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Showing posts from July, 2019

Destruction of part of the trail and golf course : Chambers Bay Resort

The lease allows for the developer to relocate the ninth hole and the trail that goes above that hole and past the current restaurant and pro shop. The trail would be re-routed around the new hotel, removing one of the most scenic parts of the trail.   The trail currently runs along the front of the existing restaurant, providing people with a clear view and nice loop around the restaurant area and back up to the main trail.  The developers originally said they would make "no changes" to the trail or the golf course - neither of those things held true. Instead, the developers said they would be making an "improvement" to the trail.  This improvement removes access to the existing trail and instead routes people through the parking lot, away from this view, preserving it for hotel guests and villa renters. 

People Living In The Park : Problems with Chambers Bay Resort

The County Executive, Bruce Dammeier, allowed the developers to draft up language in the lease allowing for up to 90 one and two bedroom “golf villas” which are essentially 1-2 bedroom private leased homes that will have their own driveways and garages. 90 villas?! The lease period is described as “more than 30 days”, which means people could lease for years and years, living in the park. (See Lease section 1.05) Aside from the obvious issue of having people living on public land are the impact that these villas have on the community as a whole.  1. They are not subjected to a lodging tax which typically goes back into the community. They have therefore skirted the single financial benefit that having lodging in a community provides.  2. The additional traffic that this number of independent long-term rentals will generate was not considered when allowing this lease to be drafted. Grandview, on a nice day, is already difficult to enter/exit for the residents who live along it.