Full Text
Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 15 Introduction and Adoption 2.1 Community Profile This plan is an update of the 2004 City of Redmond Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). Although it is an update, this document has been redesigned so that it looks, feels, and reads differently than the original. This is due to several factors: new hazard information has become available that drives new definitions of risk, the City has matured and new capabilities are now available, and the new format will allow readers to more easily understand the content. In addition, the 2004 HMP included several action items that have been completed, creating an opportunity for developing new mitigation strategies. 2.1.1 Location, Geography and Neighborhoods The City of Redmond is located on the east side of Lake Washington. It is part of King County and within the greater Puget Sound region (see Map 1, Regional Location Map). The Sammamish River and Bear Creek pass through the City. The Cascade Range, a 1,000-mile long chain of volcanic mountains, which extends from northern California to southern British Columbia, is located to the east of Redmond. The City topography includes hills and valleys. The soil in the valley is classified as alluvial soils, which will liquefy during an earthquake. Some of the hills surrounding the valley have steep slopes. Two large park facilities are adjacent to Redmond, Willows Run Golf Course to the north and Marymoor Park to the south (adjacent to Lake Sammamish). There are ten neighborhoods in Redmond: North Redmond borders the Sammamish Valley and is north of the Education Hill neighborhood. This neighborhood is located on one of the City’s three hills (Education Hill). The area is residential, primarily single family housing. There are a few parcels in the neighborhood that are zoned commercial. This area could be isolated from services if transportation routes are limited due to a hazards event. Fire Station 17 is scheduled to begin construction in 2010-2011. Education Hill is located in northeast Redmond. Education Hill is primarily low- to moderate-density residential. There are very few services that are currently available in the neighborhood and they are likely to become isolated in the event of a hazard. There are numerous schools and open space that could be utilized for emergency response and recovery. Sammamish Valley is located in the valley floodplain. The area is characterized by large amounts of open space, parks and dense residential housing. This neighborhood is located both in the floodplain and the liquefaction zone. Willows and Rose Hill is located in northwest Redmond. This is a hill neighborhood CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 16 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile that is primarily residential. The Olympic Pipeline runs through this neighborhood. Overlake neighborhood is the second commercial center, after Downtown, in Redmond. It is located on a hill in the southwest region of Redmond. This area has residential, commercial and business parks. Microsoft is located in Overlake neighborhood. This location may provide opportunities for emergency operations, but it is located very close to the Seattle Fault and would experience extreme ground shaking in the case of an earthquake along the Seattle Fault. Grass Lawn is located north of Overlake on the western side of Redmond. This hill neighborhood is mostly low- to moderate-density residential. Viewpoint is Redmond’s lakefront neighborhood. It is located along the Sammamish Lake, east of Overlake. The neighborhood is primarily low- to moderate- density residential. Along the lake there are some multi-family buildings. Home values are especially high in Viewpoint. There are several schools, churches and open space. Bear Creek is located in the central eastern river valley in Redmond. This is the least populated of Redmond’s neighborhoods and has the most diversity in zoning. There are residential areas to the north and west sides of the neighborhood. The residential area includes a mobile home park and the largest retirement community in the City. There is some community retail in the north. The central area has resource lands. South of Bear and Evans creeks provides commercial and industrial land. Downtown is located in central Redmond on the valley floor, which is subject to both floods and liquefaction. City services are located in the downtown area, including City Hall, the primary Fire Station, Police Station and most of the commercial retail. Dense transit-oriented development has been encouraged in this area. This area has dense residential housing. Southeast Redmond is partially located on the hill and partially in the valley. This neighborhood has residential, commercial and manufacturing parks. Map 2, Overview of City of Redmond Neighborhoods, shows the location of the neighborhoods. 2.1.2 Demographics According to the US Census, the City of Redmond is home to 51,530 residents. The City of Redmond currently covers over 16.6 square miles. Since 2000, the population has increased from 45,649 to 51,530 (see Map 3, Population Density by Census Block). ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 17 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Figure 1: The City of Redmond Population Growth, 2000-2008.2 The majority of residents are between the ages of 18 and 64. The percentage of residents within this age group has increased since 1970 (see Figure 2, Residents Age Group, change by decade). According to data from 2007, just over 20% of the City of Redmond’s population is under 18, approximately 70% of residents are between 18 and 64, and just under 10% are 65 and older. Figure 2: The City of Redmond Residents Age Group, change by decade, 1970-2007.3 2 Data from US Bureau of the Census Factfinder, http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?-ds_ name=PEP_2007_EST&-mt_name=PEP_2007_EST_GCTT1R_ST9S&-geo_id=04000US53&-format=ST-9&- 3 Data from US Bureau of the Census, 1970 to 2000, “2005-2007 American Community Survey Profile Highlights,” http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_ geoContext=01000US&_street=&_county=redmond&_cityTown=redmond&_state=04000US53&_zip=&_ name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®%3Dnull%3Anull®=null®%3Dnull%3Anull%3Anul l&_keyword=&_industry=. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 18 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile The City of Redmond is racially diverse (see Figure 3, Racial Composition). Since the year 2000, the proportion of residents that self-identify as white has declined, as more non-white residents have located in the City. Though the “Other” category of ethnicities encompasses many racial affiliations, the large number of reported spoken languages acts as a proxy for the diversity of this category (see Figure 4, English Language Fluency). There has been a steady decline in the percentage of Black and White populations in the City of Redmond from 2000 to 2007. Figure 3: Racial composition of the City of Redmond, 2000 and 2007.4 Figure 4: English Language Fluency in Households within Redmond.5 4 Data from US Bureau of the Census, decades 1970 to 2000, "2005-2007 American Community Survey Profile Highlights, 2007”, http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_ geoContext=01000US&_street=&_county=redmond&_cityTown=redmond&_state=04000US53&_zip=&_ name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®%3Dnull%3Anull®=null®%3Dnull%3Anull%3Anul l&_keyword=&_industry=. 5 Data from US Census Bureau, “Redmond City, Washington - Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2005-2007,” http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US5357535&-qr_ name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_DP3YR2&-context=adp&-ds_name=&-tree_id=3307&-_lang=en&- ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 19 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile The City of Redmond is comprised of mainly residential and business structures. Of the residential structures, the majority are detached single units (39%) (see Map 4, City of Redmond Commercial and Residential Buildings). Second most common are structures that accommodate ten to nineteen units (15%) with three- to four-unit structures the third most common type (14%) (see Figure 5, Number of Housing Units). Figure 5: Proportion of housing unit types classified by number of housing units per structure.6 2.1.3 Household Income and Education According to the City of Redmond income data from 2005 - 2007, the median income of households in the City of Redmond was $82,349. About 89% of the households received earnings, and the average income from earnings was $90,677; other income sources include Social Security income (13.9%) and retirement income These income sources are not mutually exclusive; some households received income from more than one source.7 The City of Redmond is part of the Lake Washington School District, which also includes Kirkland and parts of Sammamish and Woodinville. The public schools in the City of Redmond include several elementary schools, junior high schools, and Redmond High School. Three private schools offer secondary education: the Overlake School (secular), the Bear Creek School (Christian - primary and secondary), and the Conservatory High School (for performing arts students). Ninety-five percent of Redmond’s adult population holds a high school diploma or higher, which is 6 Data from US Bureau of the Census, “2005-2007 American Community Survey, Housing Characteristics,” http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US5357535&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_ G00_DP3YR4&-context=adp&-ds_name=&-tree_id=3307&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=. 7 Ibid. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 20 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile significantly higher than the Washington State average. 2.1.4 Workforce In the City of Redmond’s economic survey 2005 - 2007, there were 32,187 people in the labor force, 72.3% of the population 16 years and over.8 Moreover, the unemployment rate in Redmond was 3.5%. In the City of Redmond’s occupational distribution “management, professional and related occupations” and “sales and office occupations” are primary occupations in Redmond. The former accounts for 60.7% and the latter for 20.2% of total occupations. Approximately 9.3% of employees in Redmond are in the service sector. Table 4, Redmond’s Main Industries of 2002, provides a list of the key industries in Redmond. The information industry is very important to Redmond, as exhibited by the high number of paid employees in this sector. Manufacturing and wholesale trade are also important industries. NAICS Description Establishments Sales, receipts or shipments ($1,000) Annual payroll ($1,000) Paid employees 31‐33 Manufacturing 177 2,264,588 416,018 8,394 42 Wholesale trade 267 5,091,283 267,102 4,719 44‐45 Retail trade 255 673,872 92,396 3,442 51 Information 79 N1 D2 (25k‐49k) 54 Professional, scientific, & technical services 318 443,045 202,625 3,545 56 Administrative & support & waste management & remediation service 101 236,924 148,523 3,315 62 Health care & social assistance 186 287,820 98,756 3,443 72 Accommodation & food services 196 160,857 51,683 3,532 2.1.5 Economic Trends The City of Redmond is well known as a center of technology and the location for a number of nationally known high tech and biomedical companies. Among these are Microsoft, Nintendo, AT&T and Physio-Control.9 In addition, Redmond Town Center is a large downtown retail center, which offers numerous shops, restaurants, movie theaters, special events, and live performances by a repertory theatre company and other arts-related groups. 8 U.S. Census Bureau, “2005-2007 American Community Survey-Redmond Economic Characteristics,” http:// factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US5357535&-qr_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_ DP3YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on. 9 The City of Redmond, “Redmond’s General Information, http://www.redmond.gov/aboutredmond/general. asp (Accessed on February 20, 2009). Table 4: Redmond’s Main Industries in 2002 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, “Redmond City’s Summary Statistics by 2002 NAICS,” http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/data/wa/57535.HTM. 1. Not available 2. Withheld to avoid disclosing data of individual companies; data are included in higher level totals ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 21 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile According to the City of Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan, in 1993 employment within the City was 39,000; by 2004 employment had doubled to 79,500.10 This significant growth in jobs places Redmond as the fourth largest employment center within the four-county central Puget Sound area. While much of this growth has been in software and businesses services, there has also been significant growth in communications and retail. Despite a decline in traditional manufacturing, the City of Redmond has experienced a net job increase almost every year since 1993. In terms of future projections, the Puget Sound Regional Council has forecasted that jobs could increase within Redmond to 100,000 in 2020 and 111,000 by 2030. The City of Redmond plans to accommodate up to a total of 106,000 jobs by the year 2022, which is consistent with the region’s 20-year employment target.11 2.1.6 Transportation The City of Redmond is connected to the greater Puget Sound region by two major state highways, Highway 202 and Highway 520. Highway 202 runs mainly north and south from south east of Redmond into the center of the City and up through the north. Highway 520 runs adjacent to the south side of the City of Redmond and connects with both Redmond Way and Avondale Road NE. Other major arterials in Redmond include: 166th Avenue NE, 154th Avenue NE, 148th Avenue NE, NE 116th Street, NE 128th Street, NE 124th Street, NE 104th Street, NE 90th Street, NE 85th Street, Cleveland Street, Redmond Woodinville Road, and West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE (see Map 5, City of Redmond Motorized Transportation Network). The City has made major investments in the pedestrian network. In March 2009, the City of Redmond received a $170,000 grant from the Highway Safety Improvement Program to improve crosswalks within Redmond.12 Sidewalk additions are also slated for the south side of NE 90th Street between Willows Road and 154th Avenue NE. The City of Redmond has an extensive and well connected sidewalk system. The bicycle network in the City of Redmond supports bicycle commuting with over 80 miles of bicycle lanes. The City provides bike-specific paved pathways, unpaved pathways/trails, shared pedestrian and bike pathways, bike lanes on roads with extra wide shoulders, and ‘sharrow’ traffic streets with identified traffic levels (e.g. medium and high).13 To accomodate recreational riding, the commuter routes have connections with the Sammamish River trail, which runs to the north of Redmond (see Map 6, City of Redmond Non-Motorized Transportation Network). 10 City of Redmond, “City of Redmond Comprehensive Plan,” http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Redmond/ CompPlan/HTML/redmondcomp07.html. 11 Ibid. 12 The City of Redmond, “Press Release: Construction at Redmond Way and Cleveland Street”, http://www. redmond.gov/aboutredmond/pressreleases/pr0918.asp. 13 The City of Redmond Bicycling Guide, “Bike Map,” http://www.redmond.gov/cityservices/maps/bikemap. pdf. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 22 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile 2.1.7 Critical Facilities A variety of critical facilities are found in the City of Redmond. Within the context of the Hazards Mitigation Plan, critical facilities are defined as a building or infrastructure that is central in supporting the provision of services to and by the City of Redmond. FEMA provides a definition of critical facilities by listing examples including hospitals, fire stations, police stations, storage of critical records, and similar facilities.14 Redmond is currently scheduled to repair and/or replace vulnerable portions of its sewer and water lines in the next three years, providing an opportunity for seismic and anti-flooding upgrades. In recent years seismic upgrades have been done to the most vulnerable water tanks within the City limits. Although there are still a few water tanks that are not seismically reinforced, there is no current plan to upgrade them. Other types of non-public critical facilities are comprised of the many high-tech industry headquarters in the City of Redmond. Private companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Honeywell, General Dynamics Airborne Electronic Systems, and Medtronics Emergency Response Systems can be classified as critical facilities to the City of Redmond because of their size and influence on the local and regional economy. The City of Redmond reached out to the Chamber of Commerce to create an education plan for all business owners with regard to emergency preparedness. In addition, neighborhood services such as schools, churches, childcare facilities, the library, and community centers are considered critical facilities. Lastly, systems that provide services to residents and businesses in the City of Redmond are another set of critical facilities. This last set includes links and facilities in the transportation network that connect the City of Redmond to neighboring cities (e.g. SR-520, Redmond Way, and 164th Avenue NE) (see Map 7, City of Redmond Community Facilities). 2.2 Community Vision The following “Goals, Vision, and Framework Policy Elements” section through the “Vision Statement” section paraphrases the Redmond Comprehensive Plan and cross references the previous HMP (2004). The 2004 Redmond HMP quotes these sections directly from the 2004 contemporary Comprehensive Plan with one modification, adding the contemporary council members names. For the complete version of the following “Goals, Vision, and Frame work Policy Elements” section, please see the current Redmond Comprehensive plan. 15 2.2.1 Goals, Vision and Framework Policy Element Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan is a reflection of the long-term values and visions residents have for Redmond over the next 20 years. This section outlines the goals, 14 FEMA, “FEMA: Critical Facility,” http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/nfipkeywords/critical_ facility.shtm#0. 15 The City of Redmond, “Comprehensive Plan”, http://www.redmond.gov/intheworks/redmond2022/ planupdates.asp. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 23 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile visions, and policies included in that plan. The goals and framework policies are not listed in priority order, and need to be viewed as a whole, balanced over time. One goal or value shall not be pursued to the exclusion of the others. 2.2.2 Goals for Redmond To conserve agricultural lands and rural areas, and to protect and enhance the • quality of the natural environment. To retain and enhance Redmond’s distinctive character and high quality of life, • including an abundance of parks, open space, good schools and recreational facilities. To emphasize choices in housing, transportation, stores and services. • To support vibrant concentrations of retail, office, service, residential, and • recreational activity in Downtown and Overlake. To maintain a strong and diverse economy, and to provide a business climate • that retains and attracts locally owned companies as well as internationally recognized corporations. To promote a variety of community gathering places and diverse cultural • opportunities. To provide convenient, safe and environmentally friendly transportation • connections within Redmond, and between Redmond and other communities for people and goods. To remain a community of good neighbors, working together and with others in • the region to implement a common vision for Redmond’s future. 2.2.3 Our Future Vision for Redmond in 2022 What would Redmond be like as a place to live, work, or visit if the community’s values were achieved? The vision statement describes Redmond in the year 2022 if the Comprehensive Plan were implemented. 2.2.4 Vision Statement Downtown is an outstanding place to work, shop, live and recreate. • Old Town thrives as a focus for retail activity that attracts pedestrians. • Overlake has become recognized as a regional urban center. • Residential neighborhoods are treasured for their attractiveness, friendliness, • diversity, safety, and quietness. A strong economy and a diverse job base. • Neighborhood and community parks contribute to a high quality of life. • Energy efficient and environmentally sound transportation systems. • People spend less time traveling and more time where they want to be. • Infrastructure and services have been provided to meet the needs of a growing • population as well as to correct existing deficiencies. ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 24 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Redmond in 2022 has maintained a very green character. • Redmond has reached its ultimate size, having annexed all remaining territory in • its Potential Annexation Area so that residents may receive a full range of urban services. Redmond is an integral member of the regional planning community. • Though the City has experienced growth and change during the past 20 years, • Redmond has maintained its distinctive character. Community gathering places are found throughout the City. • Care has been given to preserve elements of the natural environment. • The cost of maintaining Redmond’s quality services and facilities is borne • equitably. Many citizens actively participate. • In 2022, as in 2003, Redmond is a community of good neighbors. • ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 25 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 1: Regional Location Map ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 26 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 2: City of Redmond Neighborhoods Taken from: http://redmond.gov/cityservices/maps/neighborhoods2007.pdf ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 27 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 3: City of Redmond Population Density by Census Block ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 28 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 4: City of Redmond Commercial and Residential Buildings ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 29 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 5: City of Redmond Motorized Transportation Network ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 30 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 6: City of Redmond Non-Motorized Transportation Network ---PAGE BREAK--- Part 1 City of Redmond Hazards Mitigation Plan • 31 Introduction and Adoption Part 1 CHAPTER 2 - Community Profile Maps Map 7: City of Redmond Community Facilities ---PAGE BREAK--- [This page intentionally left blank]