NEDC Announcements

May 6, 2004

 

 

 

1.       UW Lease Lid Meeting:  May 20, 5:30-7 p.m., Bertha Knight Landes Room, City Hall.  Councilmembers Jan Drago and Nick Licata have scheduled a meeting to get issues and ideas about the UW lease lid on the table.  Mary Jean Ryan from the Mayor’s Office and Theresa Doherty from the UW have been invited to participate, along with three representatives from CUCAC and three representatives from the Petitioner group in the matter pending before the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board.  The purpose of the meeting is to hear outcomes supported and what each party recommends with respect to the lease lid.  The meeting is an open public meeting and anyone interested is invited to attend.  A facilitator will keep the meeting moving and keep folks on topic.  CUCAC and the Petitioners will be given 15 minutes each to frame their issues and suggested outcomes (they can have one rep speak for the full time or divide the time among the three reps).  Following this we will move into a discussion exploring the issues. 

 

2.       Changing the Character of Neighborhood Business Districts:  Six workshops follow the April open house unveiling the Mayor’s strategy for neighborhood business districts.  The idea is to implement tools to support pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities that provide housing, jobs and goods and services.  Sounds good, but what has not been said is that the proposals involve such things as reducing the parking requirement for business districts and allowing off-site parking for businesses and multi-family housing.  Reducing the open space requirement—decks and roof gardens—would reduce developer costs.  Rather than reduce this requirement, another option is to require the open space at ground level.  But, that—and other ideas to protect neighborhood business districts—will not move forward if you do not get involved.  Attend the workshop geared towards Ravenna, the University District, Roosevelt, Wallingford and Greenlake on Monday, June 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the John Stanford International School, 4057 5th Avenue NE.  For further information, contact Jory Phillips at 206-386-9761 or jory.phillips@seattle.gov.

 

3.       Duplexing Single-Family Neighborhoods:  The City Council will soon be considering a proposal to authorize detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) throughout the city in single-family zones.  Neighbors can expect conversion of garages into detached units and conversion of space above garages.  Just last year, the Council passed legislation authorizing subdivision of single-family lots containing more than one dwelling unit, resulting in substandard lots that do not conform to development standards.  The pressure for increased density continues with no regard to the impacts upon neighborhoods.  To read the detached ADU proposed ordinance and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) director’s report go to www.seattle.gov/DCLU/CodeDev/HousingChoices/dadu.asp.  Share your views on this proposal with Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, chair of the Urban Development and Planning Committee (peter.steinbrueck@seattle.gov), Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of the Housing Committee (tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov) and all other councilmembers.  For further information, contact Jory Phillips of DPD at jory.phillips@seattle.gov.

 

4.       Public Hearing to Establish an Alcohol Impact Area in the U District:  Tuesday, May 11, 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.  The Seattle City Council's Housing, Human Services & Health Committee will hold a public hearing on two new proposed voluntary alcohol impact areas in the City's central core and in the University District.  Alcohol Impact Areas are designed to address the problem of chronic public inebriation through limitations on certain types of alcohol sales.  The City has one AIA in the Pioneer Square area.  In the U District, the AIA would extend from Latona Avenue NE east to 15th Avenue NE, and from NE Northlake Way north to NE 60th Street and NE Ravenna Boulevard.

 

The committee is expected to vote on the proposal May 18 and send it to the full Council.  If approved by the Council, communities within the boundaries of the proposed AIAs will begin working with all off-premise liquor licensees (such as grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, etc. that sell but do not serve alcohol) to develop "Good Neighbor Agreements."

 

These voluntary “Good Neighbor Agreements” describe business practices and outline certain restrictions to improve so-called neighborhood livability.  They may include restricting the hours of alcohol sales, removing high alcohol content/low cost beverages, and not selling single cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages.  The Washington State Liquor Control Board has mandated that voluntary efforts must be tried for at least six months. At the end of that period, if voluntary compliance is not achieved, the Mayor and City Council may ask that the Liquor Control Board make restrictions mandatory. In Pioneer Square, mandatory restrictions on the sale of alcohol took effect last September.  For further information, contact Mike Fong at 206-684-8808 or mike.fong@seattle.gov or Martin Munguia at 206-684-8159 or martin.munguia@seattle.gov.

 

5.       Seattle Public Utilities Speakers Available.  Many new and innovative things are happening at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) that affect basic utility services provided to Seattle citizens.  SPU staff are available to meet with the members of your organization to discuss some of the changes and innovations relating to the following:

·          Asset Management

·          Cedar Water Supply Treatment

·          Reservoir Covering

·          Mandatory Recycling

 

SPU welcomes the opportunity to connect with groups and individuals in its broad service area to discuss these and other issues regarding water, solid waste and drainage services.  Presentations, including questions and answers would take about 20 to 30 minutes.  For further information, contact Ernie Dunston at 206-684-5951 or ernie.dunston@seattle.gov.

 

6.       NAMI 5K Walk:  May 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE.  The purpose of this 5K walk is to raise awareness about mental illness and recovery.  The event will benefit the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.  For further information, contact NAMI Greater Seattle at 206-783-9264 or waminami@qwest.net or go to www.nami-greaterseattle.org.

 

7.       Ravenna Park Ravine Trails Projects:  May 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m.-2:20 p.m.  Brush trails, resurface unstable trails and help with installation of new trails structures.  For further information, contact Jacobo Jimenez at 206-684-0598 or jacobo.jimenez@seattle.gov.

 

8.       U District Clean-Up:  Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m.-noon.  Meet at the University Heights Community Center, The Ave and NE 50th.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with bagels, doughnuts, coffee and fruit.  Free T-shirts to the first 100 volunteers.  Bring your family, friends and neighbors.  There will be a free picnic lunch at noon following the clean-up.  For further information, call 206-545-3402 or 206-545-5950.

 

9.       Promontory Point Habitat Enhancement Work Parties:  Work parties that will involve planting native plants for habitat enhancement at Magnuson Park’s Promontory Point are scheduled on May 9 and 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Meet at the Education Pavilion.  Enter at NE 65th Street and drive east to the boat launch parking lot.  Look for the yellow “VOLUNTEER” banner.  Special work parties may be scheduled for 5 or more volunteers!  For further information or to volunteer, contact Bonnie Miller, the volunteer site manager at 206-524-8713 or bmiller@serv.net.

 

10.   Comp Plan Workshop on Transportation:  May 12 from 7-9 p.m. in the Bertha Landes Room in City Hall, building entrance on 600 block of Fifth Avenue between Cherry and James Streets.  Comment at the workshop or submit written comments on changes to Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan by May 28.  If you have questions or would like additional information, call the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) at 206-233-0079 or go to www.seattle.gov/DCLU/Planning/comprehensive/CPupdate.htm.  To receive a copy of recommendations and notification of public hearing dates, call the number above or email the City's Comprehensive Plan staff at compplan@seattle.gov, to be placed on the Comprehensive Plan mailing list.

 

11.   Shop to Make a Difference at University Village:  Save money on purchases while raising money for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center!  Simply stop by the Village May 14-16 and purchase a Shop to Make a Difference savings card for $20.  Cards can be purchased from one of the Fred Hutchinson volunteers located in tented booths throughout the Village and all money collected will go directly to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  Then present the card to participating merchants who will give you 20% off purchases made May 14-16.  Participating shops include Butch Blum, Miller-Pollard, The Body Shop, Ravenna Gardens and many more!  For further information, contact U Village at 206-523-0622 or go to www.uvillage.com/events.

 

12.   Home Show and Tour for First Time Home Buyers:  May 14-16, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way.  Featuring interior design concepts, educational seminars, and a mock "Trading Spaces" competition.  For further information, contact Function Artistic Events at 206-283-8368 or go to www.functionevent.com/#. 

 

13.   Roosevelt High School All School Reunion:  The Roosevelt High School Foundation invites you to one last look at Roosevelt High School, entertainment, mini-reunions, a complimentary BBQ, and more fun—all on May 15, 1410 NE 66th Street.

·          10 a.m. Former and current staff reception, Library

·          10 a.m. Golden Grad reception, Lunchroom

·          11:30 a.m. Golden Grad luncheon, Lunchroom

·          11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. All School Reunion

·          Time schedule for your class gathering:

11 a.m.: ’50s and ’60s

12 noon: ’70s

1 p.m.: ’80s,’90s, and ’00s

·          12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Barbecue—Complimentary hot dogs, chips, and beverages!

·          For Adults Only—The Last Dance in the Old Gym—8-11 p.m.—Come relive your high school days!  A ’60s and ’70s theme, from the Beach Boys to Motown to Disco!  Tickets are only $10 – Look for the RHS Class of 2006 booth at the All-School Reunion. 

 

For more information, contact Dick Lee at rjlee@seattleschools.org or 206- 252-0476 or go to www.rooseveltfoundation.org.

 

14.   CASA 5K Run/Walk:  May 15, 10 a.m., Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE.  A fun Run/Walk to raise funds for the organization Court Appointed Special Advocates, a voice for children.  Registration fee.  For further information, contact CASA at 206-718-3903 or kru@u.washington.edu.

 

15.   Magnuson Park Community Garden Work Party:  May 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Help with planting in the native gardens and with garden construction.  Meet at the Community Garden, east of the old brig building.  For further information, contact Vajra Allan at 206-615-0510.

 

16.   Magnuson Park Children’s Garden Work Party:  May 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  This is a very important work party as the group will be extending the drip irrigation system (this means help is needed to lay out lines, punch emitters, digging small trenches...fun stuff).  It is not physically hard work but requires lots of hands.  Please come if you can and bring your children. Once complete, the entire garden will be ready for the summer heat.  From 10-12 there will be kid's activities led by Master Gardener Emily Bishton.  Emily will be doing a class on the wonderful world of wiggler worms.  Your kids will have a blast.  Questions, please contact Cindy Hazard at 206 527 0584 or hazarddean@hotmail.com.

 

17.   U District Street Fair:  Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on The Ave.  The event will feature over 300 arts and crafts booths, an array of international food, live entertainment on two stages located at NE 43rd and NE 47th, and a kids area with face painting, a rock climbing wall and other activities.  For further information, go to www.udistrictstreetfair.org.

 

18.   Families and Education Levy Public Hearing:  May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.  A renewal of the Families and Education has been proposed.  The goal is to place the measure on the September 14, 2004 Primary ballot.  For further information, contact Loan Ngugen at 206-684-8806 or loan.nguyen@seattle.gov or go to http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/issues/educationlevy.htm.

 

19.   U District Farmers Market:  The U District Farmers Market will open on Saturday, May 22 and continue until November 20, 2004.  The Market, in the parking lot of University Heights on The Ave and NE 50th, is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Market features over 70 farmers and 20 food vendors with seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, organic produce, herbs, wild mushrooms, farmland cheeses, free-range eggs, hazelnuts, cider, fresh pasta, honey, flowers, fresh bread and other baked goods and other items.  The Market is the oldest and largest in the state with the freshest produce available in the area.  For further information, go to www.seattlefarmersmarket.org.

 

20.   Sound Rider—Springtime Motorcycle Marketplace:  Sunday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE.  $5 General Admission.  Please bring a can of food for NW Harvest.  Sound RIDER! Springtime Motorcycle Marketplace brings together the creators, the sellers and the organizations that make up the fabric of Northwest’s grassroots motorcycling community. No matter what you ride, there's something for everybody at the Springtime Motorcycle Marketplace.  For further information, Sound Rider at 206-329-7808 or info@soundrider.com or go to www.soundrider.com/marketplace.

 

21.   Music at St. Stephens:  Sunday, June 6, 2004, 5:00 p.m. Music at St. Stephen’s, in collaboration with the Northwest Boychoir and Philharmonia Northwest present the original full orchestra version of Maurice Duruflé’s powerfully evocative Requiem, op. 9, in commemoration of all who have lost their lives due to terrorism—both civilians and soldiers; allies and adversaries—as a step forward on the path to reconciliation and peace. The musical program will also include a string orchestra transcription of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Prelude and Fugue in C Minor” for organ. Prior to the concert, those in attendance will have an opportunity to light a candle in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in this global conflict.  St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is located at 4805 NE 45th Street.  Admission is by suggested donation: $15 general, $10 Students and Seniors, $25 for families.  For further information, call 206-522-7144 ext. 145, email les@ststephens-seattle.org or go to www.ststephens-seattle.org.