June 24 marked the public debut of Clearwater Commons, a 16-unit zero-discharge development along North Creek in Bothell.

READ KATHY FLETCHER'S 6/25/09 BLOG ON VISITING CLEARWATER COMMONS HERE.

Clearwater Commons  is located at 1415 196th St SE, Bothell

The Clearwater School is located at 1510 196th St SE; Bothell

According to developer Tom Campbell | 206.919.7449:

"The Clearwater Commons and Clearwater School are celebrating the approval of a major 16-unit low impact development and the commencement of a stream restoration project along ¼ mile of environmentally-sensitive North Creek. 

Snohomish County has given its approval to a unique project that has been 3 years in the making.  The Clearwater Commons is the first project of its kind to use comprehensive low impact development methods, intentional community values, innovative green building techniques, and environmental improvements based on the restoration of North Creek, an important endangered salmon habitat. 

The Clearwater Commons and Clearwater School are also partnering with Snohomish County Surface Water Management on a significant restoration of North Creek at the development site.  The ¼ mile of salmon habitat – named the Clearwater Reach of North Creek site is considered one of the best opportunities to restore salmon habitat in south Snohomish County.  Engineering design and noxious weed removal has begun pending the placement of instream structures and native plantings in the upcoming year.  Grants have been received from Snohomish County and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the restoration.  The School and Commons have pledged substantial volunteer hours to the project already. 

The Clearwater Commons is a deep green project based on building a community through a commitment to sustainable values in support of growth management through denser communities in urban areas; in support of climate change through reduced carbon emissions and native plantings; in support of salmon through the cooperative restoration of a ¼ mile of North Creek; and, in support of education by engaging the community in cooperative learning by providing a model of how new communities can develop.  “Deep Green” is a term that signifies going beyond traditional green building methods and involves the long-term commitment to sustainable environmental values and action. 

The Clearwater Commons is also unique by being situated next to the Clearwater School, an innovative democratic school for kids ages 4-19.  Many of the kids at the Clearwater Commons attend the Clearwater School supporting the value of integrated living and learning in a natural environment.

Background on Project:

• Low impact development - 16 Units at 1600 sq ft; 8 families/investors.  6 units pre-sold; 10 units remaining.
• Site construction; Summer 2009; Buildings Fall, 2009.
• Expected price per unit approximately $500,000.
• 7.4 acre site; 2.3 acres developed; 5.1 acres in native growth protection area and restoration.
• Common House: 2500 sq ft central place for meetings, community projects.   
  

Natural Environment – Site:
Low Impact Development – following Puget Sound Action Teams LID manual – will result in complete on-site stormwater management.  Stormwater management plan will emulate a natural forest/wetland habitat.

LID Techniques:

• Minimal road width – 20’ public road width minimizes impervious surfaces
• Raingardens – used for stormwater pollutant removal and as a retention facility
• Pin foundations – to minimize on-site disturbance and more closely mimic natural subsurface water flow paths
• Green roofs – minimizes stormwater runoff from rooftops
• Rain water catchment –minimize stormwater runoff
• Permeable paving at parking and main pedestrian walkways – allows for onsite infiltration.
• Small building footprints (800 sf footprint with additional 280 sf of deck) – minimizes site impacts.
• Native drought tolerant plantings – minimizes irrigation use, sustains native fauna.

Stream Restoration Project:

• Comprehensive streamside restoration along ¼ mile of North Creek draining into Lake Washington
• North Creek is an important spawning area for endangered Chinook salmon and includes sockeye and trout – spawning in the early fall. 
• Built in stages with noxious weed control, placement of large woody debris and in-stream structures.
• Planting of native plants.
• Ongoing maintenance and restoration. 

Other community site goals:

• Pedestrian friendly site
• Native plant nursery
• Community spaces
  • Entrance arbor and notice board
  • Common house - meeting area
  • Shared work shop and storage
  • Recreation storage building at parking area
  • Community garden area and shed
  • Play areas
  

PROJECT TEAM

• Developer:  Clearwater Commons LLC – Tom Campbell
• Architecture and Site planning: Banyon Tree Design Studio – Chad Port
• Landscape Design: Banyon Tree Design Studio – Lisa Port
• Civil Engineer: 2020 Engineering – Mark Buehrer
• Wetland Biologist: Watershed Company – Jennifer Creveling
• Steam Restoration: Snoco Surface Water Management – Sara Mueller, Frank Leonetti, Scott Moore
• Transportation: Transportation Eng. NW LLC – Jeff Schramm
• Surveying:  ESM Consulting Engineers – Gary Lewis Consultants
• GC/Estimating: Odyssey Builder, Inc – Dave Crocker
• Solar:  Puget Sound Energy – Jeremy Smithson
• Green Roofs: Hadj Design – Patrick Carey