Minutes for March 8, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM
Attending: Joe Herrin, Kate Lloyd, Heather Newman, Jim Romano, Mimi Levin, Bonnie Zinn, John Clark, Barbara Ragee, John Burge, Don Torrie, Jeannie Hale, Pat Wright, Stan Sorscher, Jennifer Biely, Mark Holden, Dermot Noonan
Excused: Maggie Weissman, Susan Torrance
Guests
King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, Karen Ko, Carol Eychaner, Jean Schifferman, Sidney Hallam, Dick Barnum, Bob Wicklein, Kay Compton, Tom Morton, Paul and Susan Schmidt
Bob Ferguson, King County Council member, spoke to the Board about issues and actions the County Council is considering. Bob is familiar with the Laurelhurst area, and took a question about how the proposed light rail route will add traffic to the congested area near the Montlake Bridge. Bob was still gathering data and formulating his position on the route and location of stations in that area. He mentioned that the County issues marriage certificates, but his interpretation of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and state law did not allow for same-sex marriage in Washington State. Bob spoke about neighborhood walks to meet constituents, town hall meetings, and being as accessible as possible for an elected official.
Bob Wicklein, from the Seneca Group, introduced new plans for the Talaris development on the Battelle site. He explained that the development was scaled down from 127,000 square feet to just under 100,000. Underground parking was expanded to a third level, and he felt all provisions of the Settlement Agreement were met in the new design.
Kay Compton, an architect with NBBJ, showed a scale model of the development, and presented drawings, sections, and other plans for the project. She said the smaller building and increased underground parking eased surface parking requirements. Buffers on the east and west sides of the property were improved as well. Kay estimated that 60-70% of the trees on the west buffer area could be preserved. Trees on the east edge are more likely to be removed. She showed an overlay comparing the previous plan to the new proposal.
The new building generally faces the pond. Neighbors to the west will see oblique, and sometimes curved building faces, divided into several in smaller scale pieces. A rectangular building, set at 45 degrees will fit into the northwest corner of the property. A larger irregularly shaped wing is placed just to the southeast. The building will follow the slope of the land to stay within height limitations. A courtyard will divide pieces of the building and break up the visual impression seen from the west. A sidewalk is expected along 41st St.
Kay showed lighting concepts to illustrate how lighting will be cast at night. She described “pedestrian-scaled” fixtures in e courtyard and west side, with more lighting near the main entrance. Conceptual drawings showed facades with large glazed areas to minimize bulk and scale, and bring light into the building.
The main entrance will be from NE 41st St, although access will also be provided from NE 44th St. The childcare drop off area is located in the larger wing of the development.
Some discussion centered on the truck loading area and the nearby childcare areas. Kay talked about mitigating the effects of noise and truck fumes. The loading area will be below grade, and partially covered. Berms or retaining walls, plantings and acoustic treatments will reduce noise. Drawings indicated large vent exhaust ducts at the west edge of the rectangular wing. Kay explained that the location of the vent was not firm, and that she was confident that the final plan would avoid objectionable noise and odors from the parking area.
Community meetings are not required under the DPD process, and no further community meetings are scheduled.
Neighbors expressed approval of the revised designs. Jean Schifferman and Stan Sorscher expressed thanks for improvements. One question dealt with plans to remove 900 truckloads of dirt, as described in the drawings. Mitigation will be documented in the EIS. Another question involved use of the property. The plans no longer include imaging laboratories or computer rooms. Bob Wicklein explained that the use is less intense than in the previous design. The primary use will be IAS/research in nature, but no further details were available. The Talaris program is structured differently than before. Excavation could begin in August 2005, and would take 5-6 weeks.
As part of the process, two housing alternatives were included in the design. The DPD requirements included provision for improving 38th Ave NE, so one design concept has that feature.
In response to a question about exterior materials, we were directed to the Sunshine Foundation in Gig Harbor as an example of wood-timber materials that might be used in this project.
Carol Eychaner spoke about her analysis of the proposal. She pointed out several major changes. About 30,000 square feet of space were removed. The building was broken into smaller modules with irregular shapes, and oriented differently. Parking requirements were figured using a consistent interpretation of use, which we favored in the past – 3.5 spaces per 1000 sq. ft. of office-lab space. In the Single-family housing alternatives, the wetland area is larger and more reasonably shaped, with 50 ft buffers.
Open items or areas we might want to comment on included vehicle access to underground parking, exhaust noise and fumes from the air vents, the childcare area and façade materials. Any comments should acknowledge features that addressed previous concerns and improved the design significantly from the perspective of neighbors. Regarding exterior materials, emphasis was placed on conditions in the permit to prevent later changes that would affect the character of the project. For instance, language might stipulate “materials presented and approved in the city’s review.”
Another opportunity to improve the appearance of the site would be to integrate landscaping in the buffer area and courtyard with plantings in 38th Ave NE. For instance, neighbors could seek a “green street permit” from Seattle DOT. We understand that Talaris developers will cooperate if neighbors can put together a landscaping plan with the city.
ADMINISTRATION:
Treasurer’s Report:
1. Dues Returns: To date, we have collected about $39,000 in dues. Support from businesses included Varlamos, Fiorini Sports, ProRobics, Jak’s, Union Bay Café, and Great Harvest Bread Company. We discussed a 3 month pilot project for online dues collection.
2. Minutes: The January 12, 2004 and February 9, 2004 LCC minutes are included in the agenda packets. Motion by Kate Lloyd, seconded by Bonnie Zinn: approve the January 2004 minutes, with the correction of a name incorrectly reported. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Bonnie Zinn, seconded by John Clark: approve minutes for February 2004. Motion passed unanimously.
CALLS AND CONCERNS
1. Traffic Calming on 41st: Lloyd has been in touch with the city’s transportation department to follow-up on traffic calming concerns of neighbors Paul Schmidt and Brian Acarregui. Paul and Susan Schmidt have lived across from Talaris on 41st St for 30 years. They reported that the median and plantings look very nice, but don’t seem to have any effect on speeding cars. They worry about drag racing and accidents. Police response is slow and may be getting slower. We talked about setting up a speed sign, and privately commissioned signs. A stop sign at Surber is unlikely because arterials are not usually eligible for stop signs.
2. UW Issues: Theresa Doherty, a neighbor and executive vice president at the UW, emailed on 3/02 inquiring about a statement in the newsletter that LCC has concerns about UW lease or purchase of the Battelle property in light of the Settlement Agreement that runs with the property. Doherty’s email is curious in that she is privy to all of the legal documents that mention this issue. Hale responded providing history of an earlier lawsuit against the community college when it tried to get control of the Battelle property, despite the prohibition in the Settlement Agreement prohibiting ownership, lease or control of the property by a major institution. Hale also asked for an update about the expansion plans for the golf driving range. Neighbor Ed Perrin emailed three times in March expressing concerns that LCC has been vindictive, negative and uncooperative in working with the UW. Hale responded that LCC has worked cooperatively with the University on many issues—negotiating the 1998 City-University Agreement over an 18-month period, providing a representative and alternate to CUCAC and working together on many issues.
3. Dog Issues: Ariella Rosencrantz contacted Burge about the article in the newsletter asking neighbors to pick up after their dogs. Rosencrantz is disabled and unable to always pick up after her dog. She suggested the Parks Department provide trash receptacles along the Burke-Gilman Trail for disposal of do-do. Burge suggested she contact that Department.
4. Development in the Neighborhood: New neighbor Toni Clayton emailed on 2/14 to inquire about the status of a vacant lot on 55th NE near where she just purchased a home. Land use committee member Kate Hemer checked city records and found no pending permits for development of the property. That information was relayed to Clayton.
5. Magnuson Park: Elizabeth Elmer called on 2/27 to discuss field development at Magnuson Park.
6. Batting Cage: Susan Rucker emailed the Parks Department on 2/11 asking for a status report on the batting cage project at the playfield. Hale followed up and asked for any reports that had been prepared evaluating the batting cage at the playfield last season. Chris and Cami Johnson and Chris Carletti sent LCC copies of their messages to the Parks Department supporting the batting cage project at the same location as last year.
7. Pacific NW Ballet Partnership: Julie Kelly emailed on 3/08 to tell LCC that she will continue to pursue partnerships to provide ballet instruction in the neighborhood.
8. Community Center Project Advisory Team: Julie Kelly emailed to express interest in serving on the PAT for the community center expansion. Application forms are now on LCC’s website. Joe Herrin has submitted and application, already.
9. Accessory Dwelling Units: Neighbors Guy and Maureen Krause sent LCC a copy of their message to the City Council opposing the proposed ordinance to legalize detached accessory dwelling units. They stated that Laurelhurst is already overcrowded with monster houses being built on postage-stamp lots, and neighbors can almost shake hands from house to house. They do not want more congestion and changes to the character of the neighborhood.
10. General: Samanta Duff emailed on 3/08 after receiving the March email message to indicate interest in getting more involved in the community. Rebecca Ross emailed to say that she thought the March email message was an excellent and informative message for all neighbors.
11. Laurelhurst History Book: Christine Barrett emailed on 3/08 to suggest that LCC’s website include information on how to obtain a copy of the Laurelhurst History book.
12. Qwest Street Use Permit: LCC has heard from neighbors who would like a high speed connection from Qwest so they don’t have to change their email provider and address. Qwest is in the process of obtaining a street use permit to allow placement of a conduit in the street either by Children’s or St. Stephens. A conduit would run underground from a manhole to either the existing box at Children’s, or to a new box on the side of St. Stephens next to an existing box (on the side facing homes rather than the street).
13. Transparancy: Ed Perrin encouraged the LCC to reach out to long-time neighbors, and emphasize transparency in the actions and plans of the Club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Thank you! Thanks to Torrie for coordinating distribution of monthly trustee packets and for Lloyd, Newman, and Noonan for assisting this month.
2. Absent: Maggie Weissman could not be here tonight due to vacation schedule. Susan Torrance is still on leave of absence. Due to PTA and other commitments, Shahina Piyarali has resigned from the Board effective 3/01.
3. Paying Dues Online: Rucker and Sorscher finalized logistics for payment of dues online.
4. Batting Cage Meeting: The Parks Department is holding a public meeting on March 10 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Community Center to take public comment on whether Little League’s batting cage summer project should be continued. Issues remain re whether the cage should be located at the 3rd base side of the baseball diamond where it was last year or the 1st base side.
5. Boyles Retirement: Malcolm Boyles, the former coordinator of the Laurelhurst Community Center, will be retiring on 3/09/04. Boyles has been a wonderful asset to the Laurelhurst community.
REPORTS/ACTION
Crime Prevention: Pat Wright reported 2 burglaries in February. A car was stolen on 43rd Ave. NE. Diane Horswell and Pat would like articles in the newsletter on safety tips to help prevent crimes in our area. A Department of Corrections officer now works out of the North Precinct office.
Duplexing Single-Family Neighborhoods: The City Council will soon be considering a proposal to authorize detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) throughout the city in single-family zones. Neighbors can expect conversion of garages into detached units and conversion of space above garages. Just last year, the Council passed legislation authorizing subdivision of single-family lots containing more than one dwelling unit, resulting in substandard lots that do not conform to development standards. The pressure for increased density continues with no regard to the impacts upon neighborhoods continues. LCC has consistently opposed ADUs in single family neighborhoods over the past several years for many reasons. ADUs create parking problems and would ultimately change the character of the neighborhood.
Motion by Sorscher, seconded by Ragee: LCC will continue to oppose Auxilliary Dwelling Units, unless protections are included for parking and to preserve single family housing character of the neighborhood. Motion passed unanimously.
Crime Prevention Meeting: LCC Neighborhood Crime Prevention Meeting is on Thursday, March 11th from 7:15-9 p.m. at the Laurelhurst Community Center, 4554 NE 41st Street. The event will feature Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, Captain Dan Oliver from the North Precinct and Diane Horswill, the North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator. We will also feature Neighbor Pat Brunzell to talk about the Belvoir Place success story in setting up a Block Watch for problems on their street. John Clark and Joe Herrin volunteered to help out at the event.
Executive Session began at 9:15 PM. The Board reviewed the Club’s financial position, and progress to date in the Lease Lid appeal. We reviewed future budget items, assignments of the new City Council members, and possible actions at future CUCAC meetings.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Minutes by Stan Sorscher