BOTHELL — Neighbors of the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College are worried about a proposed change that would end the master building plan for the joint campus, streamline campus development, and allow construction of a residence hall near their homes.
About a dozen people who live near campus spoke at a Dec. 15 Bothell City Council meeting. Most strongly opposed the change that would retire the schools’ master building plan with the city — known as planned unit development — and change existing building-setback requirements.
Under the current process, the campus must apply for each development, including building and parking lot construction. Meagan Walker, Cascadia’s executive director of college relations, said at the meeting the process costs about $250,000 for each permit.
Ana Karaman, UW Bothell’s vice chancellor for administration, planning, and finance, said in a statement that there have been six master plan amendments processed so far, with 12 more required to complete planned construction on campus.
“At approximately $250,000 per … amendment, and a six- to eight-month process, the institutions could save $3 million in public funds and tuition, and eight years in time for planning and permitting future development,” her statement said.
Many speakers at the meeting were concerned about possible construction of a residence hall next to their homes in the Sunrise-Valley View neighborhood. Neighbor Janelle Lowen was worried about her property line being just 30 feet from the planned dormitory, and about the destruction of a grove of trees.
“The whole neighborhood will have a terrible time adjusting to the ugliness of it all, plus the much-reduced worth of our homes,” Lowen said. “I’m scared and shocked. I don’t understand the unmitigated rush toward a destruction of trees, fresh air, natural water control, quiet space and healthy Northwest ambience.”
The proposed plan and code amendments would change building setbacks for development abutting residential neighborhoods along 182nd Place NE and 183rd Place NE.
Under the current code, buildings on the western edge of campus must have a 30-foot landscape buffer, with vegetation between a campus building and a residential property line for structures under 35 feet in height. The building setback is increased by 30 feet for every 10 feet of additional building height, with a maximum 120-foot setback for a building of 65 feet or more.
The proposed request would allow buildings higher than 35 feet to have a graduated step back from the 30-foot buffer.
Tammy Urquhart, who lives near campus, made an emotional appeal before a neighbor finished reading her written statement. “I feel that my home and everything that it provides us is in dire jeopardy,” she said.
Some council members were sympathetic to the concerns.
“If that was my backyard, I’d feel like I was in a fishbowl,” Councilman Andy Rheaume said. “I hope there’s some sort of compromise that we can work out between the residents and the college to make it a little bit more appetizing instead of having a six-story building in your backyard.”
Councilwoman Tris Samberg shared concerns about buffer zones. “I think that we need to make sure that those promises made back when this PUD was originally approved, those promises made, are kept,” she said.
A residence hall has been part of the university master plan since it launched its student housing program in 2009 by master leasing nearby apartments. In 2011, the university purchased an adjacent apartment complex to meet housing demands.
Founded in 1990, UW Bothell has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2010, enrollment was 2,880 students, but 5,279 are enrolled for 2015-16.
Other proposed changes include an increase in the amount of impervious surface allowed on campus. The 127-acre campus is now allowed 35 acres of surface that water can’t soak through — concrete, asphalt and roofs. The campus seeks to increase that to about 48 acres of the land still open for development. Sixty-three acres are protected wetlands.
Karaman said the campus will work toward having a low impact on the community. “We care about the local community and neighbors, and will continue to maintain the city approved setbacks, buffers and height restrictions,” her statement said.
No decision was made, and the City Council will continue its discussion of the issue Jan. 19.
Aaron Kunkler: 425-318-7651; akunkler@bothell-reporter.com.
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