Leschi
Traffic woes? The November meeting of the Leschi Community Council will feature Seattle Department of Transportation traffic engineer Dongho Chang, who will address our concerns about pedestrian safety on Lake Washington Boulevard; the delays caused by the changes on Yesler Way, between 14th and Broadway; and the impending impact due to planned lane reductions on 23rd Avenue.
We meet on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m., at the Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave. S.), one block south of South Jackson Street.
— Diane Snell, co-president
Madison Park
On Oct. 6, at the regular monthly board meeting of the Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) at the Bathhouse (1900 43rd Ave. E.), the council ventured into territory where it rarely goes: a hot political issue. The subject was gun control vs. gun rights (Initiatives 594 vs. 591 on the November ballot). Because of our nonprofit status and, thus, having to present a balanced debate, and because such issues tend to divide the community rather than bring it together, the evening demonstrated once more that the council should keep such matters at arm’s length.
A week later, on Oct. 15, we were the unwitting hosts to a large group of visiting federal, state and local officials and dignitaries. They had come to the northwest corner of MPCC’s territory to celebrate the imminent start of demolition of the “ramps to nowhere,” plus the restoration of the north part of the Washington Park Arboretum and the south part of Union Bay. Many of us use two of the ramps daily, coming and going to the eastside of the lake. The third ramp connects to SR 520 westward; we have never been allowed to use it, instead being forced to do the tricky and far more dangerous, U-turn from Montlake Boulevard to head west.
Adding to this is the fact that the new SR 520 roadway will be dramatically wider than the old and, therefore, destroy far more of the wetlands than the old bridge and ramps ever did.
In the heart of our community, the arboreal life is looking better and better. Thirty souls gathered in front of Park Shore Retirement Community at 10 a.m. on Oct. 25 for the third of MPCC’s tree walks. The event was organized once more by Mary Henry, and the experts leading us around the neighborhood for a full two hours were Steve Lorton, former Pacific Northwest editor of Sunset magazine, and Rolland Heibert, horticulturist from City People’s Garden Store.
The November MPCC board meeting, on Monday, Nov. 3, featured a presentation and discussion on community emergency preparedness. Most of us remember clearly that, just a few years ago, all the power was out in the Madison Park area for a full week.
A reminder is in order to mark your calendar for the arrival of the Christmas Ships at Madison Park Beach on Dec. 20 at 4:40 p.m. Festivities, hosted by MPCC and Seattle Parks and Recreation, will commence an hour earlier.
There will be a live jazz band in the bathhouse, plus free coffee, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, plenty of cookies and a bonfire on the beach.
In the past, 400 to 900 people have shown up for this event, depending on the weather, so come early and enjoy the refreshments.
— Maurice Cooper, president
Madrona
Madrona Community Council’s (MCC) Holly Smith reported that efforts to explore a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) at East Union Street and 34th Avenue were foiled by the requirement that the neighborhood be a 10-block contiguous zone before the city will conduct a study; thus, the issue is moot at present.
Much of the September meeting was given over to Hugh Bangasser, who described an Urban Design Framework to define types of buildings allowed; these rules eventually will be applied to the entire Central Area, although it is unclear exactly what constitutes the Central Area for the purposes of design criteria.
Bangasser also reported that his family has owned the parcel of land bounded by 23rd and 24th avenues and Union and Spring streets for 73 years but now would like to sell the property. He is in discussions with the Central Area Land Use Review Committee (LURC) to explore solutions to current zoning restrictions and community needs. The MCC is generally supportive of Bangasser’s plan to include concessions for setbacks, space available for small businesses, ground-level entry, etc., as part of the conditions for selling the land. Specifics were not available at press time.
The planned Madrona parklet is on hold, with fundraising expected in October and construction slated for a spring debut. Several noted the Cortona Café parklet is under construction.
Final plans for the Sidewalks and Trees study are still circulating within SDOT, with a final version expected in October.
MCC’s summer concerts at Madrona Playfield were a big hit with neighbors; MCC agreed to plan 2015 concerts.
Stacey Kryman reported that Madrona K-8 School is working on a neighborhood author series that may occur quarterly and include babysitting as a joint MCC venture. She also put forth the idea of holding a holiday bazaar in the school gym, but the idea was tabled for 2014, given other MCC activities.
MCC agreed to hold its annual wine tasting fundraiser at Aegis Living on Madison on Nov. 15.
Bill Mahoney reported ongoing subcommittee work to update MCC bylaws.
J. Pakaar requested MCC fiscal sponsorship for a Sparks Fund grant request to remove and replace trees between Spring and Marion streets on 29th Avenue; MCC agreed to provide fiscal sponsorship providing the trees selected are consistent with the Sidewalks and Trees Master Plan.
— Reprinted from Madrona Community Council’s Madrona News newsletter