SHO Update April 2021

Shoreline Neighbors,

This Update is again about the East Lake Sammamish Trail.  As explained in our recent Updates, this will likely directly impact you (not somebody else’s problem) so please read carefully.

By way of brief background, King County Parks is now treating the rail corridor as “public land” and is intent on requiring removal or charging rent for any “encroachments”, as they call them, (gardens, parking, etc.) anywhere within its entire width.  Parks also intends to require Special Use Permits (SUPs) and fees for the right to cross the rail corridor with our vehicles to get to our homes.

The county’s right to do this must be challenged, and the law firm SHO is working with is in the process of developing a legal strategy, but it would not be prudent to broadcast that strategy in one of these Updates.  However if legal action is taken, rest assured we will let you know.

Meanwhile, if you are being pressured by the county to apply for a SUP or sign some other legal document related to the ELST that contains conditions you find unacceptable, SHO has some suggestions for how to respond.  Please email SHO at sho5.org@gmail.com to obtain this guidance.  Note that we must verify the address of your residence or affected property when doing so.

Very important request:

If you have been pressured by the county to comply with requirements concerning the rail corridor that you find unreasonable – to continue an existing use, to obtain permission to cross it, waiving your claim of ownership, etc. – SHO wants to know about it.  Please get in touch via sho5.org@gmail.com and tell us your story.  We will happily get back to you by phone if you prefer talking to typing.

Finally, repeating our appeal, here are other things you can do:

• Inform your neighbors about this and tell them to go to SammamishHomeOwners.org and get on SHO’s email list.  Not everyone is on it, and not everyone reads these emails.  We need to rally the community.
• Become a “neighborhood captain” to help SHO communicate with your nearby neighbors
• Donate to the SHO legal fund.  A $500 standard donation is requested, but a larger amount will certainly not be declined.  Make check payable to Sammamish Homeowners.  See mailing address below.  (Please include your email address.)
• Consider becoming a SHO board member; contact SHO to find out what is involved.
• Offer your help in preparing mailings and other SHO efforts

SHO Board of Directors

Mail SHO at:

Sammamish HomeOwners

167 E Lk Sammamish Sh Ln NE

Sammamish, WA 98074