LICTON
SPRINGS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
of Board Meeting: November 15, 2000,
NSCC President’s Board Room
Present:
Liz Kearns, Jerry Owens, Wanda Fullner, John Meerscheidt, Bob Messina,
Debra Willendorf, Jan Brucker, and Ellen Beck.
Absent:
Sheryl Stich.
Visitors:
Phil Fuji (Neighborhood Development Manger, Northwest Sector, Department
of Neighborhoods), David Hemmelgarn (Seattle Executive Services Department,
Real Estate Services, Strategic Planner), John Arnesen (Seattle Public
Utilities), Shauna Walgren (SeaTran), Pam Larsen (City Light), and Wally
Fosmore (NSCC).
President
Liz Kearns called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., and David Hemmelgarn
and Wally Fosmore introduced themselves.
Minutes:
The October 18, 2000 meeting minutes were approved as presented.
Treasurer’s
Report: Debra Willendorf submitted a written Treasurer’s report
showing the beginning balance of $891.92 as of January 1, 2000 and
receipts and expenditures to November 15, resulting in the LSCC present
checking account balance being $559.12. Our EIF account currently has
a balance of ‑ $204.56, bringing our available balance to $354.56.
Our savings account has been closed out.
NEW
BUSINESS:
City
Owned Properties in Neighborhood/Possibilities: David Hemmelgarn
gave out additional copies of the memorandum dated October 18, 2000 that
he had previously sent to Licton Spring Community Council members regarding
City-owned properties in the Aurora-Licton Springs Neighborhood Planning
Area. He went over the properties included and a general discussion of
these properties followed. Jan Brucker gave a recap of the ideas from
the Neighborhood Plan regarding the properties, and she volunteered to
the contract person for LSCC with the City. Discussion followed on possibilities
to redevelop SCL parking lots (smaller community oriented businesses on
street level; parking garage above, or apartments above) and if the alleys
were made pedestrian only, access could perhaps be provided to businesses
located on Aurora.
The
site of the North Precinct was discussed, including the desire of the
Seattle Police Department to expand at that location and the difficulties
of doing same because of water problems. Jan Brucker mentioned that Northwest
Hospital Clinic on Meridian was possibly moving from that location and
Jan suggested that possibly this could be an ideal location for the Police
Precinct to expand into. Jan said that she had heard of an environmental
study group that needed space and could perhaps take over the present
location of the North Precinct.
Wally
Fosmore mentioned that SPU had approached the College about buying property
at the north end of the College property in order to build a water retention
pond, which would help with the water problems at the North Precinct.
Wally said that the College was not interested in selling any its property.
Jan
said that if the City owned the NW Hospital property, it would be an ideal
location to allow a southbound exit to Northgate to be built allowing
cars to exit directly into the mall (as they presently can from the northbound
lanes). She said that the NW Hospital property would have ample room
for footings for a “fly-over” taking off from that site.
Bob
Messina mentioned that it was unsettling to realize that one owner could
be buying up lots and perhaps gain permitting from the City for a “large
box structure.” It is disturbing to residents that a development the
size of Northgate North (Target and Best) was able to easily get permitted.
The residents of Licton Springs do not want to have that kind of large
development come into our neighborhood, but rather want pedestrian friendly
businesses. It was suggested that zoning overlays need to be explored
and also design guidelines. Perhaps contacting Mayor Schell would be
a first step. Communities who have met desired growth need to have a
way to protect themselves from large developments which would dramatically
change their neighborhoods.
Alternative
Sidewalks: John Arnesen provided a brochure and described the
alternative sidewalk (pilot project) that is being installed on Second
Avenue Northwest between Northwest 120th Street and Northwest
117th Street in Seattle. He said this street had not had street
improvements, sidewalks or drainage prior to this project. He pointed
out that this was a fairly level street and the residents gave up parking
spaces for the improvements. The neighbors do have access via alleys
to the back of their properties. Everyone was encouraged to drive up
and check out the project. The swales are vegetated and the plan is to
keep drainage above ground, which is a more natural method of water management.
The project costs approximately $800,000.00.
The
street was originally 60 feet wide and residents used the street area
next to their property for parking. Now they have a sidewalk on one side
of the street, drainage system, limited parking spaces, and the roadway
now varies from 18 feet at Northwest 120th Street and at Northwest
117th Street, but in the middle is 14 feet wide.
There
was a discussion of desired improvements to North 100th. It
was pointed out that this is not a level street and so would provide different
challenges than Second Avenue Northwest.
Wally
stated that the water collection system for the College’s parking lots
allows for a 30 foot drop in elevation. He said the College’s system
has a rock bin filtration system that the water must pass through. He
says that the filtration bins fill with dirt in about two years and need
to be cleaned out.
Shauna
Walgren next talked about alternative sidewalks. She had photos of various
surface finishes and before and after pictures of blocks where the alternative
sidewalks have been installed. Areas to check out are Northwest Blakely
between 25th and 29th (where the planting strip
is also the water detention system) and the North 87th Walkway
Pilot Project. The City is exploring alternative sidewalks because the
cost is less than traditional concrete sidewalks and there is a possibility
to improve drainage with more permeable materials and/or systems.
Shauna
said that SeaTran is working with SPU. New drainage codes will be coming
out in the near future and water quality regulations. The Densmore Drainage
Study will include local drainage and local drainage problems will
be focused on.
It
was mentioned that the Council can make application in 2001 to the Neighborhood
Street Fund Cumulative Reserve Fund to possibly get funds to improve North
100th.
Phil
Fujii thanked Dave Hemmelgarn, John Arnesen and Shauna Walgren for coming
and speaking to the Council, and for the work they do. They were all
given a warm round of applause. Phil said that “these are the innovators
working for neighborhoods.”
The
City needs a sidewalk fund and communities need to be saying this to the
City.
OLD
BUSINESS:
:
Phil Fujii told us that we need to focus on our Neighborhood Plan in the
first quarter of 2001. We need to prioritize our issues from the Plan.
This means issues/things stated in our Plan, not new (anything not previously
adopted from our Plan) issues. He said that we need to come up with a
strong proposal for alternative use of Wilson-Pacific. An inquiry was
made to Wally whether the College had any interest or need for space at
Wilson-Pacific. Wally stated that the College is in year 4 of a 10-year
lease for space at Sand Point. He said it was good for the College to
have a presence in an area away from the NSCC site.
The
North Seattle or Mineral Springs Park is well underway and it is not a
problem that we will need to go into the new year to finish the work presently
going on. Liz Kearns reported that Chris Williams had possibly located
funding for the netting that needs to be installed at the south end of
the Park to protect cars and nearby property owners from being hit by
discs being improperly thrown by disc golf players. She said that there
would be enough money to pay for the preparation of construction documents.
A letter is to be sent to Ken Bounds applying for $40,000.00 for the necessary
safety net under the Neighborhood Response Application???
Questions
were raised about the Parks for All levy passed by voters this fall.
Phil Fujii said that funds would initially be used for acquisition. Wanda
Fullner inquired how we should go about getting the Pillings Pond property
on the “list.” She said that the University of Washington, Audubon Society,
Woodland Park Zoo, and NSCC could possibly interested in the Pillings
property.
Phil
Fujii said that he needed a small core group from the Council to meet
with him to prioritize our short list. Liz Kearns, Bob Messina, and Debra
Willendorf (???) volunteered. Phil said it was important, with regard
to Wilson-Pacific, to have all jurisdictions (SPU, School District, Parks
Department, Sports Fields, the Mayor) working together and coordinating
their efforts. We should be touching base with everyone.
Our
meeting wrapped up with Phil telling Liz to call Wendy Watson (615-1213)
to get the core meeting scheduled.
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Ellen
M. Beck
Secretary
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