Category Archives: Shorelines

Issues involving shorelines, waterways, and street-ends.

City Council Poised to Gut Environmental Reviews, Monday October 7

On Monday October 7 at 2 PM, the City Council is rushing to take a final vote on CB 119600. This legislation will substantially weaken requirements for the environmental review of projects and policies under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

In the opinion of the Seattle Times Editorial Board:

“Don’t be fooled by [the] greenwashing. It does the environment no favors to weaken the State Environmental Policy Act… This will mostly benefit real estate investors trying to further cash in on the Amazon boom.”

“Seattle’s environmental community should also urge the council to reject this faux-environmental policy. They must resist the siren song of developer-friendly think tanks, telling tales of how the earth will be saved by bulldozing houses, cutting trees and replacing them with big apartments.”

“This [legislation] is about weakening policy written to protect the environment and quality of life for everyone. It reduces costs for the few who profit off land speculation.”

We urge you to contact all City Councilmembers with your concerns about CB 119600, and ask them to delay this legislation for consideration by the newly-elected Council next year. (Contact information is below.) You can further express your concerns by testifying at the City Council meeting on Monday October 7 at 2 PM in Council Chambers at Seattle City Hall.

There is no reason for the City Council to rush. Under state law, the City has until April 2021 to consider and adopt more reasonable and more environmentally friendly provisions. When our big issues are climate change, equity, and human health, the SEPA process should be strengthened, not weakened.

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Monthly Meeting + City Council Candidate Forum, Wednesday October 2

Wallingford Community Council "Kite Hill" logo

Time: 7 PM.
Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Representing Wallingford:
Meet the Candidates for City Council

  • District 4 candidates: Alex Pedersen and Shaun Scott.
  • District 6 candidates: Due to a conflicting District 6 forum hosted by the Ballard District Council, candidates (Heidi Wills and Dan Strauss) are unable to attend. However, both candidates are sending a surrogate to represent them.
  • Candidates (and surrogates) will answer questions from 7 PM to 8 PM.
  • Questions will be submitted by the Wallingford Community Council (WCC) Board and from members of the audience.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order.
  • City Council Candidate Forum, 7 – 8 PM.
  • Committee reports.
  • Announcements:
    • The next Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday November 6, 7 PM.
    • Wednesday October 9, 7:00 PM — A King County District 4 Council Forum hosted by the Sunset Hill Community Club. Meet current Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles and challenger Abigail Doerr. (Note: The County District 4 boundaries are very different from the City District 4 boundaries. Wallingford is in both districts).
    • Tuesday November 5 — Election Day! Let’s Get Out the Vote! The General Election Registration Deadline is October 28. To register to vote, visit here.
    • The WCC is looking for volunteers to help write and prepare an Engagement Survey – please email communications@wallingfordcc.org if interested with “Survey” as the subject.
    • The Shorelines Committee is looking for volunteers to prepare a proposal to improve Waterway 16 (south end of 2nd Ave NE) to create a community gem that affords the public a lovely place to access Lake Union. Please email communications@wallingfordcc.org if interested with “Waterway 16” as the subject.
    • Historic Wallingford —Remodel & Restore Workshop and Home Tour. Saturday September 21, 10:00 AM, in Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up).
  • Adjourn.

First posted Wednesday September 18, 2019 at 2:48 PM.

Wallingford Community Council "Kite Hill" logo

Monthly Meeting, Wednesday September 4

Time: 7 PM.
Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome / Call to Order.
  • Committee reports.
  • Rhonda Bush – update on Historic Wallingford
  • Announcements:
    • The next Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday October 2, 7 PM.
    • The WCC is looking for volunteers to help write and prepare an engagement survey. Please email communications@wallingfordcc.org and put “Survey” in the subject, if you are interested.
    • The Shorelines Committee is looking for volunteers to help prepare a proposal to improve Waterway 16 (south end of 2nd Ave NE) into a community gem that allows the public a lovely place to access Lake Union. Please email communications@wallingfordcc.org if interested, and put “Waterway 16” in the subject, if you are interested.
    • Historic Wallingford Remodel & Restore Workshop and Home Tour: Saturday September 2, 10:00 AM, in room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up).
  • Adjourn.

Wallingford Community Council "Kite Hill" logo

Wallingford Waterways Walk, Saturday May 11

Join us on a family-friendly walk along Lake Union to learn about the public access points on Lake Union.

When: 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday May 11, 2019. Rain or shine.

Map of waterways in Wallingford. Prepared by James Thompson. © Copyright 2015 Wallingford Community Council. All Rights Reserved.

Where: Waterway 15 (Next to Ivar’s on the west, NE Northlake Way & 4th Ave NE). We’ll meet down at the lake by the wooden bench. At about 9:15 AM, we’ll begin to work our way west toward Waterway 22 (the south end of Stone Way). For those so inclined, join us after the walk for a beer at the Fremont Brewery.

Why: Wallingford’s public waterways are wonderful features of our community and the Wallingford Community Council has, through the years, made access to the public waterways a key action item. We hold this walk to raise awareness of where the public access points are along the Wallingford section of Lake Union and to teach some of the history. In addition, we want to improve shoreline habitats.

What: We will visit each Waterway of Wallingford, explaining efforts to preserve public access and showing where they are. If you are handy with the phone and social media – help us to raise awareness of each Waterway on google and apple maps and other social sites with your photos and comments

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Monthly Meeting, Wednesday November 7

Time: 7 PM.
Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome / Call to Order.
  • K C Dietz and Amalia Walton from the Lake Washington Rowing Club on maintaining public access to Lake Union at Waterway 23.
  • Eliza Ives and Jacob Orenberg from Seattle City Light on the “Public Direct Current (DC) Fast Charging Electric Vehicle” pilot program in the Gas Works Park area.
  • Darby Watson, Project Development Director, from the Seattle Department of Transportation will give an overview of recent design changes to the Green Lake and Wallingford Paving and Multi-Modal Improvement Project (which includes N/NE 40th Street).
  • The City Arborist will discuss plans for the trees along N/NE 40th Street (and answer questions).
  • Committee reports.
  • Announcements:
    • The next Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday December 5, 7 PM.
    • The play area in Wallingford Playfield will close on Tuesday November 6 for renovation and improvement, and is expected to open with new play equipment in early 2019.
    • The play areas at the North Transfer Station are closed through December 2018 for improvements to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up).
  • Adjourn.
Wallingford Community Council "Kite Hill" logo

Monthly Meeting, Wednesday October 3

Time: 7 PM.
Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome / Call to Order.
  • Now coming in November, due to an unexpected conflict: K C Dietz and Amalia Walton, Lake Washington Rowing Club, on maintaining public access to Lake Union at Waterway 23.
  • Ruth Harper, Seattle Department of Transportation, presents the results of the southeast Wallingford area Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) study.
  • Update on the the Green Lake and Wallingford Paving project which includes N/NE 40th Street.
  • Public Review of a new building at 1624 N 45th Street replacing the burned-out Kitaro’s Restaurant.  (Under the City’s new Design Review process, this is the only opportunity for public comment.)
  • Committee reports.
  • Announcements:
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up).
  • Adjourn.
Map of waterways in Wallingford. Prepared by James Thompson. © Copyright 2015 Wallingford Community Council. All Rights Reserved.

Earth Day Clean Up, Sunday April 22

Celebrate Earth Day with a Spring Clean Up of Northlake Way!

Sponsored by City Fruit & the Wallingford Community Council Shorelines Committee.

Rain or shine: Wear long pants and shoes that can get muddy.
We’ll be picking up trash, cutting tall weeds, and digging weed roots and grass. If you have gloves or garden tools, please bring them. We will have some extras to share.
All are welcome!  It takes community to have community!

Sunday April 22, 2018
Choose from two meeting times and locations (or stay for the whole event!)

Option 1: Clean up & weeding with City Fruit.
When: 11 AM – 2 PM.
Where: Meet at 2400 N Northlake Way, between Waterways Cruises and the Sunnyside Boat Ramp. We’ll work to clean up & weed between Sunnyside & Waterway 19. Extra tools, gloves, and water will be provided. Bringing your own gloves and tools is encouraged.

Option 2: Clean up with the Shorelines Committee.
When: 2 PM – 4 PM.
Where: Meet where the Burke Gilman Trail intersects with Stone Way N, in the parking lot by Solsticio at N 34th Street. We’ll clean up Waterway 22 (at the bottom of Stone Way N). Then we’ll work our way east toward Waterway 15 (just to the west of Ivar’s at 4th Ave NE). For those so inclined, join us for Ivar’s Happy Hour.

Why: Wallingford’s public waterways are wonderful features of our community and the Wallingford Community Council has made access to the public waterways a key action item. Keeping these areas clean helps to improve shoreline habitats, makes them more enjoyable for all of us, and keeps garbage from washing into Lake Union.

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Wallingford Community Council "Kite Hill" logo

Monthly Meeting, Wednesday March 7

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.
Time: 7:00 PM.

Agenda:
7:00 PM – Welcome / Call to Order.
The 2018 Membership Campaign is in progress. Join / Renew Membership here.
Approval of Minutes.
Committee reports.
Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up).
Announcements:

  • Public Hearing Regarding Rezones to Implement Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) Requirements. Monday March 12, 2018, 6:00 PM. Northgate Community Center (Multi-Purpose Room), 10510 5th Ave NE.  For those who wish to testify, sign-up sheets will be available starting at 5:30 PM.
  • Historic Seattle presents an Architectural History Program by Thomas Veith. Friday March 23, 7:00 PM in the Seattle First Church of the Nazarene, 4401 2nd Ave NE. Chat and get acquainted beforehand in the Mosaic Coffee Shop at 6:00 PM.
  • The next Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday April 4, 2018, 7:00 PM.
  • Help plan the Spring Waterways Walk – a tour of public access points on Lake Union.  If you are interested, please contact us or let us know in person at the meeting.
  • Click here to Renew Your Membership or to Join the Wallingford Community Council for the 2018 calendar year.
  • The WCC joined the Seattle Coalition for Affordability, Livability & Equity which filed an Appeal of the MHA Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
  • The WCC also filed a separate Appeal of the MHA Final EIS.
  • Enjoy the view from the Tableau roof! The entry door is located next to Cafe Acadia. If the door is locked call URG (the building management company) at 206-381-3344 and then contact us so that we can track how often public access to the roof is denied.

9:00 PM – Adjourn.

Wallingford Community Council "Kite Hill" logo

Monthly Meeting, Wednesday February 7

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.
Time: 7:00 PM.

Program:

  • Disposition of City property next to Dunn Lumber.
  • Ship Canal Water Quality Project briefing from Seattle Public Utilities.

Agenda:
7:00 PM – Welcome / Call to Order.
The 2018 Membership Campaign is in progress. Join / Renew Membership here.
Approval of Minutes.

Special Guests:

  • Bob Farrell of the Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services discusses the disposition of excess City property at 3819 4th Ave NE. The property, next to Dunn Lumber, was used by the Seattle Department of Transportation for storage of road-building materials.
  • Staff from Seattle Public Utilities present an update on the Ship Canal Water Quality Project to prevent stormwater overflow events.

Public Access to Waterway 23 (the dock in Fremont used by the Lake Washington Rowing Club). Public access has been restored but the rowing club is asking to eliminate it. (Click here for a waterways map.)

Committee reports.
Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up).
Announcements:

  • Public Hearing Regarding Rezones to Implement Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) Requirements. Monday February 12, 2018, 6:00 PM. Eckstein Middle School (Auditorium), 3003 NE 75th Street.  For those who wish to testify, sign-up sheets will be available starting at 5:30 PM.
  • The next Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday March 7, 2018, 7:00 PM.
  • Click here to Renew Membership or Join the Wallingford Community Council (WCC) for 2018.
  • The WCC joined the Seattle Coalition for Affordability, Livability, & Equity which filed an Appeal of the MHA Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
  • The WCC also filed a separate Appeal of the MHA Final EIS.
  • The non-profit Fremont Community School is fundraising to expand. As more children enter Seattle, the demand for all day childcare for infant to age 5 is increasing. Click here to donate or learn more.
  • Enjoy the view from the Tableau roof! The entry door is located next to Cafe Acadia. If the door is locked call URG (the building management company) at 206-381-3344 and then contact us so that we can track how often public access to the roof is denied.

9:00 PM – Adjourn.

"Keep Seattle Livable" logo

Wear Black to the City Open House, Thursday October 26

A.K.A. the “Funeral of the Neighborhood Voice”

Thursday October 26, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Hales Brewery (in the Palladium)
4301 Leary Way NW

Wear black as together we mourn the loss of our Neighborhood Voice

The City wants to remove Single-Family zoning language from our Neighborhood Plan to allow for upzones and increased building heights in our neighborhood.  This Thursday, the City is having an Open House in which they want to “start a discussion” around changes to five neighborhood plans.

If you think that neighborhoods should have a voice, and believe that residents, neighborhood businesses, schools and the city should all be involved and working together to plan the future – then wear black and attend the Open House.

We can make a statement about our lack of voice.  Here’s how:

  1. Show up, dressed in black as a visual protest of the City killing our Neighborhood Plans by controlling its language and not allowing neighborhood-directed planning.
  2. The City will ask you to rewrite a section of our neighborhood plan to remove single family zoning language and will dictate what language is allowable, or ask you to choose one of their options. Instead, we recommend you tell the City that our neighborhood plans and zoning should only be changed through a formal neighborhood planning process.

Please join us for the “Funeral of the Neighborhood Voice”.
Suggestions for Signs:

  • RIP – Neighborhood Voice
  • RIP – Democracy in Seattle
  • RIP – Livability
  • RIP – Affordability
  • Death of the Neighborhood Plan
  • Silenced! Neighborhood Voices
  • Resurrect Neighborhood Plans

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