JuNO

Our next meeting will take place on May 11th at 6:30pm at Ginomai, corner of 42nd and Genesee.  We will be discussing crime prevention and the role of the beat cops in the Junction.   Tom Burns, a police officer assigned to the Junction will discuss the following points at our request:

A few items that we are aware of:

1.  Drug activity (and the recent death in the Junction)

2.  Homeless people living in cars on our streets (we have called in some ‘welfare’ checks in past months).

3.  Panhandling/aggressive and nonagressive interactions.

4.  Bank robberies - Key Banks multiple events, and other banks nearby.

The role of the police officers assigned to the Junction beat and how they are working specifically to reduce crime and get to know residents and business in the neighborhood.

They wil also discuss some of the plans during the upcoming festivals this summer and the police presence during that time to reduce any concerns of residents.  The details are typically worked out in a police plan at permitting time, but they will help residents to understand it is a joint effort and process.

We will be opening a new park, Junction Plaza Park, in June in the neighborhood and know this will be another great gathering place.  I will be providing updates  on some of those plans and specifically what we are doing with lighting, benches, etc to promote safety in the park.

One last meeting to be aware of . . .staff from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will host a meeting on parking issues within the Triangle planning area.  That meeting will take place on May 20 at 6 PM at the West Seattle Senior Center.  As many of you know JuNO was very involved in the recent parking study that took place in the Junction.  I have heard from many of you about the challenges of parking on residential streets in our neigborhoods.  Please plan to attend this meeting as it is so important that SDOT here from us about what is working and what is not.

Passing this along if you are interested:

B-Town (Burien) Blog’s Candidates Forum featuring the four announced candidates for 34th District State Representative, Position 2.

The Candidates Forum is set for Tuesday April 27 at the Highline Performing Arts Center on SW 152nd next to Highline High School in Burien, just east of I-509. It’ll run from 7pm to 8:30pm.

John Carlson of KVI and KOMO will serve as moderator. (John is originally from West Seattle, and actually ran for 34th District State Representative way back in the mid-80s).

All four announced candidates have agreed to participate:
Mike Heavey, Joe Fitzgibbon, Marcee Stone and Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy.

I am hoping you could forward this email to the West Seattle Junction Junction Neighborhood Organization mailing list and anyone else you think might be interested in attending.

We will open up the floor to questions from people who attend.  Please let me know if I can answer any questions.

- Mark Neuman
mark@b-townblog.com
www.b-townblog.com

 Dear JuNO Members and Friends,

A big thank you to Rene Commons for the notes from our JuNO meeting on March 9th.  I was out of town and unable to lead the meeting.   And thank you to Cheryl Sizov for the important informatin shared and encouragement to continue forwarding suggestions on the new citywide design guidelines.

Please see the information presented below and the many opportunities outlined for futher coment and public input.  It is essential that we have a voice in the design guideline process so that we have the best possible development outcomes in our neighborhood.  Your feedback and concerns have been shared with the Department of Planning and Development (also copied on this email). 

I look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting in May and at future design review meetings.

Erica

                JuNO

Junction Neighborhood Organization 

 

Tuesday, March 9^th, 2010

6:30 – 8:30 PM

 

Guest Speaker: Cheryl Sizov, Senior Planner, DPD, City of Seattle

Presentation: Draft of new ‘Seattle Citywide Design Guidelines’

 

JuNO Agenda: Neighborhood Clean Up

Needed: Volunteer Coordinator – position available

Needed: Volunteer to receive materials from city – needs to be able to receive weekday

 

 

 

Updated Citywide Design Guidelines

Cheryl Sizov, Project Planner, Seattle Dept of Planning and Development was guest speaker at the JuNO March meeting. Cheryl presented the draft of Seattle’s Citywide Design Guidelines and tackled additional questioning as to how the proposed new guidelines would mesh with the current West Seattle Junction Urban Village Neighborhood Design Guidelines. Please take time to review the guideline Updated Citywide Design Guidelines at the link provided below and post your public comments or concerns.

 

Juno president, Erica Karlovits, asked Cheryl to consider trouble shooting some tough questions about the Design Review Process and the Land Use Code for Neighborhood Design Guidelines at the meeting. Cheryl did a great job of preparing and provided some answers and suggestions to our community in the question and answer period following her presentation.

 

WSBlog / Johnathon Fitzpatrick/JuNO meeting coverage

http://westseattleblog.com/2010/03/new-design-guidelines-outlined-junction-neighborhood-org

 

Cheryl relayed that Design Guidelines form a ‘basis’, but cannot guarantee or mandate specifically to the design review board or the developer. However Cheryl did acknowledge land use code ordinance (SMC 23.41.010) which states that Neighborhood Design Guidelines shall prevail if there are conflicts between Citywide Design Guidelines ( Neighborhood guidelines are intended to be more specific and augment the Citywide Design Guidelines). She mentioned that site development must follow zoning first. DPD asks that the developer analyze the site to consider its orientation, looking out on a Neighborhood scale and inward on arrangement of the building. Open spaces need to have a concept.

 

THE ROLE OF SEATTLE’S DESIGN GUIDELINES Design guidelines by themselves do not create good design nor do they ensure it. They do not address nor resolve disputes about zoning; likewise they do not address project impacts related to parking or traffic. What design guidelines do address are the qualities of architecture, urban design, and public space that make for successful projects and communities. Context and Site,  Public Life, and  Design Concept are the three directives provided for review in the new Citywide Design Guidelines.

 

JuNO members comments from the meeting were vibrant and specific.

Q: How can the community have a greater impact on the Design Review Process and ensure construction will follow what was approved in the meetings.

Cheryl said the Seattle’s Design Review Boards are intended to foster good design. Currently the city has identified that there are problems  in quality assurance problems follow up though construction phase. Perhaps the community can request or create a checklist of Neighborhood Design Guideline directives to assure they are achieved in each project design review.

 

Q: How can the Design Review Board process improve coordination of “Right of Way” with SDOT in a proactive way? Wouldn’t it make sense for DPD to coordinate more efficiently with SDOT to provide guidance in the early stages of design review. Too many projects are experiencing big changes after MUP due to SDOT regulations that distract rather than enhance our Neighborhood. Suggestion made to appoint skilled SDOT representative to be an integral part design review project review meetings.

Cheryl noted that SDOT is working on an Improvement manual and the document can be accessed online. This motion made to SDOT/DPD to appoint an representative to DRB was seconded by four people. Right of Way impact has valid overlap on the design review of projects. Write to  Vince Lyons and SDOT.

 

Q: Where is the accountability for projects that don’t get built right?

Noted to write to SDOT and DPD addressing leaders to make them aware of issues and concerns

 

Q: How can our community increase the impact of Neighborhood Design Review Guideline directives at public project design review meetings?

Audience suggestions were to increase awareness of specific sites being developed through actual scheduled site walks with community and the Design Review Board and posting site reviews on UTUBE for the Design Review Board to watch. Concerns noted were that DRB members in some reviews were not familiar with sites being reviewed. Continue an ongoing dialogue between the community and the SW DRB. Take an active interest in recruitment of DRB positions. Submit community packet directive to architect applicants. Suggestion was made for DPD to require applicants to photograph the site to acknowledge context and site.

 

Q: How can DRB members and directors be prepared to work effectively

Audience comments noted lack of time for sufficient public comment in DRB review. Comment also made that DPD review directors may be overloaded, in duress, and need break from workload. Suggestion to alternate directors of DRB was made.

 

Q: “Is the Design Review Process just softening the blow?”

The cut-off of community process in Design Review meetings was noted by an audience member. If Land Use code dictates development, and degree of scale how can the community impact developers to create well designed projects that endure and enhance the neighborhood?

 

Q; How does Queen Anne manage to protect their neighborhood character?

 

Other questions addressed were how to give our SW DRB more teeth to follow Neighborhood Design Guideline directives.

 

 

Neighborhood Design Guidelines

 

West Seattle Junction Urban Village Neighborhood Design Guidelines - download your own copy: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cms/groups/pan/@pan/@plan/@drp/documents/Web_Informational/cos_005122.pdf

 

Southwest Design Review Board(West Seattle): http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Design_Review_Program/Who_We_Are/Boards/DPD_001381.asp

Each board has five members from backgrounds intended to represent the players in the development process: Design professional representative, Development representative, Community representative, Local residential representative, Local business representative

 

Citywide Design Guidelines Update/Public Comment Opportunity Overview DPD Updates Citywide Design GuidelinesThe City’s design guidelines, entitled Design Review: Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings, have been the cornerstone of the Design Review Program since 1994. These original guidelines formed the basis for 19 sets of neighborhood-specific guidelines (as of July 2009) and a set of Downtown guidelines. In 2008 the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) initiated a process to update the 15 year old citywide guidelines and began drafting revisions with the assistance of architecture and urban design consultant Weinstein Architects and Urban Planners. The first draft of updated Citywide Design Guidelines is now available for public review.Public comment link for the Citywide Design Update Plan Draft:    http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/CitywideDesignGuidelinesUpdate/Overview/default.asp

 Citywide Design Update Plan Draft - download your own copy: 

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cms/groups/pan/@pan/@plan/@designguideupdate/documents/web_informational/dpdp018683.pdf

 

The purpose of the update is, above all, to help increase the quality of design in Seattle’s Urban Neighborhoods. As a primary tool in the Design Review process, the guidelines provide the authority and mandate for Boards to review projects fairly and comprehensively across the city.

 

Opportunities for Public CommentThere are several opportunities for the public to comment on and influence the final draft of the updated Citywide Design Guidelines, including:§  Sending written comments to Cheryl Sizov, Project Manager, at DPD, Post Office Box 34019, Seattle, WA  98124-4019 or by e-mail to cheryl.sizov@seattle.gov§  Attending the DPD-hosted public meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 5:30-7:30pm in the Bertha Landes room at City Hall.DPD will be accepting public comments through Wednesday, March 31, 2010.The City’s design guidelines, entitled Design Review: Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings, have been the cornerstone of the Design Review Program since 1994. These original guidelines formed the basis for 19 sets of neighborhood-specific guidelines (as of July 2009) and a set of Downtown guidelines. In 2008 the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) initiated a process to update the 15 year old citywide guidelines and began drafting revisions with the assistance of architecture and urban design consultant Weinstein Architects and Urban Planners. The first draft of updated Citywide Design Guidelines is now available for public review.

  WS blog/ Whole ‘Hole’ Foods site update/public suggestion: make into a Park and Ride

http://westseattleblog.com/2010/03/west-seattles-hole-foods-site-semi-update-since-you-asked#comments

 

Posting to this blog is often not as close to the top of my list of ‘to do’ items as I would hope it could be.  If you want the latest and greatest, better to send an email to erica at wsjuno dot com.

Our next meeting will be on July 14th at 6:30pm at Ginomai (corner of 42nd and Genesee).  On the agenda is a presentation by Catherine Barker and Jim Del Ciello of the Admiral neighborhood about historic preservation of buildings along the California corridor.

Directly following our meeting will be an event at the Concert in the Park (Hiawatha Park) at 7:30pm where some West Seattle residents that have volunteered and served our community will be honored.  Six volunteers will be recognized for contributions to the greater West Seattle community. Feel free to join the event!

A few other important items to note:

1.  Summer Fest:  Happening this weekend, July 10-12 in the Junction!  Parking in our neighborhood is going to be crazy with the thousands that will be attending this event.  Signs went up last night on streets in and around the Junction restricting parking from 7/9 at 6pm (I think) thru 7/12.  This is primarily for the event and bus access around the event.

2.  Junction Plaza Park:  We are well on our way to funding our park!  Friends of Junction Plaza Park, the West Seattle Junction Association, JuNO and the Seattle Parks Foundation have been working together to raise the estimated $350,000 to build our park on the corner of 42nd and Alaska.  We are currently at $303,554 and counting.  If you would like to contribute funds to help us build the park, here are a few options:

• Stop at our Junction Plaza Park booth at Summer Fest this weekend and drop off a donation.  Our tent will be in the center of the Walk All Ways in the Junction.
• Drink Beer!  Yes, drink beer in the beer garden on the grounds of our soon to be park next to the main stage during Summer Fest.  25% of the proceeds of our beer garden will go the park.  Elliott Bay Brewery, Georgewtown Brewery and Pyramid Brewery beers will be served.
• Donate online at http://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/ and designate the donation to Junction Plaza Park.
• Email me - I would be happy to share more details about our park with you!
• Follow us on Facebook!  Search for Friends of Junction Plaza Park.

3.  Crime Prevention: I have been notified of a few car prowls in our neighborhood this past weekend.  Please remember to remove all valuables from you car, keep it locked, and be on the lookout for suspicious indivinduals.  Never hesitate to call 911.

4.  Neighborhood Planning:  A meeting to give input into the status of our neighborhood plan . .. . July 28th from 6-8pm.

On Saturday June 20th, a Clean and Green Event will be taking place in our neighborhood. The event is to create a new P-Patch on a section of land on 42nd and Genesee that the West Seattle Christian Church is making available. In conjunction with the p-patch work, we will also be doing an Adopt-A-Street clean-up around the Junction. The event is from 9am-1pm. We will be meeting for coffee and cupcakes at West Seattle Christian Church (corner of 42nd and Genesee), have opening comments (the Mayor will be at the event) and then head off to clean-up. Additional volunteers are needed for the clean-up - the more volunteers we have, the more gets cleaned up! We will also include the site for our Junction Plaza Park in our efforts - we hope to break ground on the park in the Fall! Please join us for this event! We will provide all the tools needed (bags, gloves, etc). Hope to see you then! Erica

Our next membership meeting will be on Tuesday May 12th at 6:30pm at Ginomai.  An email agenda will be emailed shortly.

Updates on Restricted Parking Zones - code changes that will effect us!  Comments to Jan Drago by may 15th.

Junction View Corridors  - Preserving access to light and space in the Junction.

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Dear JuNO Members and Friends,
 
Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 6:30pm
We have lots going on in our neighborhood right now . . . . parking study, park development, crime, etc.  We will be joined by Susan Merose of the Junction business association to talk about programs we are currently partnering on - the Junction Plaza Park, parking concerns in the Junction including the impact of the current parking study, and current crime trends and concerns.  We also will have Lt. Steve Paulson from the SW Police Precinct joining us.  This meeting takes place at Ginomai, corner of 42nd and Genesee.  Please join us to help build a park, save our parking, and stop crime!
 
We want to hear from you.  Please attend!
Other meetings you may want to attend:
 
1.  Friends of the Junction Plaza Park - Tuesday, March 3, 6:30pm  TONIGHT
The planning committee has asked that anyone interested in getting invloved in this project attend our first meeting.  We will be in need of assistance of volunteer hours in providing outreach to the community about this park, fundraising assistance and small commitments of time as we write grants for funding.  We are meeting in the Nelson room to the Senior Center on the corner of California and Oregon.  This park falls within our JuNO boundaries and we have already committed to our quarterly Adopt-A-Street efforts to keep this new park clean.
 
More info on the park can be found at:  http://www.seattleparksfoundation.org/project_JunctionPlaza.html and a new website is coming soon for the park. 
 
2.  Conner Homes Project Design Review - Building on Corner of Alaska/California and 42nd/Alaska, March 12, 6:30pm at High Point Library
Please come to this meeting to give public feedback on the latest design for these two buildings. 
 
3. Junction Parking Study - Walking Tour - tentative for March 18th
SDOT will conduct a walking tour of the West Seattle Junction. This is an opportunity identify parking concerns in the Junction area. We will walk around parts of the Junction that are within the outreach boundary and make note of any areas where you feel the parking study should focus.West Seattle Junction Community Parking Project Contact:
Danté R. Taylor
Associate Transportation Planner
Policy and Planning Division
Seattle Department of Transportation
City of Seattle
206-684-8186
Please feel free to forward this email to new neighbors, friends and family that live in the Junction.  Or, send us an email so we can add to our distribution list.
 
Sincerely,
 
Erica

We have a great meeting coming up next week, January 13th at 6:30pm at Ginomai community room (corner of 42nd and Genesee).

Our agenda includes the following speakers:

Christine Alar, Seattle Department of Transportation, will be presenting street improvements for transit that will be implemented by SDOT in West Seattle.

Dante Taylor, Associate Transportation Planner, will be presenting an update on the Junction’s Parking Study that will be starting soon.

We look forward to seeing you then!

JuNO Board Member Interest Form  JuNO Board Members Needed!

Please contact Erica if you are interesting in joining the leadership of JuNO.  Time commitment includes monthly meetings (alternates between membership and board meetings) and additional time for various projects as interested.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about the neighborhood and to help make this the best place to live, work and play!  Board Member Interest Forms are located on our blog at www.wsjuno.com and should be emailed to Erica at Erica@wsjuno.com by January 1, 2009. 

 Hometown Holidays Volunteer Opportunities

Event:  December 6^th – Tree Lighting 5-6pm (Key Bank parking lot)

Volunteer Needs: December 7^th, 14^th, 21^st – Hometown Holidays Headquarters 11:30am-4:30pm

·         A booth will be set up in front of Key Bank with a raffle contest (over $4000 in donated prizes), cookies and cider, carriage rides, and live music.

·         2 volunteers will be needed for each shift (11:30-2pm and 2-4:30pm) on each of the three Sunday’s to assist the staff at this booth.

·         Email Erica@wsjuno.com by November 16^th with days and shifts your able to volunteer. 

  Junction Parking Study 

A study of the parking situation in the Junction is tentatively scheduled for late 2008/early 2009.  More details to come.

  Next Meeting:  Tuesday, January 13^th, 6:30pm

            Speaker:  Christine Alar, Senior Transportation Planner, SDoT

            Planned Transit Improvements in West Seattle

   Development Projects:  Blue Star

·         Work continues on Whole Foods/Fauntleroy Place.  Work will be slowed a bit in order to pump water out of site given all the recent rain.

·         Blue Star is in the process of securing a piece of old Huling land just behind the 76 on the corner of Alaska and Fauntleroy.

·         Early sketches of the project on 39^th/Fauntleroy/ Gateway Center (the old showroom) are in the works.

 Conner Homes – 42^nd/Alaska/California

·         Comment Period on application for Master Use Permit open until November 19^th.  More information can be found via websites below.

·         Comments can be sent to Michael.Dorcy@seattle.gov and Beverly.Barnett@seattle.gov

·         Part of the application also includes a petition from Conner Homes for an Alley Vacation (previous coverage of this issue on our blog) that will be brought to City Council. 

·         Lots of coverage on the last Design Review meeting at http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=7962 expressing community concerns on this project.

·         http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=364&NID=9051

Land Use Application to allow a 7-story building containing 12,745 sq. ft. of commercial and 72 residential units above. Three levels of below grade parking to be provided for 307 vehicles and shared with Project #3007765. Project includes 20,000 cu. yds. of grading. Existing structures to be demolished. 

·         http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=364&NID=9050

Land Use Application to allow a 7-story building containing 13,700 sq. ft. of commercial, 4,000 sq. ft. of office and three live work units at ground level with 126 residential units above. Three levels of below grade parking to be provided for 307 vehicles and shared with Project #3007764. Project includes 35,000 cu. yds. of grading. Existing structures to be demolished.

  Harbor Properties – Mural and School/Alaska/38^th

Information presented at meeting.

Mural – 4727 42^nd Ave SW

•  
  • Should be complete in April 2009. 
  • Website will be live in a few weeks.
  • Local artists have been hired for art in lobby.
  • Rents will be $1100-$2100 month for 550-1200 square feet apartments.
  • Employee parking for retail space will be included in garage.  Retail tenants include a restaurant, hair salon and frame store.
  • Construction workers on this project are parking in Jefferson Square garage (rented for use by Harbor Properties).
  • 2 Zip cars will be located in Mural.

Link – 4550 38^th Ave SW

·         200 apartments, 6 stories

·         Retail space on bottom floor – open to suggestions for tenants.  Send comments to Emi at ebaldowin@harborproperties.com

·         Construction will begin in Spring 2009

Harbor is also in process of buying the West Inn and Suites hotel on Alaska.  The will have a mixed used building on this location to include residential and retail.