Dear editor,

On April 8, the city of Kirkland received an application for permission to create a seaport at Carillon point. On May 9, the permit was deemed complete. The city already says they expect to issue a DNS (determination of non-significance) which is a green light to proceed with this project without an environmental impact statement. Really? This is our city and our environment and we have no say? I would like to remind readers about the as yet unbuilt Potala [Village] project at 1Oth and Lake Street was issued a DNS four-plus years ago with no public input. The public outcry against the Planning Department caused the city to revise and an environmental impact was required.

Finally, the city council rezoned the property to mollify the citizens of this city. Did the planners forget this Potala debacle? By the way, if you intended to have any say with the city planners who will recommend what the city will do, you have already missed the deadline of June 20. What is the rush? It is abundantly clear the the city has not allowed sufficient time for Kirkland citizens to absorb this proposal, debate it and have input.

Let us look at this issue from the residents’ point of view. Many people who live on or Lake Washington do so for specific reasons such as beauty, peace and solace from the workaday world. Others who picnic, swim or boat might like some also.

As I read the letters to the media and talk to citizens the main issue seems to be noise. Since I also live adjacent to the lake, I also hear the day to day sounds of pleasure boats. cruisers, swimmers and paddle boarders. But I certainly do not equate this happy noise with the sound of aircraft taking off under full power time after time since the noise drowns out all else. This proposal will allow moorage for planes and more than a few businessmen flying out of Carillon point. These planes will be sightseeing aircraft and will certainly proliferate. Under the present and expiring agreement planes have now begun to be more frequent and will likely be larger aircraft finally. This planes, if allowed, can also present a threat to slower moving boats and watercraft, swimmers, etc. Consider the hazard of Blue Angels traffic for example.

Lastly, Lake Union has a float plane harbor and is close at hand for business people and sightseers. Before we turn our city into a commercial haven for planes, let’s stop and consider. This proposal is extremely rushed and without addressing our citizens wishes.

J.F.Rogers, Kirkland