December, 2002
Innis
Arden is a Covenanted Community--
What Does this Mean to You?
The plan to develop the Innis Arden community provided for the formation of the Innis Arden Club, Inc., to act as grantor under the Mutual Easements (also called restrictive covenants) and to manage the community common properties for the benefit of everyone.
One of the aspects that makes Innis Arden a great place to live is its Mutual Easements. All residential lots in the community are subject to these covenants. The easements regulate lot development, building, remodeling, vegetation, and other uses which may impact other owners and residents.
The Innis Arden Club, Inc. administers these covenants. Building lines and side and rear setback requirements are established by the covenants and all building construction or exterior alteration plans, including decks and remodels, must be approved by the Board of Directors prior to construction.
A copy of the covenants is usually provided to home owners as part of the title documents when homes are purchased by new owners. A copy is also provided to new home owners by the Hospitality Committee, along with other information about the community. Copies of the covenants are available from the neighborhood Web site.
What do these covenants mean to homeowners? There are both advantages and responsibilities.
Advantages:
-
Because of the building lines and setback requirements in the covenants, people cannot build more than one home on a building site, maintaining the low density in our neighborhood.
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Because of the Building and Remodel policy, people are prevented from building or remodeling that either blocks views or has unacceptable plans.
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Keeping properties compliant with regard to upkeep and views is strongly encouraged by the Board of Directors.
Responsibilities:
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If any structure (fence, deck, addition, pool, remodel, etc) on your property is going to be modified or added, contact the Building and Remodel Chair (542-8049). This will ensure that building compliance is met.
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Keep property neatly maintained and in compliance with the original Restrictive Mutual Easements, and vegetation in compliance with the View Preservation Amendment.
The Board encourages all residents to comply with and acknowledge the importance of the covenants. We can make Innis Arden an even better place to live
Agenda
for the January 14th
Board Meeting
A.
Community Comments
B.
Board Agenda (to be updated on Web site 3 days before meeting)
1) Building and Remodel Policy changes:
- Discuss mandatory marking of trees higher than roof line (excluding lots documented in tree height amendment). It is difficult for those folks up the hill to determine whose tree is blocking their view, not to mention knowing which house is up for remodeling. Unless you see the framing for the remodel or pay attention to the bulletin for the list of homes up for remodeling you may miss an opportunity to provide input. If vegetation compliance is mandatory for approval then it should be demonstrated. It should be the responsibility of the owner, not the board, to show that their vegetation is in compliance if there is a question.
- Discuss the definition of 'affected peripheral properties' (for neighbor signoff) and
- Discuss vegetation consideration for remodels that include a higher roofline.
2) Discuss using a well to irrigate Grouse Reserve
-
Marcu-
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Roberts-17244 12th Avenue NW: Remodel will include expanding the footprint and raising the roofline of the house
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Stamey-18533 8th Ave NW: 2-story addition, 24' x 22', which is a 2 bed/bath and bonus room area.
D. Closing
Since October, I have found my neighbors’ trash and my trash in one specific location in my addition will be approximately the same height as existing structure, which is currently about 24' high.
Closing backyard almost every Thursday morning. It is impossible for an animal to carry the trash from the street, through one of my gates, up the stairs, and up the hill to this one specific location without dropping any trash in between. When I found my own trash in my backyard, I decided to put it out Thursday morning (pickup day) instead on Wednesday night. Some of my neighbors have found their trash dispersed on the street the morning of pickup and thought, just as I initially suspected, it was an animal who was the culprit. There is strong evidence that it is a transient who visits our neighborhood regularly on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays when our trash is out waiting to be collected. Officer Obstler came by and suggested I install motion sensor lights, which I did, but this did not deter my almost weekly unwelcome visitor from entering my yard for a picnic.
If
you are able to take your trash out to the street the morning of collection
rather than the evening before, it may encourage this transient to
go elsewhere for food. If you think this transient has spilled your
trash looking for food and not cleaned up after himself
or is leaving food wrappings and other trash on your property, please
leave a message for Officer Leona Obstler
at the
- Pat McDermott
Follow-up to Covenant Compliance Requests
The board has written letters to nine neighbors, requesting their participation in determining if there are covenant violations on their property.
December
Activities' Announcements
|
Holiday
Party |
|
Rummage
Sale
Thank
you, Thank you for those collectible treasures-BUT-this is a reminder
that we want CLEAN and USEFUL rummage NOT rubbish!
Also, note: no bed pillow cases, no mattresses, cushions and decorative pillows are acceptable. Please, no consoles, and no monitors-we pay the recycling fee! (We will only accept a monitor if CPU is included.) Also, we want appliances only if they work.
Note dates and hours of collection:
Jan
11th and Jan 20th ; Feb 1st and Feb 10th
The drop-off is at the kitchen doors in pool parking lot.
Do some early spring cleaning and merge and purge your stuff! Also, please note that we are unable to give you a donation receipt because of the Activities Committee tax status is 501-C3 Not for Profit--Not tax exempt 501-C3.
January
Activities Meeting
The
New Year kicks off with a meeting at Jane Lowell's house. The Activities
Committee will meet at her house on Tuesday January 7th at
New
Events!! Mark your new 2003 calendars!!
Decorating
with Color
(and confidence!)
February 7th
You're tired of the "linen whites" and the like and want to add splashes of color without overdoing it, right? Well, then this is the class for you! Gary Volk from 'On the Wall' will be the presenter. As a color specialist he will inspire us how to effectively use paint color and how such a simple and relatively inexpensive "home makeover" can do wonders. Call Chairpersons Pam Smit at 533-0240 or new resident Ingrid Gerbino at 533-6144 to find out more.
The
Ultimate Cooking Class
February 28th
Discover divine cooking secrets, and the epicurean ways from a local chef and entrepreneur Susie Wirth from Sweet Basil's Café. Call Kathy Malarky at 546-2341 to find out how you can help.
Wine
Tasting and Fine Foods
March 21st
An event to whet the appetite! Jan Holbrook and Jeri Jacobsen are taking the lead on this one. Learn directly from a vineyard expert or a wine merchant from Central Market about the nuances of pairing wine with fine foods. Book your sitters and make it a special night out! Call Jan at 546-3524 or Jeri at 542-7373 if you can lend a helping hand.
Keep in mind it's YOUR community and to make it a fun place to live one needs to put some time and effort into making these hip happenings happen (Can you say that tongue twister three times?).
Help!! We need somebody! We need an Activities Chair to lead our group! Pam Smit wants to move on and help the neighborhood in other ways. She’s willing to take the time to find her replacement and help this person in all aspects of the job. Here’s a review of what the Activities Committee is all about and a job description of her position.
WHO: We are a group of self-selecting community volunteers who organize and execute a variety of activities open to the neighborhood. We also recruit, cajole, encourage (and sometimes beg or plead) others to join in and help make these events happen.
WHAT: The Activities Committee provides fun and social opportunities while serving the neighborhood. We sponsor an Egg Hunt, Salmon Barbecue and Holiday Party. Our annual Rummage Sale finances our projects and events. Come and join us!
WHEN: You may join us at anytime!! Meeting dates are always posted in the bulletin. It’s a great way for newcomers in the neighborhood to meet people and get involved. Some members are active all year-round and some help at certain times--it’s up to you! We appreciate anyone who gives of their time, talent, expertise, etc.
WHERE: We meet at members’ homes, and usually in the evening. Sometimes we meet during the daytime.
WHY: Don’t ask what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community!!
The Activities Committee Chair is chosen by the Activities Committee and ratified as a member of the Innis Arden Community Club Board at the annual Board election in January. This person serves as a regular Board member in all respects, but the term of ratification is one year. The following are the specific responsibilities of the Activities Chair as a member of the Innis Arden Board
Report to the Board and community about activities, planning, financing, impact cost/ benefit, etc.
Report to the Board and community regarding projects which the Activity Committee is undertaking independently.
Serve as liaison between the Innis Arden Board and Activities Committee with respect to community improvement projects which are planned and or financed jointly.
Board
to Participate in Simplified
View Preservation Petition Process
In October 2002 the Board approved of a procedure to address non-tree height covenant violations (trash, high hedges, temporary structures, signs, etc). Since then, land use attorney Rich Hill has recommended that the Board take a more active role in the view dispute resolution process as well. Then, if homeowners fail to comply with the Board’s recommendations, this would assist in making a record to support reinstituting the Special Master process.
In
December 2002, the Board approved of a procedure to address tree height
violations, modeled after the procedure adopted in October. It is
much simpler than the View Preservation Petition Process adopted in
1993. The same ‘covenant compliance request’ form is used for all
covenants, effective
For
the people who have already submitted a View Preservation Petition
to the Secretary, we ask that after
Click here for the process and petition.
Innis
Arden Club, Inc, Annual Shareholders’ Meeting
Pre-Meeting
Dessert
All
are invited to coffee and dessert sponsored by the Activities Committee,
starting at
Voting
Procedures
Those
who attend in person will not turn in their ballots
when they sign in but will hold them until after nominations from
the floor have been completed and the vote is then taken by ballot.
Sign-in and tallying procedures will proceed as they did last year.
Tellers will be there to help guide everyone through
the voting process.
Ballot
Instructions
All
ballots, whether submitted by mail or in person or by proxy, must
be submitted in a sealed envelope, with the shareholder's Innis Arden
address clearly and legibly printed on the front of the envelope.
Those who do not attend the meeting may submit their sealed ballots (included in this Bulletin) to Carol Solle, and only Carol Solle in advance of the meeting. Such ballots must be in a sealed envelope inside another envelope that has the name and address and signature of the voter on this outer envelope. Those not attending will of course not have the opportunity to vote for nominees not already listed on the printed ballot or on other issues that may arise during the meeting.
No more than one ballot is to be submitted for each lot owned in Innis Arden. If you own two or more lots, identify them and request additional ballots from Carol Solle, or download a ballot from the Web site. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Solle.
Methods of Voting
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BY MAIL. Mail ballots to Carol Solle, (
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IN PERSON. Submit ballot after nominations are taken from the floor.
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BY PERSON OTHER THAN SHAREHOLDER. Person designated by Shareholder brings ballot to Annual Meeting.
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BY PROXY. A blank form for obtaining a proxy is included in this Bulletin. Bring a completed and signed proxy form to the Annual Meeting to receive voting materials for the proxy.
TELLERS
NEEDED If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting
on
Board Candidates and Their Statements
Mike
Jacobs
I
am an attorney and have practiced in excess of thirty-one years. My
family and I have resided in Innis Arden since 1993 and lived in the
Michael
Rasch
My
name is Michael Rasch and I am running for the Innis Arden Board. My
wife, Cindy, and I have lived in this community since 1995. I am very
aware of the issues facing our community. As the neighborhood representative
for the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program, I have been working with
the City of
I am in favor of helping families who seek to restore and/or maintain their views. I also believe that the reserves need to be actively managed. These goals can be achieved while maintaining bio-diversity and wildlife habitat. We need to make sure that the reserves are safe and usable for the enjoyment of the entire community, now and for years to come. The Board has the right, duty and obligation to make sure that we protect our community and its assets.
Thank you for considering me for a position on the Innis Arden Board.
Maggie
Taber
My
Name is Maggie Taber. My husband and I moved to Innis Arden in April
of 1998. Since that time I have attended a majority of the board meetings
and would like to become officially involved at this time. I believe
the board should be an active participant in supporting the covenants
of the community. It was these covenants that attracted me to this neighborhood.
I also have been involved, as a volunteer, with trying to address traffic
issues in our community. I would like to see these efforts continued
to provide a safe environment for all members of our community.
Innis
Arden Club, Inc.Board
of Directors Meeting
December 10,
The
meeting was called to order at
Board
members present: Roger Lowell (President), Kate O’Neill (Vice President),
June Howard (Treasurer), Carol Solle (Secretary), Pam Smit (Activities),
Ewa Sledziewski, (Clubhouse), Loys Lamb (Building and Remodels), Mike
Jacobs (Grounds), Dave Fosmire (Reserves). Community members attending:
About 30. November’s meeting minutes were approved by the Board.
A. Community Announcements and Concerns
Elaine Phelps wanted November’s Board meeting minutes corrected, showing that the Board made and passed a motion allowing Kelsey Ochs to use the Clubhouse for her school organization via email. The minutes will be changed as follows: During an email exchange on October 23rd, the Board moved and approved the rental of our Clubhouse to Kelsey Ochs, subject to the same terms as last year, for November 15th-16th.
Traffic
Safety by Michael Rasch: We are still waiting on the analysis of the
license plate data that was collected. After we receive this information,
we will set up another neighborhood wide traffic meeting to discuss
the results and our options.
|
Street |
Speed |
85th
Percentile |
|
|
25 |
33.8 |
|
|
25 |
35.1 |
|
|
25 |
32.6 |
|
|
25 |
33.8 |
|
|
25 |
34.3 |
|
|
25 |
36.4 |
Wayne Cottingham informed residents that the college was planning to
build a new soccer/baseball field, multistory parking garage, outdoor
theatre, and new entrances. This may put increasing pressure on traffic
in Innis Arden.
Al Wagar said that he was uncomfortable with Grouse Reserve Management. He felt that more care should have been taken with the ground cover and under story and not simply mowed down.
Larry
Bliss said that he was the Reserves Chair from 1991 to 1996. He spent
5 years attempting to get a permit with
Kathy Larson said that they are working on their debris pile which is adjacent to Grouse Reserve. She has received a letter from neighbors regarding her trees. She asked neighbors to contribute to the cost of bringing her trees into compliance (for example, $25/household) but they have refused.
Linda Gigstad requested an update on the Covenant revision process. O’Neill replied that she would be unavailable to work on it until next summer, but suggested that the committee continue in her absence.
Soccer Mom Mudfest: In mid-November, lots of little girl soccer players and their moms repeatedly poured gallon jugs of water on the playfield and made a huge bed of mud. The kids and moms took turns running and diving into the puddle. Needless to say it was pretty tough on the grass. Tom Linton from Hillwood Soccer Club said that their season ended in October and that the damaged turf may not have been caused by the league. Carol Solle is going to follow up on getting a better description of the mudfest participants.
Insurance:
Fosmire reported that
Board's Response to View Preservation Petitions Received from Residents:
Land use attorney Rich Hill recommended that the Board take a more active role in the view dispute resolution process. Should the Board take a more active role and homeowners fail to comply with the Board's recommendations, this would assist in making a record to support reinstituting the Special Master process.
Solle suggested that the current lengthy View Petition Process simply be replaced by the new Covenant Compliance Request process:
Complainant is encouraged but not required to work out conflict with shareholder
If this fails, or complainant chooses not to initiate contact, complainant completes and submits petition to the Board.
The
Board will:
a) Initiate an investigation and conduct a review. The respondent will
be sent the substance of the complaint (without identifying the complainant),
the section of the covenant that resident/homeowner is allegedly violating,
and a form which allows the alleged violator to explain why he/she is
not in violation or why there are mitigating circumstances.
b) After receiving a response or thirty days
has elapsed, the Board shall then enter findings after considering all
the evidence that the person is or is not in violation of the Innis
Arden Covenants and send a letter if there is non-compliance to the
shareholder giving its decision and asking for compliance within thirty
days.
c) If violation continues after thirty days, then respondent's address
and violation will be published in the Bulletin and a letter will be
written to the city of
If
Board does not act:
Write letter to complainant explaining why the Board chose not to act
The clause of not requiring complainants to contact neighbors prior to sending a petition to the Board regarding tree height issues was discussed.
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Rasch thought it was a good idea to try to work it out with the neighbors first, but sometimes this has bad results.
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Nancy Rust stressed the importance of making personal contact. She also felt that the timeline was too short, and that pruning should be done during certain times of the year.
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Elaine Phelps said that many people have cut trees without going to court. Not every situation is controversial.
Action: The Board will use the same procedure in regard to all covenant violations. Passed 8-1.
Amended: If violation is a tree height violation, contact must first be made neighbor-to-neighbor. Passed 5-4.
Rasch
asked whether people who have already filed petitions using the old
process need to refile using the new process.
The effective date of the new process was set at
Building
and Remodel process:
Discuss
mandatory marking of trees higher than roof line (excluding lots documented
in tree height amendment)
Covenant compliance is required before building applications are approved by the Board. Sometimes there are so many view blocking trees that it is difficult to identify if the property in question is in violation. Sledziewski said that people should be given a chance to know if there are view blocking trees on the property of a resident applying for a building permit. This could be done by placing balloons at the top of the tree so that neighbors could determine if there is view blockage.
Solle said that she and Fosmire attempted the balloon method and the balloons were hard to control in the wind and blew away. She also suggested using a million-candle spot light to beam into the tree top at night. Uphill neighbors can see the light, but timing would be difficult to co-ordinate.
Rasch said that balloons can work if they are big enough and the string is strong enough. He thinks that marking trees is a good idea.
Further discussion is tabled for the January Board Meeting. Sledziewski will research methods for marking trees.
Lilliness noted that following the owner’s death, a grandfather tree had been trimmed by her children to expose the view for selling the house. No trimming was been done above roof height and it is view blocking. Lilliness raised the question as to the grandfather status if the tree has been cut.
C. Committee Reports
Treasurer:
Howard presented the financial statements for November 2002.
Action:
A motion to have the audit for 2002 done by J. Vandal, CPA for $1295
was passed unanimously.
Activities:
The
Clubhouse:
Sledziewski reported that several wall lamps don’t work and are beyond
repair. It would cost $350 plus the cost of the fixtures to replace
them.
Reserves:
Reserves
boundary survey is completed for Eagle, half finished for Blue Heron,
and starting for Running Water. Several possible encroachments were
revealed and numerous debris dumpings were
noted. The
Mr.
Sanchez, the Public Works Director from the City of
The
Grouse Neighborhood Association (GNA) is asking for permission to drill
a well to supply irrigation water for the Grouse Reserve re-vegetation
as required by the five year maintenance section of the city permit.
The cost and availability of
The
additional mini-grant money from the City was approved during the December
9th City Council Meeting. It will be used to clear street right-of-way
throughout Innis Arden for pedestrian safety and increased crime visibility
along walkways, at street ends, and trail heads next to the Reserves
such as the beginning of Bear Trail at NW 180th. Notice will be sent
to property owners adjacent to the affected right-of-ways through the
Bulletin. This project is similar to the
Grounds: Kathy Malarky noticed that workers from the landscaping crew were running around the track and didn’t seem to be too focused on the work at hand. Additionally, in the entrance, branches broke off and the landscaping crew didn’t pick them up. Fosmire suggested calling the city (546-1700) for cleanup city right-of-way.
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Romney-18335 17th Place NW: Garden room addition at north end of house. This was tabled until January. The neighbor signoff has not yet been received.
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Roberts-17244 12th Avenue NW: Remodel will include expanding the footprint and raising the roofline by 4 feet. Lamb moved that the application be approved. Carlstrom expressed concern that if the roof were raised by 4 feet, then it would allow an increase in the height of vegetation, which may impact their view. A motion was made to approve the remodel pending Roberts filing with the King County Recorder a deed amendment to limit view blocking vegetation to the current roof height. It was decided that the Board would make a site visit on Thursday morning at
-
Marcu-
Action: A motion to deny the remodel without prejudice was passed unanimously. A site visit is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Larry Bliss commented that excessive cutting was inappropriate and hoped that it wouldn’t happen with the other reserves.
Mike Jacobs said that 40% of the existing trees remained.
Action:
At
-Carol
Solle, Secretary
Rotary/Shorewood
High to Sponsor
Christmas Tree Collection Jan. 4
Volunteers
from the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary Club and Shorewood High School Football
will once again be collecting and recycling Christmas trees. They will
pick-up trees west of
This
has become an annual service offered free to area neighborhoods. Donations
are welcome and can be attached to the tree or can be mailed c/o Shoreline
Breakfast Rotary: “Tree Sweep”
For more information about the “Tree Sweep” on January 4, contact Mick Richards, 425-415-6366.
 |
The
city of Neighbors volunteered in the pouring rain on December 14th and 15th, working chainsaws, |
A
glutton for punishment, Fosmire is scheduling another weekend, January
11th 1:00-3:00 and January 12th 9:00-12:00, to work on clearing right-of-way
at the trail head of Bear Reserve on NW 180th. Please call Dave at
542-4369 if you wish to volunteer to make the walk to
Home
for Rent
Three
bedroom, 1 den, recreation room, 2-3/4 bath, living/dining room hardwood
floor w/beautiful fireplace, expansive deck, spectacular view of Sound
and Olympics, large lot. Located on
Call
206-365-0000 and ask for Anne Lopez.
Exercise equipment
-
Precor 9.5i treadmill with heart rate monitor, low mileage as new $1600
-
Skiers Edge downhill ski machine $150
-
Tunturi Air Dyne rowing machine $200
-
Also have two large Oriental rugs
Call
Responsible
and experienced house/child/pet sitter available anytime.
Please
call Lauren Hart at (206) 546-0871.