The more public input the better when it comes to 15th Avenue Northeast, the Shoreline City Council decided Aug. 27.
“There are a number of unresolved issues around 15th,” Deputy Mayor Maggie Fimia said. “I still hear angst on both sides.”
A motion directing city staff to schedule a public meeting about 15th Avenue Northeast to be held in the North City area in September passed with a 4-2 vote but not before residents voiced their own opinions about the corridor.
“Why the continued protest of 15th Avenue Northeast?” resident Charlotte Haines said. “We need to listen to our own traffic engineer. We don’t need more meetings to prolong what has become a political and not a safety issue.”
City staff including Rich Meredith, city traffic engineer, Mark Relph, public works director and Jesus Sanchez, operations manager, presented the council with eight possible roadway configuration concepts. The staff recommendation was to keep the existing three lane configuration but enhance it to include median islands, restriping to accommodate bus pullouts and continue emphasis on neighborhood traffic improvements.
Resident Gary Batch told the council he rallied and yelled against the three lane configuration between Northeast 150th Street and Northeast 175th Street but was wrong.
“It works and it works well,” he said. “Consider keeping it the way it is and consider extending it.”
Resident Gretchen Atkinson also said she is in favor of a three lane configuration.
“Speed has dropped through that area making it much safer,” she said and urged the council to stick with the configuration for the safety of all walkers.
Pat Murray told the council he doesn’t see many walkers in Shoreline.
“Three lanes may be safer but we really need to address the cut through at high speeds,” he said.
Councilwoman Cindy Ryu asked her fellow council members to consider the amount of traffic 15th Avenue Northeast could be forced to support in the future while Councilwoman Janet Way said she supported more public discussion to reach a consensus.
Councilman Keith McGlashan said he appreciated the options but did not see a need for another meeting.
“I just don’t think at this point any other meeting will change my mind,” he said. “I believe in the configuration and continuing it further.”
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