by Kirby Lindsay, posted 2 April 2012
The March meeting of the Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) started moving immediately – the location changed just after the last minute when, due to a scheduling error, the Doric Lodge #92, where the meeting usually takes place, couldn’t accommodate the meeting. The gathered attendees quickly shifted one block uphill to the Fremont Baptist Church, and started in earnest only a few minutes late.
Some Words On A Subway
The shift did make a few small changes in the agenda, but the crowd that had come to present – and hear the presentation – on Seattle Subway still had a good opportunity to make their case.
Keith Kyle began with a disclaimer that while he works for Sound Transit, he did not speak on their behalf. Instead, he represented a group who seek a much more comprehensive and immediate transit system solution for the City of Seattle. “I grew up in the Washington D.C. area,” he explained, “and while I love living in Ballard, and I love living in Seattle,” he said he misses the freedom of movement that the subway system provides.
Seattle Subway promotes building a network of subway lines to connect major areas of the city, using the corridors already identified in studies done for Sound Transit.
Kyle admitted that building such an ambitious network would be expensive, “but like any good investment, it will pay off,” he said. “A subway is the cheapest way to move people,” he said, pointing to the Vancouver B.C. system which runs at a profit. Also, he cited a study that shows using transit saves drivers $12,000 a year, “and that money goes back into the local economy,” he explained. Finally, a subway runs on electricity – the greenest power source available here in the northwest – rather than diesel or gas.
The FNC Board asked many questions, with most leading back to how the promoters plan to find funding. Kyle, and others, explained that they are looking at a ‘progressive tax option,’ rather than another sales tax – “we want to find something transportation based,” Kyle said. The tax would have to be placed on Seattleites – not regionally – although Federal money may also be available.
The subway system would run above ground in some areas, and would not replace all bus service. Also, they see it being run by Sound Transit. According to Kyle and the others, Sound Transit serves five different subareas – and Seattle is only one of those. This is an effort to get better transit in Seattle sooner, rather than waiting until after Sound Transit serves Tukwila and/or Federal Way.
The Seattle Subway representatives came, they said, to start a discussion, and start building consensus. They want feedback, and recommended visiting the Seattle Subway website, and/or the Facebook page.
Moved To Vote
From the subway, the FNC meeting moved to old business – and the Board voted on a series of motions on a variety of topics. A rundown follows:
Motion to spend $50 on cake, and other supplies, for the upcoming Annual Meeting on April 23rd. Passed.
The Board spent time discussing the Annual Meeting, and the myriad details associated with it. They set a list of potential guest speakers for Board President Matt Gasparich to call and invite. They also readdressed a plan to honor former Board Member George Heideman at the meeting. If Heideman feels well enough to attend, the group agreed, there should be cake.
Motion to send a letter of support on the Stone34 Master Use Permit application. Passed.
Linda Mitchell spoke about the most recent Design Review meeting on the Skanska development at the foot of Stone Way, called Stone34. The Design Review Board found 3 or 4 items that they agreed would need to be adjusted. Mitchell described the items as “fairly minor,” and said that the designers have already addressed them. Another date to present before the Design Review Board will be set soon – possibly for late April.
Many people attended the Design Review meeting, many of them in opposition to the City of Seattle Living Building Pilot Program under which this project is being built, and/or the height, bulk, and scale of this development. Mitchell observed, and FNC Board Members agreed, that many people have spoken in favor of this development. She said supporters may have grown complacent about Stone34 being built, and decided not to turn out for the meeting.
Motion to send a letter to support an ordinance that facilitates the settlement on the North Transfer Station remodel.
Presented by Toby Thaler, the FNC Land Use Chairperson, this matter didn’t undergo much in the way of discussion – or explanation. Essentially, the FNC settled a lawsuit over the pending remodel of the North Seattle Transfer Station – and now must write a letter supporting that settlement.
No Motion, But Interesting Nonetheless…
Linda Clifton presented clearly laid out details about the communications methods currently used by the FNC. With its new website, and a Facebook page, the organization has a broad platform for communication, and Clifton wanted the Board to consider who and how it will authorize to post on these mediums. Board Vice President Stephanie Pure (who facilitated this meeting,) clarified that criteria are needed to establish what can, and cannot, be posted. The Board were encouraged to take the information home to consider what parts they could take on. Also a subcommittee formed to address the minutia of these communication systems.
The meeting ended there, (with a few asides about who does, and who doesn’t, use Facebook.) Next month the FNC holds its Annual General Meeting, with a featured guest speaker (or two) and the vote for the Board of Directors. The meeting will be held April 23rd, at 7p, at Doric Lodge #92. Hopefully all FNC members, as well as anyone interested in hearing more about this organization that advocates on behalf of Fremont residents, will show up to learn more.
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©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.