We are petitioning against the development of Basel Condos Along Coal Creek for the following reasons:

They are cutting down too many trees in Bellevue. The animals are losing their habitat.  Wetlands are getting filled.  There is a year round salmon stream that will be potentially harmed by this development. 

 Traffic dangers in this area would go from bad to worse. More than 500 comments expressed about the Coal Creek Parkway and Factoria area, poor light timing, the dangers for bicyclists., and general neglect of traffic congestion and concerns in Newport Hills and South Bellevue  – in the Public Outreach report of the 2019-2030 Transportation Facilities Plan. The city should not approve variances allowing for more development and traffic in this area without fixing the current severe problems on such an important access road to Newport High School. 

Additionally, the pollution and runoff concerns from paving 58 units – not to mention sewer and other utility lines - compared to that of the current single-family home, will leave little in the way of a forest buffer for the neighborhood and the waterway, imposing disruptions for nearby waterways, homeowners and residents who enjoy the natural area.  

The steep slope and mature trees make this a safe site for birds, and King County notes that “Migratory birds are particularly vulnerable to trade and development activities, as they are potentially affected by the land use practices or other environmental disruptions occurring anywhere along their flight paths.” Birds spotted in this area include warblers, vireos, tanagers, grosbeaks, orioles and more.

The report suggests that the developer will remove more than 200 trees, impacting both air and water quality for the area. Too often, project directors often quickly identify mature trees as “unhealthy” or “unsafe” in order to remove them. The report notes on page 15:  “Due to the steepness and overgrown nature of the site, access to evaluate the site was difficult.” The fact that a site is inaccessible does not relieve an organization of responsibility for environmental impact.  

The forested area is part of the Coal Creek Natural Area corridor. “As water is absorbed and held by the forest, it reduces the amount of overland runoff that can contribute to soil erosion. The severity of flooding, and the amount of sediment washing into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs can be reduced by healthy forests.

Bellevue’s site on landslides cautions:  “Avoid building on steep slopes, hill edges, drainage routes and areas where there is a lot of erosion.” City staff should address the risk to human life by using buildings - living and sleeping areas - as part of the retaining wall system in this area. 

Waterways are connected and protection of wetlands and tributaries is crucial for protection of larger water systems. The forested area is part of the Coal Creek Natural Area corridor. “As water is absorbed and held by the forest, it reduces the amount of overland runoff that can lead to soil erosion. The severity of flooding, and the amount of sediment washing into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs can be regulated or reduced to some degree by healthy forests.”

In conclusion, replacing wetlands and forestland with paving will reduce the quality of this waterway, in addition to potentially destabilizing the hillside, threatening nearby homes, roads, as well as increasing traffic, noise and pollution in the area.

The staff report – prepared by staff members with unspecified  backgrounds and perhaps a range of pressing and competing duties, as well as by consultants (replete with agendas) hired by the developer – offers quick assurances with few specifics. The surrounding neighborhood will have to live with the traffic, environmental, instability consequences of this project for decades to come.