by Kirby Lindsay, posted 1 August 2014
The July meeting of the Fremont Neighborhood Council had a full agenda, and great attendance, particularly when you compare other all-volunteer organizations that hold informational meetings on a warm, summer evening.
Lightening Round
Lacking room for lengthy details on every items discussed at this FNC meeting, here are brief updates on several items that sparked interest among the residential attendees:
Westlake Cycle Track – FNC Board President Stephanie Pure reported on the City of Seattle proposal for a new, dedicated bicycle lane for Westlake Avenue (from the Fremont Bridge to South Lake Union.) She pointed out that it would be available for use by riders of all ages, not just hardcore cyclists. It will also require all remaining parking in the area be converted to ‘paid’ to guarantee more turnover so that more people might be able to use it.
Report On Community Clean-Up on Sep 20th – FNC Board Member Linda Clifton organized, with $1000 grant money from the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, a clean-up and after party at Patrick Place Apartments. Approximately 35 volunteers turned-out, and the Patrick Place manager told Clifton that the residents have appreciated the support and welcome they’ve received. A resident at the FNC meeting pointed out how nice – and rare – it is to have an event specifically organized for those who live in Fremont.
Fremont Chamber Events – Pure announced that the Chamber has, upcoming, a social event called ‘Ducks, Dogs & Suds’ on August 20th, a fundraising Wiffle Ball tournament on September 6th for B.F. Day Elementary School, and the Fremont Oktoberfest on September 19 – 21st which raises money for the Chamber.
Fremont Bridge Painting – Art Brochet, of the Seattle Department of Transportation, reported that repainting of the Bridge will start in August and go to the end of the year. This will necessitate some closures of the Bridge, particularly during the first two weekends in September. If you have questions, contact him at art.brochet@seattle.gov
The North Precinct Picnic – The FNC Board, and other volunteers, agreed to host a booth at this free, public event on August 24th at University Heights Center form 1p – 4p. Please consider attending and saying hello – it’s a great, free event for the whole family!
Crosswalk for N 43rd & Fremont Ave N – According to FNC Board Member Matt Gasparich, the crosswalk will being installed (from Caffé Vita to Ten22 Home) in November.
Transfer Station Mitigation Funds – The FNC took part in a lawsuit to fight the rebuild of the North Seattle Transfer Station (the dump) in its same location. The settlement earmarked $60,000 for community improvements, to be agreed upon by all the plaintiffs. At this time, the plaintiffs cannot agree although the original agreement required $30,000 be spent by the end of 2014. FNC Board Member Toby Thaler reported that all parties have agreed to roll the money over, and the group now has until three years after the new Transfer Station opens to spend the entire sum.
And Now… Kite Hill Closure
David Graves, of the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation, reported that the Kite Hill portion of Gas Works Park will be closed for soil remediation from Labor Day – September 1st, 2014 – until Memorial Day or, perhaps, June, 2015. Starting August 18th, construction fencing will be put up around an area along the south side of the Hill, blocking access to the water. The majority of the Kite Hill area will be closed starting after Labor Day, when construction crews will lay down new soil over the existing soil and re-do some pathways – for more A.D.A. accessibility. However, when the area reopens next year, “it will look similar,” Graves said.
The main pathway, that crosses most of the park at the base of Kite Hill, will be partially closed during September 2014, but will reopen after the new soil is laid, in October. The majority of this work will be growing grass in the new soil in time for the big 4th of July celebration in 2015. All of this work is intended to bring tar and oil dust levels in the soil at Gas Works down to the levels permitted under ecology regulations.
More Housing Developments
Most attendees at the July FNC meeting were residents concerned about another housing development – this one at 3635 Phinney Avenue North. Previously residents addressed the FNC about a proposed project at 3639 Linden Avenue North. Both projects create small efficiency apartments – not, technically, micro-housing – and both do not provide on-site parking for the residents. This one on Phinney has 22 bicycle parking spaces proposed for a building with 27 units.
Thaler, a land-use attorney, explained that under current zoning code the City no longer requires developers to provide a certain square footage per unit. This has contributed to the creation of these very small units that increase density, and the number of tenants that pay rent in one building.
Several residents complained about the planned lack of parking. One, who lives north of the Phinney development, already has people parking on his street to avoid the RPZ restrictions on street parking in the 3600 block of Phinney. He doesn’t want more parking pressure on his block – or to have more car traffic on the narrow streets. The city doesn’t have to allow for parking, another resident acknowledged, but it can.
Another resident admitted that he lives in a townhome, which put four residences on a property previously occupied by a single family. He doesn’t want to throw stones, but he is concerned about a multiplier effect – if all single family properties gets developed for 20 – 30 new residents, how can the neighborhood absorb them? What is a humane amount of space for living?
A couple who live near the proposed development also worried about noise. The development has no allowance for common areas, and they don’t welcome residents gathering on the sidewalks/parking strip to relax and smoke.
Finally, what about the garbage? The development plans indicate individual, wheeled cans for all types of trash created by the residents, rather than dumpsters. These cans get wheeled out to the curb, and many of the apartment/condo buildings leave these on the curbs for days, and even permanently.
Clifton noted that while small units may appeal to young people, particularly students, these developments don’t provide for the future, and attracting families. Erik Pihl, another FNC Board Member, addressed the way the city has encouraged density with a promise of more infrastructure – particularly transit – but has had problems delivering on that promise.
The FNC will draft a letter, detailing concerns raised. As for taking an overview on both developments – this one and the one on Linden, President Pure said that the Board can consider it, but she saw the concerns on each as different.
The July FNC meeting ended, with more residential matters discussed. This highlight cannot give every bit of information shared, but if you want to know more, attend the next meeting on August 25th at 7p at Doric Lodge #92. Also, stay up-to-date with the FNC website and the Facebook Page. The FNC represents the interests of Fremont residents, but only if the residents get involved!
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