I support the use of micro-housing as an option for affordable housing for individuals who want to live close to where they work, or close to transit opportunities. With rents that can range from $500 to 900 a month, I think they are good alternatives for individuals who need a first apartment and can’t afford their own studio or one-bedroom, or for those who desire a smaller footprint.

Forty-eight micro-housing projects have been built since 2006, for a total of 2,100 micro units. Thirty of these are on Capitol Hill or in the University District. Capitol Hill residents, particularly, have voiced objections to the micro-housing trend, citing concerns about parking, density, and neighborhood character.

Currently, DPD is working on modifications to the land use code that would require more micro-housing projects to go through design review, define micro-unit buildings, and possibly create a new threshold for design review based on the size/square footage of the building, rather than the unit count. (This would ensure that micro-unit buildings be treated like apartment buildings of the same square footage.)

Creating a consistent unit count and applying design review consistent with an apartment building of similar size will provide a formal space for micro-unit buildings in the code and ensure that they are treated comparably to a similar apartment building.

I would like to see more structure and definition in place to make micro-housing work for Seattle neighborhoods, however. I want to focus on ways we can support housing options, rather than thwart them. Here are some of the things I’d like to see discussed and resolved to regulate their size, bulk, scale, location, and impact on the neighborhood:

1. ALL micro-housing units should be subject to design review and appropriate SEPA threshold review.
2. We must address the impact of micro-housing projects on residential parking. Creating a Restricted Parking Zone (with limited number of parking passes for the building) in the neighborhood would align with our current strategies, but I wonder too if more creative solutions might be on the horizon, as our city continues to work with transportation options. For example, perhaps it would be possible to require building participation in a program such as Car2Go, or other to-be-determined transportation alternatives.
3. Storage and pick up of trash, recycling, and garbage must be adequately addressed up during design conversations.
   I think we should consider appropriate neighborhood zones where micro-housing can be built. At a recent public hearing, once council central staffer suggested, and I agree, that additional conversations about low rise zone designations and how many units can go into them, are needed. (Perhaps a restricted number or height restriction would be appropriate).

I look forward to seeing the regulatory legislation that DPD plans to put forward later this year.

Note that another public hearing will occur at 6 p.m. May 6 on Capitol Hill. We haven’t nailed down a location yet, but if you keep an eye on the Planning, Land Use, and Urban Sustainability committee agenda page, you’ll see it announced.

The current parking area is not actually owned by Parks. Parks made a deal in 1977 with the property’s then-owner, Seattle Pacific University, that allowed Parks to use it for parking, and though that agreement expired long ago, the lot has been in use for Parks parking ever since.

But this summer, the property was sold by Seattle Pacific University to Aegis, who now intends to develop it for senior housing.

Happily, the new owners agreed to a land swap so that Parks could preserve parking for the Playfields.

We had a couple people ask how this deal related to Initiative 42, better known in legalese as Seattle’s Ordinance 118477. (In fact, the text of the Queen Anne Bowl Ordinance 117669, which we voted on yesterday, explicitly noted that it superseded I-42. More on that below.)

Because we’ll be reviewing more legislation early next year to transfer partial jurisdiction of Parks-owned land to SPU, for the placement of combined sewer overflow tanks (CSO), it seems a good time to review the basics of I-42, aka Ordinance 118477.

What is Initiative 42?

Initiative 42 was a citizen-generated petition circulated in 1996 that called for all lands and facilities held then or in the future by the city of Seattle for park and recreation purposes, whether designated as park, park boulevard, or open space, would be preserved for such use in the future.

The Initiative 42 effort got underway when the South Atlantic Street Community Association (SASCA) realized that a local undeveloped pocket park was at risk of being sold for development.  Not only did their efforts result in the passage of Ordinance 118477, they also got funding from the Department of Neighborhoods and the Pro Parks Levy and ultimately created the neighborhood gem, Bradner Gardens.

A council bill that made Initiative 42 law was adopted by the Seattle City Council in January of 1997, signed by the Mayor in February 1997 and took force in March 1997.

In the ordinance adopted by City Council, Parks land can’t be sold, transferred, or changed from park use to another use unless:

• The city holds a public hearing regarding the necessity of the transaction, and
• The city enacts an ordinance finding that the transaction is necessary because there is no reasonable and practical alternative, and
• The City receives land or a facility of equivalent or better size, value, location and usefulness in the vicinity, serving the same community and the same park purposes, in exchange.

As for why the Queen Anne Bowl Deal didn’t fall under I-42: Parks can recommend that certain ordinances supersede Initiative 42 when not all conditions of Ordinance 118477 are met but there’s a very compelling need for the sale or transfer of the land and the community affected supports the change.

In this instance, members of the Queen Anne Community Council expressed support for Parks, and attended the Parks and Neighborhoods committee meeting where the legislation was voted on to affirm their support for the deal.

The main points were that the Playfield had no other parking, and Parks, Aegis, and the community was concerned that on-street parking could become congested and dangerous. Parks didn’t have funding to acquire property in the area.

Aegis wanted to acquire approximately 4,935 square feet of the Playfield property in connection with its proposed retirement living project on its property north of the Playfield; and was willing to transfer approximately 5,650 square feet of the Third Avenue West Parking Lot that it owned to the City in exchange it. Both properties appraised and determined to be of equivalent size and value. But because the parks property wasn’t being used for parks or recreational purposes at the time, the transfer didn’t meet the requirements of Ordinance 118477.

Because of the unique opportunity to acquire needed parking for an active recreation area in exchange for property that is not needed for the active recreation area, DPR recommended the exchange even though the two properties do not serve the same park purpose, so Ordinance 118447 had to be superseded to permit the proposed transaction.

Building 9’s Forlorn History

When the federal government closed the Sand Point Naval Station in 1999, it deeded a number of buildings to the University of Washington. The UW has spent nearly $40 million to renovate 478,000 square feet since then, space that is used by UW researchers, art studios, a pediatric dentistry, and for a number of other University uses.

Educational facility?

The UW’s original vision for a renovated Building 9 was as a multi-purpose educational facility. Unfortunately the high cost of repairing the neglected 1929 colonial-revival style building, which had been kept in good shape until the mid-80s and then, let us say, placed on a deferred maintenance plan, proved prohibitory. The building has been sitting vacant for 13 years, deteriorating even more and starting to attract vandals and criminal activity, while the UW put $3 million into attempting to keep it maintained and secure. For example, components of the plumbing and electrical systems have been stolen, so the building currently has no power.

A new vision: Residential space

The UW approached the city about taking over the building or perhaps returning it to the federal government. After much discussion with Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and the Office of Housing (OH), as well as work with the community, the UW issued a Request for Qualifications and Concepts (RFQ/C) early this year to see if a private developer could redevelop the building as a residential structure. Portland-based developer Gerding Edlen was the successful respondent.

Market rate units

While there was some initial hope that the new units could be designated as senior or low-income housing, it turned out that with the high cost of renovating the structure, it simply wasn’t feasible for the developer to offer units at anything other than market rate. Most of them will be 2-bedroom units, and some 3-bedroom. Jill Sherman of Gerdling Edlin told us that the company hopes the units will attract families and that the proximity of Magnuson Park, Children’s Hospital, UW, and other amenities of the neighborhood make it an attractive area.

Here’s an overview of the actual legislation we’ll be looking at.

Council Bill 117605

Proposed by DPD and OH , Council Bill 117605 amends the Land Use Code to grant an exemption to the maximum number of dwelling units permitted in the Naval Station Puget Sound Sand Point Historic District Overlay.

Currently, a maximum number of 200 dwelling units are allowed within the overlay. This legislation would provide an exemption meaning these units would not count against the 200 cap, when the following conditions are met:

• They are developed after December 31, 2012.
• They are located within an existing structure that is listed as a “contributing” structure within the historic district.
• They are located within the portion of the overlay that is zoned lowrise 3 (also known as Subarea 3 on the map below).

The development of Building 9 as proposed by the UW and Gerdling Edlin would meet these conditions.

Resolution 31412: Changing the existing management plan

A companion resolution (Resolution 31412) proposes to change the 1997 Physical Development Management Plan for Sand Point, which did not anticipate residential uses of Building 9.

Learn more about the amendment on the Department of Planning and Development’s website, or watch the video of the November 5 public hearing on the legislation. (It’s only 11 minutes long!)

We voted to approve acquisition of property at 6311 California Avenue to double the size of Morgan Junction Park.

After Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams gave us his Superintendent’s Report, we looked at the following items. All the legislation that we voted on will be taken up by Full Council on September 24. That’s the same Full Council meeting that will receive the Mayor’s Budget and that includes a scheduled vote on the Arena MOU, so it’s likely to be a busy one.

Here’s what we did:
We voted to adopt Resolution 31384, which approves the composition of the Major Institution Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for Swedish Medical Center’s Cherry Hill Campus.  Formed as part of the Major Institutions and Schools program, CACs are designed to  provide a way for neighbors of Seattle’s Hospitals, Universities and Colleges to be directly involved in the development plans for those institutions to assure that neighborhood concerns are considered when those plans are made. All their meetings are open to the public. As you’ll see if you visit the link, the committee is comprised of 12 members, 5 of whom are considered “near neighbors.” There are also three alternates. The total applicant pool was 29.

We’ve had Parks Administrative office in the RDA Building at 800 Maynard South since 1998. Our lease was slated to expire in November, so after a review to ensure that the office space was still needed and within our price range, City staff negotiated a new seven-year lease that keeps the office rental flat for three years, and then escalates by inflation or 3%, whichever is less. We voted to approve Council Bill 117562, which authorizes the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to execute the lease agreement between the City and Fu Quan, LLC., the property owner. Here’s a presentation with a few highlights of the RDA Building Lease.

We held  C.B. 117587 which relates to jurisdiction and funding for the 14^th Avenue NW park in Ballard without discussion or a vote, pending some further investigation into the best way for Parks and SDOT (Seattle Department of Transportation) to collaboratively manage jurisdiction over the proposed park boulevard.

We voted to approve C.B. 117586, which authorizes acquisition of land that will expand West Seattle’s Morgan Junction park under the 2008 Parks and Green Space Levy. The Morgan Junction residential urban village had been identified as significantly underserved with open space, and this park, after it is developed, will double the size of Morgan Junction Park.

Finally, we voted to approve C.B. 117579, which transfers jurisdiction of the Sound Way property in the West Duwamish Greenbelt from the Department of Parks and Recreation to Seattle Public Utilities for maintenance, repair and operation of existing drainage facilities.

This has been an intense conversation, to say the least. And reaching a good result is a tight-rope act. We come together today wanting to find balance between the neighborhood’s wishes to preserve what we have, and the vision and needs for our future. We take into account the historic landmarks while also knowing that millions are being invested in a major transit hub. My goal is to honor the desires of the neighborhood of today while also preparing for the needs of a neighborhood 20 years from now.

Balance.

And with balance there is give and take.

For many months, we have listened. We have evaluated options. We have asked questions and heard answers. We have debated and discussed. And today we meet in Council Chambers, ready to decide.

To be honest, the Roosevelt decision has been challenging. I want to honor the hard work that so many have put forth over the years. I have met with many neighbors, repeatedly driven through the neighborhood, walked the high school halls and the sidewalks between 15th NE and Roosevelt, and heard what so many value. I have played out various scenarios trying to find a way to give everyone a win, while understanding that no group will get everything they want. Easier said than done.

Give and take.

The elements that are most important to me –and I believe most of the neighbors with whom I have spoken are these: a Greenway along 66th NE from NE 15^th connecting to Green Lake; widened sidewalks all around the “high school blocks;”reserved views of the high school; secure and predictable traffic flow; sufficient parking available under the new structures so that neighborhood parking is preserved; interesting design and construction incorporating stoops, stairways, and modulation in the design; more green space and public space around the buildings; family-sized units that are truly affordable. And finally, confirmation that Council wants to preserve the property east of NE 15^th at 40’ as well as the single family neighborhoods further east from there.

To obtain all of this, I am in favor of the 65’ height increase in the “high school blocks”. Originally, the developers were asking for significantly higher structures. Increased height might accomplish many of the city’s density goals, but would be unacceptable to the neighborhood. By contrast, limiting growth in the high school blocks to 40’ would not address the need for more families in and around our transit-oriented community. Neither would 40’ provide all the amenities for the neighborhood that neighbors want.

With the 65’ compromise, we can put development standards in place, and those standards will create setbacks, open space, and the pedestrian friendly community we all want. The Roosevelt neighborhood has referred to these principles time and time again. I want to insure that those values are honored and incorporated, and by increasing the heights in the high school blocks, we have more to work with, literally and figuratively.

I understand that many neighbors hoped the blocks by the high school could remain at 40’. Because of the advocacy of the neighborhoods, this proposal has evolved and, in my opinion, improved. Thankfully, we are at the point where the discussion has shifted solely from a debate about height to conversations focused on good design principles, enhancements on the ground, and the future of the neighborhood.

I expect the conversation to continue in good faith and an agreement reached between the developers and the interested neighbors. We expect to hear that agreement has been reached before a final full council vote is taken early in 2012. I will vote yes for a project only if the desired design elements are incorporated and honored. I will be watching, and applaud those who work to reach a solid and fair agreement.

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 sort of feedback that the Department of Planning & Development (DPD) are looking for. Check the video out here before moving on to the additonal information provided below.

DPD has a great overview of the Comprehensive Plan available online. Included in that overview is a public involvement plan that outlines the schedule for the public participation process, the methods and tools the department will use, and what materials and information will be produced and available for distribution as a result of that process.

There’s also a brief survey available on the site that allows users to rank and prioritize the goals driving the Comp Plan review and update. It takes about ten minutes to complete. The public’s contribution to these outreach efforts will influence the final decisions.

Help DPD  – and Seattle – plan ahead for the next twenty years. Share the links to the video, the public involvement plan, and the survey.

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 a great overview of the Comprehensive Plan available online. Included in that overview is a public involvement plan that outlines the schedule for the public participation process, the methods and tools the department will use, and what materials and information will be produced and available for distribution as a result of that process.

There’s also a brief survey available on the site that allows users to rank and prioritize the goals driving the Comp Plan review and update. It takes about ten minutes to complete. The public’s contribution to these outreach efforts will influence the final decisions. Please take the survey and share it!

Less asphalt, more green. (Credit to mapleleaflife.com for the photo)

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 intersection of 5th Avenue NE and NE 112th Street.

I’ll be speaking at the celebration, and I invite you to join me. Seattle Parks & Recreation has big plans for Saturday’s event:

Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Hubbard family, and the Northgate community dedicate the Hubbard Homestead Park on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 10 a.m. – noon.  The Parks and Green Spaces Levy provided the funding to transform this former park and ride lot, located at 11203 – 5^th Ave. NE, into a new 3.73 acre active green space for the urban Northgate neighborhood.  

The event begins with a spring egg hunt hosted by the Northgate Community Center, followed by music and family fun including basketball with local players. An official ribbon cutting with elected officials and the Hubbard family takes place at 11 a.m. Sound Steps, a community based walking program for adults 50 and older, will lead a walk after the ribbon cutting.  

The name Hubbard Homestead Park was chosen for the site and honors Harry Hubbard’s family, homesteaders who lived at the site from 1913 – 1968. The Hubbards learned to love and value nature, and with this name the city honors their commitment to environmental conservation. 

The park design draws on the site’s rich history and hydrological conditions. The park landscaping is young, but will grow to provide natural play in groves of trees at the northeast corner of the park and at the Hubbard homestead site. The park also includes a main lawn surrounded by meadow planting, a half basketball court, a hydro-seeded “wet meadow,” and a gateway plaza at 112^th Street and 5^th Avenue.  

The “wet meadow” offers a final natural bio-filtration for runoff and contributes to the health of Thornton Creek. The park paths help define and provide accessible connections to the main spaces within the park. The diagonal spring runnel that runs the length of the park represents the ‘blue streak’ which was the name of the first park and ride lot that occurred on this site.  

The art, created by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, intends to re-invent the site’s previous natural spring. The source stone is entitled “Mnemonic Spring” and the sculpture at 5^th Ave. NE is entitled “Cloud Chamber.” The artists will be at the opening with more information on the Greek myth-inspired work. 

Parks and Recreation and design consultant Mithun led an extensive public involvement process to determine the design for the new park. The 2008 Parks and Green Spaces levy provided $2.5 million dollars for the implementation of the park design, including the  skatespot that will be constructed in the southwest corner of the park. Construction is anticipated to be finished by late summer 2011. 

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 issues that are important to you. We’re bringing City Hall to you in an informal and accessible fashion.

Seattle Parks is asking for your input in determining the priorities for Seattle’s outdoor recreation and park needs.

We encourage you to participate by attending the upcoming meetings in March and by answering this quick survey.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Jefferson Community Center
3801 Beacon Ave S, 98108
7 – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Bitterlake Community Center
13035 Linden Ave N, 98133
7 – 8:00 p.m.