SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
FEDERATION
Minutes for May 22, 2012
Meeting called to order at 7:02
PM.
Introductions
Speaker: Steve Sheppard, Dept. of Neighborhoods. He began with a history of the city
going back to the 60's and how Seattle became a regional center after the 1962
World's Fair. The functions of
major institutions began to expand; UW and major hospitals began a rapid
expansion into the 70's. There
were no zones specific for institutions; they would purchase land in adjacent
zones which tended to be low rise.
The City negotiated with institutions as overlay; different rules would
apply. The City preferred upward
growth, not outward. The City wanted a three way partnership and developed a
master plan with the neighborhoods. with a redo every 10 to 15 years. Look at the institutional needs and
balance with neighborhood needs. Most
neighborhoods were less dense than other cities.
But there were conflicting interests. There was a need to
protect the liveability of surrounding
neighborhoods but the City needs growth of institutions and jobs. Institutions need certainty for
growth. This program and goals
remained intact since the mid 70's.
Major changes began in 1996 when the institutions came to
the City with a strong argument; they can't effectively plan far into the
future as they are hit with amendments to the plan. They requested the nature of the plan be changed; develop
height standards and review by that.
Today: Institution informs city it wants to develop a master
plan and develops a concept plan.
A call is put out for people to be on an Advisory Council. The notices go out in a half mile area
around the institution. There is a
request for resumes. There are
usually 12 on the committee (can be from 6-12) with 3 or 4 alternates. The City Council can expand the
group. The resumes go to
Steve. Each applicant is
interviewed. The institution
recommends a list which goes to the Director of the Dept. of Neighborhoods who
shares the list with Steve Sheppard.
Negotiations over who is on the slate: then present to list to Mayor and
then to City Council. Meetings can
begin after the Mayor's approval with the understanding that City Council could
make changes.
Three groups are represented: staff, institution, residents
but groups not always in sync.
Problems:
1. lack of disclosure about plans and lack of end date
2. appointment process. City Council in favor of wider representation. Some conflicts around representation at
Children's and Swedish-Providence.
3. Major changes in funding of major institutions;
partnerships with private developers. Tussles around parking. TMP-transportation management plan. How
does the institution reduce single vehicle use & parking? Every institution asks for more than
the limited number; maximum is 135% of stated limit. (Yellow handout provided
which provides excerpts from the Director's report on Code amendments)
Chris Leman: Regulatory reform developed in closed way; the
parking issue did not involve the public.
DON learned about two months ago; he passed out copies of an email
confirming this.
Betsy Braun (Virginia Mason) said they were developing a
master plan and their transportation person was operating under the old parking
limits.
Chris Leman said he hoped that Virginia Mason would stand
with them at the hearing tomorrow.
Steve Sheppard: Right now plans are developed with CACs.
Jeannie Hale: Proposals are inconsistent with Master Plan.
She expressed hope that "we can work together." Why did they drop
having reps from CACs on the committees? There is no reporting back to the
community if members are from other neighborhoods. Neighborhoods originally chose reps unttil1996 when it was
changed to City & City Council.
Steve Sheppard: They try to get representation from surrounding
community but not taking from community organizations. Attempts to bring the process in line
with other Boards, giving more influence to City and City Council.
Betsy Braun: lessons were learned from Children's Hospital
process. VM has had good
representation from surrounding communities. There have been lively discussions and they had to go out
and negotiate with the community.
Peter Steinbrueck: The process is best served with a
diversity of representation and opinions.
Steve Sheppard: Always advises institutions to incorporate
those in CCs even if adversarial .
Peter Steinbrueck: goal was to be representative of whole
area.
Jeannie Hale: U Village should have master plan.
Janet Brucker said she was representative on Northgate group
and felt it was broadly based. She
asked Peter Steinbrueck how it
came about?
Peter Steinbrueck said he wrote the process. SC Chancellor led the process; he had
credibility and has been written up nationally as a case study for effective
representation.
Chris Leman said that 1996 was the expiration of plans. Tended to be true dialogue at
that time.
Kirk Robbins asked if there was a way a CC can receive
communications if unable to get on the advisory council.
Steve Sheppard: Yes, just provide an email address.
Jorgen Bader: At the very least, require that the community representative report back
to the community.
Betsy Braun: Major institutional groups get together each
year to discuss progress on plans and any issues. Process is time demanding for volunteers; a burden.
Sonia Richter: I would like to focus on the future, not past
battles with Children's. How do we proceed if unhappy with the plan adopted?
Steve Sheppard: This is a key element in the development of
the 1300 block. The neighborhood
is not happy. Key issue is to know the representation; who is on the committee?
Get good people to apply; develop a good relationship with the institution.
Chris Leman: Major institutions chose their own reps;
communities should have the same process.
Jeannie Hale: Materials are not provided in advance even
though there are complex issues. Children's did try but so many consultants.
Steve Sheppard: Institutions want a shorter process; so does
the city. Compressing it creates problems but not really conspiratorial. Built
in conflicts is cost and not wanting adversarial process.
DeCharlene Williams said she wouldn't vote on something she
hadn't read ahead of time.
Betsy Braun: isn't time process mandated?
Steve Sheppard: Different issue; leasing on a building came
up late; vote didn't happen.
Jeannie Hale: Make sure materials out ahead of time. Issues in 2007 letter still appropriate.
Chris Leman suggested a letter restating the facts.
Ted Klainer: What is the genesis of this organization?
Chris Leman: the Federation started in the 1940's helping
Japanese returnees. and expanded into a city wide group. The organization is
interested in open government.
President's report: Jeannie Hale said the school district
has discontinued allowing groups to use facilities after hours. Ted Jonsson not being evicted; can live
out his years in his studio/home.
Steve Sheppard thanked Chris Leman for his work on the
artist's behalf. CUCAC did write a
letter and Tom Rasmussen intervened. He urged all
communities to get involved with major institutions and email him to be put on
email lists: Steve.Sheppard@seattle.gov.
Betsy Braun echoed Steve's urging. They are about to issue
draft info on the VM website.
Meeting at VM tomorrow night.
Jeannie Hale reported that there is a 9 AM Seattle City
Council vote on exempting 8 of the 14 major institutions from the parking
regulations.
Chris Leman briefed the group on their face to face meetings
with Council members (joint Federation & Neighborhood Coalition). Burgess and Clark their last 2 to
meet. Conlin: striker amendment;
would not give it to them. No
opportunity to read ahead. Other
CC members pushed for more time.
Bill Bradburd: Capitol Hill involved in this. Irene Wall, Greg Hill and Nick Licata
to propose amendments.
Colleen McAleer reported that SR 520 design is proposing a Cable
Stay design bridge at the West Montlake Park portion; it has taller towers and
a busy look with more cables. Different design with shorter towers for the Portage
Bay area. (See attached
documents.)
Round Robin: Yesler
Terrace redevelopment should have a City Council hearing within the next few
months.
MOTION: Rick Barrett
moved that we write a letter asking that every low income unit (562) be
replaced. Second: Chris Leman.
Vote: Unanimous.
Jorgen Bader said there is a meeting tomorrow evening at the
Neptune on the Brooklyn Station name.
He also expressed concern about consolidating families in high rise
buildings; buildings should be integrated.
Jim Erickson said the Advisory group was not segregating
groups.
Kristin O'Donnell: redevelopment dependent on private
developers. They may not go for
it; federal government backing out of subsidizing.
Chris Leman: The Advisory Committee is recommending mixed
use buildings?
Jim Erickson: news to him that no longer mixed; go to the
website.
Bill Bradburd: City Council getting briefings now
Diane Snell: Leschi has an Art Walk on June 9th from 11-4
PM. She also introduced Jeff
Floor, Leschi's recently elected representative to the Federation.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.
