from Diana McKinney, Puget Neighborhood Representative on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee (MNAC)
- Waterfront /ASB public Walks
- Downtown Planning
- University Ridge Development
- Infill Toolkit
- Neighborhood Announcements
Waterfront / ASB Walk
The Mayor is sponsoring public and private guided walks around the ASB lagoon in July and August. There is a limited amount of availability for “slots”, so if you’re interested, please contact the Mayor’s office. She is doing one for MNAC reps and alternates on August 21 @ 5:30. Meeting site TBD.
Downtown Planning
Darby Cowles updated us on the status of the Downtown Plan.
University Ridge Development
Jeff Thomas, Planning Director, updated us on the status of the University Ridge Development. Dick Conoboy was successful in getting public out to the meeting – there were about 40 visitors, most from Samish and Puget neighborhoods.
He distributed a site plan and updated us on the status of the requests. Basically, the Planning Department is working hard to make sure that all ordinances are satisfied in the request documents. They will be creating their recommendation in the next 2 weeks or so. The SEPA report should be complete by mid-August. Then there will be a public comment period, followed by the Hearing Examiner’s public hearing and decision. Her decision is appealable.
There were a number of questions from MNAC representatives and the public. I’ve captured some of them below:
Q: Looking at the site plan, it appears there is only one exit. How will fire trucks even turn around?
A: That is something we will be considering. There is no requirement for a second exit since the buildings will have sprinklers.
Q: Isn’t the Hearing Examiner a quasi-legal review? How will she handle interpretation of all the technical details?
A: Yes, that’s correct. She will be relying on staff reports for interpretation of technical issues.
Q: Will Planning Staff and the Hearing Examiner actually visit the site to get a feel for what is being proposed and the impact it will have?
Q: Will Planning Staff and the Hearing Examiner actually visit the site to get a feel for what is being proposed and the impact it will have?
A: Yes. Planning staff has already done so, and the Hearing Examiner will also be visiting. There were follow up comments about timing of the visits, citing that WWU is out of session right now, so it doesn’t look as bad as normal. Lots of comments about lack of parking already…and concerns about what bringing in another 576 adults will do (especially with the limited parking proposed).
Q: Where did the “approved” number of units set at 176 come from? This was apparently used to determine allowable density.
Q: Where did the “approved” number of units set at 176 come from? This was apparently used to determine allowable density.
A: Don’t know. Staff will be investigating.
Q: Is a “boarding house” development even legal for that zoning?
A: Yes. It’s considered conditional use, which is covered by that zoning.
Q: I had to contact surrounding neighbors and garner support for a conditional use project. Don’t they have to garner support? They won’t get it.
A: (laughing) Yeah, I get it that most people in the room would rather not see this development move forward. No, there is no legal requirement to garner support – if you did that, you did it voluntarily. There is a requirement for them to notify residents, and that has been done.
Q: Are there different zoning densities, like high-med-low? Isn’t this medium-low? What would high density look like if 576 units isn’t?
A: Planning staff will determine appropriate density. We have to do the math, and it will be part of the report/recommendation.
Q: Wouldn’t inserting 576 adults into the area suddenly change the character of the neighborhood?
A: That is being considered.
Q: Can it be put in writing that the development has to be professionally managed so if it changes hands that will be continued?
A: Don’t know.
Q: Will pedestrian and bike traffic be considered?
A: Yes.
Q: Is a “boarding house” development even legal for that zoning?
A: Yes. It’s considered conditional use, which is covered by that zoning.
Q: I had to contact surrounding neighbors and garner support for a conditional use project. Don’t they have to garner support? They won’t get it.
A: (laughing) Yeah, I get it that most people in the room would rather not see this development move forward. No, there is no legal requirement to garner support – if you did that, you did it voluntarily. There is a requirement for them to notify residents, and that has been done.
Q: Are there different zoning densities, like high-med-low? Isn’t this medium-low? What would high density look like if 576 units isn’t?
A: Planning staff will determine appropriate density. We have to do the math, and it will be part of the report/recommendation.
Q: Wouldn’t inserting 576 adults into the area suddenly change the character of the neighborhood?
A: That is being considered.
Q: Can it be put in writing that the development has to be professionally managed so if it changes hands that will be continued?
A: Don’t know.
Q: Will pedestrian and bike traffic be considered?
A: Yes.
Q: How much discretion do you have over your recommendations? For example, can you recommend lower density?
A: We have a lot of discretion and lots of “tools” in our toolbox.
Q: Will there be an effort for pre-leasing to prove that there is demand for this type of housing? I don’t believe there is a demand since WWU has 12% vacancy rate.
A: I am not aware of anything like that in the proposal.
Q: Is there a precedent where the developer has had to put aside funds to cover potential future damage (flooding, landslides, etc.)?
A: That is a good question, and I will have legal staff look into it.
Eventually, the mayor drew a close to the discussion which had gone on for almost 1-1/2 hours. There were more people in the audience who wanted to share personal comments, but there were more items on the agenda, and we were running out of time.
Infill Toolkit
Jeff Thomas talked about the status of activity on changes to the Infill Toolkit. Basically, there hasn’t been much activity since the presentation they made to City Council in December due to heavy workloads and staffing shortages. But there will shortly be community outreach and a recommendation to City Council for changes by the end of the year.
There were questions from MNAC representatives about why this was being done at all. The Mayor explained that since its inception 5 years ago, it has only been used once, so clearly there is something wrong. Someone complained bitterly that there was an extended discussion 5-6 years ago, and a decision was made to limit the infill toolkit to exclude single-family zoning, and they didn’t think it was appropriate to go through this discussion again. The Mayor explained that she is only asking for input, and wants people to keep an open mind. There are types of infill that wouldn’t change the character of a single-family neighborhood (and gave some examples).
The Planning Department is available to give the December presentation made to City Council at neighborhood meetings.
NEIGHBORHOOD ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cornwall Neighborhood
They will be airing the Shreck movie in Broadway Park on August 24 starting at 9-9:30. All are welcome.
Sehome Neighborhood
Their “Night out against crime” activity on August 6 will be a sponsored walk by residents down Samish Way, starting at Diego’s. They will be distributing stickers encouraging neighborhood awareness.
They will be airing the Shreck movie in Broadway Park on August 24 starting at 9-9:30. All are welcome.
Sehome Neighborhood
Their “Night out against crime” activity on August 6 will be a sponsored walk by residents down Samish Way, starting at Diego’s. They will be distributing stickers encouraging neighborhood awareness.
