Memorial Park plans proceed
posted 03/23/05
Friday Harbor Town Council voted 3 to 1 to proceed with revised plans for Memorial Park. Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld's proposal to scale back the original proposal was approved by Councilmembers Carrie Brooks, David Jones and Debbie Emery. Councilmember Wally Gillette voted against the motion, preferring to look at the overall picture of traffic flow before renovating the park.
Emery voted for the project but expressed concern about traffic congestion in Friday Harbor. She asked the councilmembers to commit to work diligently to reduce traffic problems.
Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld was absent from the March 18, 2005 meeting. The next step is to apply for a shoreline building permit. The timeline for the project includes construction in the fall with the park completely done by Memorial Day 2006.
Rosenfeld's proposal
Dear Editor,
posted 02/28/05
At recent Town Council discussions of Memorial Park I've been insisting that if the park was moved back downhill and reconfigured we could "make just about everyone happy." At the last meeting I was asked to sketch out my idea. Town Administrator King Fitch got me together with Memorial Park architect David Waldron who has accurate overlays. I'm pleased to report that we found an alignment that:
- has no loss in roadway width for ferry traffic and in fact it will increase the critical distance between the park and the SW corner by 6 inches over what the old park allowed;
- allows the Memorial to remain in place with 2-4 feet of park in front (uphill) for public viewing (down from 6-8 feet in the previous design, up from 0 feet in the old park)>;
- allows for all the planned park improvements;
- expands the area for tree root protection over both the old and previous design;
- leaves the new design for the lower, waterside, promenade unchanged but will require some revisions to the architectural and engineering drawings;
- reduces the area needed for the decorative street pavers by 1000 square feet which will save about $30,000, hopefully, more than enough to cover the costs of the necessary new shoreline permit application and redesign work.
If this meets public and Council approval construction could start in the fall. Meanwhile, Council has allocated $5000 to bring back some park amenities for summer use by visitors and locals.
Howie Rosenfeld
Town of Friday Harbor Councilmember
Memorial Park to be put back together
posted 02/18/05
What was torn out in September will now be replaced. Friday Harbor Town Council directed town staff to restore Memorial Park. Town Administrator King Fitch estimated the cost would be $5,000. Councilmember Debbie Emery said, "I feel bad about keeping throwing money at it. This makes us look really, really silly."< She wondered why the park was demolished before a permit was obtained.
Town crews will place benches in the park and an asphalt pathway will be laid where the old concrete one had been. The curbs will be placed in the origina location.
The council voted to go ahead with the $5,000 plan. "I want the park fixed before Memorial Day," Councilmember Carrie Brooks said.
Memorial Park renovation stopped
By Sharon Kivisto
posted 02/04/05
Renovation of Memorial Park has stopped. The permit to renovate the park was effectively withdrawn after the final step in the approval process did not happen. At the Feb. 3, 2005 Town Council meeting, there weren't three votes to approve the findings of fact, conclusions of law relating to the permit. Town Attorney Don Eaton said, "In effect you have withdrawn the permit. The project is dead."
Approval of a land use permit has two steps. After the permit is approved, the final step is adoption of findings of fact, conclusions of law. This document details the reasoning behind the decision to approve the permit.
The shoreline use permit for the estimated $275,000 project to renovate the park was approved in a three to two vote on Dec. 16, 2004. Gillette, Councilmembers David Jones and Carrie Brooks voted for, Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld and Debbie Emery voted against. The perimeter of the park would be moved up Spring Street so the monument would be in the center of the park. Emery and Rosenfeld expressed strong support for Memorial Park but thought traffic impacts should be addressed before a permit was issued.
Gillette suggested moving the monument a few feet, so it was centered in the park. The perimeter would not have to be moved up Spring Street. At the Dec. 16 meeting, he asked if approving the permit precluded moving the monument a few feet. Eaton said it did not.
When the findings of fact, conclusions of law were presented at the Jan. 20, 2005 meeting, they included the statement: "The precise location of the granite monument within the Park has historic significance for the Town." Gillette objected to the statement.
Eaton told him it was too late to change his mind. Gillette said, "I don't think anyone is changing their mind. We discussed very thoroughly moving the monument (at the Dec. 16 meeting)."
Mayor Gary Boothman, Brooks and Jones tried for 45 minutes to convince Gillette he must approve the document.
Jones said, "It has become holy ground like Valley Forge. It wouldn't be the same monument if it was moved." Moving it even a few inches would break the bond established when it was first installed, he said. The monument was erected in 1919 to honor soldiers from the county who died in World War I. "I believe the historic and sacred ground issue overrides the convenience of 70-foot truck going around the park," he said.
Brooks told Gillette, "We can talk about this later. We have to approve this now."
Boothman said, "The vote has been taken, the die has been cast."
Gillette said he voted for the permit on the basis that the location of the monument would be discussed before the project was put out to bid. "That is not going to happen," he said. "My entire premise is out the window."
Town Administrator King Fitch held a prebid meeting on Jan. 31, 2005 and bids are being submitted by contractors.
Brooks made a motion to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law. Jones joined her in voting yes. Gillette voted no.
The Town Council began discussing the project in the Spring of 2002. The landscaping, arbor and park benches were removed in the fall of 2004 prior to the application for the permit to renovate the park.
Park plans proceed;
permit still pending
posted 01/24/05
A pre-bid meeting regarding the Memorial Park renovation project is scheduled for Jan. 31 even though the permit process has not been completed. Friday Harbor Town Councilmembers did not approve the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law at their Jan. 20, 2005 meeting. Councilmember Wally Gillette objected to one of the facts: "The precise location of the granite monument within the Park has historic significance for the Town."
The plans call for the perimeter of the park to be expanded up Spring Street. The plans are designed to allow people to view the monument without having to stand in the street.
Concern has been raised about the impact the renovation will have on ferry traffic since it makes turning from Front Street onto Spring Street more difficult for trucks. Washington State Ferries officials have expressed concern about the traffic flow in Friday Harbor. As the dwell time (the time the ferry spends at the dock) increases, so does the likelihood of a ferry sailing being cut.
Councilmembers Howie Rosenfeld and Debbie Emery voted against issuing the permit at the Dec. 16, 2005 meeting. They expressed their strong support of the park, but felt it was wiser to know the impacts before making any changes. Councilmembers Carrie Brooks, David Jones and Gillette voted to approve the permit.
Gillette has suggested the monument could be moved a few feet toward the middle of the park. He specifically asked at the Dec. 16 hearing if approving the permit would preclude moving the statue. Town Attorney Don Eaton said it would not. At that time the importance of the "precise" location was not mentioned.
Possibly redesigning the plan - by moving the monument a few feet - was discussed at the Jan. 20 meeting. Town Administrator King Fitch said he would need design changes before the Jan. 31 prebid meeting. If the design is changed after the bidding process, the town would face change orders.
At the Jan. 20 meeting, Eaton said, "You (the council) can get the permit and not proceed with the project. If you want to redesign, this is an awkward time to do this. The three of you (Jones, Brooks and Gillette) need to finish off what you started."
Gillette replied, "I did not vote for a precise location."
Brooks said she understood that the exact location of the monument was a essential part of its historical significance. "If the monument could be moved, that would be awesome," she said. "I thought we received testimony (that it couldn't be moved.)
Historic Preservation Coordinator Sandy Strehlou said the importance of the specific location was mentioned in a fact sheet which had been sent to the councilmembers. Eaton said, the fact sheet was not entered as an exhibit at the public hearing. A review of the tape will be made.
Asked if the pre-bid meeting could be delayed, Fitch said, "I have a 90 day construction schedule." He would be unable to meet the Memorial Day deadline if the project is delayed, he said. The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2005.
Permit granted for
Memorial Park renovation
posted 12/16/04
"You have traffic on one end and emotion on the other," said Historic Preservation Review Board member Martha Padve during the permit hearing for Memorial Park renovation. "It's difficult for you guys, but I hope you will go with the emotion." The Town Council approved the permit three to two Dec. 16, 2004. Moving the border of the park several feet up Spring Street will make it more difficult for large trucks to navigate around the corner.
"It doesn't make the traffic any worse,": Councilmember Carrie Brooks said. "And this is not a hearing about traffic."
HPRB members Mona Meeker shared comments gathered at the 2000 county fair about the park. She said,"We urge you as council members to save that park, enhance that park, do it now.
Sue Madden, Scott Zehner, and Nancy Larsen expressed their support for the project. "It is a sacred place," Larsen said. "It is the single most important site in the town."
Councilmembers Howie Rosenfeld and Debbie Emery expressed their strong support for the park but voted against the permit. "We have a responsibility about traffic flow and circulation," said Emery. "Just because we are not making it worse doesn't mean we shouldn't be looking at making it better. It is our responsibility to make it better."
"My concern has been about the procedure," Rosenfeld said. "We made a commitment to reconstitute the intermodal committee, to try to do something about traffic flow." He had recommended the project be put on hold until a more comprehensive look at the traffic flow was done. He noted the decision has a "big bearing on the future level of ferry service."
The town council and the county board of commissioners wrote a letter to WSF expressing their commitment to working with the ferries and the port to improve traffic flow. Rosenfeld felt the commitment should be honored.
Councilmember David Jones said, "I think the applicant - us - has met the requirements to go forwards. At the very worst it is neutral on traffic flows. It is not much different where the trucks go. The park and the monument were there first. It would be nice if this was part of a larger study. It isn't like this is a surprise design for us. It is not really an option to turn down the application."
Councilmember Wally Gillette asked if approval of the permit precluded moving the monument. Town Attorney Don Eaton said it would not. "My only concern is the location of the memorial. It would be nice if it moved closer to the water so people in the park could gather around it," Gillette said. " I realize there is a historic problem. Would it still mean as much if it was ten feet from where it is?"
Emery and Rosenfeld also asked if the monument couldn't be moved a few feet to the center of the park. The move would solve the problem of people standing in the street to read the inscriptions on the concrete memorial. The plan calls for the border of the park to be moved six to eight feet up Spring Street to provide space for people to stand when viewing the monument.
Land Use Administrator Mike Bertrand told the council the recommendation in the staff report was based on the assumption WSF had no concerns about traffic flow around the park. He also said the turnaround time seemed to be OK. "We have received nothing from the state ferries showing we are deficient," he said.
Friday Harbor resident Bob Bennett said. "Ferries has said it won't consider a second slip until the town takes care of traffic flow. Your comments about ferries doesn't gibe with that."
Traci Brewer-Rogstad of Washington State Ferries said at the October San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee meeting in Friday Harbor, that she has repeatedly expressed WSF's concerns about the dwell time - time the ferry is in the terminal - to the Mayor and town staff. If the traffic flow is not improved, there is a strong liklihood San Juan Island will lose a ferry sailing, SJFAC chair Bob Distler has said.
With the permit approved, the town will move ahead and gather bids for the estimated $270,000 project. If everything goes right, the renovation will be finished by Memorial Day 2005.
Hearing on Memorial Park renovation Dec. 16
posted 12/15/04
Friday Harbor Town Council will hold a hearing at 5:35 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16 in Town Hall about the Memorial Park renovation. The park is within 200 feet of the shoreline and requires a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit. The Town is applying for the permit. The Town Council issues the permits.
The project would move the circle up Spring Street six feet, add arbors and create a larger pedestrian area next to the water. The cost is estimated to be $275,000. The realignment of the circle will allow people to view the monument without standing in the roadway.
Concerns have been raised about the effect the changes will have on traffic flow. No testing was done by an engineer. Town staff did a visual review by marking off the new boundaries and watching large trucks travel through the intersection. Two or three parking spaces in front of the Ale House would have to be removed in order for some large trucks to navigate around the corner.
In the past year, the number of trucks over 50-feet long has increased by 50 percent. The staff report downplays traffic concerns. The report states: "this project has proceeded on the assumption that the current offloading flow is satisfactory for Washington State Ferries...One of the goals of the project was to not make anything worse."
In July, the town council and the Board of County Commissioners sent a letter to Washington State Ferries stating: "We recognize the significant existing landside infrastructure impediments to more efficient ferry loading and unloading - not only in Friday Harbor, but also at Orcas and to a lesser extent at Lopez. With regard to the situation in Friday Harbor, we are recommitting to an update and implementation of the objectives of the joint Intermodal Transportation Plan, adopted in November of 1998. The County, in conjunction with both the Town and the Port of Friday Harbor, will refresh the objectives, elements and conclusions in that plan and move to implement needed modifications to roads and traffic patterns."
Town decides it doesn't need a permit to dismantle park
posted 10/26/04
The Town of Friday Harbor did not need to obtain a shoreline development permit before dismantling structures in Memorial Park. Town Administrator King Fitch said, "We made the determination it did not need a permit." The decision was based partly on the fact that no permit was required when the park was constructed in the early 1900s.
Shoreline substantial development permits are required for development within 200 feet of the shoreline. According to the Shoreline Management manual:
Demolition or removal of structures may constitute development. When the act of demolition alters the exterior of a structure, involves filling, dredging, drilling excavation, placing of obstructions, etc. (greater than $5,000 in value) or materially interferes with public use of the shorelines. In special cases where a structure is moved or dismantled, e.g. unbolted without causing any of the actions listed as "development" a substantial development permit may not be required.
Fitch said the work did not exceed $5,000.
The town has applied for a shoreline substantial development permit for the rebuilding of the park. The project is estimated to cost $275,000. A public hearing on the permit will be held in December.
The town council will decide whether to approve the permit. The town is both the applying and deciding agency for the permit. "It's one of those odd ones,"Fitch said.
Memorial (Circle) Park project proceeding
posted 10/12/04
The estimated $275,000 remodel of Memorial Park in Friday Harbor will go out to bid. Councilmember Debbie Emery suggested holding off on the project until a traffic engineer can see if large trucks will be able to go around the corner. The rest of the council voted to proceed without an expert opinion. Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld said, "We might not want to know the answer."
The project will change the perimeter of the circle, expanding it up Spring Street so people can read the inscription on the monument without standing in the street. To determine whether trucks could turn onto Spring Street, Town Administrator King Fitch and Mayor Gary Boothman marked the area and then watched trucks coming off the ferry. They determined, in order for large trucks to manuever around the circle, two parking spaces will have to be eliminated in front of the Ale House. If cars are parked there, trucks do not have enough room to make the corner.
The stop sign in front of Front Street Cafe will also need to be moved. If a vehicle is at the stop sign, a large truck would be unable to turn up Spring Street. The council did not resolve that issue before giving the go ahead to the project.
Before approving the project, councilmember Wally Gillette asked if the monument could be moved five feet to alleviate the traffic problem. Councilmember Carrie Brooks said it could not be done because it would affect the historic nature of the monument and anyway the park was there before the ferries.
Councilmember David Jones agreed. "It is considered a historic artifact and its place is considered part of that," he said. The project's steering committee was adamant the monument could not be moved, he said.
Asked after the meeting, if moving the monument would disqualify it from acquiring a historical designation. Friday Harbor Historic Preservation Coordinator Sandy Stehlou said it would not. It would still qualify for federal, state and local historic designation even if it was moved a few feet.
Town Administrator King Fitch will file a request for a shoreline permit. Once the request is made, the councilmembers will not be allowed to discuss the project with anyone. The reason being the council will be acting in a quasi-judicial role when it presides over the hearing for the shoreline permit. The council will vote whether of not to issue the permit.
Architect David Waldron said the estimate of $275,000 was probably low so the bidding process will include alternate bids. The present plan calls for two different color of pavers to be installed. Depending on cost, only one color may be used, or stamped concrete may be used instead.
Park re-design approved despite traffic problems
posted 09/17/04
In July, county commissioners and town council members sent a joint letter to Washington State Ferries pledging to work together to find solutions to traffic flow problems in Friday Harbor. Last night three council members approved plans to redesign Memorial Park despite the fact the reconfigured circle will likely impede ferry traffic.
Asked for his reaction to the council's actions, San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee Chair Bob Distler said, "This is unfortunate and counter-productive to the committment to work in a comprehensive way to deal with the vehicle situation."
The plans call for altering the perimeter of the park so it is farther up Spring Street and over slightly towards the Port. Concerns have been raised about the ability of large trucks to manuever around the park. Pink tape was placed on the street and trucks were observed driving around the new circle.
Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld said, "Having observed trucks coming across, it is a dicey situation." Elimination of two of the parking spots in front of the Ale House, would ease the problem, according to Town Administrator King Fitch.
Washington State Ferries officials have made it clear, the lengthy delays in loading and unloading ferries are having a negative impact on service. Because of the long turn around time, the county might end up losing a ferry run, according to WSF staff.
In the July 15 letter, the councilmembers and commissioners stated: "We recognize the significant existing landside infrastructure impediments to more efficient ferry loading and unloading - not only in Friday Harbor, but also at Orcas and to a lesser extent at Lopez. With regard to the situation in Friday Harbor, we are recommitting to an update and implementation of the objectives of the joint Intermodal Transportation Plan, adopted in November of 1998. The County, in conjunction with both the Town and the Port of Friday Harbor, will refresh the objectives, elements and conclusions in that plan and move to implement needed modifications to roads and traffic patterns."
The intermodal study called for moving the memorial towards the water and creating a pedestrian area. Half of the people who commented on the town's plans displayed at the county Fair, suggested the creation of the pedestrian-only area. Architect David Waldron said moving the memorial was not an option.
Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld said, "(Regarding) the position of the memorial, I know that is a touchy issue, but is it unreasonable to suggest moving it a couple of feet."
Friday Harbor resident Lorraine Lawson said, "We have been waiting a long time for the park to become a historical park." She believed if the memorial was moved even a few feet, it would no longer be historic. "It's been there a long time before the ferris got here. It should stay where it's at." she said.
A representative from the American Legion urged the council to approve the plans so the project could be completed by Memorial Day 2005. Town Administrator King Fitch said, "The purpose today was to get approval to start to demolish the park."
Efforts were unsuccessful by Rosenfeld and Councilmember Debbie Emery to get their fellow councilmembers to consider the big picture and postpone the project until after the talks with WSF, the BOCC and the Port. Rosenfeld's comments were cut off abruptly when councilmember Wally Gillette interrupted him and made a motion to vote on the project.
Mayor Gary Boothman, who presides over the council meetings, improperly allowed the motion to go forward. Three council members Gillette, David Jones and Carrie Brooks then voted to stop discussion and then voted to proceed with the project.
At the evening meeting, Boothman apologized to the council for his errors. "It requires four people (to vote to stop discussion." he said, "And you can't interrupt when someone else has the floor. It was my mistake, I apologize for that." The topic was not revisited.
The cost of the project is unknown at this time. Fitch estimated it would be around $200,000. Waldron had said he'd present an estimate at the Sept. 17, 2004 meeting. He didn't have the figures ready but told the council, "It looks like it will cost more than we thought it would cost."
Waldron suggested the bid be sent out with several alternates listed. The council could then chose whether to use custom pavers or not depending on the bids.
$10K for tree care
posted 01/21/04
The two elm trees in Memorial (Circle) Park will receive more tender loving care this spring. Arborist Fred Ellis will do "root innoculation and a massive amount of pruning and cabling" according to Friday Harbor Town Administrator King Fitch. Eventually the trees will be identical, he said. Fitch estimated the work will cost the town $10,000.
The Town spent $10,000 on the trees just before the holidays. Ellis and his crew spent three days, removing the old holiday lights, pruning the trees and stringing new lights. The old lights had been installed over the years by volunteers and had grown into the tree according to Fitch.
The trees were planted in the early 1900s by the Women's Study Club. The Town is planning to renovate Memorial Park. The circle will be moved a little farther up Spring Street so the memorial is centered in the park. More seating will be provided on the water side of the circle.
Memorial Park to be renovated
posted 04/22/02
Taking great pains to respect the "sacred place" Memorial (Circle) Park holds in the community, Historic Preservation Coordinator Nancy Larsen headed a committee to plan renovation of the 80-year-old park. An arborist looked at the trees, and said they are "in great shape and could live another 50 to 100 years."
While the trees are healthy they have been pruned improperly and there is too much concrete around them. The arborist recommended corrective pruning and removal of some of the concrete.
David Waldron showed the Town Council sketches of preliminary designs for the park. "We would keep the circle the same size, but make it an actual circle, not a square with rounded edges. This would move the park up the street putting the memorial in the center instead of on the edge. This gives the trees more area.
Waldron told the council the committee is proposing a low white picket fence around the landscape area. Drawings and information about the proposed renovations will be on exhibit at the San Juan County Fair which runs August 14 through 17, 2002.
Larsen introduced members of the steering committee who were present at the council's April 1, 2002 meeting -- Lorraine Larsen, Tony Surina, Marge Workman, Pat Lacey, Sue Madden and Mona Meeker. The committee hopes the work can be completed in time for a Veteran's Day dedication.
Town Councilmember Bill LaPorte asked if the new configuration will allow large trucks to get around it. Waldron said measurements indicated it would. He suggested the boundaries could be marked off by cones and actual testing done.
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