Dear Neighbors,

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is about to propose Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Madison. 

Currently SDOT is favoring ending the BRT at 23rd Ave East and East Madison. This means Madison Valley would not benefit from the BRT at all. This would be a huge loss for our neighborhood. The ability for residents to travel down Madison quickly, as well as the ability for customers from downtown and Capital Hill to get to Madison Valley would be great for us. 

In addition to providing rapid and improved bus service on Madison would also give numerous infrastructure improvements along Madison. The new improvements include intersection improvements, street lighting, and new sidewalk and bus stop improvements that our neighborhood would benefit from! 

The pending traffic pattern changes due to the 520 will impact the businesses since most people will be using 23rd to access the bridge. The BRT is an opportunity to bring shoppers to our businesses on Madison from the Coleman dock and downtown hotels near Madison. This will help the restaurants and shops we love stay in business. 

The funding for the BRT will come from the Move Seattle ballot initiative this November and a vote by the state legislature for matching funds, but SDOT’s recommendations to City Council are going to happen very soon. 

If you want to support extending BRT to Madison Valley please email Maria right away. Let her know that you support BRT coming to Madison Valley. Tell your friends to reach out to her. She needs to hear from our community that we want BRT to come to Madison Valley. 

Please send an email to: 

Maria Koengeter
SDOT - Transit Advisor
[email protected]
206-733-9865
206-684-3238 Fax 

Comprehensive information with maps, designs, routes, cost, etc:
Madison BRT FINAL Boards.pdf

More info at the government site:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/MadisonBRT.htm

Thank you,
Lindy Wishard
President
Madison Valley Community Council
MadisonValley.org

There were 43 incidents reported to the police in Madison Valley during May, up from April but still substantially lower than the months in late 2014 and early 2015. Most of the increase over April was due to a rebound in car prowl theft and vehicle theft to more typical levels (16 incidents in May compared to 5 in April). There were three burglaries, a robbery, and an assault against a policeman during May.

1.  During the afternoon of May 23rd there was forcible-entry burglary at a residence on 22nd Ave. E. near John, but the police have not posted a description of that incident.

2.  On May 31 at about 7:45 PM police responded to a call reporting a non-forcible entry burglary at a residence on 23rd near Pine. The victims reported that the burglar had entered the residence sometime earlier in the day and stolen an iPad, a laptop, a backpack and a box containing items worth approximately $50. The police report does not mention whether the officers sought fingerprints at the scene.

3.  During the night of May 31 – June 1 a burglar gained entry to a business on Madison near 28th without using forcible means. The burglar stole a cash register containing about $200 in cash, a cash bag containing about $160, an iPad, and the hard disk of the business's security system. The police report suggests that the burglary may have been an inside job, and learned from the business owner that he had dismissed an employee a couple of months earlier for theft.

4.  On May 5 at about around noon police were called to the Post Office at 23rd and Union to deal with a disturbance caused by a heavily intoxicated man. After the police decided to arrest him for trespassing, they handcuffed him and started to pat him down, at which point the man head-butted one of the officers in the face. When the police were putting him into a patrol car to take him away, the man assaulted the officer again. The police report states that the man kicked at the door and roof of the patrol car as he was being taken to the East Precinct Police Station.

5.  On May 30 at about 1:30 AM a cab driver called 911 to report that he had been robbed. Earlier he picked up a couple who were intoxicated at a bar and took them to the corner of 21st and Olive. When the couple left the cab without paying the $10 charge, the driver asked them to pay but the male told him to “go home” and threatened to kill him. After arriving at the scene the police searched for the couple but were unable to find them.

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

160 voters turned out to learn where the five District 3 candidates stand on our issues. Thanks to all of the candidates, those who came out to hear them in person, The Bush School for hosting the event and the volunteers for staffing the event. The audience generated a solid set of tough questions for the lightning and long answer rounds. The waffles went over well enough that nobody had to be paddled. It turned out to be a great opportunity to get to know where the candidates stand on issues of importance to our district. Watch the event on YouTube.

The Garden Party is the premier event of the season at the Seattle Japanese Garden, and tickets are on sale now. From 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24, the Japanese Garden will serve as a backdrop for an elegant Japanese dinner served with fine wine and sake. The event is one of the garden’s largest fundraisers. Proceeds support vital programs and community events at the garden.

Garden Party guests will have the opportunity to participate in a traditional Nodate outdoor tea ceremony and read artfully installed haiku as they stroll the garden. There will be a flute performance by White Swan label recording artist Gary Strousos, traditional koto music performed by pianist Chris Kenji Beer and a traditional Japanese dance by Fujima Fujimine Dance Ensemble.

Prentice Bloedel Japanese Garden Arboretum Unit 86 is the title sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include Japan Prestige Sake, Inc., Vinum Importing, JM Cellars, Tankokai, and Steve Alley & Jack Rafn.

Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at www.seattlejapanesegarden.org.

Summer in Seattle is approaching, and outdoor activities are even more abundant. Renew your commitment to being fit, happy and healthy! Here are some ideas to help you with exercise recovery and environmental exposures.

Gearing Up

Be prepared to stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause headaches, muscle pain, dizziness and nausea. Have on hand water and electrolytes, such as Vega Hydrator powder or Nuun tablets. Add in Trace Mineral ConcenTrace drops to improve hydration even further.

If you’re outdoors, wear your mineral sport sunscreen. I recommend Juice Beauty Sport Moisturizer or Thinksport sunscreen, which are both chemical-free, sweat- and water-resistant sunscreens. Devita Solar Body and Solar Moisturizer for the face are also great choices for a sheer, mineral-based sunscreen.

During the days when insects are rampant, avoid mosquito bites by making sure to spritz on some Quantun Health Buzz Away insect repellant. This product is essential oil-based, DEET-free and quite effective at keeping the bugs away!

Winding Down

Any time you provide stress on your muscles, you want to make sure to build the muscle up by consuming protein post-workout; protein shakes are a simple, fast way to achieve this. Leucine is an amino acid that is especially important at contributing to skeletal muscle mass. L-glutamine amino acid helps to prevent muscle breakdown, and the powder can be added to protein shakes. Although whey protein is often considered as having an “ideal” amino acid profile, certain plant protein powders are adequate for those avoiding dairy. My favorites are Plant Fusion Phood and Sun Warrior, Warrior Blend plant-based powders. Mix these with your favorite dairy-free milk in a blender bottle for a quick, on-the-go recovery drink.

Less Inflammation, Less Pain

To help with post-workout recovery, I recommend New Chapter’s Zyflamend capsules as an effective herbal anti-inflammatory combination product, alongside a magnesium product. Zyflamend is a nice alternative to taking NSAIDs, and magnesium helps with muscle pain. Eating anti-inflammatory foods and avoiding inflammation-promoting foods is important. Herbs and spices, such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and garlic, especially when combined with lots of vegetables, are all good choices. Drizzle this “Sunshine Dressing” on your veggie-loaded salad, for a delicious recovery meal.

Sunshine Dressing

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Juice & zest of 2 lemons
• ½ avocado
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 TBSP ground turmeric or 1 scoop of MegaFood Daily Turmeric powder
• 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
• 1 TBSP raw local honey (optional)
•  pinch of sea salt and black pepper (to taste)

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  

Add some radiance

Did outdoor activities, such as swimming in a chlorinated pool, leave your hair dry, dull and lifeless? If so, revitalize it with an apple cider vinegar hair rinse:  mix ½ cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water, and add in 10 drops of essential oils of your choice; lemon, rose and/or lavender essential oils work well for this. 

Instead of chemical-laden self-tanners, consider going the less toxic route by choosing jane iredale’s Tantasia self-tanner. The natural color will develop with daily use from a sun-kissed glow to a healthy tan.

Join us at the Madison Park Pharmaca on Saturday, June 6th from 11am–3pm for our Sports Nutrition & Fitness event. Enter to win a Fitbit Flex wristband (a $99 value), enjoy chair massages, try free samples and take advantage of special savings!

Here are the Dept. of Planning and Development’s Land Use notices pertaining to the Madison Valley community from the last month. 

Comprehensive Plan Update

The City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addressing an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City is considering text and map amendments to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan that may affect the distribution of 70,000 new housing units and 115,000 new jobs expected in Seattle by the year 2035, and that would influence various City operations.  The EIS evaluates four alternatives including a No Action Alternative and three other alternatives with different possible distributions of future residential and employment growth among Urban Centers, Urban Villages and other areas. 

Comments are due: June 17, 2015
Seattle 2035 Draft EIS Survey
Notice of Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Online Open House
Public Hearing Video

Amendments to Lowrise Multi-Family Zoning Regulations

The Seattle City Council is proposing to amend the Land Use Code (Title 23 of the Seattle Municipal Code) to make adjustments and corrections to the regulatory framework for Lowrise zones.

Comments due and public hearing: June 2, 2015
Notice of Public Hearing
Presentation to Council PLUS Committee at 56:44
Materials presented to Council PLUS Committee  3. Summary Matrix (for quick overview)
Backgound and Legislation

2305 E MADISON ST

Land Use Application to allow a 4-story residential structure containing 50 units above 3,492 sq. ft. of retail space. Surface parking for 13 vehicles to be provided.

Notice of Decision
Project #3015490

1710 27TH AVE

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into six unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Notice of Application
Project #3020363  

1716 27TH AVE

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into two unit lots.  Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Notice of Decision
Project #3019489 

1729 25TH AVE

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into two unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Notice of Decision
Project #3020123 

221 24TH AVE E

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into six unit lots.  Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Notice of Decision
Project #3016954

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map (Click the markers for more info.)
Design Review Board schedules and documents

https://www.seattleinprogress.com/ (New evolving website that has easy links to design proposals)