Angle Lake waterfront resident will face more restrictions when they rebuild their homes or docks if SeaTac's draft shoreline management plan is adopted.

Mayor Ralph Shape pointed out that if a home that is less than 75 feet from the lake's shore burns down, the homeowner could not rebuild it in within the same footprint under the plan unless the homeowner agrees to mitigation that would improve the shore's ecology.

The city's shoreline management plan consultant, Gabe Snedeker told lawmakers last week that 74 percent of the lakefront homes meet the 75-foot proposed requirement.

SeaTac's current setback regulations allow homes to be within 65 feet of the lake. The regulations would affect new construction.

The council will hold a public hearing on the draft plan on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. Lawmakers may also vote on the plan's adoption following the hearing.

Even if SeaTac lawmakers approve the plan, it must be submitted to the state Department of Ecology to make sure it complies with the state shoreline management act.

In SeaTac, Angle Lake is the only body of water to qualify for regulation under the shoreline management act.

Under the draft plan, replacement docks may be rebuilt to the same size as the original with some new requirements but joint docks are encouraged, according to Snedeker.

Only 10-12 properties on the lake currently do not have a deck.

State restrictions on new bulkheads are stricter, according to Snedeker.

Homeowners will have to demonstrate a need for the new structure.

Replacement bulkheads are not as regulated, Snedeker added.

Snedeker noted that the shoreline management act's key concept is "no net loss" of ecological function.

The city-owned Hughes property, a vacant lot along the lake just south of Angle Lake Park, is an area of high ecological function, he noted.

The lakeside area should remain as is, but there is more flexibility to develop commercial or residential uses in the upland area bordering International Boulevard.

Angle Lake Park will be an "urban conservancy" allowing public access but some restoration is needed under the draft plan, according to Snedeker.

Also new housing units with more than four units on the lake will have to provide a public access to the lake, he said.

Public comments at the council meeting reflected rancorous election battles over a proposition to change SeaTac's form of government and three council seats.

Proposition One on the Nov. 3 ballot calls for the popular election of a mayor to run city government. Currently, the council elects a mayor from its ranks who presides at council meetings and performs ceremonial functions.

A city manager supervises city staffers.

SeaTac resident Wendy Morgan said she opposes the measure because there would be no qualifications to run for mayor. On the other hand, a city manager must meet job requirements before being hired.

An elected mayor without expertise would have to hire a city administrator at a comparable salary to the mayor, Morgan argued.

She also said a deputy administrator would also be needed to handle complicated negotiations with the Port of Seattle, operator of Sea-Tac International Airport in SeaTac.

Refuting statements by SeaTac government critics, Scott Gregerson-Dahle, husband of Councilwoman Mia Gregerson said he appreciated city services.
He singled out quick police response, park improvements, the North SeaTac Community Center, the new YMCA, school programs, the city center planning area and the joint southend jail in Des Moines.

"You don't often get to hear thank yous," Gregerson-Dahle told lawmakers.
Former Councilman Michael Siefkes said he stated a Web site because of problems he saw in the city.

These include a $1 million overrun on fire station construction, a Public Disclosure Commission fine and no explanation on why City Manager Craig Ward may leave in December.

"If we had a strong mayor, there would be somebody accountable," Siefkes said.

Council critic Earl Gipson branded as false, claims that an elected mayor would be more expensive.

Noting that five of the seven council members live in the Angle Lake area, Gipson said, "A tight-knit community will lose a little and others will gain. It is time for the city to grow up and have an elected mayor."

Council candidate Pam Fernald added, ""We don't hire a professional president, we elect one. I, as an American, want to vote for who I want."

Following public comments, Mayor Ralph Shape remarked, "I'll be glad when this election is over."