Nickels announces next steps to revitalize Northgate
Draft Environmental Impact Statement published for a proposed rezone
SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels announced today the city of Seattle has taken the next step to revitalize Northgate and is seeking input to help shape Northgate's future. The public has until June 2 to provide comments on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed rezone of property in the north end of the Northgate Urban Center.
"This proposal helps transform Northgate into a vital urban center," Nickels said. "For the past decade, we have worked with the Northgate community to create a pedestrian-friendly destination with easy access to transit. Today, we're a little closer to that goal."
Northgate is one of six Urban Centers identified in Seattle's Comprehensive Plan. To create transit-oriented communities that encourage walking and biking, the centers are targeted to accept approximately 58 percent of Seattle's anticipated growth. The proposed Northgate Urban Center rezone achieves this goal by promoting mixed-use development and discouraging sprawl. It also aims to encourage development that will support the future Northgate Park, which is currently in the design and planning process. No single-family zones will be changed under this proposal.
Until recently, housing and job growth lagged at Northgate. Only 26 housing units were built between 2004 and 2007. Now, as a result of the city's Northgate Revitalization efforts, 710 units are currently under construction or permitted.
The draft EIS, published today examines three action options:
- No Action alternative;
- A Broad Area Rezone alternative of 98 acres of the total 211 acre Northgate Urban Center; and
- A Focused Rezone alternative covering approximately 49 acres in a more concentrated area.
The two rezone options propose to change some mid-rise residential zones to neighborhood commercial zoning, change some neighborhood commercial two (NC-2) zones to NC-3, and change some lowrise zones to the next higher lowrise designation. The proposals would also increase height limits.
Seattle is seeking public comment on the draft EIS submitted in writing through June 2, 2008 to:
Kristian Kofoed
City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development,
700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000
PO Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019
A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, in the Multipurpose Room at Northgate Community Center, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Community Center is located at 10510 Fifth Ave. N.E.
Download copies of the draft EIS, answers to frequently asked questions, and maps of the alternative zoning studied in the EIS from the Northgate Revitalization Website: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Northgate_Revitalization/Overview/
Hard copies of the Draft EIS are also available at the following locations: Seattle Central Library, the Northgate, Lake City and Northeast branch libraries, and the Northgate Community Center.
After the Public Comment Period, a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be completed along with Legislation for the rezone, which will then be submitted to the Seattle City Council for approval and adoption.
For more information about the project, contact:
Paul Fischburg, City of Seattle, Office of Policy and Management
For more information about the DEIS, contact:
Kristian Kofoed, Department of Planning and Development
Visit the mayor's Web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor's inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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