June 2002 Bulletin

D. Closing

Do you have any new neighbors?

If so, please contact the Hospitality Committee so they can deliver a welcome packet. The hospitality committee is:

Kathleen Malarky 546-2341
Sylvia Moren 546-4221
Bunny Renouard 542-3803
Sandy Risse 542-6963

Innis Arden welcomes
new residents:

David Girard and Carol Hartley
18331 Ridgefield Road
533-1358

Dan and Barb Matlock
17240 13th NW
542-4121

Shoreline Ban on Fireworks

Please don't forget that for three years now it has been illegal to buy, sell, ignite or even possess fireworks in the City of Shoreline. Let's have a safe and quiet 4th of July. If you wish to be in the middle of the noise and bright lights we suggest you attend one of the planned community celebrations rather than disturb the local neighborhood and risk a violation and a fine.

Clearing Right-of-Way on Ridgefield

On Monday, June 10, 2002, the City sent out letters to approximately twelve residents on Ridgefield Road. The letter asks the residents to cut back the vegetation on the front of their property which has grown into the City right of way. The City's right of way is sixty feet on many, if not all, of the streets in Innis Arden. The letter asks the resident to accomplish the is task by July 8, 2002.

The reason we are asking the residents to take this action is that the line of sight and shoulders along Ridgefield Road have become severely compromised by vegetation growing into the right of way. By opening up the right of way, pedestrians will have more space to walk and vehicles will be able to see pedestrians sooner.

Some of the people living on Ridgefield are not physically able to do the work. In the letter, I offered the residents help in coordinating work parties to help them clear the growth from the right of way. If anyone would be interested in helping to make Ridgefield a safer place for all of the residents of Innis Arden, please let me know. We need volunteers. I anticipate that with enough support, we could do the clearing in one day. - Michael Rasch

Innis Arden Club, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
June 4, 7:00 PM
Summary of Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m.
Board members present: Roger Lowell (President), Kate Laskin (Vice President), Carol Solle (Secretary), Ewa Sledziewski, (Clubhouse), Loys Lamb (Buildings and Remodels), Dave Fosmire (Reserves). Absent: Pam Smit (Activities), June Howard (Treasurer)
Community members attending: About 30

May 2002 minutes were corrected to include the following motion passed via email after the May Board meeting:

Action: A motion to obtain an opinion from Richard Hill regarding our petition process, and the possibility of having the Court assign a Special Master, not to exceed $1,000, was passed 7-1.

The minutes were approved as amended unanimously.

Community Announcements and Concerns
King County Dispute Resolution Center (KCDRC): Vivian Sharples explained that staff and 162 trained volunteers serve as mediators. The KCDRC is not part of the King County government, but is independent and non-profit. It provides 1) telephone conciliation, 2) mediation, 3) small claims court conciliation, 4) group facilitation and 5) conflict resolution training. It helps resolve conflicts involving neighbors, noise, property lines, animals, construction, harassment and more. Disputes among parties who agree to mediation are settled 80% of the time. To reach a trained conciliator, call (206) 443-9603. For more information, go to http://www.kcdrc.org.

Property Taxes: Judy Allen provided information about Innis Arden's contribution to the City of Shoreline Tax Revenues. The neighborhood has an assessed value of $262,091,600, paying $3,695,492 in taxes. Of these taxes, $398,378 goes to the City, which is 6.19% of the Total Property Tax Revenue for the City of Shoreline. Innis Arden has 538 households, and assuming an average of 3 people/household (1617), Innis Arden is only 3% of Shoreline's population (53,000).

Trimming on Ridgefield Road: Lowell reported that as a result of traffic concerns, there is a movement to clear right-of-way on Ridgefield Road where line-of-sight and pedestrian walkways are impacted. Michael Rasch is working with the city to accomplish this. Residents with impacting vegetation will receive a letter from the City requesting its removal.

Hospitality Packet: Kathy Malarky from the Hospitality Committee announced that Sandy Risse has joined her team. She solicited input from the Board as to what should be included in the Hospitality Packet. Currently, neighborhood specific (covenants, swim club) and local (ferry schedule, etc) information is provided. The packet will have an index. Kathy will be emailing to the Board what is included in the packet, and the Board will respond with suggestions and comments.

Mini-Grant: Solle reported that so far, no one has volunteered to act as the "Neighborhood Project Coordinator" for Shoreline's Mini-Grant program. If no one comes forward by June 7th, we will ask the City if it could match costs for police enforcement for traffic and illegal activity in the Reserves. It could be tied into the Blockwatch program. Solle will be discussing this possibility with Judy Allen. Lowell reported that as a result of hiring off-duty sheriff to patrol the neighborhood, on one night 9 tickets were issued, 6 to people living outside of Innis Arden.

Parker-Shafer Lawsuit: Judge Downing dismissed the Parkers' claim for breach of fiduciary duty against the Club. In connection with this claim, the Parkers sought an award of damages to compensate them for attorney's fees and costs they allege they were forced to incur as a result of the alleged breach. Judge Downing also dismissed this on May 31, 2002. The order will be posted on the Innis Arden Web site.

Covenant Revision: Laskin-O'Neill volunteered to coordinate a working group to revise the covenants. She suggested taking a look at other communities that have more up to date covenants by which we could model our revisions. These will be posted on the Web site. O'Neill will contact those who have indicated an interest in participating. The first meeting will take place during the last week of June. O'Neill commented that the current covenants have sections that are ambiguously drafted or that are no longer relevant. In addition, they do not provide a means for determining facts and resolving disputes without neighbor-to-neighbor litigation.

View Covenant Enforcement: In a letter dated 5-28 from land use attorney Richard Hill, he stated "I do not see any authority in the Innis Arden Covenants for the Board itself to serve as the final decision maker on view preservation disputes". He did however suggest that it might be possible to petition the Court to reinstitute the Special Master process for another round of petitions. His estimated costs would be $10K-$12K. The Board wants input from the community on this issue and will be putting it on the July agenda. Scott Schulz, a resident since 1950 suggested a class action lawsuit. Kathryn Carlstrom suggested revising the covenants rather than resurrecting the Special Master Process. Lowell felt it would take too long to complete covenant revisions. Laskin-O'Neill said that it wouldn't be as difficult as Lowell's expectations and her target completion date would January 2003. It was decided to pursue both options: 1) discuss whether to hire Hill or another attorney to reinstitute the Special Master Process and 2) work on covenant revisions.

Grounds Chair Resignation: Jim Skeel has resigned from his position as Grounds Chair. Three potential candidates have been identified and will be contacted. The vacancy will be published in the Bulletin again. Anyone interested in filling this position please call Roger Lowell at 546-0128.

Signs: Judy Allen reported that Shoreline Community College students have accepted the community's challenge to design signs for Innis Arden. She will meet with them during the week of July 8th.

Committee Reports
Treasurer's Report: The Financial Report for May 2002 was distributed to the Board. The Audit is in draft form and the Board is reviewing it.

It is time to invoice for playground rental. The Club pays much more for playfield maintenance than it receives in rental revenues. There was discussion regarding serious parking shortages due to soccer and baseball game attendance particularly when the pool is open. Swim club members have priority for parking spaces, yet they compete with game attendees. The baseball and soccer leagues have been asked to limit the number of games but this has been ignored. Additionally, with the increasing use of the playground, it is in declining condition.

Action: A motion to discontinue rental of our playfield to soccer and baseball leagues effective at the end of the baseball season was passed 5-0 (Laskin-O'Neill abstaining).

Mandatory Dues: Approximately 40 homeowners are delinquent in paying their dues and it is time to place liens on their property. There was discussion as to whether to hire an attorney or have a community volunteer file the liens. The attorney would charge at least $125 per lien, which would mean that the Club would have to pay $5,000 (to be eventually recovered with interest). If a volunteer performed this task, s/he would be liable if errors were made.

Action: A motion to authorize the Treasurer to spend the necessary funds to file liens against delinquent dues payers was passed 6-0.

Clubhouse: Last month, Clubhouse Chair Sledziewski presented a revised Rental Rate Schedule and Clubhouse Rental agreement.

Action: A motion to adopt the revised Rental Rate Schedule and Clubhouse Rental agreement passed unanimously.

Reserves:
Vegetation Management Policy (VMP)
Fosmire read a letter received from land use attorney Richard Hill regarding Innis Arden's VMP. Mr. Hill's conclusions were that the VMP is voluntary and more restrictive than required by Shoreline ordinances. Shoreline Code sets forth standards for tree conservation, land clearing and site grading. It provides that non-exempt tree cutting and removal requires a permit, defines exemptions and regulates alterations in critical areas. The performance standards set forth in the VMP identify a `basal area minimum' of 125 sq. ft/acre. There is no reference that could be found in the Shoreline Code to any `basal area minimum'. Further, he stated that the Board may withdraw its approval of the Plan at any time and instead be subject simply to the provisions of the Shoreline Code.

Jardine said that the VMP saves residents from going through a lot of hoops with the City. Bliss said that the VMP was created because at the time, King County/Shoreline had few guidelines. The purpose of the VMP was to provide a simplified way to comply with the various county and city regulations. He said that he and Al realized when it was drafted that many of the reserves did not meet the basal requirements. Anne Knight said that the VMP was developed to create a shared vision of what we wanted the reserves to be, that expressed a compromise of both values. Lowell questioned why we need another layer of administration with the VMP since there is so much protection provided by County and City code. He suggested dropping the agreement with the City because it is not working.

Fosmire is going to meet with Tim Stewart from the City to determine if Innis Arden receives favorable treatment because of the VMP. If not, we will discuss ending the agreement we have with the City regarding the VMP during the July meeting.

Grouse Reserve:
On May 29th, the updated Grouse Reserve Vegetation Management Plan was submitted to the City under protest. According to land use attorney Richard Hill, many of the requirements being imposed by the City are considered to be beyond the scope of the City's authority, both under the Shoreline Code and under constitutional limitations.

Buildings and Remodels: Hall, 1240 NW 175th, fence. The Hall's have had their property surveyed, and the fence will be 4' in the front and 6' in the back. Bliss had an issue with the fact that the fence would block his view of the street, but acknowledged that it was in compliance.

Action: The Hall fence was approved unanimously.

Action: At 9:20, a motion to adjourn was unanimously approved.

-Carol Solle, Secretary

Parker/Shafer
Lawsuit Update

In September 1999, the Club Board approved a remodel on Lot # 10 of Block 10, IA #2. A neighbor sued the lot owner and the Club, alleging that the remodel violated the Innis Arden Covenants 25 foot rear yard setback requirement. The neighbor asked for damages from the Club as part of the lawsuit.

A section of the archival plans

Lot # 10 is at the corner of Springdale Place and 15th streets. Innis Arden covenants require a 25 foot rear and a 10 foot side set back. The language of the Innis Arden covenants do not explicitly address how corner lots should be treated. The City of Shoreline zoning code, which now applies to Innis Arden, treats corner lots as having two fronts and two sides. This is consistent with prior King County zoning codes that applied to Innis Arden for over fifty years, prior to the incorporation of the City. Archival plans (see above) showing front building lines for Innis Arden lots place such building lines for corner lots on both street sides, corresponding with the treatment given corner lots in the zoning codes over the years, and suggesting that corner lots would be at a tremendous unplanned disadvantage under the covenants if a different decision were made.

On the other hand, as the neighbor bringing the lawsuit pointed out, the Board had made a decision a few years earlier about the same lot, based on the lot's street address. In making its more recent decision, the Board concluded that reliance on a street address was not a viable way to determine the "front" of a lot since street addresses on corner lots can and do change over the years for a variety of reasons.

The Board actively defended its decision against the neighbor's lawsuit seeking damages from the Club. Recently, the Board and the lot owner participated in court-required mediation to try to settle the case. The neighbor and the lot owner settled, but the Club and the neighbor were not able to reach agreement. After the mediation, the Club brought a motion before the Court to have all of the neighbor's remaining claims (which were against the Club) dismissed. Recently, we received a decision from the judge granting the motion, effectively ending the case, absent an appeal by the neighbor.

Our attorney's fees have been substantial -- in excess of $30,000, but to date all have been covered by insurance. Although our insurance company went out of business (not because of us) the bills were picked up by a state agency that covers bankrupt insurance companies.

A Bit of Innis Arden History by Edith Rohrback

Edith and Pinckney Rohrback

When we first moved to this neighborhood in 1955, there were not many homes. Nothing was planted and the children would play in the vacant lots and in our backyard. The view was quite spectacular. We were all for underground wiring and voted for it in the neighborhood. We had septic tanks too. As soon as sewers were available, we signed up. We were really becoming 'modern'.

Back then we used to have family gatherings at homes, about every 3 months, just to get to know the

people who lived here. When dancing lessons were offered at the Club we joined in and met a lot of neighbors there, every Wednesday or Thursday night. We had our lessons, waltz, Tango and Swing. We attended New Year's Eve parties and the children went to the Christmas parties when they were young. We would help with the salads at the Salmon Bake. The Clubhouse had been built but there were no tennis courts or swimming pool.

During this time my husband was the free legal service for Innis Arden because there weren't a lot of lawsuits back then. He became President of the Community Club, I guess in the late 50's or early 60's.

When Patty our oldest was going to go to kindergarten, Sunset wasn't built yet, so a bus would pick her and her friends up at the corner and take them down to the Richmond Beach Elementary School. Her teacher's name was Miss Tweety. She was a great kindergarten teacher for a little girl out for her big adventure away from home for the first time. Sunset was built the next year. There were a couple of girls who walked through the empty lots, and later other children followed. Each block had young couples and little children who were wonderful playmates.

We were so happy when the Blankinship's moved in with their 3 boys. My boys loved to go over to their house because they had fixed up the basement just for playing games. Neighborhood kids would come to our house from 5 o'clock to 6. I would line chairs up in front of the television and the Blankinship boys, at least 2-3 of the Walton boys, Christine, and then my children would first watch the Mickey Mouse Club and then Howdy Doody. All the parents knew that at 6 o'clock the children would run home. I would only give them crackers and Minute Maid orange juice because I knew supper was coming. The parents were really appreciative and I just loved it.

Professor Risse Completes Innis Arden Archive Project

The Innis Arden Board is awed by the patience and perseverance of Guenter Risse. After spending more than 250 hours over an eight month period, he has organized boxes and boxes of disordered club documents. Having this information easily accessible will be a great help and the Board extends a huge thank you to Professor Risse.

The Board is currently developing an access policy to address questions such as: Who will be able to check out documents and under what circumstances? Who shall allow access? What will happen to the originals?

To appreciate what Professor Risse has accomplished, see the archive index which follows.

CATEGORIES

IA HISTORY
Original documents and copies including articles of incorporation, by-laws, and covenants.

CORPORATE STRUCTURE/GOVERNANCE (Innis Arden I, II, III)
Files containing the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and Covenants/Amendments/Policies; Community Club Constitution/ Protective Restrictions, Reserve and Building Plans Policies, Tree Cutting Policies. Complete set of petitions ratifying the 2001 Mandatory Dues Amendment. Zoning issues and easements.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS IA, INC, IA COMMUNITY CLUB, INC
Minutes of Monthly Meetings, chronologically arranged, 1950-2000

STOCKHOLDERS/PROPERTY OWNERS: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Minutes of Annual Meetings, chronologically arranged by decades, 1952-2000

TREASURER'S REPORTS/ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Chronologically arranged official monthly transaction summaries, worksheets, income and expense statements, checking account balances, cash books, Grounds and Reserve budgets, long-range budget estimates, 1950-2000

TAX PAYMENTS
Correspondence and corporate income tax returns to the IRS. Returns of Organizations Exempt from Income Tax, Annual Summary and Transmittal of US Information Returns, all chronologically arranged, 1950s-1995.

INSURANCE POLICIES
Fire, automobiles, clubhouse and beach, accident and indemnity for pedestrian underpass, legal liability of directors and officers. Documents chronologically arranged, 1960s-2000.

LICENSES
Washington State Domestic Profit Corporation, 1984-1998.

RESERVES -ISSUES AND MANAGEMENT
Reports and correspondence. Reserve "M" development. Trails and Reserves Clearing Committee. Management plans and policies. Restoration and replanting plans. Clearing and grading permits. Landscape proposals. Vegetation Management Plan for Sensitive Areas. Chronologically arranged,1962-2000.

BOEING CREEK RESERVE "O'
Beach development. Bluff trail correspondence. Fences and access issues. Relations with Seattle Golf Club and Shoreline Community College. Research activities and restoration projects. Reports of the Boeing Creek Salmon Friends. Chronologically arranged, 1950-1998.

RESERVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Monthly reports, chronologically arranged, 1991-1998.

KING COUNTY/ MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS
Washington State Environmental Policy Act. Sensitive Areas Ordinance. Wetland Mitigation and Restoration Plan Requirements. King County Soil Survey of King County. Geology of Seattle. Innis Arden Geotechnical Report.

BUILDINGS, REMODELS AND LANDSCAPING
Reports, plans and revisions. Correspondence. Building Committee policies. Violations, proposed subdivisions. Maps and drawings. Documentation chronologically arranged, 1957-2001.

TREES AND VIEWS: MANAGEMENT/ PRESERVATION
Correspondence: petitions, complaints, reports, questionnaires, regulations. Maps and photographs. View Preservation Committee minutes. Ecological arguments and tree preservation. Tree-cutting amendment. Legal enforcement of view preservation. Special Master's findings. Mediation and arbitration. Chronologically arranged, 1961-2000.

MAPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Innis Arden I, II, and III. Miscellaneous community photographs. Aerial surveys, 1950s-1990s. Folder in Trees file box.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Clippings from the Seattle Times and Seattle PI dealing with trees and views, floods, etc., 1980s-1990s.

CLUB HOUSE & GROUNDS/SEWERS
Swim Club, tennis courts, playfield development and improvements. Women's Board activities and finances. Proposed budgets; income: statements of cash receipts and disbursements. Scheduling of events. Rental information and agreements. Clubhouse maintenance repairs, remodels, furnishings. Grounds reports. Miscellaneous correspondence. Leasing agreements. Activities Committee Reports. Documentation chronologically arranged, 1950s-2000.

LEGAL DOCUMENTATION/ LAWSUITS
Correspondence, lawsuit reports. Superior Court of King County: complaints, summons, affidavits, notices, amended answer and memorandum, partial summary judgments. Special Master decisions. Documents chronologically arranged, 1950s-1999.

MISCELLANEOUS CLUB CORRESPONDENCE
Complaints from residents on safety issues, noise and traffic, "nuisances," underground wiring, stop and real estate signs. Vandalism, leash laws, break-ins, yard waste dumping. Nursing/day care operations, police watches and patrols. Richmond Beach Saltwater Park planning. Use of Club property. President's letters. Documentation chronologically arranged, 1957-2001.

DIRECTORIES/ RESIDENT LISTINGS
Community Club membership lists and reverse directories. Published directories, 1950s-1999.

DUES COLLECTION/ELECTIONS/ BALLOTS
Annual dues notices and statements; lists of unpaid members; proposed dues increases, correspondence and payments; voluntary contributions to legal fund. Shareholder's listing, information on voting procedures. Ballots and ballot tallies, correspondence, 1980-1999.

IA WEBSITE
Materials, correspondence related to its creation, 2000

INNIS ARDEN BULLETIN,
1960s-2001

Did You Know….
That the Innis Arden I Tree Height Amendment was Amended?

When the Tree Height Amendment was first adopted in 1981, several properties were exempt because of the "business area' on the west side of 8th N.W. The amendment was amended (with the required number of signatures) when the 'business area' became residence tracts (#8202240420). As a result, the amendment applies to all properties in Innis Arden I.

Innis Arden Bulletin Board

Seeking babysitter for 5 year-old boy: Need 2-4 hours/visit, 2-3 times/week. Pay DOE, minimum $5/hour. Call Suzanne Oliver at 542-7466

Binoculars found in neighborhood: Call to describe and they're yours. 542-7466

Please No More Peanuts for Crows: My roof gutters are clogged with peanut shells that crows discard. I've noticed peanut shells around for some time, but this is definitely getting worse. Whoever is leaving out peanuts, please cease and desist. Our crows are fat enough. Thank you. David Laskin

View Innis Arden home for rent: 3 bedroom, 3 bath, indoor swim spa, hot tub, great gardens. $2500/m. on lease. Call toll-free 888-276-9299, ext. 227 for more information.

Want to buy: Used IBM selectric typewriter for the occasion when a computer just won't do! (There weren't any at the Rummage Sale this year) Please call Jane Lowell 546-0128, Thank you.

Board Position Open: Jim Skeel has resigned from his position as Grounds Chair. If you are interested in this position, please call Roger Lowell at 546-0218.

Do You Have...stuff you want hauled away? Does your yard need some help? Mowing/edging, clearing, odd jobs, and hauling (debris, bark, yard waste) is what I do. IA References available. Chris Melton 542-9505

Update on Search for McPherson (see May Bulletin): McPherson was sighted June 3 near the Full Moon Thai restaurant and at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church. We are told his fur is dirty and "mangy looking." He's lost, very frightened, stays mostly hidden and he is also very hungry. If he comes to your yard, please put food out for him to get him to linger and call us. Many thanks for all the help and telephone calls. We are very appreciative.

If you see him or have seen him, please call Eric or Jean Johnson at 546-6585