<br /> <br /> Comments of Keri Green <br /> PDF-25-01/SDR 25-02 <br />____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> 3 <br />The existing trees on the south side of Videra Creek within Videra Park provide wildlife shelter and <br />habitat, create shade and cooling for the stream, create quiet places for peoples’ mental health, and <br />provide natural beauty. The city should be concerned that approval of the extension of Randy Lane risks <br />destruction of this Park asset. The extension of Randy Lane and the associated buildout of homes on the <br />south side of Videra Creek are likely to kill many of the existing trees through a combination of alteration <br />of needed water sources for tree health, soil compaction, introduction of up to 50% impervious surfaces <br />on each lot, and the impervious surface created by the road extension. <br /> <br />PDT 01-11, Decision of the Hearings Official – January 17, 2002 Page 3 of 26 requires the following: <br />12. Detailed tree protection measures shall be specified and the detail tree protection notes <br />approved, prior to final PUD approval. <br />The final plan, in number 13 of PDT 01-11, also required a conservation zone be established. <br /> <br />I urge the city to consider the impact of the proposed Randy Lane extension on the health of the existing <br />trees in adjacent city-owned Videra Park. Full survey and mapping should be done to assess the impacts <br />of construction. The health of the trees should be ensured as city assets. <br /> <br />Finally, a word about wetlands. The wetlands on this property have become hostage to the Supreme <br />Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA (2023). Cutting up and destroying parts of the wetlands likely means <br />the destruction of the entire wetland ecosystem. There are some sections of this property that may hold <br />more environmental value than other sections. The southern section in which the Randy Lane extension is <br />proposed, is a very special area, special enough that the city purchased a swath of it for inclusion into its <br />park inventory. <br /> <br />I urge the city to deny the Randy Lane extension and to instead consider the value of this section of the <br />property to uses other than housing. It is a very special place that deserves consideration for the unique <br />wild place it provides, simply on its own merits. I have included below a photograph of Wetland 3. It is <br />located at what would be the eastern terminus of the proposed road extension. Consider that without <br />protections, this wetland ecosystem will likely not survive the proposed road and home construction. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br />Keri Green <br /> <br />