Here are city planning items of interest and the Dept. of Construction & Inspections Land Use notices within the last two weeks for communities from 21st Ave east to Lake Washington and E Union St north to SR-520.

HALA Community Focus Groups

The Office of Planning & Community Development is recruiting for a large and diverse group of residents to help shape the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda. Community focus groups will have representatives from each Urban Village and will talk through some of these big HALA proposals. This is a year-long commitment and one important way to give input to the City on what you think of these proposals. People who live in multi-family zones or the Urban Villages, renters and owners, are needed to share your views and experiences because this will directly affect you. Applications due Friday, February 26.

Apply Today!

2603 E Thomas St

Appeal to the Hearing Examiner regarding the city’s Determination of Non-Significance (no environmental impact statement required) and no conditions imposed for proposed three-story, five unit row house on a 4,800 sq ft lot in an environmentally critical area. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-2

Appeal Hearing Notice

2609 E Thomas St

Appeal to the Hearing Examiner regarding the city’s Determination of Non-Significance (no environmental impact statement required) and no conditions imposed for proposed five unit row house structure 4,800 sq ft lot in an environmentally critical area. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-2

Appeal Hearing Notice

131 22nd Ave E

Streamline Design Review to allow one three-story townhouse structure containing seven residential units. Parking for three vehicles to be provided within the structure and four surface parking spaces. Existing structure to be demolished. Zone: Lowrise-3, Urban Village overlay, scenic view within 500 ft.

Notice of Streamlined Design Review

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board

Buildings in Design Review Map

Seattle In Progress

The MVMA meeting has been postponed until March 16, 8:30 am, at Cafe Flora. At this meeting we will focus on Madison Valley Spring Clean, making Madison Valley a Business Improvement Area (BIA) — a real value for the businesses, new businesses in the neighborhood, and other important developments. 

January saw the continuation of the high level of burglaries in Madison Valley that began last August, when the level jumped from 4 or 5 per month into the double digits. The twelve burglaries in January matched the monthly average since the beginning of August. Meanwhile, vehicle-related crime reports, chiefly car prowl thefts, rebounded from the low levels of the past few months to more a more typical number, resulting in a forty percent increase in the total number of police reports (70) over December's 50.

1. Sometime during the afternoon of Jan. 4 a burglar broke into an apartment on E. 20th near Denny by cutting the screen and sliding a kitchen window open. Once inside, the burglar searched through the house and took car keys, a credit card, jewelry and cash. The burglar did not take other valuable items, such as a laptop, however. Police did not find usable fingerprints around the window or in the apartment.

2. On Jan. 4 someone took a UPS package from a secure area in an apartment building on 23rd near John. There was no evidence of forcible entry to the area, nor did the building's owner see anything suspicious when he viewed tapes from surveillance cameras on the outside of the building. The package contained clothing worth $190. Police were not called to investigate the incident until Jan. 14.

3 On Jan. 5 at 8:30 PM police were called to E. Prospect St. near 20th by a resident who had caught two suspects getting into an unlocked car in his garage. The suspects fled, but when the police searched the area they found that someone had gained entry to a nearby house by throwing a brick through a window in the back door. The owner, who was at work at the time, returned home when the police notified her and found that the burglar(s) had taken laptops and jewelry worth approximately $3,600. As the police were leaving the scene, they learned that two suspects who may have been involved in the burglary and the car invasion had just been arrested in a stolen car down the street from the burglary.

4. On Jan. 16 at about 3 PM a would-be burglar set off an alarm at a residence on 23rd near Prospect by breaking a window pane in the back door of the residence. The alarm apparently frightened the culprit away, however, because when the security company representative and the police arrived no one was present and the back door was still locked.

5. Sometime during the period between Jan. 13 and Jan. 18, a burglar broke into a shed in the back yard of a residence on 31st near Union. The owner, who had been out of town, reported that the burglar took bicycles, camping equipment and tools worth a total of about $5,000. Police found no fingerprints.

6. On Jan. 22 at about 4:30 PM police were called to a home on Harrison near 29th to investigate a burglary that had occurred earlier that day. When they arrived the owners told them that they had left their home at 9:30 that morning, and that their son's girlfriend was the only one in the house when they left. The girlfriend, who was sleeping in the lower level of the home during much of the day, left at about 3PM and activated the alarm system when she left. When the owners returned at 4 PM they found that a glass panel in a French door at the back of the home had been smashed and that a burglar had taken jewelry, digital equipment and cash worth a total of about $11,600. When the owners returned they found the alarm system still activated, implying that the burglary occurred while the girlfriend was asleep in the lower level of the house. Police found fingerprints at the scene.

7. Sometime between 1:30 and 6:30 PM on Jan. 24 a burglar entered a home on 20th near Mercer through an unlocked bathroom window at the back (east) side of the house. After taking items worth approximately $2,800, including a necklace and a laptop computer, the burglar left through a back door. There were no suitable surfaces for taking fingerprints at the scene.

8. On Jan. 27 between 9:30 and 11 AM a burglar entered an apartment building on 23rd near Denny through an unlocked security door and pried open a door to one of the apartments. After gaining entry to the apartment, the burglar stole a laptop and cash worth a total of approximately $1,500. There were no fingerprints at the scene.

9. During the night of Jan. 27–28 a burglar entered a restaurant near 19th and Aloha by smashing open a bathroom window at the rear of the building where it is located. Once inside, the burglar kicked open the door of the restaurant's office and stole approximately $1,500 in cash. The police found partial finger prints in the office and noted in their report that video cameras at the rear of the building may have recorded the burglar's entry and exit.

10. During the afternoon of Jan. 28 police received a report of an attempted burglary at a home on 26th near Denny. While taking a shower after an afternoon run, the homeowner heard a loud noise. When he ran downstairs to investigate he found that the glass pane of his rear door had been shattered and observed two young black males, one tall and thin the other short and stocky, in his back yard. When they saw the resident they fled and the resident called the police. The police found no fingerprints.

11. Sometime between 8:30 AM and 3 PM on Jan. 29, a burglar entered an apartment on Union near 27th by crawling through an unlocked bedroom window on the first floor. After ransacking the apartment the burglar took items worth approximately $1,600, including cash and two digital tablets. Police found fingerprints at the scene.

12. On Jan. 31 at about 5:30 PM police were called to a residence on Union near 27th by a resident who had just returned from a vacation. When he arrived, he found things amiss and the window pane of the basement door at the back of the house smashed open. Because his roommate had been in the house earlier in the day, he concluded that the burglary must have happened since the roommate's departure. Items worth approximately $4,700 were stolen, including $3,150 in cash. The police found no fingerprints.

Also during January, there was an armed assault and a robbery in Madison Valley.

1. On Jan. 1 at about 2:45 police were notified of gunfire near the intersection of Union and MLK. When they arrived at the scene a witness told them that gunfire had been exchanged between two SUVs traveling west on Union at high speed. Shortly afterward a victim with a wound in his left forearm was dropped off at a location redacted from the police report by a SUV matching the description of one of the vehicles involved in the shooting incident. When the police interviewed the shooting victim he claimed no knowledge of the chase on Union and had no idea of who had shot him. Police found five shell casings at the intersection of Union and MLK.

2. On Jan. 5 at about 4 PM a woman called the police to report that the previous day she had been a victim of a car jacking near 25th and Union. The woman told the police that while she was putting a car seat into her car's trunk, an assailant had pushed her torso into the trunk and told her that if she didn't give him the keys to her car he would hurt her. After she dropped the keys to the ground the assailant picked them up and drove off with the car. The woman also told the police that although she had seen the assailant a few times in the neighborhood, she wasn't acquainted with him. Further investigation by the police revealed that the woman had reported the incident to the police the previous day and had identified her assailant, who is known to the police as a gang member.

Lowell Hargens is a Madison Valley resident and former University of Washington professor of sociology specializing in the statistical analysis of data.

I'd like to share some helpful information presented at MoveMend a few weeks ago regarding nutrition to speed recovery from injury. Hopefully you or someone you know will find it helpful.

Step #1: Eat more anti-inflammatory foods
-Olive oil, fish oil, flax oil
-Avocados, nuts and seeds
-Cold water fish (salmon, herring, sardines)

Step #2: Avoid inflammatory foods
-Processed foods
-Vegetable oils like canola
-Trans and hydrogenated fats
-Sugars

Step #3: "Repair and Remodel" phase
-Eat high quality protein: meats, legumes, eggs, single ingredient protein powders
-Good fats, bone broth, oysters
-Fruits and veggies!
-Hydration and rest

To your health,
Aaron

Aaron Shaw is a fitness therapist and proprietor of the MoveMend clinic.

MoveMend
2818 E. Madison St., Seattle (Next to FastFrame)
Phone: 206-641-7733
MoveMend.info

Here are the Dept. of Construction & Inspections Land Use notices within the last two weeks for communities from 21st Ave east to Lake Washington and E Union St north to SR-520.

2603 E Thomas St

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into five unit lots. This is part of the development of two properties, 2603 and 2609 E Thomas, which had environmental review under other project notices. A number of the neighbors are concerned that 10 row houses are being built on a steeply sloped, potential land slide area. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-2

Notice of Decision

2220 E Union St

The first design review meeting for the property on the NW corner of 23rd & Union is February 17, 8:00 p.m., at Seattle University (see notice for details). This will be an opportunity to see what ideas Lake Union Partners are proposing for the site of the gas station & mini-mart, Alleycat Acres’ garden and Cappy’s Gym. Project includes construction of a six story, 144 unit apartment building with 11,641 sq. ft. of ground floor retail. Parking for 109 vehicles will be located at, and below grade. Review includes demolition of existing structures. Council Land Use Action to rezone a 29,044 sq. ft. portion of land, NC2P-40’ to NC2P-65’ (24,449 sq. ft.) and NC2-40’ to NC2-65' (4,595 sq. ft.).

Notice of Design Review Board Recommendation Meeting

3014 E Denny Way

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into two unit lots. Existing residential units to remain. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lot.

Zone: Single Family 5000, Liquefaction prone soils

Notice of Decision

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board

Buildings in Design Review Map

Seattle In Progress

MyTown Pictures has produced a touching film on the subject of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. The film shares one family’s challenges and triumphs and the power of music to enrich and engage the lives of those touched by dementia.

Come join the community in this free screening of His Neighbor Phil, which is followed by a community discussion.

Date
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
2:00PM

Location
Parkshore Retirement Community
1630 43rd Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112

Details
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Locally, the Art of Alzheimer’s works to “open hearts and minds to a different way of thinking about Alzheimer’s” by bringing attention to those affected by dementia.This free screening of the “His Neighbor Phil” (filmed in the small town of Zumbrota, Minnesota) is about the intersection of family, community, and the struggle with dementia.Proceeds from this event support The Artist Within, a free exhibition and event series at City Hall Lobby Gallery and Anne Focke Gallery, January 7 – February 26, 2016 – 7am – 6pm, Monday – Friday.

Presented by
 The Art of Alzheimer’s, Full Life Care, NW Center for Creative Aging, and Alzheimer’s Association, Washington Chapter and Parkshore Retirement Community.

On Saturday, March 19, Sound Transit will expand Link light rail to serve two new stations on Capitol Hill and at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium. One week later, Metro’s spring service change will take effect. 

During the first week of new Link service to Husky Stadium, use current bus service to connect with light rail. 

From Saturday, March 19 through Friday, March 25, the following routes will serve the two new Link stations:

• Capitol Hill Station (Broadway and E John Street): Currently served by Metro routes 8, 9, 10, 11, 43, 49, and 60, as well as the City of Seattle’s new First Hill Streetcar.
• University of Washington Station (at Husky Stadium on Montlake Boulevard NE): Currently served by Metro routes 25, 31, 32, 43, 44, 48, 65, 67, 68, 75, 167, 197, 271, 277, 372, and 373, and Sound Transit Express routes ST 540, ST 542, and ST 556.

Starting March 26, new bus connections will help riders reach light rail and other destinations. 

On Saturday, March 26, Metro will change service as described on our Link Connections website. These changes will provide a redesigned network of bus service to better connect riders with Link light rail. It will also offer new connections and service improvements people have asked for, including:

• New or improved connections to the Link University of Washington Station on existing and new routes (31, 32, 45, 48, 65, 67, 71, 73, 75, 78, 372, and 373). Here’s an image showing how these and other routes that aren’t changing will connect to the Link University of Washington Station.  
• New or improved connections to the Link Capitol Hill Station on routes 8, 10, and 49, and on unchanged routes 9 and 60. The First Hill Streetcar will also connect with Link. 
• Route deletions or replacements: Routes 16, 25, 26 (local), 28 (local), 30, 66X, 68, 72, and 242 will be deleted or replaced with other service.
• Service improvements during peak periods on routes 64X, 74X, 76, and 316.
• Increased frequency on routes 8, 12, 48, 49, 65, 67, 70, 73, 75, and 372X.
• More-reliable service on routes 8 and 48, which are currently often delayed by traffic. Each will be split into two shorter routes.
• New east-west connections between Sand Point, Wedgwood, Ravenna, Roosevelt, Green Lake, Wallingford, and Fremont on new Route 62.
• New connections to South Lake Union and First Hill employment sites on
• new Route 63.
• New night and weekend service on routes 8, 12, 67, 70, and 372X.
• Instead of being deleted, as Metro originally proposed, Route 43 will have 30-minute peak period service on weekdays.

How will your routes change? Find out on Metro’s Link Connections website.

Other changes

In partnership with the City of Seattle, Metro will extend the RapidRide C Line to serve South Lake Union. The C Line will no longer continue as the RapidRide D Line to Ballard. The D Line will be extended to serve Pioneer Square, and will no longer continue as the C Line to West Seattle. Read more.

Background

Thanks to all who participated in our extensive multi-phase public outreach for these changes. Residents reviewed online information, took surveys and provided comments in other ways, attended public meetings, and served on an advisory Sounding Board.

The launch of new of Link light rail service to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington, and related bus network revisions, culminate several years of work by Metro, Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, and many other stakeholders.

Whether you’re pleased with the outcome or not, these changes were shaped by the input we received from thousands of riders. The King County Council adopted the bus service changes on Oct. 19, 2015. Since then, Metro has made some additional administrative changes. To learn more about the history of this project and how it has changed over time, read our series of blog posts under the “Link Connections” category.

How and when to prepare for the changes 

You can start preparing now by doing the following:

• Visit Sound Transit’s website to learn about the new Link service that will begin March 19.
• Visit Metro’s Link Connections website for details on bus route changes, the planning process, and background information.
• Use current timetables to plan bus trips to Link light rail stations during the week of March 19-25
• Use Metro’s Link Connections interactive map to start planning transit trips you’ll take on or after March 26.
• Consider available ORCA card options to make quick, easy transfers between Metro and Sound Transit Link light rail.

In early March, we’ll let you know when you can:

• Enter a travel date of March 26 or later in Metro’s online Trip Planner to plan transit trips in the new network that will be effective on March 26.
• Sign up for Transit Alerts for any new routes you may be riding.
• Online timetables for Metro service effective on Saturday, March 26, will be posted on Metro’s website on the afternoon of Friday, March 25. 

Please stay in touch

If you need more information, help with trip planning, or access to information in accessible or translated formats, please contact DeAnna Martin at 206-477-3835 or [email protected].

Recently a new women’s clothing and shoe store opened on Madison St. The boutique, Alice, offers goods from a uniquely curated blend of designers from all over the world, including resort wear, cashmere sweaters and scarves, and jeans from AG and Citizens of Humanity.

“Our store is inspired by two sisters’ love of fabrics, fashion and travel,” says owner Nancy Ketcham. “Influenced by the Northern California lifestyle and sunny getaway locales, Alice is a place to find that special item to add color and fun to your basics. The name is a tribute to three generations of Alice in our family.”

Alice
2811 E Madison St
Seattle, Washington
206-322-SHOP (7467)
Website