environment. During his testimony, their lawyer held up a

map of the plotted development to show us how much green area of trees

they would leave, arousing spontaneous laughter for the paltry amount of

green splotched in the corners.

In support of the water diversion pipe to be installed at the base of

the ridge along [S.R.] 202 to divert runoff directly to the Snoqualmie River,

the lawyer stated that if Patterson Creek dried up in the summer due to

diversion of runoff, it wouldn’t matter, because it’s a seasonal creek and it

dries up anyway. That’s a bunch of bologna _ ask any local. Not to mention

the inevitable increase of flow into the Snoqualmie, increasing flood

potential. I believe their water source would come from the plateau, but all

the drainage would come our way.

I’m worried about the impact such a development will have on this

ridge and on our rural community nestled in this beautiful Valley.

Unlike Snoqualmie Ridge, which has direct access to I-90 and has limited

impact on the homeowners below, Treemont would be landlocked by

already clogged access roads, and is literally in the backyards of other land

owners.

Can our schools handle more kids? Do you really want a traffic light

at the bottom of Duthie Hill? Sure their permit was in shortly before the

zoning was changed to one house per five acres in 1989, but it seems to me

that the density of this development is not in the best public interest,

including the salmon and pileated woodpeckers. We’d be OK with one house per

five acres; about 40 homes. Maybe they could put in a nice trail system to

attract horse lovers and mountain bikers.

Let’s hope the council votes no on the subdivision and requires

Port Blakely to adhere to current zoning. You can help by letting the

county know your opinion. They represent you.

MIRIAM MURDOCH

Fall City