The meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM.

Attending: Heather Newman, Bonnie Zinn, Mark Trumbauer, Pat Wright, Jeannie Hale, Kate Lloyd, John Burge, John Clark, Jim Romano, Jennifer Biely, Karl Weyrauch, Mark Holden, Mimi Levin, Stan Sorscher

Excused: Barb Ragee, Shahina Piyarali, Todd Cahill, Susan Torrance, Maggie Weissman

GUESTS: Dermot Noonan, Joe Herrin, Dan Evans

Changes to the Agenda: Add Waterway No. 1 item by Lloyd.

Minutes: The April 2003 LCC minutes, were not in the packets, but were available at the meeting. Approval of the April 2003 minutes was deferred to the June meeting to give everyone a chance to read them carefully.

Break-Ins: Weissman reported on 4/28/03 that the Washington Mutual branch bank on Sand Point Way was robbed on Friday, 4/25/03 and that someone tried to kick down the gas station door on the same night. Apparently the culprit couldn't get in, but a theft out of a truck next door was reported. A house on 54th (just down from Ivanhoe) was robbed at 10:30 am on a Tuesday a couple of weeks ago and electronics were taken. Weissman had heard that it took the police 45 minutes to get there after the alarm had re-set itself three times.

Broken Windshield: On 5/04/03 Biely reported that someone threw a beer bottle through the rear windshield of her car which was parked on 45th. The whole windshield was shattered with a one-two foot hole through it. Cars were also egged in that area.

Suspicious Activity: After learning that his neighbor was burglarized during the day, Richard Ettinger reported on 5/11/03 seeing two suspicious looking men a few weeks earlier. The men (18-24 years of age) appeared to be wearing traditional Mormon or possibly Adventist attire and were canvassing the block. They each had single earplug style headphones to communicate with each other and possibly a third person. The mean were not carrying anything, neither bibles nor flyers or petitions. When one of them approached a house on the east side of 47th Avenue NE by walking quickly up the driveway to the rear entrance he became somewhat suspicious.

West Nile Virus: Pam Cochran emailed on 5/08/03 to express concerns about the West Nile Virus. She would like Laurelhurst to be proactive in doing our part to make sure we control and or keep down the mosquito populations. She suggested a newsletter article. Also, pertussis is going around, so parents might review their children’s immunizations.

Newsletter Ad: Nancy Oblanas called on 4/14/03 regarding placing an ad in the newsletter for a moving sale.

Friends of Magnuson Park: Zinn reported that neighbor Shelly Saunders was unhappy that LCC supported Friends of Magnuson Park on the sports field issue, and made a contribution, as reported in the newsletter. The LCC Board looks for feedback on the sense of the neighborhood and this issue, like many others generates a range of opinions.

UW-LCC Relationship. Dan Evans spoke to the Board, as a neighbor who has lived in Laurelhurst for many years. He has been active in public life in many ways, but speaking as a neighbor, he was distressed by problems in the relationship between the University of Washington and neighborhood groups. He spoke of his mother’s advice that "everybody’s got to share" to maintain balance in the community. Evans referred to development of Children’s Hospital, which many in e neighborhood opposed. The University is the largest public employer in the area, and can fuel new economic development, directly through growing programs, and indirectly through businesses associated with the academic community. Evans would prefer to see everyone working on the "same side of the street." The lease lid confines the University, currently. University Avenue is a bad investment, now, because businesses fail and transients create a negative environment. The University District needs to be revitalized.

Hale: Hale welcomed Dan Evans and thanked him for speaking to the group. She said the LCC has concerns about protecting the neighborhood.

Sorscher: After listening carefully to every point Evans made and agreeing, for the most part, we could conclude that, therefore the University could be a better neighbor and reinforce the sense of sharing and community by being more responsive to neighborhood groups when they participate in planning meetings.

Hale: LCC would be pleased to get involved with the UW. We want room to make compromises, for instance in protecting single-family housing.

Evans: Times are changing, and everyone needs to look to a new way of operating.

Zinn: We need help (from the University) to make win-win agreements. Perhaps having communications channels like this directly between Dan Evans and the LCC would be a step forward.

Hale: UW representatives have been clear about their interests, but have shown little interest in compromises.

Biely:Traffic is part of the change, for instance. Planning and growth management should recognize the serious consequences of greatly increasing office space in an area that is already congested.

Sorscher: Our neighborhood is sensitized to development, given our experience with Magnuson Park playfields, Children’s Hospital, University Village, the University of Washington, and apartment development, all without any real traffic management plan.

Weyrauch: Dialog helps bridge the gulf, and it’s great that we’re talking this way.

ANNOUNCEMENTS (See NEDC announcement handout in the member organization packet.)

Absent: Piyarali had trouble getting a babysitter tonight and probably cannot attend. Cahill is ill and Torrance is coming down with the flu.

Thank You! Thanks to Mimi Levin and Kate Lloyd for assisting in distribution of this month’s trustee packets.

Batting Cage: There will be a community meeting on the batting cage project at the playfield on Thursday, May 29th at 7:30 p.m.

Traffic Signal Project on 50th and Sand Point: The Seattle Transportation Department (SDOT) has been in touch with Metro about the traffic signal project. Metro maintains a southbound bus stop and shelter at this location that serves an average of 31 riders daily. The stop was established 23 years ago, in 1981. The new crosswalk would interfere with the bus stop. Relocation of the bus stop to nearside the intersection is prohibited by the traffic speed and sight line issues. Relocation to farside would impact transit speed and reliability for two reasons. First, spacing to the next stop at Princeton Avenue NE would decrease to less than 500 feet which is below Metro guidelines (typically Metro stops are planned for 800'-1300' spacing). Second, the buses would potentially have to make two stops at both locations - for signals and for passengers- which also compromises smooth bus operations. LCC has been in touch with Council Chair Sullivan’s office to resolve the issue. Another possibility would be to close the bus stop. If changes are intended, Metro would need to post a Metro Rider Alert that informs passengers three-four weeks prior to the actual closure and allows a public comment period.

Talaris: Bob Wicklein reported on 5/08/03 that plans for the research institute are moving along very slowly. Talaris will be getting a new executive director next month. Hale had proposed a meeting, but the developers have not responded, yet.

Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH): Orin and Althea Soest have made a commitment to fund an endowment for a director of the CUH. A search committee under the leadership of Gordon Bradley, faculty member and Laurelhurst neighbor was put together in early December. The committee has identified two candidates: Dr. Edward Schneider, President and CEO, Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, and Dr. Randall Stocker, Director, Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants and Acting Director, Center for Natural Resources, University of Florida.

LCC Reps: Zinn and Holden are interested in serving as reps/alternates along with Torrance to CUCAC. LCC needs an alternative rep to Northeast District Council (NEDC). NEDC meets the first Thursday of every month in Wedgwood.

Neighborhood Summit: The Seattle Community Council Federation, the Seattle Neighborhood Coalition and the City Neighborhood Council are sponsoring a neighborhood summit on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The purpose of the summit is to address ways to get neighborhood plans back on track in light of the Mayor’s efforts to disregard planning efforts.

Open Space Measure: LCC wrote a letter opposing a proposal that would reduce the open space requirements for housing in commercial zones. The measure was scheduled for a vote today. By unanimous vote, the Council decided to hold the matter over for further study due to the volume of letters they received.

REPORTS/ACTION

Cornelian Cherry Trees at CUH: At its April 14th meeting, the LCC expressed interest in hearing from representatives from the Berger Partnership and reviewing the landscaping plans that have been developed for removal of the Cornelian Cherry trees at tonight’s trustee meeting. Director Tom Hinckley reported that the landscape architectural firm is too busy to address the board. They will host an open house sometime in the future.

At the March meeting, trustees expressed concern about the tree removal. The trees are healthy and attract birds and butterflies. They provide a noise buffer and screening of an institutional use.

In the discussion, we were reminded that the Center for Urban Horticulture briefed us on their plans, and solicited our preferences. Their presentation mentioned ground cover, flower picking by visitors, security, traffic flow, and other issues. The specific trees marked for removal seem to emphasize the architectural impression made on visitors approaching on Mary Gates Way.

Trustees and committee members were sent a copy of comments submitted by Hawthorne Hills. Bonnie Miller of that group is familiar with the work of the Berger Partnership, known for design of grand entrances. In its comments, she stated: "My concern is that CUH and Merrill Hall are not the kind of buildings or suburban housing development that seem to use the grand entrance as a pseudo ‘gated’ entrance. Much more delightful to the community is the massing of trees and shrubs amid the asphalt and mowed lawns of this part of the city. I would very much like to see all of the trees remain and that the design reflect ‘Urban Horticulture' by filling the site with as much natural green as possible. If any more parking area is to be part of the site changes, I would sincerely hope that trees would be used as an integral part of the design."

Neighbor Carolyn Corson supported Hawthorne Hills position. Biely took a look at the trees marked for removal after last month’s meeting. She would like to see the sound and light screen offered by the trees remaining and does not favor the tree removal.

The sense of the Board was that we recommend to the Center that they pursue options that minimized the removal of trees.

Children’s Proposed Expansion: Children’s has proposed a new Ambulatory Care Building, a 172,000 square foot, five-story structure with one of the levels partially below grade, as the next project it will undertake under its master plan. The new building would be set back 90 feet from the property line, an additional 15 feet beyond the 75 foot setback along NE 45th. The building height would be 70 feet, instead of the allowable 99 feet. The project would take about 24 months to complete. It includes building demolition, site preparation work and excavation. Construction ingress and egress to the site would be via NE 45th between 42nd and 43rd Avenues, down the hill from the location during the garage project. Because a sprinkler system will be installed, the fire access road will be converted to a nature and property maintenance trail. Children’s has been meeting with neighbors in the area to address concerns about the project. The Children’s Advisory Committee has also reviewed the project.

Children’s Hospital Report: Biely and Cheryl Kitchens represent neighbors in meetings of the advisory committee with Children’s Hospital. Biely reported that communication is always a vital part of community involvement. At their last meeting, Children’s brought a model showing the scale and scope of their plans. The fire lane has been transformed into a walkway with sculptures and more trees – it should be a pleasant area. The building design now includes stepped-back features with a bigger set-back, and will be lower than the code limit. Biely discussed traffic and access through 42^nd and 43 Avenues, and plans to control traffic up the hill. At some point, 45^th Street will be repaved. Biely said the advisory committee has worked well with Children’s and the developer are listening to the concerns neighbors express. She believes the process has been positive.

Dan Evans left about this time, for another activity.

Crime Prevention:

Wright reported no problems on the playfield. An officer patrols the playfield regularly. Given the budget cuts, police will be prioritizing their responses into four categories. We can expect longer response times for calls with low priority. The two highest priorities will be for robbery, assault, homicide and other serious crimes. The two categories with lower priority include burglary, parking, car prowls, runaways and fraud. Wright discussed the major exercise involving a simulated dirty bomb near downtown. Home safety problems are related to warm weather and open windows and doors. Drug and Alcohol problems have improved on University Avenue. Wright gave a brief report on gang activity in the city. Volunteers are being trained to help with domestic violence, and transportation to fill in for city budget cuts.

Dues Update/Treasurer’s Report:

Levin reported $4395 in contributions recorded so far, with other contributions received but not yet processed.

Waterway No. 1: Lloyd reported on the waterway access to Lake Washington. An aerial photo and map of Waterway No. 1 was distributed. A new dock on one side of the waterway is blocking public access. That property owner has also installed a car port and hedge on public property. Christine Bruno from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) indicated that DCLU completed a final inspection of the dock project, thus clearing the Code violation that had been issued. Bruno suggested LCC obtain an aerial photo to assess is development is on public property, which Laurelhurst has done. Bruno added that SDOT has the authority to enforce right-of-way encroachments and that SDOT does not typically force removal of landscaping unless it is needed for vehicular access, which would not be the case at this location.

Lloyd reviewed some history of the waterway access. The basketball court was built many years ago by neighbors. Tensions in the area peaked in the last few years when some neighbors were cleaning the right of way and others called the police to complain. Hale described some of the jurisdiction issues regarding state and local authority, and circumstances where encroachment might trigger fees.

Animal Control Code—Follow-Up: Since the Animal Panel’s original recommendations on changes to the Animal Control Code, City Attorney Tom Carr has weighed in. He reviewed and commented on the Panel’s recommendations and submitted his own proposal. Carr agrees that dog owners should have notice and an opportunity to be heard before a dog is declared potentially dangerous. Carr does not support creation of an independent panel to hear the cases. For infractions, the hearings would be before a magistrate, similar to the way traffic tickets are handled. For negligently controlling an animal (a criminal misdemeanor), Animal Control would handle the matters. The Animal Panel opposes changes to the Negligent Control law because dog owners can be found criminally liable for injuries caused to people or other animals.

Councilmember Drago supports many of the recommendations of the City Attorney, including having five tiers of levels of dangerousness. She also does not support allowing dangerous dogs to remain in the city. She does support allowing owners to move their dogs to areas that allow dangerous dogs and owner visitation.

Sorscher prepared a draft statement on proposed changes to the Animal Control Code. This draft will be updated to reflect discussion at tonight’s meeting.

Annual Meeting Planning:

Date: The community center is available on Thursday, June 26th.

Topics/speakers: Last month, several suggestions were made for topics at the annual meeting (UW lease lid, the dog ordinance, University Village development, cottage housing, accessory dwelling units, Transit, Trans-Lake Washington project). We need to get the topics and possible speakers finalized.

Thank-You Neighbor Segment: We need a trustee or neighbor to coordinate this segment of the annual meeting. This involves recognizing neighbors and business leaders for helping out our community.

Election of Trustees: Piyarali has been coordinating the Nominating Committee. Joe Herrin and Dermot Noonan are here tonight as guests and prospective trustees.

Logistics/Refreshments: To be determined.

Single-Family Protections: The Sunset Hills Community Association is working with Councilmember Judy Nicastro, Chair of the Land Use Committee, to develop proposals to protect single-family neighborhood. The trustee packets include a letter from the Sunset Hills group and an analysis of issues and solutions prepared by land use consultant Carol Eychaner. Sunset Hills has asked other groups to endorse their effort. Issues include:

Height limits: The Code establishes maximum base heights for structures in single family (and multifamily and commercial) zones, and then allows additional height for pitched or sloped roofs and other special features. Maximum height limits help to preserve views, control bulk, ensure basic minimum levels of light, air and sense of open space, and maintain the general character of a neighborhood. The height for single-family zones is 30 feet, but an additional 5 to 10 feet is allowed for pitched roofs (depending on the degree of pitch). As part of its 1988-1989 revamping of the multifamily code, City Council reduced the base height and adopted the two-tiered pitched roof exception for the lowrise zones. Sunset Hills would like a similar adjustment of the single family height provisions, in view of the adjustments made in the LDT, LI and L2 zones. Sunset Hills is also asking that height limits for homes built on substandard lots be proportional to lot size.

Lot coverage: The maximum lot coverage allowed by Code on single family zoned lots is 35% of the lot area, or 1750 square feet, whichever is greater. The result of the "1750 square feet" provision is that lots less than 5000 square feet in size (which fail to meet the nominal designation of the City’s smallest single family zone) are allowed to develop more densely than lots 5000 sq. ft. or more in size. The development that is crammed onto small lots significantly reduces the amount of light, air and sense of open space to abutting properties. The bulk and scale of development is disproportionate to the small size of the lot, to houses that exist on adjacent lots and to the existing character of the block. The proposed solution is to limit lot coverage to 35% of lot area for all lots and to eliminate the "1750 square feet, whichever is greater" part of the development standard.

Exceptions to Minimum Lot Area: There are many exceptions in the Code that allow single-family housing development on substandard lots. These exceptions are contrary to most rules on nonconformity, which prevent nonconforming conditions from being created or increased. With each new substandard lot that is created or developed, the average (mean) lot size on a block face is decreased. Thus, the cumulative effect of applying such exceptions is that the size of lots on a block face can decrease over time. Sunset Hills believes that exceptions to the minimum lot area requirements should be infrequent, rather than being a norm endorsed by city code. DCLU also has a method for determining minimum lot area requirements—the 75%/80% rule. This "rule" has not been interpreted consistently and accurate square footage information is not always available. Sunset Hills thinks this rule should be eliminated.

Communications: Sunset Hills supports a mechanism to ensure better communications between developers and the community. They also believe that accessory dwelling units should be focused in urban centers and that there should be better Code enforcement.

Sand Point Housing: Clark reported on progress for Sand Point Housing. Some funds are approved. The project is looking for letters of support. On a practical level, one design issue is whether the units will include resident managers. Any letter we write to the City Council should mention our recommendation on resident managers. Clark recommended we pursue this matter with the low income housing institute. Hawthorne Hills and other groups had the same concerns at the Northeast District Council meeting.

Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Minutes submitted by Stan Sorscher