[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6311935,"mediaKeyId","2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd","parentId",2393881,"title","Community Development outlines urgent middle-housing, critical-areas and planning deadlines","audioSeconds",397,"startMs",864000,"endMs",1261000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd&start=864&end=1261","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd/thumbnail_864000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311935/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Community-Development-outlines-urgent-middle-housing-critical-areas-and-planning-deadlines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311935-ed2d5217e5a659a3afe358f956da0b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193798&Signature=ZVYuxsDEBLPJwcR6YVWSxiOd-zyzUZ7ALT6Hm3--89TFaaTSPy73tzGLBjT6odunO8wbKffhTtlMbM1Y3EFQxaIl9rVSD8e9os4LXFCu1NJ-LrGUE3ZtCAfukbikOrNb1Qq9c6la7iyHmegtBysc744D46etjK2pn3qrhJrigDgC5Z~t~JU~RnOfoJV-fiDu~MK1kKjT0E9jDtv59sIsvOnSQ5X8QuTOeDbvEWckvKZBDgKaYUcQ4uH0PI4L2FIR9eFJr3o4j7sVcvwnGfRcITSNAzxflheX5b81bBdvluCW88oUTyJd4GsnCUp53WhcCBB5GVcsjf-7lBnNPfmP3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake Forest Park, WA","date","2025-02-25T20:16:41Z","article","Community Development Director Mark Hoffman presented a multi-topic workplan Tuesday to prepare the council for an upcoming one-day retreat and to outline several near-term regulatory deadlines.

Hoffman told council members the planning commission is working toward a March 11 meeting when he hopes commissioners will reach consensus on middle housing development regulations and draft code language. He said the model ordinance for tier-3 cities takes effect July 1, and the city needs to decide which minimum mandates it will adopt before that date.

“Soon will be, that March 11, we have a consensus,” Hoffman said about planning commission timing and added the city will seek expedited review from the Washington State Department of Commerce if it has a draft to submit.

Hoffman described several related items on the workplan: submitting the comprehensive plan to the Puget Sound Regional Council for transportation-section review and grant eligibility; drafting a climate element and associated grant deliverables due in June; revising the sign ordinance (SEPA comment period closed with one comment); and beginning a critical areas ordinance (CAO) update that Hoffman recommended be completed in the fall, noting Commerce expects progress and that small cities can demonstrate “diligent pursuit.”

On mapping, Hoffman said improved GIS data from other agencies — including King County landslide data — is available and could be incorporated into updated critical-area maps without waiting for a full ordinance rewrite. He also said the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) update, which last saw draft work in 2019, is a larger project that staff has money for in professional services but limited bandwidth to run through public review.

Hoffman flagged several other regulatory areas: unit-lot subdivision and condominium clarifications, modernization of the city’s wireless code to reflect Federal Communications Commission developments, tree regulation updates (led by the city’s urban-forest planner and the Tree Board), and a parks, recreation and open-space plan inventory update led by the parks advisory board.

Council members asked for a shareable list of the planning commission’s “parking lot” items to help council set policy priorities. Hoffman said planning commission members support focusing on minimum mandates first and “parking” other items for additional study so the city can meet state timelines without rushing broader code changes.

Hoffman also advised council that some ordinance amendments, if materially changed after initial submission, may require additional Department of Commerce review and that grant deliverables and consultant contracts (including SCJ Hansen and Facet, both mentioned) shape staff bandwidth for the spring and summer schedule.

No formal action was taken; the presentation was described as preparatory work ahead of the council retreat.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 24, 2025 Committee of the Whole","oneSentenceSummary","Community Development Director Mark Hoffman briefed council on a workplan that prioritizes middle-housing regulations, a March 11 planning commission target and other state-driven deadlines ahead of a retreat.","taxTitle","Lake Forest Park, King County, Washington","taxId",71686,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6311940,"Lake Forest Park introduces new public works director, who cites focus on projects, process and grants",718,42000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd&start=42&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd/thumbnail_42000.jpg","/articles/6311940/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Lake-Forest-Park-introduces-new-public-works-director-who-cites-focus-on-projects-process-and-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311940-3dc255ab55dc971177bf97b46252a747/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193798&Signature=ZxPlgAxXy7j5wXHbi4h3VGTc7EYuItmaWMJwQX0iXM3qvhj4x8puloNPdBRCXx14uY9gel8U7IVV-PXUJGb195bqnir8KavkCHNC2o83vlktH~tNoRVH9328izIR3xI0ED4726Ng1HaJUwIKooDWV2bFLtupUWYRh1Lky3gPOsVsXCcJjP1pKkDE6DNf2LvEkoiGCnux1PoKv7IQOBVCfvbPMfmDeIBHFBSvWICpfFEacklbMHhEC63Y4Hdeb12GFfH~YgJLwXsBKQI7KA7HRMo79wBTyYmd~PXN2OGePWCtgrbLFi7zKjBV9-NNS6A2OOB3DzYWVjKN3hzhOGse-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Viner, the city’s new public works director, met informally with council members Tuesday to introduce herself and outline early priorities after starting the job in recent weeks.

Viner, who described an engineering career that ranges from distribution and civil engineering to transportation and vertical construction, told the council she “hit the ground running” amid recent storms and has found staff “amazing” and “very collaborative.” She said much of her career has been in government work and that she was drawn to Lake Forest Park by strong community involvement and local stewardship of parks and trees.

The city’s council members asked about Viner’s near-term agenda. Viner said internal priorities include getting facilities work “up to speed” and putting project-management processes in place so staff can be responsive and efficient. Externally, she identified the municipal park project and a larger roundabout project as assignments she is watching closely, saying both present engineering challenges she enjoys.

Viner also said she has experience writing successful grants, citing a past electric vehicle charger project funded by the California Energy Commission. “I had done one for an actual electric vehicle charging station project in California … and was successful with that grant,” she said, adding she will pursue grants the city can use.

Council members welcomed Viner’s outreach and said they appreciated her proactive review of the city’s electric-vehicle charger estimates and other project cost concerns. Council members offered to arrange one-on-one meetings so Viner can learn specific neighborhood issues and “hot topics” that will inform project work.

Viner said she has taken an early interest in learning the city’s neighborhoods — noting an anecdote about Magnolia — and that she values public feedback to shape projects. She described herself as someone who values design and architecture, enjoys hiking and family time, and who prefers combining strong process with on-the-ground responsiveness.

The meet-and-greet was informal and formed part of the committee’s broader agenda; no formal action was taken.","The council held a meet-and-greet with Rebecca Viner, the city’s new public works director. Viner described her engineering background, early priorities — facilities, project management and grant-seeking — and interest in the park and roundabout projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6311925,"Police chief outlines staffing gains, traffic unit build-out and fleet, body-camera and court cost pressures",543,4754000,5297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd&start=4754&end=5297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd/thumbnail_4754000.jpg","/articles/6311925/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Police-chief-outlines-staffing-gains-traffic-unit-build-out-and-fleet-body-camera-and-court-cost-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311925-d2ae487ad09a29cf16abc2cd75e557b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193798&Signature=S3qe0FEZJpunozvx00eLA632RHtZMJrqBkAvobjEc5yxSy5gaZj7FVCHVTlTaOms1s-wHyOr1D3Mr6v-x9~zxQsB9Xc9HiH8akfXroPg6TTzyl9KPEJGHQQlIIi0sKZVyLQLdRNqwaohMsXLMvCfNpF6QCJpgdU-S7jG34m-MlKvVx0HFZI79cdJbB4iZaJTFz3Yb-wiy3BADQQNP2PyLC-icbEWgNxFxbfyMxg9m4TUokJEbi36-~UdQEl5myA77cs1yKbQrxJ8S7gpSLru1-Cx7IkSC7fbjPXLWH4nBwtio7drqcx6Df4dlq3eLZ4RBh1BC0xXnZwFgSwtwnmesQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Harden updated the council on staffing, enforcement priorities and operational challenges, identifying progress on specialty units and several resource gaps the city faces.

Harden said the department has hired six new officers and promoted or reassigned five staff in the last two years; one lateral applicant is in background checks for an open patrol slot, a sergeant is retiring in May and another officer has a planned separation, leaving further vacancies.

Specialty units Harden described include a nearly operational traffic unit — to be overseen by Commander Zenilla with Sergeant Walker as the traffic sergeant and Officer Carl Karlsruhe already assigned to traffic — and a dedicated traffic support officer, Amanda Johnson. Harden said the department plans extra patrols, regular radar-trailer deployment, improved citizen communication and is considering e‑bikes for patrol on the Burke-Gilman Trail and in town center.

Harden said the department’s detective unit reduced a caseload from roughly 80-plus cases to about 45 through recent staffing and workload adjustments. He also cited program launches: the UAV drone equipment and staff certification, the K-9 program (K9 Bella), an operational SWAT position and a planned Flock license-plate-reader system as tools for investigations.

Harden identified recurring crime locations and types: property crime and retail theft at stores such as Ross, Rite Aid and Albertsons; calls at the town center and gas stations (Arco, Chevron); city parks (Horizon View, Animal Acres, Lion Creek and Grace Cole); apartment complexes (Woodland North, Wildwood Apartments, Watercrest); and other businesses including Taco Bell and marijuana dispensaries. He singled out a local business, Deja Vu, when noting repeated calls to specific locations.

Operational constraints Harden stressed include a deteriorating vehicle fleet (more than 10 vehicles overdue for replacement; an immediate need for four vehicles), and a mounting workload for public-records redaction of body‑worn-camera footage that consumes staff time. He said the department has auto‑redaction tools but staff must review footage and manually redact sensitive information, and that the process is time‑intensive when multiple officer cameras exist for a single incident.

Harden and City Administrator Hill also discussed court and public-defense cost pressures. Hill noted the city currently pays about $10,000 a month for public defenders and that anticipated workload and court-hour changes could increase that cost substantially.

Harden said locker-room upgrades are scheduled (March 24), union negotiations are in redlining, and the department is working to reestablish traffic-enforcement visibility and public expectations for enforcement in the city.

No formal resolutions or expenditures were approved during the report; Harden said a fuller annual report and a vehicle-fleet briefing will follow at a future meeting.","Police Chief Harden reported recent staffing changes, specialty unit developments, traffic enforcement plans, crime hotspots and operational needs including vehicle replacements and time-consuming body‑worn-camera redaction that is straining staff time. He also warned of rising court-related costs and public-defense expense pressures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6311931,"Council reviews outreach plan for possible levy; timeline includes public hearings in June–July and August ballot deadline",127,3630000,3757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd&start=3630&end=3757","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2393881-2db901641c5cb508474461a5b8b113dd/thumbnail_3630000.jpg","/articles/6311931/Lake-Forest-Park/King-County/Washington/Council-reviews-outreach-plan-for-possible-levy-timeline-includes-public-hearings-in-JuneJuly-and-August-ballot-deadline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311931-4e4183d7ba506fe2778441bd4282c5cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193798&Signature=c00kH-zk2UULaJGjieXjdyEx5yF4ulGCJGxvgl2d9NZrXZyZykgJOvzSpwP3z52wZpFS~UwVjw-rUsElUTgD1GNcEyha7q0JzfZfDOcLHD04FwpyyCUUzdx0a5~ooguWMODVTjERSlfnJOGJ9~RnzWN0XmZoj9DCAKCXrSEdUHJgI2SsJImpfy35vp2cShsDQQj2M1WIzGezSL4bO7xmpMBCeb3uoNSyKIax~I4xwm1aJbfkqHd6CBHKNqByKjQvDGLa~TxxQimUqprPieghdiVJUgcUyHqApnJ~nUPgA5cxKsPo7vnqCMrM9QKEwWInEw7noIXSqzdjnaiMc70~Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and council reviewed outreach plans for a potential levy measure and discussed how to present options and financial context to residents.

Deputy Mayor and staff described a multi-month engagement schedule that includes published materials, a website launch, community presentations and two public hearings scheduled for June and July. City staff noted that the deadline to place a levy measure on the November ballot is Aug. 5.

Staff said the engagement will include mailed survey results, videos and community presentations at events such as the farmers market and National Night Out; officials said the chief and city administrator could serve as spokespeople at public events. Staff also described an intent to post frequently asked questions and a Q&A on the city website and to provide an email address for public questions.

Council members and staff discussed what a potential levy would fund. Options include dedicated public-safety funding (personnel and court-related costs) or capital projects. Several council members said the community survey indicates residents want specificity about what a levy would fund rather than a general operating backfill.

City administrators said early outreach in March–April will focus on background information about the city’s budget gap and the mechanics of a levy; conceptual options would be refined in April and developed into more detailed outreach materials for the summer. Staff recommended an interactive community workshop format — with tables for financial topics and council or staff available to answer questions — in addition to town-hall presentations.

No formal decision was made at the meeting; staff said they will return with conceptual levy options for council consideration in April and will continue public engagement if the council decides to move forward.","City staff outlined community engagement plans for a potential levy measure, including a mailed community survey, public presentations April–July, two public hearings in June and July and an August 5 deadline to place a measure on the November ballot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Community Development outlines urgent middle-housing, critical-areas and planning deadlines

Lake Forest Park introduces new public works director, who cites focus on projects, process and grants

Police chief outlines staffing gains, traffic unit build-out and fleet, body-camera and court cost pressures

Council reviews outreach plan for possible levy; timeline includes public hearings in June–July and August ballot deadline