GCC November Public Meeting, Nov. 13, 2012
Meeting Notes
Agenda
7:00 Welcome and Introductions
7:05 Bus Service Changes in Greenwood: Updates and feedback to recent Metro changes in Greenwood
7:30 Greenways: Discuss traffic safety, greenways
development, biking
Guest Speaker: Robin Randels, Greenwood-Phinney Greenways
8:00 Development Proposal: Discuss new
development proposal for south side of 85th St., across from Fred Meyer
Guest Speaker: John Marasco, Security Properties
8:30 Adjourn
7:00 p.m. Introductions, residents from Greenwood, Green Lake, Crown Hill, Phinney, representatives from Greenwood-Phinney Greenways. 20 people in attendance.
7:05 p.m. Rick shared neighborhood updates including info on:
- NSF and NPSF proposals (both for $100K+ and less than $100K)
- Solarize
- Giving Fair happening at Greenwood Sr. Center next month
- Land use bulletin
- Treasurer’s report—balance is $70
7:10 p.m. Feedback to share on 85th St. repaving project
- A lot smoother, faster
- New sidewalks made a big difference
7:12 p.m. Changes to Metro service in Greenwood
- No feedback to changes from the group
- Proposed bus stop changes between 90th – 105th. On Nov. 28th at GPL from 5 – 7 p.m., Metro will host open house to talk about bus stop changes
- Tomorrow there is an online meeting to discuss Bike Master Plan
- Changes underway to improve accuracy of One Bus Away
7:18 p.m. Greenwood-Phinney Greenways Discussion
- Working to create a connected network of streets that are safe for people to bike / walk.
- Definition of a Greenway: Residential streets, generally 1-2 off an arterial, typically have low volume of traffic, low speeds. They’re prioritized for major crossings, people who may have trouble crossing (seniors, children, etc.)
- Reduce auto-cut through—greenway gets to go through while vehicles have to stop
- “Green” in greenways can refer to new water filtration methods (e.g., capturing rain water and repurposing to plants vs. running into sewers), planting trees, creating new park space, etc.
- In Seattle, the greenways movement is a little more grassroots. SDOT does not have manpower to go out and do work the coalition of 19 Seattle neighborhoods have done.
- In 2013, submitting to bridging the gap funds – NSF – for first NW corridor (on Palentine, from approx. 100th St. south to the Zoo)
- Also interested in targeting an East-West route for additional funding; looking at 100th or 102nd
- Would like to ultimately connect up with major junctures, e.g., Carkeek Park, Northgate
- Input from the group: 105th is really neglected right now, would like to see something around 102nd
- Submitted for three infra projects – trails for running, walking – going from Evanston 90th up to 102nd, desire for acquisition for lot north of Evanston pea patch. Would like to see package of proposals include connections for 102nd activity, it’s a really underserved community right now.
- In 2012:
- won $75K in funding for improvements at intersections of N 65th and N 80th
- applied for safe routes to schools grant (greenways to schools)
- In 2013:
- Greenwood-Phinney priority route along 1st NW submitted to bridging the gap funds
- Identify northern corridor route for large NSF grant program
- Contact info: seattlegreenways.org
8:00 p.m. Development Proposal for south side of 85th
- 1st and 85th going west about 300 feet
- Security properties known for mixed use developments, previous projects include ‘Ballard on the Park’ (the one with the QFC) and Fremont Epicenter (the one with the PCC)
- Would like entire half block between 1st and 3rd, but moving forward full speed ahead with what they have.
- Here asking for support on what they’d like to do.
- They will come back with design and keep us in the loop on what they’d like to do with this, work through iterative process to land on a project that is as iconic as their previous work (e.g., epicenter for Fremont, Scandinavian feel for Ballard on the Park)
- They’ve been talking to Greenwood Market owner who would like to come back, John wants to bring him back.
- Rezone of P-zones created constraint from 1st W to 3rd because city wants to drop a p-designation for that entire frontage along 85th
- John and team want to remove p-designation between 1st and 3rd which would facilitate direct access for development down the road.
- Also, he wants to address FAR (floor area ratio). Maximum building you can put on a property is based on ratio of square feet to building (3.25 : 1). If they put parking at grade, counts against FAR which limits development of parking and would hurt viability of retail. Primary ask: Don’t count ground floor retail area against development density. This will allow for greater residential density above.
- Not asking for more height (40 ft. is limit, that means 4 floors) 80ft. wide, that’s where housing would live—housing would be apartments, not condos
- Thinks city recognizes that this is a unique situation, sounds positive in making it happen. Asking for letter of support from GCC that we believe this is the right thing for Greenwood
- Potential is 15 – 25K sq ft of retail (Greenwood Market)
- Have not yet looked at traffic impact to the area, will do that
- What is a pedestrian designation? When city wants to create a p-designation, they want to encourage pedestrian vs. vehicle usage. This is what prohibits vehicular access to the property (won’t apply to Fred Meyer, because that deal is done … does not make sense for it to be on south side either)
- John wants the GCC letter of support by Jan 1, 2013