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970546.pdfr L E ® ZONE zO"E PERMIT 9 7 0 y (6 C! OF EDMONDS NUMBER CONSTITbIdTION PERMIT APPLICATION Da/ /^sD ADDRESS ll/ / y7, 1/w e, d 1'/i 0WNLRNAAIE NAMF.TrnUSINESS.(/T �'` / 1 L, _ . PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY PER OFFICIAL STREET MAP APPIoveO RW Permll P.—I R E%ISTING _..__-._— REQUIRED OEUICATION --_ 5eee1 Ufe Perm,l Real d LIP TELEPHONE NUMBER 1`�C f',,I �TE maoecuPP ReAP�a.d J 1. PROPOSED —_ 5,dawe1L Rpulled METER SIZE LINE SIZE NO OF FIXTURES PRV REQUIRED YES 0 NO El ADDRESS \ll S 3c cn ri t Z� 1' ,ITY II _ ZIP _ TELEPHONE NUMBER B TE LICENSE NUMBER E IRATIOr DATE �1'll�l)LIi1�ll T1l { 11`l ec97 Legal Description of Property -Include all easements nw : — - —1 1)," 11 ,) rI-I, TT, orn )Ll LY Lck larcel No i I-)T�I /jLA'I -".L, ".1 --I NEW V� RESIDENTIAL PWMBINGIMECH ADDITION COMMERCIAL CHANGE OF USE REMODEL APT. BLDG. SIGN REPAIR ❑Yn GRADING ❑ I FENCE GS DEMOLISH WOODSTOVE SWIM POOL ❑ INSERT HOT TUBISPA GARAGE r-7 CARPORT ROCKE YRETAINING WALL/ RENEWAL TYPE/,OF USE, BUSINESS OR ACTIVITY) EXP LAIN: R NUMBE,✓�AFE 4. �1 NUMBER F�/ CRITICAL STO"Es (,. , I'C� UWELLI UN UNITS ✓ f I NUMBEn DESCRIBE WORK TO BE DONE (ATTACH PLOT PLAN) 1If vVth it jjvkti� �IV Lrliy `tlLfeJ j VARIANCE OR CU SEPA REVIEW COMPLETE EXEMPT EXP ADS F SIGN AREA ALLOWED PROPOSED SHORELINE e HEIGHT ALLOWED PROPOSED LOT COVERAGE ALLOWED PROPOSED REQUIRED SETBACKS (Fr.) FRONT SIOE REAR PROPOSED SETBACKS (FT.) FRONT US SIDE REAR , LOT AREA PLANNING REVIEW BY DATE REMARKS CHECKED BY T) TY/PEEOF�rC�EONSTRUCTION CODE OCCUPANT SPECIAL INSPECTOR REQUIRED ❑ YES AREA OCCUPANT LOAD REMARKS PROGRESSINSPECTIONSPER UBC 108 Z��/�AUt✓ /7('•'vl �i��� ��i `/,,'t'�rt_!' S�'l�S 1. FINAL INSPECTION REQUIRED _ I I� - VALUATION FEE PLAN CHECK FEE BUILDING HEAT SOURCE: GLAZING B/D PLUMBING Plan Check No. MECHANICAL This Permit covers work to be done on private properly ONLY. GRAOINGIFILL Any con el ructlon on the public domain (curbs, sideweiks, driveways, marquees, etc.) wlll requlre separate permission. STATE SURCHARGE Permit Application; 180 Days STORM DRAINAGE FEE Permit Limit: 1 Year - Provided Work is Started Within 180 Days "Applicant, on behalf of his or her spouse, heirs, assigns and ENG. INSPECTION FEE ,n w successors in interest, agrees to indemnlly, defend and hold harmless the City of Edmonds, Washington, its officials, s employees, and agents from any and all claims for damages of a whatever nature, arising directly or indirectly from the issuance this permit shall not be deemed to PLAN CHECK DEPOSIT omodify, of this permit. Issuance of waive or reduce any requirement of any city ordinance i nor limit in any way the Clly's ability to enforce any ordinance TOTAL AMOUNT DUE 10102 provision.- I hereby acknowledge that I have read this application; that the ATTENTION APPLICATION APPROVAL information given is correct; and that I am the owner, or the duly authorized agent of the owner. I agree to comply with city and THIS PERMIT This application is not B permit until state laws regulating construction; and in doing the work authoriz• will be employed in violation of the Labor AUTHORIZES ONLY THE signed by the Building Official or his/her ed thereby, no person Code of IhD Slate of Washington relating to Workmen's Compensa. WORK NOTED Deputy; and fees are paid, and receipt is acknowledged in space provided. tion InBuren d RCW 18.27. INSPECTION SIGNATURE. 101YNEP R AGENT) DATE SIGNED DEPARTMENT CITY OF OF AL'S SIG ATURE DATE EDMONDSY/�'7O CALL FOR ELE ABED Y . DATE ATTENTION INSPECTION IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE OR OCCUPY A BUILDING OR STRUCTURE A FINAL INSPECTION HAS BEEN MADE AND APPROVAL OR L ��� _ OL�O ORIGINAL — Flle YELLOW — Inspector UNTIL A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY HAS BEEN GRANTED. UBC SECTION 109 PINK — Owner GOLD —Assessor \ o s L, J C1 32x �Is■I�rm CITY OF EDMONDS BARBARA FAHEY MAYOR 250 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • 1206) 771.0220 • FAX 1206) 771.0221 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT �Sr. 1890 Public Works • Planning • Parks and Recreation • Engineering January 2, �%w 17110 Mrs. Alice Andahl C/O Mr. Bruce Andahl 15605 75thPlace West Edmo:s. 'Washington 98026 Dear Andahl; On DeJember 31, 1996, City Officials observed slide damage on property you own at @ 15605 75th Place West, Edmonds, Washington. The City has been in contact with the property owner to the east who will be providing a geotechnical engineer's report and plan to the City for protection of his private property. The property owner has verbally indicated this report will not resolve issues on your property. As the owner of the property located at 15605 75th Place West, Edmonds, you are responsible for slope protection and/or mitigation of damage suffered on your property. Pursuant to Section 302 of the Dangerous Building Code, it is my determination that the existing residence is in danger due to the "movement or instability of the ground,", and a geoteclinical report and plan prepared by a licensed Geotechnical Engineer is required prior to the start of any work, including tree/debris removal or demolition. This plan should include temporary and permanent erosion control, necessary slope protection or slope mitigation measures and subsurface or surface drainage improvements, as applicable. The report and plan shall be submitted to the City by January 15th, 1997 or sooner. Any work deemed "emergency" by the geotechnical engineer in the report, shall be immediately installed (provided no City permits or discretionary approvals are required). You may contact the City Engineer, Mr. Tim Walker if you have any,questions regarding debris in the developed or undeveloped City right-of-way. p �� Please note, a demolition permit is required for the carport removal as well as a permit for re -construction of the carport. If you have any questions please contact me at 771-0220. Thank you, Jeannine L. Graf V Building Official, C.B.O. • Incorporated August 11,1890 • Sister Cities International — Hekinan, Japan BUILDING VLANDAIJ JAN 2 7 1997 ASSOCIATES. INC. Environmental and Ge.Whmcal Smvi-I January 27,1997 City of Edmonds Community Services Department 250 5th Avenue N. Edmonds, WA 98020 Attn: Mr. Jim Walker, P.E. RE: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES LANDSLIDE ON 156TH ST RIGHT-OF-WAY NEAR 75TH PLACE W. EDMONDS, WASHINGTON Dear Mr. Walker: t This letter summarizes our observations and recommendations related to the landslide that occurred on the steep slope behind the last residence on the east side of 75th Place W. At the request of the City of Edmonds, representatives of Landau Associates visited the site on several occasions between December 31, 1996 and January 13, 1997 with City of Edmonds personnel to observe site conditions and to provide consultation to the City on the situation and potential future action. BACKGROUND We understand from conversations with several local residents that the landslide occurred in the late afternoon of December 30,1996. The sound of flowing water coming from high on the slope was heard by a local resident about 4:00 p.m. At that time, the resident indicated he could © observe about an 8-ft exposed zone of soil near the top of the slope. The exposed soil was in the general area of private drain lines that carried water down the slope from the residence at the top the bluff at 7215 156th Street. Local residents reportedly heard a loud roar about 5:00 p.m. on December 30,1996 and immediately thereafter discovered the landslide. B OBSERVATIONS The landslide had mudflow characteristics. The slide extended from the top of the slope to the bottom, with a width visually estimated to vary from about 20 ft near the top to about 50 ft near the base of the slope. The landslide appeared to only involve the surficial layer of soil on the steep area could also move. With improved weather and temporary stabilization measures completed, the risk of additional movement within the existing slope could be reduced to potentially allow reoccupancy of the residence. We recommend that the property owners retain a geotechnical engineering consultant to further evaluate conditions and provide specific advise to the property owner.. Until the mudslide and debris materials drain and dry out somewhat, they could also move further if debris and mud removal efforts are attempted. Mud and debris removal should be accomplished from the top down in a deliberate manner to avoid potentially reactivating the slide mass. To limit possible additional slope movement and to help buttress the base of the slope, we suggest leaving as much material as possible at the base of the slope during removal of the slide debris. Long-term stabilization measures should include routing new drain lines from the property on top of the bluff down to a suitable discharge. The drain line should consist of HDPE pipe (or similar material) welded together to form a continuous watertight pipeline with sufficient strength and flexibility to accommodate some degree of pipe distortion due to slope movements. The new pipeline should be well secured to the slope. Active measures should be taken to revegetate the exposed slope to the extent practicable and protect it from erosion. We appreciate this opportunity to be of service to the City of Edmonds. Please call if you have any questions or if we may be of further service. LANDAU ASSOCIATES, INC. By: 6�- 01 Dennis R. Stettler, P.E. Principal and ® Wade Gilbert, P.E. Project Engineer DRS/JWG/ml No. 74061.10 01 /27/97 I:%074%G61 \ 156TH-ST.RrT cc: Jeannine Graf, City of Edmonds 3 Im 00 3 U wo wS Z Z a Z Z N Z Z O y O Z � U � Z 6 w 0 3 BUILDING �Irr��� ►,� H�rLL JUN 2- 1997 CONSULTING ENGINEERS PROJECT NUMBER 2234 25 May 1997 page 1 of 3 pages CLIENT Alice Andahl 7516 Eaglefield Drive Arlington, Washington 98223 REFERENCE Andahl house located at 15605 75h Place W, Meadowdale SUBJECT Investigation of slide and garage damage. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to The investigation and report were present the results of a geotechnical authorized on 10 May 1997 by Alice investigation of the slide and garage Andahl, owner, during a conversation damage located at 15605 75t' Place with Dale C. Hemphill of HEMPHILL West, Meadowdale, Edmonds. CONSULTING ENGINEERS. INVESTIGATION HEMPHILL observed that the steep slope behind and north of the house had slid and collapsed the garage, damaging the contents including a car and boat. There was no evidence of damage to the house. The slide occurred on an unimproved extension of 156t' Street. HEMPHILL climbed the slope and observed and tested the exposed soils, and determined that the remaining soils are hard and/or very dense and capable of standing at the steep slope. The soils that slid had become f loosened by the weathering processes, which include wetting and drying, freezing and thawing, root action, direct rainfall, groundwater seepage, and uncontrolled or concentrated surface stormwater runoff. The most damaging to strong deeper soils on steep slopes is root action, usually from trees and mostly during heavy winds. The already loosened soils usually slide during or after a heavy rainfall where the excess water has increased the weight and softened the soils. 4041 WEST LAKE SAMMAMISH PARKWAY SOUTHEAST • BELLEVUE • WASHINGTON . 98008 206 644 1080 No Ce7 PROJECT NUMBER 2234 25 May 1997 page 2 of 3 pages The excess water includes uncontrolled and/or concentrated surface runoff from the property above the slope. The excessive surface runoff often erodes the weakened soils, causing a flow slide that can be the most damaging to downhill properties because of the velocities achieved, and the distances that flow slides can travel. A neighbor claimed to have observed a pipe at the upper south end of the slide surface to be leaking and finally burst to release a large volume of water onto the slope prior to the slide. The source and volume of the water were not determined by HEMPHILL. The pipe has since been repaired. HEMPHILL observed three pipes at that location, two of which were not properly anchored to prevent future failures. The third pipe conducts water to an open catch basin at the base of the slope behind the Andahl house. CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS HEMPHILL concludes that the slide was composed of the upper weathered soils that had been saturated and eroded by an unprecedented natural occurrence, and by a broken pipe that was not properly installed. The remaining soils are strong and capable of standing until the upper surface again softens due to the weathering processes, which could be many years. The soils on adjacent slopes will probably slide before that occurrence. The soils on adjacent slopes exist at similar angles and possibly the same amount of weathering, therefore the broken pipe could have been the major factor causing the failure. Natural runoff from the upper property is directed toward the undisturbed slope north of the slide. Other portions of the slope that did not slide have survived two unprecedented natural occurrences; the heavy rainfall of a 5 day period that included a 100 year rainfall on 8 February 1996, and the combination snowmelt/rainfall on 31 December 1996. Therefore the exposed surface of the slide area, and the adjacent slopes, are stable at least until the next unprecedented occurrence, or the failure of the pipes or other uncontrolled condition at the top of the slope. r R it It:=: PEEEL' r l 32x C ?�t rrI 17 CITY Y OF EDMONDS BARBARA FAHEY MAYOR 250 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (206) 771-0220 • FAX (206) 771-0221 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Fst. 1890 Public Works • Planning • Parks and Recreation • Engineering June 5, 1997 Mrs. Alice Andahl c/o Lori Andahl 20026 12th Drive Southeast Bothell, Washington 98012 RE: 15605 75th Place West, Edmonds The City is in receipt of Hemphill Engineers field report dated 5/25/97 in response to our request for geotechnical review of ground movement at the subject property. In reviewing Hemphills report, the City will allow the accessory structure (garage) to be removed at the owner's discretion (a demolition permit is required prior to the start of work, fee $25). Since no geotechnical issues were observed by the engineer of record which would prevent the home from being occupied, the City will permit the home to be re -occupied. The red tag is hereby lifted from the residential portion of the home but the garage shall remain posted "unsafe" until the demolition work is complete. The City makes no representation regarding the safety of you or your home from future slide events. As the Hemphill report indicates, future unprecedented weather events could cause additional slide damage. It is understood that, once the accessory structure is removed, there may be need © of exterior wall repair which may require a permit (this is relatively a minor process). If structural deficiencies in the residence are observed, we suggest that you enlist the services of a professional structural engineer for assistance in preparing plans and submitting to the City for the building permit. L91 0 • Incorporated August 11, 1890 • Sister Cities International — Hekinan, Japan I 1� I N.G.JACOBSON & ASSOCIATES, INC. I , BUILDING CONSULTING ENGINEERS U 0 z z ® 1301 SSunE 1620 SEATTLE, WA 98101-2625 206.624-7863 FAX 206-624-8947 AUG Z 0 1997 August 19, 1997 Ms. Lori Andahl 20026 - 12th Drive S.E. Bothell, WA 98012 RE: ALICE ANDAHL RESIDENCE 15605 - 75TH PLACE WEST EDMONDS, WA PERMIT # 970546 NGJ i19745.101 Dear Lori: Pursuant to your request, on Wednesday, August 13th, I inspected the visible structural framing adjacent to the front door and observed the existing structural wood header over the door and adjacent studs, and found that the existing Structure appeared to not have been damaged from the mudslide damaging the front door, reported in our previous inspection. I recommend you proceed with the structural repairs with your Contractor. If your Contractor notes any unusual problems regarding the Structure, please feel free to call us again. Sincerely, N. G. JACOBSON & ASSOCIATES, INC. No an G. Jaco n, r., P.E., C GJ/gr L cc: J. L. Graf, City of Edmonds G1 Building Division, 121 -5th Ave. No. Edmonds, WA 98020 J f 0 Mrs. Andahl Z i Page Two June 5, 1997 a� J U W W! Regarding the garage re -construction, if in the future you choose to re -build the of garage please be advised the Meadowdale Earth Subsidence Landslide Hazard �1 construction standards shall be imposed which requires detailed geotechnical a investigation, professional engineered plans, drainage system installation, hold d harmless covenants, and other technical as well as administrative requirements. _ ' The average processing time for this type of permit is three to six months and site Z r-, work is limited during the months between September and May. The Meadowdale Z �,' development packet may be purchased from the Permit Coordinator (fee $15) W W, during normal business hours. Also, you may want to discuss the status of the 5 o garage with Jeff Wilson, Planning Supervisor with regard to setback requirements, o; SEPA and other zoning issues. W Thank you, ui O~ Z t Jeannine L. Graf Building Official; C.B.O. cc: Mayor Fahey City Attorney Mark Bucklin, Keating, Bucklin & McCormack © Paul Mar, Community Services Director Jeff Wilson, Planning Supervisor 4 1 {f tY( Letter to Bruce Andahl April4, 1997 Page 2 2. At the same time, the City is obviously aware that you have filed a claim for damages. If the communications issue is related to the claim, the situation is actually out of our control. When a claim is filed, it is sent to our self insurance pooling group for disposition. At that point, the City assumes a neutral role while it waits for a determination on the resolution of the claim. In order for the insurance pool to pay the claim, it must be determined that the City was somehow negligent and therefore liable for the damage. This determination is made by the self insurance pooling group (WCIA). Usually they are quite speedy in processing claims; however, the huge number of claims resulting from the extreme storm conditions and the complexity of the issues involved have required additional time. The City is now trying to determine a timeline for a decision on your claim as well as several others. 3. Now, regarding the issue of debris removal from your property, the City cannot provide services on private property. You must arrange for removal of debris on your land as a result of the slide by a private company. The simple fact that the City has a right of way across privately owned property does not make it responsible for problems associated with the property unless it created some situation that constituted negligence. The property which slid had not been improved by the City in any way. Nothing to my knowledge was done by the City to cause any instability. The movement of mud and debris onto your mother's property was caused by activities of nature. In no way can the cause be attributed to the City. L~- p In summary, Mr. Andahl, you will have to arrange for the cleanup of your mother's property and Z� make the necessary repairs needed to facilitate the re -occupation of her home. The only role the City can play in this is to review the safety concerns and consequently issue a new occupancy p permit if City Building Official Jeannine Graf is satisfied that the Uniform Building Code Z requirements for safety of the site have been met. You should contact her if you have any question regarding the process. I suspect from your comments at the meeting that you were hoping the City would agree to j perform some of these tasks for you, but it is unable to do so. Legally, City staff cannot provide special services or benefits to individual citizens, except under emergency circumstances. Though I know this is not the response you were hoping for, it is the only one I can provide. Though I am confident most of these issues had been addressed by staff in the past, I hope this formal letter will further establish the course of action that must be followed in order to determine if your mother © can move back into her home. Sincerely, Barbara Fahey ® Mayor BF/dm c: City Council Community Services Director City Engineer Building Official WinW"d6=97kAn"2 0 • :,� E y:r . :.:. .. _. l - .........r... .. .. .r... .....n.....:...... .. BUILDING J U N ?. - 1997 a ' x May 30, 1997 LU, a Jeannine Graf LU o'. Community Services Department N w Building Official 250-5th Ave. N. w V Edmonds, WA 98020 T) oil Dear Mrs. Graf, z � This letter is in regards to the slide located on 156th street and 75th 0, W W; Place West. Located directly behind Alice Andahl's house. o �') In a letter dated April 4, 1997 from the Mayor, she stated that we needed LL+I to engage in services from a geotechnical engineer to determine the LL Q, safety and condition of the hillside before the city can permit occupancy. Enclosed you will find a report from Hemphill Consulting Engineers. We ~ will be waiting for further communication from you regarding the status z of occupancy, permits, debris removal. Alice Andahl would very much like to get back into her home and have this situation resolved as soon as possible. i y yly, dahl c: Mayor Barbara Fahey City Engineer: Lyle Chrisman City Engineer: Jim Walker ® 0 0 i HE O bluff face along with trees and other surficial vegetation. The mudflow and vegetation material came to rest across the undeveloped 156th Street right-of-way, the downslope residential property to the south, and the undeveloped downslope property to the north. The.mudflow and debris struck the back side of the downslope residence to the south collapsing the garage with a car and boat reportedly inside. The mudflow and debris did not extend as far west as 75th Place W. High on the slope towards the south edge of the failure zone, three broken pipes could be observed. One pipe appeared to be a 6-inch black corrugated drain pipe, and water was discharging from this pipe at the time of our visit on December 31,1996. Two other corrugated pipes appearing to be about 4 inches in diameter could be seen emerging from the slope in this same vicinity. Remnants of these pipes could be observed scattered on and at the base of the slope within the slide debris. We understand that no City of Edmonds pipelines or other improvements are located within the 156th Street right-of-way. Based on site characteristics and observations by local residents, it appears that drainage from the observed private drain pipes could either be a triggering cause or a significant contributing factor to the landslide. It is not known at this time whether the pipes were leaking and initiated slope movement or whether the heavy rains preceding the landslide precipitated the slope movement, which in turn broke the pipes and contributed substantial water to the steep bluff slope. The landslide occurred following a very wet December and a combination of snowmelt and heavy rain in the last week of December. These conditions produced landslides and mudslides throughout the region. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that certain actions be taken in the short term to help stabilize the conditions. The drain pipe should be intercepted and routed down the slope to a suitable discharge by a temporary tight line pipe. To the extent practicable, the steep slope should be protected from further erosion or infiltration of water by placing plastic sheeting or other slope protection materials over the slope. Water emerging from the landslide debris or resulting from upslope surface runoff should be routed away from the downslope residence to an appropriate storm drain. We concur with the City's decision to prohibit occupancy of the downslope residence in the short term. There is some potential for additional slope movement that could endanger or further damage the downslope residence. Undisturbed portions of the slope adjacent to the present slide 2 CITY OF EDMONDS BARBARA FAHEY MAYOR 250 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 96020 • 1206) 771.0220 FAX (206) 771.0221 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Public Works • Planning • Parks and Recreation • Engineering 1S90 January 10, 1997 Lori Andahl 20026 - 12th Drive SE Bothell, WA 98012 Subject: Geotechnical Evaluation of Slide Originating at 7215 -156th Street SW Dear Ms. Andahl, The Building Division requirement for geotechnical review of your property was a standard letter sent to all property owners where slides had potential to endanger improvements to property. As we discussed last week, reports are already being prepared for the City and the Mezich property. Since the City right-of-way adjoining your property has a situation almost identical to your property, it may not be necessary for you to prepare a separate report. The report from the geotechical engineer for the Mezich property has been received by the City. You can get a copy of it if you request it. Once the City report is prepared, I will send you a copy of it. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me at 771-0220. Sincerely, ;,14x� N. James C. Walker, P.E. City Engineer JCW/Sf / c: Jeannine Graf, Building Official v ANDAHL.DOC • Incorporated August 11,.1890 • Sister Cities International — Hekinan, Japan £ y. pia.rilal..�.a,Y7i�''5..7.1!}14F..��..❑ . t1, „Se 1. ,_. , ., x BUILDING j JAN 1 3 1997 January 9, 1997 w; �:. Jeannine L. Graf, C.B.O. U Community Services Department 01 Building Division i' 250 - 5th Ave. N: of Edmonds, WA 98020 a� Dear Jeannine Graf, a w` On January 7, 1997 Alice Andahl received your, letter regarding the slide damage done to her property. In this letter you stated that she 01 must contact a licensed Geotechnical Engineer to submit a report to w, Di you regarding the property at15605 75th Pl. W., by January 15, I 1997. F; We feel that she should not have to pay for a service that does not pertain to her property. Her land is stable. As you have seen, it is a Mr. Rick Mezich and the City of Edmonds easement that has slid onto Alice's property. i~ We contacted Jim Walker on January 8. I spoke with him on the phone and also in person regarding this issue. He informed Bruce Andahl and myself that Alice does not need to have an Engineer out nor have a report to you by the 15th of this month. He requested i that we follow up with this letter to you. Thank you, , O �C� Lori Andahl Bruce Andahl ® cc: Jim Walker �z. Y I v 1 CITY OF EDMONDS BARBARA FAHEY MAYOR CIVIC CENTER • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • 1206) 771.0247 • FAX (2061 771-0252 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR rnc. 1t�9� April4, 1997 Mr. B. Andahl 20026 12th Drive S.E. Bothell, WA98012 Dear Mr. Andahl: This letter is in response to the inquiry you made during the audience portion of the City Council meeting on April 1. I want to start by saying the City Council and I truly empathize with the problems you and several other residents are experiencing as a result of the unstable land condition in your particular area. Since your mother has lived there for over 50 years, I am sure she is well aware of the various slides that have occurred during that time. She probably vividly remembers the landslide during the winter of 1955-56 when several buildings were impacted by the shifting hillside. It is fortunate, with such a long history in that area, that she has never been a victim of the conditions there before. I must, however, clearly state that having empathy related to the current situation does not signify any admission or agreement that the City is in any way responsible for the problems that exist or the cleanup and repair of private property impacted by the slides. You raised several questions at the meeting which must be addressed: 1. You indicated that you have not had any communication from the City since shortly after the slide occurred. In fact, you have had extensive interaction with the Engineering Department of the City. The head of the department, Jim Walker, has a log of several conversations with your wife Lori. He indicates clear information was given regarding the actions that would have to be taken in order for the City to allow occupancy again of the house in question. This entailed your engaging the services of a geotechnical engineer to determine what is needed to be done to establish a stabilized condition and then implementation of the recommendations. The Cit must be presented with clear, pursuasive documentation that a geotechnical engineer Y has evaluated the conditions as safe before it can permit occupancy. It could not authorize occupancy if potential danger still existed that may ultimately cause injury or loss of life. 0 Our records indicate the last conversation with Mrs. Andahl occurred on January 27, 1997. At that point, the City assumed you were pursuing the activities necessary and has been waiting for further communication from you regarding the status of the property. • Incorporated August 11,1890 • 32X I