JuNO

 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

 

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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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.

Our next membership meeting is schedule for Tuesday, November 11th from 6:30-7:30om.  We will have Harbor Properties presenting about the projects they have in the neighborhood and looking for feedback on the type of retail tenants we would like to see.

The next design review for Fauntleroy Place/Whole Foods project is on Thursday, August 14th at 8pm at High Point Community Center.

Blue Star will be presenting a revised design - an earlier design was previewed at our last JuNO meeting.  I will be mmeting with Vlad tonight for a preview and will try to post my impressions here tonight.

 Hope to see you all tomorrow.

Erica

42 and California Alley Petition 

Attached is the petition that you may want to consider signing. If the developer is able to proceed with the alley vacation (closure for at least one year), many of our favorite
restaurants and business will be severely impacted. For example, Elliott Bay Brewery would not be able to receive deliveries essential for the beer brewing it does in the back of the restaurant (via direct pipes to the tanks).

Feel free to send this out to any West Seattle residents or friends. If you get signed petitions back to me by August
14th I would be happy to submit them.

More info is below.

Thanks.
Erica
*************************
>
> The proposed development by Conner Properties at the corner
> of California and Alaska is petitioning the city to close
> 25% of the alley for at least one year. This is the alley
> that originates between Super Supplements and the Rocksport,
> and then extends south. This is the alley that services
> Elliott Bay, Talarico’s, Petco, Curious Kids and the
> future Murals apartments whose residents’ vehicle
> parking is in that alley. In short, this is the busiest
> alley in the Junction! An alley of closure if this nature
> would massively disrupt our entire neighborhood and it’s
> unclear how we would even manage the logistics. Would all
> the deliveries and waste collection happen on California
> Ave??
>
> This project has largely flown under the radar and
> community input is vital in creating development that
> compliments, and is considerate of, our neighborhood.
> Specifically for Junction merchants, this closure would
> created a significant strain primarily on California Ave,
> but the broader Junction community will most certainly feel
> the impact.
>
> The city is deciding whether to permit the alley
> closure/vacation and is seeking community input. If you
> find this issue concerning, here’s some more background
> written by the blog:
> http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=9439#more-9439
>
> What you can do:
> Write a letter to the city voicing your concerns; possibly
> among them increased congestion, pedestrian safety, and
> economic hardship in an already challenging time.
> Thoughtful letters from business owners are critical in
> sending a strong message to the city. Please email letter
> to moira.gray@seattle.gov by August 18.
> Collect signatures on the attached petition which opposed
> the alley vacation. Print out the petition and have your
> neighbors, friends and family sign. It’s easy -
> and it will take effort from the entire community to direct
> this development for the benefit of Junction merchants and
> our community. Our goal is 2000 signature by August 18, so
> let’s get crack’n! Hand deliver signed petitions to
> Elliott Bay.
> If you are concerned about this alley closure, thank you in
> advance for helping make the Merchants’ voice heard.
> All comments due by August 18.

Our next JuNO meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 8th at 6:30pm at Ginomai (corner of 42nd and Genesee).  Our agenda includes a presentation by CORA (Concil for Residential Architects) concerning townhouse development and the proposed revisions to the multifamily code and Blue Star developers will present the new design rendering of Fauntleroy Place (Whole Foods and Hancock Fabrics).

We will also have very brief updates on some of the other projects happening in the neighborhood and opportunities for volunteer involvement. 

JuNO is looking for leadership . . . if you have any interest in serving on our board, we would love to hear from you!  This is a great opportunity to meet neighbors, learn more about your community and give back!

I look forward to seeing you all Tuesday.

Erica Karlovits

President

Junction Neighborhood Organization

May 29th at 6:30pm at the SW precinct community room will be the 2nd design review for the Conner Homes proposed project on 42nd/Alaska/California.

http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=315&NID=8092

It is very important that residents attend this meeting to give further comments on the project.  This project will have a significant impact on our Junction and will set the tone for future development on our ‘main street’.

The West Seattle Blog has created this map of all the projects in the area. 

http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=7207

Thanks Tracy for sharing!

A reminder that our meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 13th from 6:30-8pm at Ginomai (corner of 42nd and Genesee in the old West Seattle Christian Church School).

Blue Star will be present to update us on the construction of the approved Whole Foods project and how it will impact our neighborhood.  They will also give us some new information on the proposed project in the ex-Huling Showroom property.

Conner Homes will then present information on the proposed project on California/Alaska/42nd that went to design review in April.  We have sent them comments and suggestions based onthe presentation, and they are open to further discussion.

Our website, www.wsjuno.com, is temporarily down.  The site was hacked so we are in the process of working with our provider to restore the information.  I hope to report on Tuesday that it is up again - stay tuned.

Also, we will be having a garage sale this Saturday from 9-3pm in front of 4542 41st Ave SW.  Proceeds from the garage sale will go towards our $300 501c3 application fee and process.  If you have any items you would like to donate to the garage sale to help us raise money, feel free to stop in on Saturday.  All unsold items will be given to a local charity.

I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Sincerely,

Erica Karlovits

President, JuNO