by Kirby Lindsay, posted 7 December 2011
The November 28th meeting of the Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) finished out the calendar year for this organization, and made decisive progress on several projects.
A New Website for the FNC
One possibly significant bit of business, accomplished late in the meeting, involved a presentation by Andy Hayes on the new FNC website – now visible. Hayes noted on his handout that, ‘It’s not a website, it’s a communications platform.’ The FNC had sought a way to link Facebook, the FNC blog and website – and Hayes delivered. In addition to linking existing resources, the site includes an events calendar, on-line membership payment, and subscriber e-mail (using MailChimp.)
By building the website using WordPress, the ‘platform’ uses free software with a shallow learning curve and a wealth of on-line tutorials and instructional information. For an organization run entirely by volunteers, the need for new people to be able pick up where others left-off is paramount. Additionally, as part of his contract – the FNC hired Hayes under a City of Seattle On-Line Boost grant to increase community awareness – the Board will receive a three-hour training session on the new site.
The Board finished the discussion on the website – and a need to keep it up-to-date – with a vote to authorize money be spent to remove the remaining information on the former FNC website (on the Seattle Community Network) to download it on the new site.
3400 Stone Revisited
Toby Thaler gave a report on the recent Early Design Guidance meeting for the Skanska development at 3400 Stone Way. According to him, the room was packed, and the design presented had changed since the last presentation he saw – and reflected changes suggested by the public input process.
Thaler, FNC Land Use Chairperson, explained that the development is being built under a City of Seattle Department of Planning & Development (DPD) Pilot Program, aimed at encouraging more sustainable building practices. A concern raised by neighbors of the development is the building height, and the mechanical equipment to be perched atop it. Thaler has seen developments where the designers promised scale back, or lower the visibility of, the mechanical only to have changes made during construction.
“Everyone thinks it is great to be getting a green building,” Thaler related from the public meeting. He acknowledged that the concerns came from residents living east of the development, and that, “I have not heard a single Fremont resident complain about the height of this building.” The FNC, a few Board Members stated, represents Fremont residents.
Board Members Linda Clifton and Stephanie Pure also attended, and spoke at, the meeting. Pure sees this project as an opportunity for the Fremont and Wallingford residential groups to take leadership positions. She and Thaler also would like to see the final design – what Skanska will file with the DPD – before giving full support for the project.
Board President Matt Gasparich asked for a vote to see if the FNC could support the project as it now stands. Thaler voiced a hesitation about this project leading to permanent height variances in future developments under this pilot program. He had no specific, overriding concerns about 3400 Stone. The Board voted to give a very general statement of support for the project, and approved the motion unanimously.
Additonal Business Including Hazel Heights
On behalf of the Hazel Heights P-Patch, Vicki Robinson came to ask the FNC for $500 to build and install a mosaic tile sign on the property’s concrete retaining wall. Robinson, and Thaler, reported that 100+ donors gave to this project to get it built. Long-range, users and supporters of the p-patch plan to expand the tile project, and art for the site, but this first step required so little that they didn’t see the point to launching a fundraising drive now to accomplish it. Robinson, an accomplished artist, offered to do the work herself, and the FNC Board voted its approval of fulfilling the fund request to Hazel Heights.
In additional news, Pure reported that the neighbors along North 39th Street have gotten a new speed limit sign for the street, “hopefully it will slow people down.” Board member Dic Selin volunteered to pursue funding and development of the park space adjacent to (and west of) Ernst Park (a.k.a. Slippery Slope.) The Board also made plans to launch their annual membership drive, held in January.
For those who can’t make it to meetings but want a look at the minutes, the FNC finally has a new volunteer secretary, Judie Clarridge. She will produce the minutes, which will be posted on the new website after they receive Board approval.
Of course, the best way to find out, and influence, what happens at FNC meetings is by attending! Meetings take place on the 4th Monday of each month (except December) at 7p at Doric Lodge #92, with the next meeting on January 23rd, 2012.
Related Articles
- FNC Highlight Reel: Discussion Of Developments To Come
- by Kirby Lindsay, November 2, 2011
- Skanska Proposes A Community Asset For Stone Way
- by Kirby Lindsay, November 16, 2011
©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.