Black Diamond NOW

Is It Really That Cold?

The simple answer is YES.  Thanks to Chief Smith with Fire District 44, following are the facts:

Only a couple of days during this period where temperatures reached 55 degrees F - the least since 1948.  Very telling and tough for gardeners.  A veritable blizzard yesterday evening was reported by Black Diamond City Clerk Brenda Martinez as she navigated over Taylor Mountain along Hwy 18 on the way to Snoqualmie.  I promise not to mention global warming.  It's cold.  Chrystal Mountain skiing looks like it will extend to July 4 this year if not beyond.  Amazing

FYI - I just had my bike tire finally fixed after a flat between home and City Hall a few weeks ago.  City hall and flats - oh well - enough of my sarcasm.  Just kidding.  Nice to know that we have a place in neaby Enumclaw that can help us - be sure to visit Enumclaw Ski & Mountain Co. 

 

Pinched For Space In Your Garden - How About Giving Potato Boxes A Try

Our "burial mound" vegetable garden this year is limited in space for the many varieties that we want to plant there.  So how do we extend our garden area given limited space, yet keep our plants in sunny areas?  This year we are trying potato boxes shown in the picture above.  This is an area of our yard that gets considerable sun but is difficult to grow a garden in - much more suitable for flowers.  So this year, along the lake, I decided to give potato boxes a try.  The theory is that you plant the potatoes in the enriched soil and then as the plants grow up, you fill in with more soil so that by the end of the season, you have potatoes growing in the entire 24" to 36" of the potato box height.  We tried this a couple of years ago in the boxes shown above with limited success - a couple of meals at most.  Have you ever had potato marbles before?  But this year, we are really going for it, learning our lessons from the past and praying for sun.  Rather than just get potatoes harvested from the basal footprint of the box, you get potatoes all up and down the box cubic area.  So, here we go again.  You might note the wing-nuts used for the removable slats.  Makes adding or removing slats a real breeze.  Let's hope that we get to add slats all the way to the top this year.

Judith Black And The Black Diamond Community Center - Two Real Jewels

These are tough times.  Unemployment rates remain high, families are struggling to make ends meet and seniors in our community continue to see their fixed income purchasing power eroded by the increasing costs of food and fuel.  In addition, traditional funding sources from King County and other government agencies continue to shrink given their current budgetary pressures.  Yet, navigating through this maze, the Black Diamond Community Center may well be in its best financial position ever.

For starters, I begin by looking at the balance sheet of an organization for an indicator of the organization's health.  Despite recent fiscal pressures, the Black Diamond Community Center has actually grown in strength this past year.  Total checking and savings account balance April 18, 2010 equaled $84,445.  By April 18, 2011, account balances had grown to $99,087.  Total assets as of April 18, 2010 totaled $612,792.  By April 18, 2011, total assets have grown to $626,300.  But what about debt which has burdened so many of our public and private institutions of late?  Once again, we see growth in net Community Center equity - from $603,486 in 2010 to $620,477 in April 2011.  This represents an incredible track record for Judith Black and our Black Diamond Community Center.

What about the current year?  On March 30, 2011, the Black Diamond Community Center was advised by United Way of King County that they have been awarded $55,000 for Fiscal Year 2012, which begins July 1, 2011.  This represents a significant increase over prior years and a great vote of confidence in our Community Center and staff.  A breakdown of the award follows:

• Basic food needs for people - $15,000
• Out of the rain (people self care and/or other survival needs - $5,000
• Strengthening our community Youth & Children - $15,000
• Strengthening our community Quality of Life for Seniors - $20,000

This award is both a great vote of confidence in and recognition of the vital services provided by our Black Diamond Community Center.  In addition, it greatly affirms the leadership that Judith Black has provided over the past decade.  Sadly for our community but great for Judith and her husband Lynne Black Jr. (author of Whisky Tango Foxtrot), Judith is now planning to retire by the end of June of this year.  Judith - you have contributed so much and we will dearly miss you.  And you leave with the Black Diamond Community Center perhaps as healthy as it has been in its history.  Our profound thanks.

When you consider your many charitable donation options, please don't forget our Black Diamond Community Center.  Our community center does a world of good at bargain basement cost - a model for the way services should be provided in today's world.

Year Of Plenty - Meet The Author At Baker Street Books Sunday May 1

Black Diamond native, pastor and author Craig Goodwin (the younger) will be at Baker Street Books this Sunday May 1 from 11:00 to 2:00.  Take the opportunity to stop by and meet Craig and learn more about their Year Of Plenty.  Their basic rules of consumption were:

• Buy used products
• Make the product or grow the food item
• Buy from a local producer, manufacturer or grower

Some of the stories are pretty hillarious like running out of toilet paper, printing documents on the back of the kids homework and tearing up their lawn to make a garden.  Good lessons for us all.  Craig has been featured in the New York Times, National Public Radio and most recently on Good Friday on CNN.  And since Craig is "locally home grown" here in Black Diamond, come to Baker Street Books and enjoy.  Be sure to ask Craig how his mother got he and his girlfriend arrested and handcuffed for "stealing" our canoe while in High School on Lake Sawyer.

Pacific Coast Coal To Resume Mining At The John Henry No. 1 Mine

The above photo and the photo that follows were taken during a tour of the mine hosted by PCCC in March 2010.  Notice that we had sunshine then.

David Morris with Pacific Coast Coal Company (PCCC) announced last week that the John Henry Mine No. 1 will soon resume coal mining at the site.  As you may recall, the Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) had been requiring PCCC to resume reclamation activities.  Because PCCC had no sales contracts in hand at the time and the site had been idle for some time, OSM issued the reclamation order.  In fact, some reclamation activities had been resumed late last year.  But recently, with coal markets improving, PCCC has been successful in landing a contract with Lehigh Cement in British Columbia.  According to Mr. Morris, PCCC expects to resume mining soon and continue mining through 2016 and then to have reclamation completed in 2017.  With the closure of the open pit mine near Centralia a couple of years ago, I believe the John Henry Mine will be the sole remaining active coal mine in the state.  Given our community's history, this may well be fitting.

The Cathedral

So many spectacular places to see in our community.  The above picture was taken this past Tuesday of The Cathedral - one of the many incredible edifices located along the Green River Gorge.  This hike is a spur off of the trail to Icy Creek.  As you hike down the Icy Creek Trail, you will see a bench at your right.  If you follow this spur trail heading east, you will eventually find yourself at the Cathedral.   This is one incredible view. 

Judy and I hiked Maui and just loved it, but we saw nothing that could compare with what we have here right in our back yard.  The hike to the Cathedral is a case in point.  Right now, the water remains relatively high.  Wait until this summer when the water levels decrease further and we can more easily get on both sides of the Green. 

At least this time of year, this hike is not for kids.  There are many very slippery areas along steep ledges that could be a problem for both kids and pets.  The reward, however, is great.  When you first reach the river you will see a rock outcropping directly across the river that is really cool, but this only gives you a preview.  To get a good view of the Cathedral, you will need to navigate out across some rock eddies located just upstream on your right.  Be careful - the submerged rocks are very slippery, but you can get out there.  Forgetting the challenges, the Cathedral is a must do hike.  Following are a couple of pictures of the Cathedral trail and the first sandstone edifice that you see when you make it to the river.

This picture is taken of the trail that you go on underneath an interesting overhang.  You can see the base of the trail at the base of the overhang.  Be careful here - its very wet and slippery.  Following is a picture of the "trail" as you look up from the bottom.

Now we know why the Green River is called the Green!

Two Open Public Forums - Now Scheduled For Wed. May 4

I have scheduled two more Open Public Forums for Wednesday May 4 at the Black Diamond Community Center.  The first will be held from 2 to 4 pm and the second from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The agenda - whatever you want to talk about.  Hope to see you there.  I have learned much from our past meetings.

Environmental Degradation - Where Does It Start?

The answer, of course, is that environmental degradation starts with us - each one of us as individuals.  A recent article posted on the Eco Preservation Society web site really resonated with me.  It includes a poem written by Zachary Shahan titled Environmental Degradation and the Self: The Link Between the Two.  I am not typically attracted to reading poetry but I found this one to be very effective in communicating an important message.  For someone who tends to be a facts and data person, it's even logical. 

Our son's recently released book, Year Of Plenty, serves as a great reminder about how the simpler things, including family and local community, can lead to a happier and more rewarding life style - and much funnier too.  So as we approach Earth Day tomorrow, I would certainly encourage us all to participate if you can, but also to keep in mind that it is us and our daily self that we must focus on if we are to make a difference.

Also as a reminder, the City is planning an Earth Day Celebration event tomorrow, Friday April 22 at 2 pm.  If you are interested in participating, be sure to contact Aaron Nix , City Natural Resources and Parks Director for more information.

P.S.  Please forgive me if this sounds overly preachy, certainly not intended, but a serious question none the less.

 

Time To Jump In Your Bed

Time to jump in your Garden bed, that is.  It's been reported that the first half of April has been the coldest on record in the PNW.  So if you are a procrastinator and haven't gotten your garden prepared yet, don't feel guilty.  You haven't missed the season - because it hasn't begun yet.  Fortunately, we are beginning to see more sun and warmth which is ideal for spending time in the garden doing the hard work of preparation.  In our case, we actually had to remove a bunch of moss that had taken up residence in our southern exposure garden.  Just being able to get out there with a few sun breaks was very rewarding.  So, we now have our peas and potatoes planted - both pretty hardy despite the continuing cool mornings.  Learning our lesson from last year and all of the cool and wet, we are holding back on planting anything else for a while.  But it was sure great to get out there.

Following is a picture of our "burial bed" garden taken this past weekend.  Judy insists on everything being natural so our pea vine support apparatus is beginning to take shape.  More twigs and cross bracing to follow.  We are trying another crop rotation scheme this year and adding more Cedar Grove Compost in addition to our own.  Will report results.  Enjoy.

P.S.  Also making some progress on our new Rain Garden this week.  It's been hard to get out there and dig in the cold and rain.  No excuses.  We live in a virtual gravel pit, so its amazing how fast water from our roof infiltrates into the ground.

King County TDR Program - Adding Residential Density In Our Backyard

In an earlier post I discussed the concept of Transfer Development Rights (TDRs) and how this concept is being used in an unusual way in Black Diamond - where both sending and receiving areas are located within an Urban Growth Area (UGA).  Typically, rural or areas outside of a UGA deemed needing protection from long term development are the sending areas.  UGA's become the receiving areas.  While I still remain a bit confused about Black Diamond's TDR program, King County's overall TDR program is more illustrative of what we typically see with Transfer Development Rights and their benefits.  Thanks to Lisa Parsons, MGRC Executive Director (and for full disclosure, I am also a Board member of MGRC), I have been able to learn more about King County's TDR Program.  The following map outlines both the sending and receiving areas within the County.

The concept basically is to preserve open space in rural or other environmentally unique areas and concentrate growth within defined Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries.  It's a concept long championed by the Cascade Land Conservancy and they have done much to preserve and protect critical areas from development around the state - I am a strong supporter of their mission and organization.  As you can see from this graphic and as you would expect, urban areas such as Seattle, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell etc are the receiving areas.  Sending areas are largely rural.

What caught my attention as I looked more closely was that there were 4 specific areas directly adjacent to our community here in Black Diamond Diamond that were within defined receiving areas.  What?

My first learning was that there are several areas within King County, but outside of Black Diamond, that are designated as within UGA boundaries.  Given the history of the BDUGAA and much more, why would King County be designating areas within unicorporporated King County as UGAs?  This makes no sense to me, but then I have learned that history is indeed a mystery.  King County is not in the business of providing urban services.  Four developments directly adjacent to our city but just outside of city limits have been designated as within our UGA.  Go figure.  In addition, four developments received TDR's, have expanded their density.  Take a look at the following map.

These developments include Alders Cove and Kentlake Highlands and each has been increased in density (more lots) as a result of the County's TDR program.  In time, particularly given the state of King County finances, I wouldn't be surprised to see annexation pressures increase, with police protection being a key driver.  Unmitigated traffic impacts have already been incurred.  Following is a summary of the impacts on our UGA already built:

Adding 26 lots to a 397 acre development may in the end not be too big a deal.  But, I can find no logic for the County adding such density in unincorporated King County where the County is in no postition to provide the urban services required.  Hopefully, the preservation earned in return has been worth it.  TDR's provide an important tool for preserving land and managing growth smartly.  However, the two local examples I have seen thus far do make me question whether or not the program is being implemented wisely.

2005 Black Diamond Area Open Space Agreement

In a previous post, I briefly discussed the BDUGAA (Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement) that was executed in December 1996.  This agreement provided for the annexation of an additional 467.2 acres into the Black Diamond UGA (this excludes the 160 acres around Lake 12 that has not been annexed).  As we learned, the BDUGAA envisioned the addition of significant open space both within the City and surrounding area in roughly a 4 to 1 ratio - 4 acres of open space for every 1 acre added to the UGA.  A key implementing agreement of the BUDGAA was agreed to in 2005 and is called the Black Diamond Area Open Space Agreement.  This agreement was signed by King County, the City of Black Diamond, Plum Creek Timber Co. and the Cascade Land Conservancy.  The map shown above identifies more specifically where these new open space areas currently are and include the following In-City areas:

• Lake Sawyer Park (165 acres)
• Ginder Creek (27 acres)
• In City Forest (50 acres)
• Visual Corridor along SR 169 (55 acres)
• Other In City (132 acres)

Among the open space areas set aside within the County include:

• Ravensdale Creek Open Space (512 acres)
• Other County Open Space including areas adjacent to the Green River Gorge (132.8 acres)

In addition, the large Ravensdale Ridge Harvest Restriction area shown in blue green was set aside as forest preserve with the Cascade Land Conservancy established as the designated Steward of this land - insuring that this forestry land is maintained as such in perpetuity.

As I have reported in the past, a healthy Ravensdale Lake and Creek are essential to the long term health of Lake Sawyer - now preserved as open space within the County.

Once again, it is important to note that this agreement added only 467.2 to the Black Diamond UGA - significantly less than the currently proposed MPD's.  In return, very significant and important open space has also been created for the long term.

Lake Sawyer Boat Launch Update

I recently had an opportunity to catch up with City Parks Director Aaron Nix and get an update re the status of improvements to the Lake Sawyer Boat Launch.  As many of you know, launching a boat during the fall when water levels are low can be a real problem.  Fortunately, it now appears that we will be able to make the needed repairs this year.  Quoting from Aaron:

"We have permits from Fish and Wildlife and the Corps of Engineers.  We're trying to tie up a loose end with DNR because when King County built the original launch they did not obtain an easement from DNR to place the boat launch on aquatic lands of the state.  Seth is getting some survey work finished up and we should have the easement in time for construction."

Things seem always to be more complicated than they should be.  At this time, it appears that we have sufficient money set aside in our budget to complete the job.  Let's look forward to a renovated boat launch this season.  Good things can and do happen.

Yesler Wharf In 1880 - The Evolution Of Transportation

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, order no. CUR 899, circa 1880

The above photo was taken in January 1880 at the foot of Yesler Way in Seattle.  This photo is included in the Asahel Curtis Collection and he is credited with the picture.  The only problem with this is that Asahel Curtis lived from 1874-1941.  As famous a photographer as he is, it would seem unlikely that he took this photo at the age of 6 or 7.  Whatever the lineage, its an interesting reminder of just how primitive or basic transportation was at the time.  In the early days, coal from our area was shipped by rail car and then loaded onto schooners like this.  Hard for me to fathom.

This photo also reminds us that snow was no stranger to our area at the time - somewhere between 3 and 5 feet of snow was on the ground when this picture was taken.  As shown in the following photo taken 30 years later in 1910, transportation along the James Nelson Road in Renton had evolved little further.  To get anywhere, rail and water were still by the far the most dependable modes of transportation and snow was certainly not uncommon.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries

And we complain about our current weather and gridlock on I-405?

2011 Black Diamond Recycling Event - Big Success

In total, 315 carloads of receyclable materials were brought to the site by our commmunity this year.  The total amount of material collected was 46,721 pounds or nearly 24 tons.  This amounts to more than 100 lbs of material for every resident in the city.  That's a lot.  Importantly, most of this is stuff that you simply can't/shouldn't put in the garbage.  Special thanks to Aaron Nix, Black Diamond Director of Natural Resources and Olympic Environmental Resources who managed the event.  Following are some key statistics:

1. Scrap metals and electronics materials - 17,780 lbs
2. Used refrigerators and freezers - 2
3. Propane tanks - 15 at 750 lbs each
4. Yard debris - 14,420 lbs
5. Reusable household goods - 2,234 lbs
6. Motor oil and petroleum based products - 300 gallons
7. Anti-freeze - 75 gallons
8. Used oil filters - 18
9. Used tires - 112
10. Lead acid batteries - 24
11. Household batteries - 3,030
12. Toilets and sinks - 11
13. Cardboard - 3,150 lbs

How much of this kind of stuff do you put in the garbage each year?  I must confess to recently dumping some AA batteries into the garbage.  Shame on me/us.  Note how the amount of scrap metals and electronics materials has grown over the years.  This year's event was very successful.  Let's make next year's event even better.

Green River Cleanup 2011 - Saturday April 30

A must do event for this spring is the Green River Cleanup scheduled for Saturday April 30th.  Sponsored by Friends of the Green and the Middle Green River Coalition (MGRC), this year's event will offer a number of great opportunities to participate.  First of all, you can sign up to raft the Green River Gorge and cleanup along the way.   Flaming Geyser State Park is one of our local area jewels and ground crews will be organizing there to clean-up the area.  If you haven't been to the old historic town of Franklin located just northeast of the Green River near the Green River Gorge Resort, then go there and explore, having a great time with Don Mason and the local historians that we are blessed with in our community.  Beaver Lake offers another great opportunity for reclamation of an area just south of the Gorge - an area recently acquired by King County and now being restored to its natural state by MGRC.  The bottom line - we all have a great opportunity to contribute to the long term future of our community and have fun at the same time.  Set aside Saturday, April 30th and join us in great fun.  For more information, please visit the MGRC web site linked above.

A Fisherman's Trail To The Green River Gorge

I've always wanted to know if I could get from the SR 169 bridge over the Green River down into the Gorge and to the river itself.  With the sun out today, I couldn't resist the temptation to find a way down there.  To be clear, "fishermen's trails" are not normal trails nor for the faint of heart or normal people.  You must be prepared to get your boots muddy, slip and fall on rocks and logs, tear some skin on the blackberry brambles and seek trail where there is none.  But persistence pays off and you eventually get there - feeling really accomplished.  Such was my experience earlier today and it was great.

As can be seen in the above photo, the Green is indeed green right now.  Flows continue at high levels as the Howard Hanson Dam releases volumes of water sufficient to guard against a really big Pinnapple Express.  Therefore, when I finally made it down to the river's edge, water levels were still high and there was no opportunity to venture out onto rock eddies for a broader perspective of the river.  But this was just fine by me.  The river and gorge are so impressive.

One of the things you must be sure and do is take note of all the flora around along the "trail".  Following are a couple of examples of why the northwest is such a beautiful place in the spring.

 


And then, there is the view from the bridge.

As it turns out, I took the hard way to get down into the Gorge from the SR 169 bridge.  There is an easier path.  But, this is kind of my MO - doing things the hard way gives me the opportunity to experience so much that a pedestrian approach to life fails to provide.   A great day. 

Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Still Available

Above is a schematic of a geothermal heat pump system.  As I was researching the economics, I was surprised to find a wide variety of Federal energy subsidies in the form of Tax Credits still available through 2016.  Among the credits still available are:

1. Geothermal Heat Pumps - 30% tax credit of the heat pump cost with no upper limit.
2. Solar Energy Systems - 30% tax credit of cost with no upper limit and available on principal homes and second homes, new or existing homes.
3. Fuel Cells - 30% tax credit of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity.  Primary residences only qualify.  Anybody out there familiar with residential use of fuel cells?
4. Wind Energy Systems - 30% tax credit of the cost with no upper limit.
5. Vehicles  - Hybrids and battery powered, plug in electric qualify.  Credits based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology and fuel economy.  There is a 60,000 vehicle limit per manufacturer before a phase-out period begins.

To my surprise, I also find that there are local home credits available in most states, typically directly from the power  company such as PSE, etc.  For a breakdown, follow this link to Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.  Most states also provide rebates available for Energy Star appliances.  

How do you feel about all of this. Should the Federal Government be providing such incentives/subsidies?  Would you choose to install a geothermal heat pump system if these tax credits were not available?  Are these incentives really important in the consumers decision making process?  Are they cost effective?  Keep or drop?

As much as I like to see the advancement of these technologies, I must admit to having mixed emotions. In researching geothermal heat pumps for our home, for example, I'm not sure the tax credits would really make a material difference in our decision making.

Another Must Do Hike - Waihee Ridge

Kahului Maui in the background.

Ok, we are back to reality and a bit less sun.  But must pass along another great hike if you ever get the opportunity.  It's called the Waihee Ridge trail on Maui.  Located on the northeast corner of the island, the trail takes you up to about 2,500 feet - or into the clouds on most days.  The actual hike has an elevation gain of about 1,500 ft. over 2. 5 miles, and then of course you get to hike back down - tougher on the knees but definately less aerobically challenging.  The narrow roadway getting to the base hiking area is a bit limiting and if you are afraid of windy curvy roads with no guard rails and steep cliffs, this may not be your favorite drive. 

Interestingly, the steepest part of the hike is the first 200' of elevation gain along a concrete paved narrow road heading up hill just out of the parking lot for a boy scout camp.  It is very steep.  But once past this, the hike becomes all natural areas with much unique flora and incredible views as you get higher up.  I don't think I've ever seen this many types of ferns together before - more even than we commonly see in the PNW.

One more view from the trail. 

If you get to Maui, as Nike says, just do it!

Poor Luck Fishing - How About A Weir?

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, caption Indian Fish Trap, negative no. UW22170, circa 1889.

If you don't have confidence in your fishing skills with hook and line, how about trying a weir?  Apparently creating a weir as a fish trap was common practice among the tribes in the late 1800's.  Given my fishing skills, sounds like a good idea to me - except you might miss the sport of it all. 

Now that it's April, opening day for area lakes can't be far away.  The Greater Maple Valley - Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the Opening Day Trout Derby on Lake Wilderness for April 29 - 30.  As a young kid of about 8 or 9, I still remember my first opening day fishing trip to Lake Wilderness.  It was great fun just getting in the canoe and going out with my dad, but catching a nice rainbow that I could take home with great pride, buttons bursting, and have my mother cook for dinner was very special.  The only thing I couldn't understand was getting up at 3 am in order to drive there and get our canoe launched.  My suggestion - just set up camp at the lake.  All part of the program and even more fun for youngsters having the opportunity to camp out overnight, waiting anxiously for the sun to rise.  Following is a picture from the 2009 Lake Wilderness Trout Derby.

Since Lake Sawyer is open year round to fishing, we don't have the "opening day" rush you see at Lake Wilderness.  But, my advice is to experience both.  The exitement of opening day for a youngster is just way to much fun.  So go to opening day at Lake Wilderness if you can.  Then come home to Lake Sawyer and get the really good ones - anytime.  And then there is Bass Lake, Beaver Lake, Dandy Lake and .....  Our community is indeed blessed.

I wish!

 

The BDUGAA - What?

For those not familiar, BDUGAA is an oft used acronym in our community and stands for the "Black Diamond Urban Growth Area Agreement".  You've got to live here to appreciate it.  This agreement was formally signed in December 1996 and included the following signatories - King County, Plum Creek Timber Co., Palmer Coking Coal Co. and the City of Black Diamond.  As I understand it, the impetus for this agreement was several fold:

1. King County, under the direction of then County Executive Gary Lock, were looking for a place in the County that might showcase the benefits of Master Planned Developments and "smart growth".
2. Plum Creek Timber Co. at the time was the largest land owner in the area.  Even in the early 1990's, it was clear that the "highest and best use" for much of Plum Creek land in our area was residential development and not timber production. 
3. Palmer Coking Coal Co. is a major land owner both within the City and in surrounding areas within the County.
4. Many folks in Black Diamond wanted to see growth in the City - something that had eluded our community earlier.  Absent some growth the long-term fiscal viability of the City was perceived by some to be in serious question.

Footnote: My objective here is to provide historical perspective and to report on what I have learned while seeking to better understand current Master Planned Development proposals.  I would also point out that these agreements are extensive and complicated and I am no lawyer.  But to the best of my ability, I am providing a layman's perspective.  For now, my focus will be on the BDUGAA and what it has meant for the City's future - and also what it did not foreordain.

So what does the BDUGAA provide?  Following is a map of the three new annexation areas proposed for inclusion in the Black Diamond UGA as a result of the BDUGAA.

As you can see, there were three significant annexation areas proposed - West, South and East.  The annexation area surrounding Lake 12 was suggested but has not been acted up.  Following is a breakdown of the acreages.

You may wish to note that current MPD proposals encompass approximately 1,500 acres while the BDUGAA area set aside for residential, commercial and mixed use development in new annexation areas total less than 500 acres. While it is clear that the BDUGAA resulted in the addition of significant additional acreage and potential development density into the Black Diamond UGA, it did not foreordain current City Comprehensive Plans, City MPD Ordinances or MPD development as now planned.  No value judgement intended in making this statement - but simply to point out that many have commented that the dye was cast in 1996.  That is just not the case. 

There is also significant value now accruing to our community as a result of all of the open space and conservation easements established as a result of the BDUGAA - but not really finalized until 2005 with signing of the Black Diamond Open Space Area Agreement. In talking with people in the community, there seems to be limited understanding of just how significant this is.  In a future post, I will focus on the 2005 Open Space Area Agreement that served to implement much of the BDUGAA principles.

As always, please let me know if you have questions or comments.