Sponsoring some 26 walking events, including marching in the Fremont Solstice
Parade, Crosswalk Actions in Pike Pine and Fuhrman Avenue, Walking Sidewalk Debates
in Northwest and Northeast Seattle, three nature walks, a New Westlake Trail Guided
Tour, and an Uptown Stroll featuring the new Walking Uptown map.
Pedestrian Summer received the 2003 Institute of Transportation Engineers’
Pedestrian Project Award for Partnership. It also received a “Notable Nomination”
for the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Award to Partnership Projects
for Walking and Bicycling.
I intend to follow up on Pedestrian Summer with more campaigns to promote pedestrian
and bicycle safety and access. Next month I will preview my proposed Legislative Agenda
for Pedestrians in Seattle.
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NORTHGATE: 5th AVENUE, DESIGN GUIDELINES, COUNCIL PROPOSAL
On August 28, the Council unanimously adopted the design plan for the 5th Avenue
Main Street. This is the next step in realizing the community's vision for transforming
5th Avenue NE into a key pedestrian corridor for the Northgate Urban Center.
On October 6, the Council then adopted new Design Guidelines for the Northgate area.
In a key vote that may presage future votes on Northgate issues, five Councilmembers
(Conlin, Licata, Nicastro, Steinbrueck, Wills) voted to restore language stating
“The creation or simulation of an urban street grid is an important design consideration,
and creating interior block pedestrian connections through sites and to the surrounding
street system is a critical element of an improved pedestrian environment.” This
recognizes that the superblock configuration has led to transportation bottlenecks
and poor pedestrian access, and encourages reconfiguring properties such as the Mall
to create a more pedestrian friendly environment and a better transportation grid.
Such actions are a core element in successful urban design, and have been incorporated
in the redevelopment of many formerly auto-oriented shopping centers.
Northgate citizens and design professionals have supported this concept for years.
After private meetings with the owners of the Mall and Metro, the Mayor’s Office chose
not to support this language, and heavily lobbied the Council to keep it out of the
Design Guidelines. Councilmembers Drago, McIver, and Pageler opposed restoring the
community developed language, although Councilmember Drago joined the Council majority
in voting for final passage of the Guidelines as amended.
I continue to work on developing a legislative package that will take the next
steps in implementing the Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan, and plan to make my
proposals public in the near future.
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BED AND BREAKFASTS IN SEATTLE
On Monday, September 22, the Council unanimously passed an ordinance permitting
the establishment of new Bed-and-Breakfasts (up to three rooms) in Seattle single-family
zones.
I introduced the ordinance at the request of a Jarilyn Rust, a prospective proprietor
who was stymied by current code restricting B-and-B's to multi-family areas. The proposed
change received support from a wide range of people as well as organizations such as the
Southwest District Council and the Lake City Chamber of Commerce.
The owners of existing B-and-B’s raised some concerns, noting that this is a difficult
economic time for the hospitality industry. However, for that very reason, developments
pursuant to this legislation will likely be modest until the next tourism boom. There
are only some 150-200 rooms in Bed-and-Breakfast establishments in Seattle, a low number
for a city of our size and tourist appeal. I am in favor of encouraging more small
businesses in Seattle, and I am reluctant to adopt a 'protectionist' attitude that uses
the Land Use Code to artificially limit entry.
Bed-and-Breakfasts are a wonderful part of a hospitality sector, and this legislation
should encourage their growth and development in Seattle.
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SEATTLE UNIVERSITY ALLEY VACATION AND 12TH AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD
On Monday, October 6, the Council unanimously approved legislation accepting a
development plan for a bookstore and housing development proposed by Seattle University
at 12th and Cherry and granted the alley vacation associated with it.
The Council action included substantial revisions to the original development plan,
primarily to orient the building more strongly towards 12th Avenue and foster the
pedestrian environment there, and to lessen the impact of the development on the
surrounding residences.
The Council also agreed to a proposal I sponsored in response to neighborhood
requests, which provides that Seattle University will dedicate $150,000 in public
benefit funds to the neighborhood. These funds will be reserved for the development
of a Neighborhood Cultural Center, open space, or pedestrian improvements in that
priority order, with the neighborhood having two years to come up with a development
plan for its first preference, the Cultural Center. The proposal was approved by a
vote of 6 (Conlin, Drago, Licata, McIver, Nicastro, Wills) to 2 (Pageler, Steinbrueck).
The opponents did not support giving the neighborhood the opportunity to develop the
Cultural Center.
In addition to paying the City the actual value of the land, private developments
that acquire (vacate) public right-of-way must also provide compensation (“public benefit”)
for the loss of open space, air, and light in the neighborhood. The $150,000 represents
a compromise between the $225,000 the neighborhood requested and the original proposal
of Seattle University for $75,000 plus some minor street improvement work. Unfortunately,
there is not a clear standard for how to put a cash value on “public benefit”, so it
is hard to compute an appropriate amount. This uncertainty is a problem for both
developers and communities that are being impacted. In 2004, I plan to develop
legislation that provides clear policy direction on this, in consultation with affected
parties, SDOT, and the Design Commission.
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HILLMAN CITY COMMUNITY ORCHARD
On Monday, September 15, the Council unanimously approved legislation I sponsored
to acquire property in Hillman City for a community fruit orchard. This will be a
unique addition to Seattle’s P-Patch (Community Garden) program.
The property is a small lot that was repossessed by King County in the 1930’s for
nonpayment of taxes. King County proposed selling this property last year. Neighbors
wanted to acquire it for a community garden, and Councilmember Dwight Pelz secured
approval to make the 2500 square foot lot available to the City for only $2,000.
The neighborhood decided to develop an orchard that could be collectively cultivated
rather than dividing it up for individual plots, and the property was cleaned and planted
using a Small and Simple Grant from the Department of Neighborhoods.
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DUWAMISH SLUDGE DUMPING AVERTED
Last month I reported on concerns raised by Councilmember Heidi Wills and me over
a proposal to allow 70,000 cubic yards of sediment containing toxic substances from
the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site, located in the City of Seattle, to be
disposed of at an underwater site located in Commencement Bay. We noted that
representatives of the Seattle environmental community had raised concerns, the
Tacoma City Council was opposed, and that underwater disposal of contaminated sediments
may be a questionable way of cleaning up Superfund sites, perhaps only leading to
further expensive cleanups in the future if something goes wrong with the capping and
containment of the site.
On Thursday, September 11, King County announced that it was withdrawing the
proposal, faced with the likelihood that the USEPA would not approve the proposed
dumping. I am pleased with this decision, and very much appreciate the efforts of
the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, and other environmental
groups in alerting us to the concerns about this proposal.
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THE GREENEST CITY HALL EVER
Seattle’s new City Hall received rave reviews from those who toured it at the
official opening last month. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the building, which will
become an even better space with the demolition of the old building and completion
of the 4th Avenue entrance and plaza next year.
The building truly reflects the deeply felt environmental values of the people
of Seattle. It connects people to the outdoors with natural light and views, conserves
energy and water, protects precious resources, uses recycled materials, and creates
healthy spaces for people. It is designed to last for a hundred years, and will be
certified to meet or exceed the Silver Standard of the US Green Building Council.
All new and major remodel projects over 5,000 square feet are required to meet this
standard under the City’s Sustainable Building Policy, embodied in Resolution 30121,
introduced by Councilmember Heidi Wills and approved unanimously by the Council in
February, 2000. As a member of the City Hall Client Group, I had already secured
agreement for City Hall to meet these standards, and strongly supported Councilmember
Wills in extending this to all City projects.
Among the key elements of the sustainable design are high efficiency water
chillers, an underfloor air supply system, high-efficiency lighting, a green roof
that absorbs rainwater, a rainwater collection cistern that will be used for watering
plants and flushing toilets, light shielding to reduce light pollution, extensive use
of recycled content materials, and a host of other elements. You can get more detail
at
http://www.cityofseattle.net/sustainablebuilding
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QUOTE:
"Do not try to satisfy vanity by teaching a great many things. Awaken people's
curiosity. It is enough to open minds; do not overload them. Start a spark;
if there is some good, flammable stuff it will catch fire."
-- Anatole France
DEEP THOUGHT:
“Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.”
-- Anonymous
Citizen participation and
engagement are critical for maintaining democracy --
fostering it is a key task of elected officials. It's my
hope that this newsletter will inform you about issues,
inspire you to get involved, and that together we can
make things work better in this great city. Please send
me your feedback, so we can keep things lively, interesting, and
useful. And please forward it along to friends who might be
interested.
Richard Conlin
Your Seattle City Councilmember
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