I’ve toured several micro-housing units (none that the neighbors have described as substandard) and I’m impressed by the possibilities. Mostly they are small rooms (between 150 and 200 square feet) that have private bathrooms, a mini-refrigerator and a microwave grouped around a full kitchen and shared dining area. There might be seven or eight rooms [...]

Yesterday Council voted to approve legislation (Ordinance 117669) that swapped a parcel of parks-owned land for a strip of land owned by Aegis on Queen Anne, to ensure that Parks could continue to provide parking for the Queen Anne Bowl Playfields. The current parking area is not actually owned by Parks. Parks made a deal [...]

At the upcoming special November 20, 11 a.m. Parks and Neighborhoods Committee meeting, we will discuss proposed legislation – a council bill and a resolution – that address the Sand Point Overlay. While the legislation is specific to Subarea C (see map), Building 9 will be discussed because it falls within this area. Building 9’s [...]

Yesterday was our last committee meeting before our annual 6-week plunge into the budget, so we had a longer agenda than usual.  Councilmembers Godden and Conlin joined me at the table this week. You can see the Seattle Channel video of the whole meeting here. After Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams gave us his Superintendent’s Report, we [...]

I want to commend the efforts of the Roosevelt neighborhood. At a time when we hear “NIMBY” tossed about so flippantly, these neighbors did exactly what we wanted of them, and what we asked of them. They created a Neighborhood Plan, accepting–even enhancing–growth and density in Roosevelt, not fighting it. I extend a genuine and [...]

I’ve posted this reminder before, but here’s a new push to remind people that the decisions the city makes now will have great implications in the future. We need your thoughts on updating Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan – the vision for how Seattle will evolve over the next two decades. There’s a great YouTube video that explains the purpose of the Comp Plan and directs [...]

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is updating Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan – the vision for how Seattle will evolve over the next two decades. A population increase of 20% is predicted, and the City needs to plan on how best to improve opportunities in housing and business and provide for public services. DPD has [...]

I’m excited for the official opening of Hubbard Homestead Park, which takes place this Saturday from 10am to noon. The project converted an existing 3.73 acre parking lot into a new urban park – it used to be the site of the former “Blue Streak” King County Northgate Park and Ride Facility, located at the [...]

Sally Clark and I have booked our second coffee chat for 2011, and we’re on the road to Pinehurst tomorrow morning. Join us from 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. at the Starbucks inside Pinehurst Safeway for coffee and conversation. Grab a cup of joe or a pastry and come talk with us about the city [...]

Seattle Parks and Recreation is planning its acquisition and development projects for the upcoming six years and identifying the demands, needs and priorities in a park development plan. The latest plan, the Seattle Parks and Recreation 2006 Development Plan, is being updated and it is anticipated that this 2011 Plan will be completed by the [...]