If you’ve been putting off telling the city how you feel about potential development in your neighborhood, you’re OUT OF TIME!

The deadline for public comments about the Environmental Impact Survey for the Roosevelt Development Group’s proposed zoning changes is this Wednesday, September 1.

That’s TOMORROW.

Here’s the Quick and Dirty version of what to do (as posted in the Tremendously Long and Thorough version of a few days ago):

1. Look at this page. Read the top.
2. Read about the proposed rezoning alternatives (all six).
3. Look at these comment-making suggestions.
4. Think.
5. Type.
6. Email your comments to Shelley Bolser (shelley.bolser@seattle.gov) at the Department of Planning and Development.

This is OUR neighborhood, this is OUR conversation. Make your voice heard.

NOW is the time to send in your thoughts about the proposed rezoning of the properties around 15th Ave NE and NE 65th St, if you haven’t already.  The deadline for public comments about the Environmental Impact Survey for the Roosevelt Development Group’s proposed zoning changes is next Wednesday, September 1.

If you feel well-informed on the issue, feel free to skip down to the “How should I send in my input?” part of this blog post and start there.

For the rest of us (myself included), I’ve hunted down answers to some common questions about the scoping process AND what the content and form of our comments should be.

What is the scoping process?

I found the following description of the scoping process in the Enviromental Scoping Information Report (EIS) for the East Link Project (applies to our situation as well; emphasis mine):

The purpose of scoping is to determine the range of alternatives and identify the potentially significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS. The scoping process is also intended to eliminate detailed study of those issues that are not significant and those issues that have been addressed by prior studies. This scoping process includes public meetings at which anyone may have their oral comments recorded and/or provide written comments. Written comments are encouraged throughout the scoping period.

In other words: Developers want to make big changes in your area. Here are their plans. What do you think?

There have been two public meetings on the Roosevelt/Ravenna rezone issue where public comments were recorded (sort of; DPD tries to explain what happened here, Glenn Roberts gives his impression here). Now the comment collection window is closing. It’s time to let the city know what YOU think about these rezone plans!

Why should I send in my input?

Again: Developers want to make big changes in your area. Here are their plans. What do you think?

It’s in OUR neighborhood where these proposed changes may take place, OUR backyards. It doesn’t matter whether you support the rezones or not: You should let your City know what you think, either way.

What should my input look like?

The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association has an excellent list of comment suggestions (MSWord doc) that will help you organize your thoughts in writing (no matter what side of the issue you’re on):

• Briefly explain who you are and why you are interested in the project.
• Comment only on issues relevant to the decision being made.
• State informed opinions and, where possible, include data to support your opinion.
• Keep focused on your objective.  You want DPD to hear your concerns and be compelled enough to investigate further.
• Ask for studies that you think are important but have not been provided.
• Ask to be added to the project mailing list and request a copy of the notice of decision. (You must give your mailing address, because notices are only sent through US Mail.)

The DPD has already identified six key elements for discussion in the Environmental Impact Survey for the Sisley properties (DPD Notice of Determination of Significance):

• Height, bulk and scale
• Land use
• Parking
• Housing
• Shadows on open spaces
• Traffic and Transportation

Now, the Roosevelt Development Group has outlined six different proposals for the EIS which were on display at the last scoping meeting on July 21st.  You may want to address specific plans in your comments (for instance, the plan that rezones the area for 160-foot-tall buildings). You can find a description of those alternatives here. Graphics of the six alternatives are also online (pdf, 5.6 MB file).

If you want to be a Thorough Theodore, you may want to apply ALL SIX key elements (Height, bulk and scale; Land use; etc.) to ALL SIX of the RDG’s six proposals.  Yeah, that’s a lot of work, but that’s what happens when a developer throws six different proposals out all at once.

If you like some direction on which of the six proposals you should spend your time on, Glenn Roberts (Roosevelt-Ravenna Zoning Issues) has the following to say (emphasis mine):

I agree with almost every remark made [in the scoping meeting transcripts]. And strongly agree that only Options #1, 2, and 6 be studied in the EIS. #1 is no change, #2 is the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association rezoning plan, and #6 (because it is so patently ridiculous) the 160′ RDG proposal.

How should I send in my input?

• By email: You may send along your comments to Shelley Bolser (shelley.bolser@seattle.gov) at the Department of Planning and Development.
• By fax: (206) 233-7902
• By mail: Here is a Blank RDG EIS Scoping Comment Form (pdf) you can mail in, also to Shelley. This comment form includes the list of six key elements for discussion mentioned above.  The address is:

City of Seattle
Department of Planning and Development, Attn: Shelley Bolser
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000
PO BOX 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019

However you choose to send your comments in, INCLUDE THE PROJECT NUMBER: 3010100.

TO SUM UP:

1. Print out this page. Read the top.
2. Read about the proposed rezoning alternatives (all six).
3. Look at these comment-making suggestions.
4. Think.
5. Write.
6. Send it to the DPD by September 1.

_____________________

References

• An update on the proposed Roosevelt/Ravenna rezone scoping meeting saga is available on the DPD’s Bridging Connections news and events site.
• The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association‘s Land Use Committee has a page on the website devoted to the Roosevelt Development Group and its properties. There is a LOT here, including transcripts of the two scoping meetings (June 9, 2009 and July 21, 2010).
• Chapter 25.05 of the Seattle Municipal Code is all about the environmental policies and procedures of the city. If you have more questions about EISs or scoping, it should be in there.
• Glenn Roberts is a real estate agent in Seattle and a resident of Ravenna. He has been following the RDG/Sisleyville saga since 2005. His Roosevelt-Ravenna Zoning Issues blog is a mix of insights from both real estate and a community member standpoints. Ravenna Blog and The Roosevelt Neighborhood Blog also interviewed Glenn in July.

The deadline has been extended!

From RNA Land Use Committee Chair Jim O’Halloran:

I’ve just received word from Shelley Bolser at DPD that the deadline for submitting comments on the scope of the EIS  (Environmental Impact Study) for redevelopment of the Sisley properties has been  extended from today (Aug. 4) until Sept. 1 – a full four weeks.  The reason given was to provide more time for the community to understand the 6 different alternatives and other information which may be available to inform your comments.

I think its good to have more time, and I am encouraged that DPD is taking steps to accommodate more input from the Community.  Please know too, that DPD Director Diane Sugimura has agreed to a meeting this month with land use representatives from both the Roosevelt and Ravenna neighborhoods.  Clearly this is the result of community concern over the format of the July 21 scoping meeting.  What’s more, Director Sugimura has expressed an apology for “what did not work” at the July 21 meeting, and promised a further response.

I especially like that second paragraph. I can’t help but think that the flood of emails to City Councilmembers the past couple weeks had something to do with this. Good work, folks!

Excerpt from a email from the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association’s Jim O’Halloran:

RDG Contract Rezone EIS [Environmental Impact Survey] Scoping – As encouraging as it is to win the Comp Plan battle, there are other efforts which need our attention.  Tomorrow (Aug. 4) is the deadline for input to DPD on considerations in the Environmental Impact Study.  Yes, it’s complicated.  And this is not so much a matter of maximum volume of input, as it is making sure that DPD considers the right issues and alternatives.  You can find a pre-addressed form for your comments here:  http://rooseveltseattle.org/Documents/Blank%20RDG%20%20EIS%20Scoping%20Comment%20Form.pdf Some additional information is available here:  http://rooseveltseattle.org/rdg.aspx

What I would suggest you do, seeing as the deadline for comments is TODAY, is email your comments directly to Shelly Bolser, Senior Land Use Planner at the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). Use the format of the RNA’s pdf above, and send it to shelleybosler@seattle.gov. Make sure you include that project number (3010100).

________________

On a related note, I just found an RSS feed for the DPD’s Northeast Seattle project design review schedule! Subscribe!

Turns out, there’s a meeting on August 16th concerning the stuff happening at 2028 NE 65th Street (those houses just West of the Herbalist on NE 65th).

Received the following email from Councilmember Sally Clark not quite an hour ago. If you’ve been looking for a summary of all the City Council action on the RDG comp plan rezoning EIS COBE RNA ETC stuff, then read on:

Thank you for writing to me regarding the Roosevelt Development Group’s (RDG’s) proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment.  I’m sorry for the generic response, but this particular amendment generated a lot of emails. (Good job!)  This is the quickest way to respond to everyone.  Please email me back if I didn’t answer a question related to your particular comment.

Yesterday the Council voted to exclude RDG’s amendment for further consideration this cycle. This confirmed the proposal I made, and the Committee on the Built Environment approved, last week. Your near-unanimous community feedback and advocacy was instrumental in this decision.

As you know, the conversation regarding Roosevelt’s zoning future has become a bit complicated with 1) The zoning proposal from Roosevelt’s Neighborhood Plan Update  2) RDG’s Environmental Impact Statement work, and 3) RDG’s Comprehensive Plan amendment to adjust the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and the Roosevelt Urban Village boundary.  Councilmembers have been able to engage in some of these conversations (1, 3), but have needed to exclude ourselves from others because of the “quasi-judicial” status (2).  It’s been frustrating to not be able to engage in a fuller discussion of zoning ideas. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through land use changes for Roosevelt.

To be clear, Monday afternoon’s vote isn’t meant to signify that the City Council isn’t interested in seeing zoning action taken in Roosevelt.  The new light rail station presents great opportunities for people to live near transit and for the broader community to enjoy benefits new development should be expected to bring.  Roosevelt has supported that vision by advocating for the best station location and for smart land use changes in the core around the station. The community’s neighborhood plan update, submitted in 2007, included rezone proposals working their way through review at the city’s Department of Planning & Development.  I’m eagerly awaiting delivery to Council. Concurrently, we have the environmental review of the RDG possibilities taking place and expected to wrap up next year. Ideally, full consideration of the neighborhood plan update zoning proposals and the finished EIS will shape a proposal for the RDG properties that meets the needs of all parties.

However, as chair of the Council’s land use committee, I know it won’t be that easy. Rising land values, housing affordability, demand for transit, demand for great parks, demand for safe, walkable, attractive business areas, and sustainability — Roosevelt, like every other neighborhood, struggles with all this and more.  I appreciate you taking the time to advocate.  Please feel welcome to write about this or any other city issue in the future.

Sincerely,

Sally

From tomorrow morning’s Council Briefing Agenda:

2. Preview of Today’s Council Actions/Council and Regional Committee Reports

(All Councilmembers) 9:40 – 10:00 AM

And from the full Council agenda (meeting starts at 2pm):

Committee on the Built Environment

9. Resolution 31233

Identifying proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments to be considered for possible adoption in 2011, and requesting that the Department of Planning and Development and Seattle Planning Commission review and make recommendations about the amendments to the Council.

ADOPT AS AMENDED

(Clark, Bagshaw, Burgess)

There are presentations and public comments near the start of the meeting that may or may not include RDG comp plan stuff.

I’ll try to be around and available to live tweet both of these meetings (toddler willing).  You can follow along on the Ravenna Blog twitter feed here, whether you have an account or not.

This is an excellent sign of things to come on Monday (emphasis mine):

Thank you for your message about the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Roosevelt neighborhood submitted by developers in the Roosevelt area.  Yesterday the Committee on the Built Environment voted unanimously to remove this amendment from consideration for the 2011 Comprehensive Plan review.  I am confident that the Full Council will agree with the Committee.
I look forward to a Roosevelt neighborhood plan implementation amendment coming forward in a future year with the participation and support of the Roosevelt community.

Council President Richard Conlin
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 2
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

I sent off an email to Conlin just last night, and received his this morning.

I still urge those of you who have NOT sent in your thoughts to do so. Contact information can be found by clicking the various Councilmembers’ heads here: http://www.cityofseattle.net/council/

Boy, it’s fun to open up the ol’ inbox these days.

Received the following from Councilmember Jean Godden’s office (on Tuesday, I’d sent her the letter about opposing the Sisleyville rezoning):

Thank you for your letter expressing concerns about RDG’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment #8. As you may already know the Committee on Built Environment passed an amended version of Resolution 31233 which removed Amendment #8 from the proposed docket.

On Monday the full council will likely vote on the committee’s recommendation. It is my intention to vote in favor of the resolution as amended.

Thanks again for taking the time to share with your concerns. It is important for me to understand constitutes feelings on matters as important as this.

My Regards,

Jean Godden
Seattle City Councilmember

Let’s tally them up: Clark, Bagshaw and Burgess (the COBE committee) and Godden = FOUR for removing the RDG amendment.

Now, let’s see what we can do about those other five, shall we?

The City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment (Sally Clark, chair; Sally Bagshaw; Tim Burgess) recommended this morning to remove the Roosevelt Development Group’s Comprehensive Plan amendment from further consideration this year.

Here’s a message from the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association’s Jim O’Halloran (Chair, Land Use Committee) on how the meeting went, with thanks for those who spoke out and next steps (emphasis mine; the original can be found at the RNA blog as the entry for July 28):

Neighbors,

Only minutes ago, City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment (COBE) voted unanimously to *remove* the RDG Comp Plan amendment from further consideration on this year’s Comp Plan amendment policy docket.  This is exactly what we asked them to do, and I’m thrilled to be able to share this news with you now.

COBE’s vote this morning, from three councilmembers (Clark, Burgess and Bagshaw) is *not final* until the full Council takes a vote, probably on Monday, August 2nd. I am confident, however, that full Council will support this position.

Please understand what we have accomplished.  Two weeks ago, the RDG Comp Plan amendment seemed headed for easy passage. DPD recommended it.  The Seattle Planning Commission recommended it.  Even City Council’s own Central Staff recommended that this amendment be included on the policy docket.  It was only the outpouring of passionate yet well-reasoned, and exquisitely well-timed e-mail from the Community which moved this mountain. There’s a big lesson here for all of us;  please share it with your children!

Thank you to everyone who wrote to our City Councilmembers. Your e-mails were stirring but for the most part struck the just the right tone of reason.  This is what distinguishes us as a neighborhood; not just ranting but taking responsibility for our future, and offering constructive input to our elected officials.  I hope you can see how effective we can be, when we organize around some commonly agreed principles.

Special thanks to those of you who were able to make the extra effort to attend this morning’s COBE meeting:  John Adams (and his capable summer intern architect), Diane Haddock, Melissa Westbrook, Renee Davis, Judith Leconte, Bill Dunning and others I may have missed.  Your presence was influential.  I would have been there but I’m stuck in Oregon on business.

If you’d like to watch the COBE meeting on the Internet, it should be posted by early this afternoon online at http://www.seattlechannel.org/  Look for the “July 28 meeting of the Committee on the Built Environment”.

I have one other thought for you at this time.  If your e-mail fingers are not totally worn out from writing to Council, consider just one more quick message, a *thank you* to COBE members, for their recognition of Community input, and for their vote to strike Comp Plan amendment #8.  Please note that Sally Clark took a genuine leadership position on this issue, working behind the scenes with DPD, and that she chose to override the recommendation of all advisors sitting at the table, with her own Amendment to the Resolution setting the Comp Plan policy docket.  Sally Bagshaw was effusive in her compliments for the Roosevelt neighborhood at the COBE meeting this morning; she’s also listening to us.  And Tim Burgess was part of the unanimous “yes” vote which carried the day for the Community.

This battle’s not won ‘till the full Council votes on Monday, but I’ve gone out on a limb with my own notes of thanks, to provide quick, positive reinforcement for our friends on City Council.

Thank you, neighbors, for your interest and support on this Comp Plan issue.  We’ve really made a difference!

Jim

Jim O’Halloran
Chair, Land Use Committee
Roosevelt Neighborhood Association

[NOTE: There were Ravenna residents present at the meeting offering public comments (all against). I have heard that the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association is also against the RDG's plans, but I have no specific information on their stance. Attempts to contact them have so far gone unanswered.]