News Posts

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) released its biweekly land use information bulletin yesterday. The following list provides the highlights. For more detailed information, click here.

The DPD has issued a Determination of Non-Significance relating to certain land use code text amendments that would facilitate the use of idle properties

The DPD is considering a series of amendments to the City's land use code that would facilitate temporary uses of those properties where development has stalled as a result of the economic downturn. According to the DPD, these amendments are intended to solve some of the problems associated with vacant lots or lots with unfinished structures, which may pose a safety hazard or create unsightly conditions. Temporary uses contemplated under the amendments include parking, retail, art installations, and the (increasingly popular) mobile food carts. The DPD has determined that these amendments will have no significant adverse environmental impacts and that no environmental impact statement will be required. The DPD will be accepting comments on this environmental determination through November 23, 2009. Any appeal of this determination must be filed with the hearings officer no later than November 30, 2009. For more information, click here.

The DPD has issued a Determination of Significance and a Notice of Adoption of Existing Environmental Documents relating to a residential project in South Downtown

The DPD has determined that a large, mixed-use project along South King Street is likely to have probable significant adverse environmental impacts under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). This project would include one residential building (668 units) distributed among three towers (10, 20 and 25-stories) with ground level retail and 399 above grade parking stalls, as well as one 20-story office building with ground level retail and 502 above grade parking stalls. The DPD, however, has adopted existing environmental documents, with a proposed addendum, in order to satisfy its obligations under SEPA. The DPD will be accepting comments on the proposed adoption of these documents through November 24, 2009. For more information, click here.

Two Capitol Hill mixed-use developments scheduled for design review

The Design Review Board will be considering two proposed mixed-use buildings at on Wednesday, December 2.

The first proposal entails a six-story mixed-use building (ground-level retail with 99 apartment units above) at 412 Broadway in Capitol Hill. Details on this proposal can be found here.

The second proposal involves a six-story mixed-use building (ground-level retail with105 apartment units above) at 1111 East Union Street in Capitol Hill (seen in the photo above). The design proposal can be viewed here (large file). For more information on the project, click here.

Both meetings will be held in the meeting room at Seattle University's Alumni Relations and Admissions Building (Meeting Room), 824 12th Avenue. The first proposal will be considered starting at 6:30 pm.  The second proposal will be considered starting at 8:00 pm. Public comments will be taken.

A group of residents southeast of Renton and north of Kent have again lost their bid to incorporate. The area is an “island” of unincorporated King County that contains about 25,000 residents.

A simple majority vote would have been sufficient to form a new city. As of the 4:19 PM count on November 4, only 44.74% of voters were in favor while 55.26 % were against.

An incorporation vote also failed three years ago by 270 votes. This time the measure is losing by 515 votes.

No city has incorporated in King County in the last 10 years. Consistent with the Growth Management Act, King County has been urging incorporation of such areas which are costly to service.

It is expected that the City of Renton will now proceed with an annexation attempt. Renton officially sat on the sidelines during this vote.

Due to the ongoing structural problems associated with the Howard Hanson Dam (discussed here, here, and here), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release more water than usual into the Green River this winter. As a result, the possibility of downstream flooding is considerably greater than in years past.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is taking steps now to prevent disruptions to those state highways in Tukwila, Renton, Kent, and Auburn that would likely be affected by potential floodwaters. For instance, Contractors have begun placing sandbags (backed by concrete barriers) along a 1/3 mile stretch of Highway 167 just north of S. 277th Street in Kent. This Saturday, bridge and maintenance crews will be reinforcing a bridge pier on SR 18. (According to WSDOT, these reinforcements are preventative in nature; the bridge is in no immediate danger.) WSDOT will also be working in the coming weeks to protect signal cabinets from possible flooding.

For more information on WSDOT’s efforts, click here.

Yesterday we reported on the City of Shoreline election results, which are apt to make a significant difference to future city planning decisions. The only close race was between incumbent Mayor Cindy Ryu and challenger Shari Tracey.

On Tuesday night Tracey had won 50.88% of the ballots cast, compared to 48.82 % for Ryu. In the 4:19 PM vote count on Wednesday Traci had advanced to 51.70 % of the ballots, compared to 48.04 % for Ryu.

The number of write-in votes, a mighty 22 (or 0.26%), remained unchanged from the Tuesday count to the Wednesday count.

King County will continue to update results each week day at 4:30 PM. Click here for City of Shoreline results.