Laurelhurst Community Club

ATTENDANCE

Trustees and Committee Members: John Burge, Todd Cahill, Jean Colley, Casey Corr, Jeannie Hale, C. Han Kim, Cheryl Kitchin, Kate Lloyd, Heather Newman, Barb Ragee, Stan Sorcher, Jim Strunk, Mark Trumbauer, Susan Torrance, Maggie Weissman, Karl Weyrauch, Pat Wright

Guests: Karen Ko, Department of Neighborhoods; Children's: Ruth Benfield , Administrator, Regional and Ambulatory Services; Sarah Erickson, Assistant Director, Community, Government Affairs and Advocacy; Tim Larson, Superintendent of Sellen Construction; Dave Scalzo, Project Manager; Steve Scheibe, Director of Facilities; Neighbors: Bob Capeloto, Dick Gilbert, Erik Heggelund, Mimi Heggelund, Conrad Jacobsen, Conrad Jacobsen, Judi Jacobsen, Irma Johnson, Tom Johnson, Winston Johnson, Marilyn Layton, Martin Layton, Gail Leach, Michael Leach, Peter Lindburg, Matt McGinnis,

CALL TO ORDER: Hale called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Trustees and guests introduced themselves.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL EXPANSION OF THE IN-PATIENT FACILITY: Benfield provided background information about Children's current in-patient facility and showed a model and rendering of the proposed expansion. The expansion is consistent with Children's Master Plan. The hospital would like to license 250 beds, up from its current 208. The entrance will be in the same location, off of Penny Drive. There will be a setback on the second floor with modulation going up to the fourth floor, where there will be a connection to the existing fourth floor. The new addition will be welcoming to families and will have a Savannah theme. Scalzo noted that the project includes improvement of landscaping on the west side of Helen Lane to benefit the neighbors in Laurelon Terrace. Trees that are moved will be replanted.

Larsen stated that construction should begin around July 2002 and be completed by January 2004. Site access will be through Helen Lane. Approximately 20,000 yards of dirt will be removed from the basement area. The route of trucks removing the dirt is uncertain at this time because the dirt contract has not been finalized and it depends upon where the dirt will be taken. The hospital is still deciding where the main entrance will be during the project. Ninty-five percent of the families will enter the hospital from the new garage, entering the campus from Sand Point Way. There is no plan to access the site from NE 45th.

The interior will be remodeled to convert rooms to single-family rather than multiple occupancy rooms.

Under the current master plan, 260,000 square feet of expansion is allowed. Only about 30,000 of this limit has been used as the garage project is not included in the amount of expansion authorized. The hospital currently covers about 600,000 square feet. Kitchin provided background information about development of the current master plan.

The addendum to the EIS for this project should be available soon and there will be a comment period.

Several neighbors were on hand to express concerns about the proposed expansion. Marilyn Layton read the following letter signed by neighbors in the vicinity of Children's to the board: January 14, 2002

To Whom It Concerns, from Whom It Concerns:

"When the children's hospital outgrew its facility on Queen Anne Hill," Christine Barrett writes in A History of Laurelhurst, and decided to take over "the derelict seminary grounds" on which it now stands, it encountered a violent reaction from the community to this intrusion of a residential area. The hospital assured the Community Club "that the buildings would be no more than two stories in height . . . ," among other promises badly and consistently broken over the years.

Many of us who live in the neighborhood of Children's Hospital have spent decades in our much beloved community even as we witnessed and suffered the hospital's many expansions. We have watched our children catch butterflies on what was once your front lawn, and celebrated the arrival of new families. In spite of our despair at what was occurring next door, we chose to stay in our homes because we care profoundly for each other and the place in which we live, many of us for decades.

Last May 2001, our lives - so often intruded upon by the hospital - encountered horrific change - eclipsing all that we had experienced in the preceding decades. The decision to move a six-story above-ground garage from its original site near 54th Street was made to save that surrounding neighborhood from a concrete monster, and to bury this structure partially in the location that has so affected those of us who live to the south of the hospital.

For many unrelenting months, day in and day out, we have been assaulted with 100 trucks daily carrying away the enormous contents of the hole being dug and trucks returning to replace that dirt with steel and concrete. The dust and dirt and traffic congestion from these trucks would alone have been sufficient to drive anyone mad, but the constant screeching, beeping, pounding, screaming, banging, shrieking, hammering, and clanging of the machinery on site every work day, all day, overwhelmed all possibility of escape. It was a challenge indeed even to drive away from our homes. Nature herself - in the tragedy we all suffered in the loss of a human life - perhaps was trying to tell us that the project should never have been undertaken.

Neighbors directly facing the devastation have had their lives further assaulted by the sight of Sanicans near the bus turn-around, chain-link fences, and the commotion of traffic constantly directed by an army of men with signs, all intrusions on their privacy. The need for more electricity has meant unsightly new utility poles on their land. Neighbors at the bottom of the hill in the Laurelon Terrace Apartments have been adversely affected by the run-off from water pouring down the hill.

Most of Seattle's residents suffered major trauma and fright last February 28 during our huge earthquake. Residents of our neighborhood continued to suffer major trauma from earthquakes that have been making our homes and the ground on which they sit tremble and shake from the construction many times in a day. Our once beautiful neighborhood has turned into a disastrous location - one we will suffer economically as well with the subsequent loss of our property values if the hospital continues with its present plans.

We have been told by hospital authorities that your next phase of contruction would be the demolition and rebuilding of the south wing to begin in 2003. In view of the terrible afflictions you have perpetrated on this neighborhood in constructing your garage, we are demanding that you look elsewhere than our neighborhood for whatever space you will need in the future.

The plans we saw for the completion of this garage failed to show the ugly and unforgivable six poles that will support an ineffective glass awning suitable to an industrial area down by the shipyards perhaps, but certainly not in a neighborhood of homes. A letter we received about the closing of one lane on NE 45th Street so that dirt might be delivered to the site failed to mention plans to dig up the whole street in order to run wires underground for more electricity. Whenever we neighbors discover the truth of what is occurring, the hospital representatives are quick to apologize for not making the situation clear - once the situation has become irrevocable, that is.

We want to know with absolute certainty that your plans for further construction will never again make this side or any side of your neighborhood a victim of your will. One more truck on NE 45th cannot be permitted entry. You who are so concerned with your mission of healthcare have seriously affected the mental and physical health of so many of us nearby who respect the work you do but not at the sacrifice of our health or our neighborhood. For almost one year, our lives have been under siege.

Whatever your legal rights to carry out whatever you deem necessary on your property, we need to remember the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. - that legality must square with morality, which you have too many times defied by misrepresenting your plans and intentions to your neighbors and thereby engendering the long history of our distrust and despair concerning what you claim to represent in this community. As King also pointed out, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Never again a truck working for your institution on our neighborhood streets. Never again a human-produced earthquake. Never again our trust in your hospital defiled.

cc:	Truman Katz, Children's Hospital Administrator Jeannie Hale, Chair, Laurelhurst Community Club Malli Anderson, Seattle Land Use Commission

ADMINISTRATION

1. Minutes: The packets include minutes from the December 10, 2001 LCC meeting. M/S/P (Corr/Ragee): To approve the December LCC minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

2. Treasurer's Report: Kim reported that LCC is on track with its budget and net worth is up $10,000 from last year at the same time. Total assets are $77,744.82. Dues collected in 2001 were $35,855. The highest dues submitted was $200 and the lowest $10. Eight hundred and forty-four households submitted dues, 300 at the $30 level, 401 at the $45 level and 143 at other levels. Newsletter ads have brought in $8,225 and history book sales have brought in $1,848 (about 22 books) as of the end of December. LCC is holding $81,625.92 in the Blakeley Crescent Park account.

CALLS AND CONCERNS FROM NEIGHBORS

1. Crime Prevention: Tricia Raikes emailed on 12/13/01 recommending stronger communications on crime in the neighborhood. She suggested email messages when a rash of crime hits the neighborhood, such as car thefts or house prowls. Hale responded that LCC would address this at the January meeting.

2. Congrats and Thank You: Malcolm Boyles emailed to thank LCC for its December email broadcast that encouraged neighbors to attend the annual Christmas Ship event. Peggy Bigelow and Kathryn Gardnow emailed to thank LCC for its December message.

3. Directional Arrows: Robin Chalmers emailed on 12/14/01 to suggest that directional arrows be installed at the egg-shaped traffic circle at NE 38th and 43rd Avenue NE. He noted that one Saturday morning a person in a large SUV was coming up the hill on NE 38th and turned left onto 43rd and went the wrong way around the circle and almost caused an accident. He asked that LCC contact Seattle Engineering about this. Hale has contacted Susan Marten and will respond later to Chalmers.

4. Traffic Improvement near Waterway #1 near Curve in the Road: Doug Armintrout emailed about the status of an approved Neighborhood Street Fund grant project to fund a corner adjustment on 42nd Avenue NE. LCC has emailed SeaTran and received no response to date and will continue to follow up.

5. Traffic Problems: Kathryn Gardow emailed on 12/14/01 to pass along concerns expressed at the North Laurelhurst transportation meeting. She is concerned about Sand Point Way between 50th Avenue NE and Children's Hospital--speeding and lack of sidewalks. She is also concerned about access to the Burke-Gilman and the ability to safely cross Sand Point Way, especially for baby strollers and bikes. These issues will be addressed in the Laurelhurst transportation plan.

6. History Book: Former neighbor Robert Umphrey who now lives in Orlando, Florida emailed to request a copy of the Laurelhurst history book.

7. RPZ along NE 45th: A couple of months ago, neighbors in the vicinity of Children's who live along NE 45th where there are 2-hour parking limits contacted LCC about getting parking tickets while parked in front of their homes. As a result Children's is working with those neighbors to determine whether they are interested in an RPZ. The issue will be discussed at the January 17th Children's Advisory Committee meeting. Mike Morris-Lent from SeaTran is the lead on this. Children's would have to pay for the entire implementation cost. This would include SeaTran staff cost, the required RPZ study and the installation of signs. The cost of the implementation would depend on the size of the study area, how many days of the week the study must take place, the size of the approved (qualified) area, how many public meetings after the RPZ is approved.

8. Bus Service: Doug Armintrout emailed on 12/14/01 after reviewing the LCC website and learning that LCC passed on the proposal to switch to small buses in the neighborhood. He is frustrated with the large, empty bussed that go through the neighborhood. Hale emailed Armintrout back to let him know that LCC was given no assurance that the small bus service would not be discontinued in the future, leaving LCC with no service at all. Armintrout will attend an upcoming LCC meeting.

9. Speed Humps on 49th: Art and June Butler emailed on 1/7/02 to pass along compliments and applause for the new speed humps on 49th Avenue NE. Many other neighbors have expressed appreciation for the humps as an effective means to slow traffic. Art Butler also suggested "No Parking within 30 Feet" signs close to the corners where St. Bridget's and St. Stephens are located. Ben Smith emailed to indicate that he thought the new speed humps create a traffic problem. Weyrauch pointed out a conflict between the 15 mph speed for the humps and the 20 mph speed limit for the school zone. A plastic polinun material will be applied to the humps when the weather improves to alert drivers about the humps.

10. Accident on 50th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way by the Texaco Station: Weissman emailed on 1/07/02 to report a serious accident at this location on Saturday at about 5:15 p.m. Police remained on the scene for over four hours. Apparently, a man was trying to turn left onto Sand Point Way and veered over the center turn lane. Someone in the accident ended up having to go to the hospital. Many neighbors came to complain about the corner and asked about the status of the proposed stoplight.

11. Status of Traffic Light on 50th and Sand Point Way: Liz Ogden reported that the LCC transportation consultant had already looked into it and found that the hold up is with figuring out how to get the tanker trucks into the gas station. The plan submitted blocked access into the Texaco station from 50th, which the tankers depend on to turn around. Ogden met with the transportation consultant this afternoon and is hoping for progress by the next steering committee meeting. Joe Couples, Senior Signal Operations Engineer emailed today to say that the has spoken with Brian Kemper, the section Manager, and at this time they have determined that our location has the second highest priority for the new signal construction this year. SeaTran is currently finishing the construction of 20th and Madison signal and after that will start upon the first signal for this year at 15th Ave NE just North of NE Pacific St. After that is complete the will proceed with our signal.

12. Princeton Street Bridge: Weissman has been following up with Liz Ogden and SeaTran about the planned renovation of the Princeton Street Bridge. The project has gone out to bid. Weissman suggested several locations for detour signs, directional signs telling drivers which way to turn and other temporary traffic device additions to ensure as minimal impact as possible on the Laurelhurst business district and to allow a good flow of traffic.

13. Golf Driving Range Proposal: Tom Johnson, Mimi and Per Heggelund, Lee Brillhart, Peter Lindburg, Daniel D. Ederer, Ric Anderson, Nick Eitel, Mark and Jaimee Mader emailed to express their support for the UW's proposed expansion of the golf driving range. Their messages are included in the correspondence packet.

14. Closing of Albertson's: Marielle Roloff called on 1/4/02 to express concern over the closing of Albertson's on 40th and 55th. She lives in the Provail Burke Gilman housing for people with disabilities and the Albertson's is the closest store and most easily accessible to those in wheelchairs and with walkers. Hale gave Roloff the phone numbers of the Hawthorne Hills Community Council and the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association and explained that there isn't anything LCC can do about sale of the property. Hale said LCC would keep her informed when we learn of new businesses going in that location.

15. Sidewalk Issues: Dick Gilbert called on 1/10/01 to express concerns about bushes and overgrowth on Laurelhurst sidewalks and cars that park on the sidewalk. He walks all around the neighborhood and runs into obstacles. He has discussed problems with homeowners as he is walking about in the neighborhood and most people have been hostile about trimming back overgrowth or moving cars. He has contacted the city with no response. He suggested more frequently newsletter reminders and even printing the names of the worst offenders in the newsletter. He thought maybe LCC would consider designating a committee to work on the issue in the spring. Gilbert is at the meeting tonight to discuss the problem. The main problems are overgrowth of shrubbery onto sidewalks, broken sidewalk areas, slippery grating and overhanging tree limbs. He estimates that 20% of property owners have a problem in one of these four areas. Weyrauch suggested that Gilbert create a list of problem areas, categorize them in terms of safety. LCC could approach the problem in a very positive way. Unsafe sidewalk can result in people falling down and breaking their hip. Gilbert will be in touch with Liz Ogden and LCC will follow-up on this.

16. Damage to NE 45th: Marv Christman, who lives in the Laurelhurst West condos on 45th and Sand Point Way, called on 1/11/02 to suggest that Children's be required to resurface NE 45th due to all of the damage caused by the 100 dump trucks per day during construction of the underground garage. LCC will inquire about this with Children's.

17. Children's Construction: Marilyn Layton called on 1/12/02 to express concerns about the construction impacts of Children's expansion. She is concerned about plans for future expansion.

18. RPZ: Newman asked if the RPZ will remain in the Town of Yesler now that the Seahawks will no longer be using Husky Stadium. She will inquire with Paul Klemond and report back.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. NEDC Announcements: Please see announcements from the January 10, 2002 Northeast District Council meeting in the member organization packet. Some pages were inadvertently omitted so the complete NEDC announcement handout was distributed at the meeting.

2. Vacations/Leave of Absence: Torrie is in Costa Rica, Piyarali is recovering from jet lag after a trip abroad and Weissman is still on vacation. Secretary Mike Schafbuch is on leave of absence, probably for two more months. Piyaralil will return from her leave of absence next month.

3. Thank you: Thanks to Torrence, Ogden and Newman for delivering trustee packets this month.

4. Children's Advisory Committee: Children's Master Plan Standing Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, January 17, 2002 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Small Dining Room #3 on the 5th Floor of Children's Hospital.

5. City's Server: All LCC messages to city departments have bounced back today. The error messages are coming from the city's end.

6. Sad News: LCC has learned that the mother of C. David Hughbanks, Sand Point/Magnuson Park manager, has died. A card was distributed for trustees to sign.

7. U Village: It was suggested that LCC write a thank you letter to University Village for the valet service it offered during the holidays.

8. Blakeley Crescent Jam: To thank King County Councilmember Cynthia Sullivan for her support of Blakeley Crescent Park and the $25,000 County grant and also to congratulate her for being elected County Council Chair, LCC, on behalf of Friends of Blakeley Crescent Park, took a basket of Blakeley Crescent Park Wild Blackberry Jam to Sullivan.

9. UW Golf Driving Range Proposed Rezone: Four neighbors were at the meeting to express concern about LCC's position opposing the UW's proposed rezone to expand the golf driving range. Torrance provided background about the UW's proposal and outlined LCC's concerns regarding impact on the migratory bird population, lighting, view obstruction and wetlands and other environmental concerns. A informational handout about the golf proposal was provided to neigbhors. Neighbor Tom Johnson supports the UW's expansion proposal. He doesn't like the waiting time at the current facility. Mimi Heggelund has a 17-year-old son who uses the facility. Capeloto relayed concerns expressed by Dan Evans, neighbor and member of the UW Board of Regents, but was complimentary as to how LCC has handled the issue with neighbors. Emails from neighbors were included in the monthly correspondence packet and Evan's statement was distributed at the meeting. Hale pointed out that the UW has approached LCC to develop a workable solution to meet LCC concerns. LCC will involve neighbors in this effort.

REPORTS/ACTION

• Crime Prevention Report: Wright reported that crime in the neighborhood has been down. There has been no trouble at the playfield.

• Neighbor Appreciation Day: Plans are well under way for the February 9th Neighbor Appreciation Day reception to honor neighbors who undertake random acts of kindness that make Laurelhurst such a nice place to live. Nominations are needed. The deadline to nominate someone is Monday, February 4th. Trustees were each given 20 flyers to distribute to neighbors encouraging them to nominate neighbors to received Good Neighbor Awards. Coco Sherman arranged to have the lettering changed on the banner LCC purchased last year. Torrie arranged to have the banner hung on the overpass from the playfield to Laurelhurst School. Councilmember Sullivan will again provide leader folders for Good Neighbor Award certificates. LCC is in touch with Mayor Nickels to hand out the awards. Set up for the reception will be around 8:45 a.m. with the event starting at 10 a.m. Trustees are needed to assist with the event.

• Talaris Report: In December, DCLU provided a listing of issues that Talaris must address in its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for its proposed development. One concern listed was traffic because NE 45th Street/Mary Gates Way/Sand Point Way NE and NE Blakeley Street are already considered highly congested with a LOS (Level of Service) E or worse. DCLU determined that the increased traffic may have probable significant adverse impacts to local residential streets in combination with other planned development in the area associated with the UW, Children's, University Village and Blakeley Village. Because Talaris would like to deviate from the required amount of parking required by the city code, DCLU expressed concern about spillover parking into the neighborhood. DCLU also raised concerns about height, bulk and scale of the project and said it would be incongruous with the surrounding neighborhood. Because of this concern, DCLU has required that Talaris come up with a design alternative that reduces the bulk and scale impacts.

  In deciding what Talaris would have to include in the DEIS, DCLU considered a letter from 4000 Property LLC, one of the entities that controls Talaris. The November 12th letter indicates that Talaris does not want to consider an alternative that is smaller in bulk and size, because they say it would not meet their objectives. They believe that adhering to the Settlement Agreement and paving as little of the site as possible mitigates the impacts associated with height, bulk and scale.

  The Seneca Group, the property manager for Talaris, wrote to DCLU on December 10, 2001. The letter indicates that Talaris now would like to consider adding single-family residential housing to its development plan. Apparently, they had had conversations with DCLU and DCLU said that the range of alternatives should not include single-family housing. If Talaris cannot get its way, it appears that their desire is to develop the property totally as single-family housing to ensure adequate financial return with either 65 units or 50 units. The Seneca Group as requested that DCLU amend its DEIS scope.

• Sand Point/Magnuson Park Update: Lloyd reported that there is a public hearing on the draft EIS on February 4th from 4:30-7:30 p.m. LCC will support the position of the View Ridge Community Council on the field lighting issue.

• Noise Update: A good description of the problems with enacting a noise ordinance with teeth is included in the 12/06/01 Northeast District Council minutes in the trustee packet. University Park Community Council will be meeting with the mayor's office this week on the issue.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:20 p.m.