SquirePark.org

OPEN HOUSE - Rotary Boys and Girls Club

Alex Zankich — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:56:35 +0000

Rotary Boys and Girls Club
Invites you to an Alumni and Community Open House In celebration of National Boys and Girls Club Week

April 1, 2008 5:00-7:00pm
201 19th Avenue

ClubTours, Summer Registration

Design Review for 23rd and Union

joanna.cullen — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:56:41 +0000

Notice of Design Review Board Public Meeting
Downtown/Central Address: 2203 E UNION ST
Project: 3005925 Zone: ARTERIAL WITHIN 100 FT., NEIGHBOR CMRCL2-40′
PEDESTRIAN, URBAN VILLAGE OVERLAY
Notice Date: 03/17/2008

Contact: JAY JANETTE - (206)971-5693 x
Planner: Lisa Rutzick - (206)386-9049

The Director of DPD is convening the Design Review Board for its
recommendations.
MEETING

Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Yesler Community Center
917 E Yesler Way
Multi-Purpose Room

DPD Approves Swedish/Sabey Request for Master Plan Extension

Bill Zosel — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:23:27 +0000

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD), on February 28, issued a decision finding that the request by Swedish Medical Center to extend the expiration of the Providence Master Plan was a “minor amendment”. The effect of that decision is that the current Master Plan which, by its terms, was set to expire in 2009, now will be extended until August 2011.
The Squire Park Community Council wrote to DPD opposing the request for an extension. SPCC is concerned about the possibility that Swedish Medical Center and or the Sabey Corporation, the owners of the former Providence Campus, would continue the practice of Sabey in the last few years of proposing developments quite different from the developments authorized in the current Master Plan. DPD has authorized each of those proposals as “minor amendments”. The next area of development on the Providence campus will most likely be the east side of 18th Avenue. The current Providence MIMP authorizes a day care center and an inn serving patients’ families for that street. Sabey and Swedish have stated that they do not intend to develop a day care center and inn.
The DPD decision allowing the extension of the current Master Plan states that “(i)f the Hospital chooses to develop in a manner substantially different from that identified in the Master Plan, it would have to either propose a major amendment to the Plan, or draft a new master Plan.” (for the full decision: http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=291&NID=7566 and follow the link to “see interpretation”)
This language seems to set out a significant bar to any near-term new development on 18th Avenue that is much different in height, bulk, scale, and use than the day care or inn buildings.
Development that might be considered as part of a new Master Plan after the current one expires in 2011, will have to go through a more complete public and DPD review. The Citizens Advisory Committee for the campus has recently begun a discussion with the institution and with DPD on a long range vision for future (post 2011) campus development. All interested residents are encouraged to stay aware of the CAC meetings. See www.squirepark.org for a schedule of meetings, or sign up for the list service, squirepark@yahoogroups.com

23rd and Union Design Review Meeting March 5

Bill Zosel — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:23:44 +0000

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposal is for a six-story structure with a 91 residential units and 4,232 sq. ft. of commercial space at ground level. Parking for 95 vehicles to be provided below grade. Project includes a contract rezone from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 40 ft. height limit and pedestrian designation (NC2P-40) to Neighborhood Commercial 3 with a 65 ft. height limit and pedestrian designation (NC3P-65′).

PROCESS

The applicant has applied for Design Review related to development of this site. At the Design Review Board meeting the applicant will present information about the proposed design and how it responds to the Design Guideline priorities established at the Early Design Guidance Board meeting on June 27, 2007, regarding this site; the public may offer comments regarding the proposed design; and, the Design Review Board members will offer to the Director of the Department of Planning and Development their recommendations regarding the design.

MEETING

Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway
Room 3211

MORE INFORMATION

For more information regarding this application or the Design Review process, you may contact the Land Use Planner listed above.

ALSO, the developer has a Web site; www.jcmueller.com

Seattle U. Begins New Master Plan. Meet Feb. 13

Bill Zosel — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:08:14 +0000

The Department of Neighborhoods (DON) has announced the first formal meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) in the new Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) process of Seattle University. S.U. will be presenting the outlines of its plans for development for the next fifteen years. The University and the City Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will be listening to neighborhood concerns, comments, and ideas. Seattle U. is a major “developer” in the neighborhood and its development will have an impact on all of us. The CAC meeting is an important opportunity to learn more and be heard.

Meeting Date: Feb. 13, 5:30 P.M.
Place: Room 102, Bannan Bldg., Seattle U. Campus (Bannan is near the center of campus on the east edge of the lower mall)

12th Avenue Neighborhood Meeting

Bill Zosel — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:37:49 +0000

Please attend the 12th Avenue Neighborhood Meeting, February 11 at 5:45 P.M., Room 142 Teilhard de Chardin Hall, Seattle University. The agenda will include a presentation and discussion regarding the proposed mixed-use development at 12th and Cherry, and in particular the relationship of that development with the planned City park at 12th and James Ct. Seattle U., Barrientos LLC, and Hewitt Architects will present and discuss plans for James Ct. to be woonerf-like. Other items will be added to the agenda later. Check back for details.

Upcoming Events

Bill Zosel — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:33:19 +0000

Squire Park Community Council monthly board meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, 7:00 P.M., Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center

Help Advocate For Improved Development Rules

Bill Zosel — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:18:11 +0000

NEXT MEETING TO CONSIDER LAND USE CODE CHANGES will be February 5, at 5:30 at the office of the Central Area Development Association (CADA) on 23rd Ave. at S. Jackson St.

The Land Use committee of the Squire Park Community Council is advocating before the City Council for Land Use rules that could help improve development and preserve homes. The following is a summary, written by Ann Schuessler, of thoughts on several specific issues and possible solutions that might be included in the revisions the City proposes to make to the Land Use Code for Multifamily zones (MF). This is a more detailed description of some of the issues of the conversation planned for the January 12 SPCC quarterly meeting with Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. (See the January 2008 SPCC Newsletter story elsewhere on this Web site.)

The following is the updated version discussed at the January 12 SPCC quarterly meeting:

January 12, 2007

Squire Park Community Council

Re: Recommendations to DPD regarding changes to the MF Zoning regulations. For the complete DPD proposal see: (http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/Multifamily_Code_Update/Overview/)

Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development has issued recommended changes to the Multi-Family Zoning regulations. Overall, these new recommendations do not adequately address/improve the likelihood that new development will:
1. Preserve existing housing stock
2. Create smaller, more affordable living units
3. Create aesthetically pleasing building designs that reflect the character and texture of a vibrant neighborhood.

Following are suggestions that we hope would lead to more affordable, varied, attractive housing and contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhood:

Incentives to Preserve Existing Housing Stock In MF Zones
Reasons to preserve existing housing stock:
1. Resistance to new development is generally a result of large, ugly structures replacing older buildings that are perceived to have some character (i.e., visual interest, texture, appropriate scale, etc).
2. Providing incentives for property owners to create or preserve small apartments in existing large old homes will keep some of the character of older buildings and still allow for new developments.
3. Large old houses can be converted into several smaller apartments or condominiums.
4. Smaller units generally are less expensive than larger units.
5. More units(if they are small and affordable) does not necessarily mean more cars
In higher density areas, people are more likely to use mass transit and not have a car at all.

Possible Incentives to Preserve Existing Housing Stock:
Increase the density limit in the L-1 & L-2 zones. Keeping this cap at current levels encourages larger units and does nothing to reduce height, bulk, & scale of new units. Allow additional housing units? a density bonus with the following stipulations:
a) The added units are in or detached from an existing home/duplex/triplex
b) The added units are less than 700 square feet (each)
c) Waive the parking requirements for any existing and new units on a lot that preserves existing housing stock. Most developers will try to provide off street parking anyway? they can sell their units for more money.
d) Energy & Water conservation standards for new units to be designed to be better than current code by X%.

Incentives for New Construction in MF Zones
1. Increase the density limit in the L-1 & L-2 zones. Keeping this cap encourages larger units and does nothing to reduce height, bulk, & scale of new units. Allow 1 more unit than the current level? a density bonus with the following stipulations:
a) Additional unit to be 800 square feet or less.
b) No parking required or provided for the additional unit.
c) All units to be built to LEED or Built Green 4 Star Standards or equivalent standards.

2. Reduce the parking requirements. For example, if 6 units are to be built on a site, reduce the parking requirement to 5?increasing the likelihood that one of the units will sell for less and be more affordable for someone who doesn’t want a car.

3. Allow for clustered parking under multiple units. This will encourage parking on the alley side of a property and put ground level housing on the front of the lot.

4. Allow modified accessory dwelling units in townhouses. Current townhouse designs usually include three stories of housing with plumbing on each floor; most townhouse buyers are single people or childless couples. It would be relatively easy and unobtrusive to modify one level of many townhouses to create a small studio apartment. No additional entry would be required.

Allowing this sort of ADU would help make housing more affordable and provide a flexible option for single adults who want to share ownership of a home but would like more privacy than a typical shared housing arrangement.

For more information or to get involved, contact:
Bill Zosel: Wmzosel@aol.com
Ann Schuessler: aschuessler@rafn.com

Rotary Boys And Girls Club NBA Alumni

Tenaya Wright — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:45:53 +0000

For Rotary Boys & Girls Club Style alums Aaron Brooks, Rodney Stuckey, and Marcus Williams, the NBA dream became a reality on June 28, 2007. Aaron Brooks was drafted by the Houston Rockets; Rodney Stuckey wears the blue and red of the Detroit Pistons, and Marcus Williams is now a member of the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.

Each is still adjusting to life in the NBA. The long days of travel, the intense competition, and the pressure to perform at a peak level day-in and day-out can be difficult.
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Citizen’s Advisory Committee Hard At Work

Tenaya Wright — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:43:51 +0000

Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill Campus, located in Seattle’s historic Central District, Citizen’s Advisory Committee: The name is a mouthful, but the truth is that your Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) has been operating for two years now, trying to help guide development at what most of us still know as “Providence Hospital.”

As you can read most any day in the paper, the business of medicine is changing and it is changing at Providence as much as anywhere. You are probably aware that Swedish Hospital bought Providence some years ago: they recently renamed it “Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill Campus, located in Seattle’s historic Central District” (or SMC/Cherry Hill for short). What you may not know is that SMC has sold about half of its campus buildings to a developer, Sabey Corporation. Where all of this gets tricky from the point of the CAC, is that SMC and Sabey are trying to continue to develop the campus under the Major Institutional Master Plan (MIMP) developed by the Sisters of Providence 13 years ago, even though SMC/Sabey are on record stating that they do not intend to build much, if any, of what is called for in that plan. Interesting times, indeed!
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