Remaining South Woods acres discussed by parties

  • Brooke Fisher<br>Enterprise editor
  • Monday, March 3, 2008 6:46am

SHORELINE — What to do with the remaining acres of South Woods was the question of the day at a joint meeting of the Shoreline City Council, School District Board and Water District Board.

There was no answer of the day.

During a Nov. 28 dinner meeting, elected officials discussed possibilities for the remaining 12.6 acres of South Woods property, which is jointly owned by the water and school districts and is located at 25th Avenue NE. and NE. 150th Street.

Just last week, the School Board voted unanimously to partition and sell three of its approximately eight acres to the city for $720,000. The sale price is based on a rate of $240,000 per acre. In July, City Council members voted to purchase three acres and also designated $6 million in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan to eventually purchase the entire parcel.

During the discussion, Council member Bob Ransom said the entire 16 acres is valuable for educational uses and teachers have stressed it is important to preserve the land. Ransom wondered why the city was asked to preserve the land for educational uses, rather than the school district.

“The real question is to the School Board — why don’t you hang onto part of it for educational uses?” Ransom asked.

Superintendent Jim Welsh pointed out that the original purchase was based on the intent to expand the school district. However, based on a decline in enrollment figures, the district no longer needs the property.

Water District manager Stu Turner said the property was similarly acquired by the water district when they were looking to expand their facilities. The water board is now considering selling the land, Turner said, or possibly developing a portion of it for expansion purposes.

Water board president Charlotte Haines said the water district’s situation is unique because 30 percent of rate payers live in the city of Lake Forest Park.

“We have to take that third of rate payers into consideration,” Haines said.

Council member John Chang inquired if the water district is interested in selling three acres, similar to the school district.

Haines replied that the water board has not discussed dividing the property, which is an option that was not brought before the board.

Turner said he was advised by the district attorney that the sale of land must get the highest price. One reason the water district needs to get maximum value from selling any acreage, Turner said, is because if they do sell the land, they will have to find another site. They are actively looking for another site for some expansion, he said.

Welsh also pointed out that the school district represents both Shoreline and Lake Forest Park and they must be responsible to constituents in Lake Forest Park.

“We are a school district that embodies two cities,” Welsh said, “and we own a lot of land.”

Council member Rich Gustafson suggested a partnership between the city and school district for an environmental education facility.

“I hope there is some way we can come together without using more tax payer dollars,” Gustafson said. “We could use the land for Shorecrest biology classes,”

There are currently no environmental education classes at Shoreline, Welsh said, and stressed that Hamlin Park is within walking distance from most area schools. Another option, Welsh said, is the purchase of the remaining acres by the city at market value. The school district sold the first three acres at a loss, he said.

Fimia suggested Lake Forest Park city officials be included in the next meeting and said a town hall meeting to discuss the issue would be beneficial.

“The sense from the public is they do not see the borders drawn as we do,” Fimia said. “They see it as taking from the same pocket.”

Welsh said the school board has not entertained any negotiations other than selling three acres to the city. The school district has clear, specific needs in its capital accounts, he said, and must make sure the needs of students are met.

“The board has been most generous,” Welsh said. “But we need to tell you what our needs are.”

There was not any opposition to the school board selling three acres to the city, said school board president Mike Jacobs.

“We had a public hearing,” Jacobs said. “No one said ‘don’t sell or make more money off it.’”

Haines said the water district is not in the business of owning property, but must provide water to residents.

“We don’t have a budget where we can hang onto things we may or may not need,” Haines said. “Plus we are legally constrained as to what we can sell the property for.”

Mayor Hansen suggested the next step in the process be another joint session, with the addition of Lake Forest Park representatives.

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