New single-family residence would negatively impact environment | Letter

I would like to discuss with you the construction of a new single-family residence that is being planned. I would first like to tell you that I am one of five residential homes that live right next to these wetlands. The residents here have all been told for many years that these wetlands are protected. There are many species of plants and animals that call these wetlands home.

The following letter was also submitted to the city of Kirkland concerning a project located at 9105 128th Ave NE in Kirkland:

I would like to discuss with you the construction of a new single-family residence that is being planned. I would first like to tell you that I am one of five residential homes that live right next to these wetlands. The residents here have all been told for many years that these wetlands are protected. There are many species of plants and animals that call these wetlands home.

We have deer, rabbits, raccoons and the occasional coyote that lives here. There are many different birds that are native to these wetlands. If these wetlands are taken out and built upon, even a small portion, these creatures will lose their homes; including residential bald eagles and mallard ducks that use this place for breeding, nesting, and feeding. A diverse ecosystem is right next door and should be protected like we were told; not built upon. The stream that runs through these wetlands is a source of nourishment for many plants and animals, and if you build near this stream there is a high probability that it will become polluted and filled with large amounts of sediment. This will cause the oxygen levels in the water to plummet and potentially cause an algal bloom and create unlivable conditions for the organisms that call this stream home.

The planned house to be built on this property will stick out due to it being built only 10 feet from the property line and being three-stories tall, while all of the other houses in this area are about 40 feet away from their property lines and are only one- to two-stories tall. If these magnificent trees are cut down, many creatures will lose their homes and the chances of the soil eroding will most likely increase twofold and create large amounts of runoff that could potentially go into the stream and cause the problems that I have mentioned above. I am genuinely upset with the destruction of these beautiful wetlands. I have taken a number of pictures of this beautiful setting and enjoy the beauty of nature that these wetlands have given me.

Katherine C. Doughty, Kirkland