Blogs

A significant eastside annexation to Kirkland appears to be headed for victory. If successful, Kirkland will become the eastside’s second largest city, after Bellevue.  

(Pete Buck, chairman of the nonprofit board of Northwest Hub, will be contributing serendipitous observations from time to time. He has a tiny camera in the glove box of his car and an eye and ear for what is good in the world. Anyone with ideas for positive happenings, programs, things, etc., should contact him at pete@northwesthub.org.)

Several years ago the Fleets and Facilities Department of the City of Seattle surplused what apparently was a former substation site near 32nd Avenue NW and NW 65th Street. The battered sign shown here survived the ravages of the Ballard winters and has now led to a potential great use of the site.

(Pete Buck, chairman of the nonprofit board of Northwest Hub, will be contributing serendipitous observations from time to time. He has a tiny camera in the glove box of his car and an eye and ear for what is good in the world. Anyone with ideas for positive happenings, programs, things, etc., should contact him at pete@northwesthub.org.)

Yesterday the Seattle City Council voted 9-0 in favor of allowing detached allowing accessory dwelling units (aka “backyard cottages”) on eligible properties in all single family zones. These  backyard cottages cannot exceed 800 square feet in size (including garage and storage space) and will not be allowed on lots smaller than 4,000 square feet or lots that fall within shoreline jurisdiction. Additionally, backyard cottages will not be allowed on properties that already possess a basement or attic apartment.

Sound Transit will be hosting an East Link public workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 4 to 7 pm (with a presentation at 5 pm). They will be presenting the downtown Bellevue preferred route and stations, as well as the tunnel alternatives, and will take comments about how East Link can best serve you. The workshop will be held at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Research Council, recently released its Fall 2009 “Intercity Rail Passenger Systems Update." The update contains a collection of news briefs submitted by industry specialists. The highlights are provided below.

Back in September, Northwest Hub posted a short piece on Redmond's efforts to rewrite its Community Development Guide (RCDG) through use of a Code Rewrite Commission (CRC).  The City of Redmond recently gave notice that the ongoing CRC meetings will be televised live and made available online at www.redmond.gov.

The Master Builders Association’s government affairs team has been busy lobbying for local legislative reforms to ease the strains caused by the ongoing economic downturn. Their approach has been twofold: first, persuade local leaders to do no further harm by resisting new fees, taxes, or regulations; and second, seek out local legislative fixes that could help developers weather the economic storm. It appears that their efforts are beginning to pay off.

The King County Council adopted amendments to Flood Protection Ordinance 10870 on Oct. 26.

The revisions were required by the Federal Emergency Management Association. If the changes were not implemented, King County residents would not be eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program. (For more information on the changes, check out this earlier Northwest Hub post.)