Political newcomers Marjorie Ando and Donovan Tracy have both taken a stand by running for Lake Forest Park City Council Position 7.
After the Nov. 8 General Election, one of them will take a seat on the Council. The position is open after Council member Nate Herzog opted not to run for re-election.
Marjorie Ando
Ando is an eight-year resident and retired teacher. She settled in Lake Forest Park after living in Japan and Germany. She has been an avid volunteer in the community with organizations such as Third Place Commons, the farmers market and serves on the economic development commission.
The goal throughout her campaign has been “building community,” Ando said. Civil discourse is very important in neighborhoods, she said.
“We are a very unique city within surrounding communities because of community and volunteerism,” Ando said. “Without volunteers, the city would not run as smoothly.”
Ando agrees with priorities established in the city’s budget, saying city staff have done a good job evaluating what services need funding.
Regarding Towne Centre redevelopment, Ando has seen draft documents and would like to make artwork a priority, as 1 percent of the project budget can be earmarked for art. She said potential owners of the site are pleased the city has gone ahead with some of the planning work.
Because redevelopment is speculative at this point, Ando expects the parties will need to convene to develop a plan, which she said will involve mediation and negotiating for what is best for the community.
The Burke Gilman Trail is a regional trail under King County, Ando said, and therefore the city needs to work with the county to ensure the trail is safe for all users. She approves of plans that detail improved vision lines for cars and bikes.
“I agree we shouldn’t just go by the county’s rules,” Ando said. “But the county is the one who will do the work.”
Ando said many cities are having difficulty meeting the state Growth Management act requirements because of mitigating factors, such as sensitive areas. One solution could be higher development of apartments, she said as well as using land more efficiently.
Ando says she has a broad range of experience, has worked with small and large budgets and is good at planning and carrying out programs. She also researches issues, she said, before making decisions.
“I am a leader in whatever I do,” Ando said. “Being retired, I have the time and energy to really devote myself to this job.”
Donovan Tracy
Tracy, 58, is a 30-year resident who hopes to strengthen the community identity. He is a financial consultant with a history in urban planning. Throughout his campaign, Tracy has become aware of resident concerns, he said.
“People would like to see Lake Forest Park stay Lake Forest Park,” Tracy said. “The community identity and neighborhoods were something I felt was a priority and has been verified through the campaign.”
Tracy hopes to encourage neighborhood sentiment with signs or other indicators of specific neighborhoods.
“We can further delineate some neighborhoods,” Tracy said, “and give some geographic delineation through some modest signs.”
It is important to have Council members with business backgrounds, Donovan said, who can look at budgets, financial statements and ask “tough questions.” It is important to ask questions regarding budget priorities, he said. New projects may result in “budget creep,” he said, and in order to prevent this, all projects need to be assessed.
Tracy approves of conceptual site planning for Towne Centre redevelopment, but says the city needs to be cautious. He has been paying close attention to the redevelopment of Kirkland’s Totem Lake Mall and said a precedent has been set. Totem Lake Mall is 26 acres, has 27 percent vacancy, and shares similarities to Towne Centre, he said.
“Kirkland went through the same process and used the same consultants,” Tracy said. “They came up with a framework plan.”
Kirkland’s city manager eventually advocated for a public investment of $15 million to make the project viable, Tracy said, with $5 million earmarked for a parking garage.
The Lake Forest Park Council should take this precedent into account, Tracy said, when considering Towne Centre redevelopment.
“We need to be careful we don’t inadvertently incur public expense,” Tracy said. “Unless that is what we feel is a huge priority in the community.”
Although the Burke Gilman Trail is interconnected in a regional trail system, Tracy said that does not mean there must be a uniform standard across the trail. The county’s main emphasis is to have uniform bicycle speeds at 20 mph through the trail, he said.
“I think the current council is every bit correct to look at the trail and the impacts on the community,” Tracy said.
Tracy has developed a concept for the trail, which he said would establish a zone with mini parks, or “nodes” on each end to condition users that they are entering a new area. Bicyclists may need to ride single file, he said.
Cities have run afoul of the state Growth Management Act, Tracy said, as its original intent was for growth in urban areas in order to protect rural areas. The city can meet growth requirements, he said, with urban infilling. There also is inefficiently used land in the city, he said.
Tracy said his background will be an asset to the city, as well as his experience in both the public and private sectors, having served as manager of a professional planning group.
“I can help the Council with creative thinking and new ideas,” Tracy said. “I bring something new and different to this council.”
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