Hot Topic September 2011 - Legislative Rezone Actions

On this page:

• "Yes in My Front Yard!" Roosevelt: An Urban Village Ahead of the Curve
• Is 350 additional units enough?
• 2006 Zoning Proposal being considered for Legislative Rezone
• 12-story Building Proposed for "Fruitstand Block" (at NE 65th & 15th Ave NE)
• Neighborhood Design Guidelines update to include Sustainability practices
• Light Rail Station Design

Some activists have been arguing that 350 additional units isn't enough zoning expansion in a neighborhood that will have a light rail station. If you read the Department of Planning and Development Director's Analysis and Recommendation on the RNA Rezone Proposal (14MB PDF) you know that the actual number reported is different. But whether it's 350 or 1,000 or even 10,000, the question remains, is it enough?

That's an interesting question. But perhaps it's not the right question. Look at it this way. Suppose you really like popcorn. Suppose you were offered some number of popped kernels, let's say 100. If you were a popcorn connoisseur you might know exactly how much satisfaction you can get from those 100 popped kernels; most people probably wouldn't have a clue. What if you have been eating yummy buttered popcorn out of an eight quart bowl? Would you want someone to provide 100 additional popped kernels to satisfy you? Doesn't the answer depend on how much you've eaten out of the bowl and how much is still left?

The point is, instead of looking at additional units, maybe we should be looking at density that is or will be available if the proposed zoning changes are adopted?

John Adams, Architect and VP of the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association oversaw a Roosevelt Station Area Density Study that evaluated density in the 1/2 mile radius around the location of the proposed Roosevelt station. John asked two important questions. The table below presents the findings. Note that some of these numbers indicate double, triple and almost quadruple of the capacity in use today. It is also important to note that the study demonstrates that the capacity puts the neighborhood ahead of density proposed by the Washington State Growth Management Act.

YIMFY means we want more capacity here in Roosevelt. And we have asked for it. Keep in mind that when you look at the neighborhood as it is today you see a lot of underutilized capacity. Providing more capacity doesn't mean there will be more living space or shops or services; it is the responsibility of land owners and developers to choose to invest in structures that utilize the capacity. 

The upshot is, if you only consider "350 additional units" it may not seem like a lot. But if all of the available zoning is fully utilized, the Roosevelt Neighborhood will have a respectable amount of density and capacity while at the same time maintaining a neighborhood character that will certainly entice people to want live here. YIMFY!

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2006 Zoning Proposal being considered for Legislative Rezone 

In 2006, while the neighborhood was revising the Neighborhood Plan, the neighbors also proposed rezoning that made sense for the neighborhood. Many things were considered: historic preservation, consistency of building heights, population density requirements, light rail coming to the neighborhood and more. The rezone proposal was vetted heavily with the Roosevelt community. People were pleased with the plan and expected the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association to move forward. And we did. Since then we have addressed more than one Mayor and the City Council multiple times to move on this. Now with budget cutbacks the City is taking our proposal even less seriously. And this is especially difficult now because a developer in the neighborhood wants to put up a 12-story building under a "contract rezone". Unfortunately, we can't do anything to sway City Council about the contract rezone; the effort cannot be discussed outside chambers. However, if we focus on getting the City Council to push through our proposal as a Legislative Rezone, we will know that the community has been heard.

When you write your council members about this, DO NOT mention the contract rezone; doing so will nullify your comments. Focus on your desire to have the City following through on the request to have the 2006 Roosevelt Neighborhood Association Zoning Proposal adopted as a Legislative Rezone.
More details...

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12-story Building Proposed for "Fruitstand Block" (at NE 65th & 15th Ave NE) 

You must have heard by now that the Roosevelt Development Group (RDG) has proposed building a 12+ story building on the corner of 65th & 15th, otherwise referred to "the Fruitstand block" or "the veggie block". In order to get approval to build that high, the City Department of Planning and Development (DPD) must approve a Contract Rezone. You can bet that the RDG is lobbying whoever they can to get support for their request. We must stay involved. And our message must be clear: the neighborhood has proposed zoning (see above) that satistfactorily meets the need for density and is well vetted with what our neighbood believes is welcoming. More details...

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Neighborhood Design Guidelines update to include Sustainability practices 

The Roosevelt Sustainability Group (RSG) is seeking to improve our neighborhood Design Review Guidelines to include the improvements proposed by the City for Citywide Sustainability improvements. More details...

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Light Rail Station Design

North Link Light rail is 30% finished with the Roosevelt Station Area design. But the design calls for using land without including residential units above the entrances.

Catch up on the design progress...

5-19-11 Roosevelt Station

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DCReportRoosevelt-Station-Light-Rail-Review-PanelAgendaID3239.pdf

6-2-11 Brooklyn Station

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DCReportBrooklyn-Station-Light-Rail-Review-PanelAgendaID3248.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Valerie Kinast, the panel’s coordinator, at valerie.kinast@seattle.gov or 206 233-7911.

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