We've recently received another $1,000 from the Merchants Association, and another $500 from residents!

The Madison Valley Merchants Association is still raising funds for this season’s holiday lights. The lights on Madison add holiday cheer and safety to our neighborhood in the dark and dreary months. The cost of installation, maintenance, and removal of the lights is about $12,000 and we need to raise this amount soon!

Current amount raised: $6,401

Thanks to all who have contributed so far — if everyone would pitch in we could get it done! To donate online, click the Support button near the Green Bird on the home page of this site, and leave a note that the donation is for the lights. Or you can mail your contribution to:

Madison Valley Merchants Association
4111 East Madison Street #290
Seattle WA 98112

We appreciate your help!

Here are the Council, OPCD and SDCI Land Use notices within the last three weeks for communities from 18th Ave. to Lake Washington and E Union St. to SR-520.

2925 E Madison St - Design Review

Design Review Early Design Guidance proposing a 4-story mixed use building consisting of 26,600 sq. ft. of retail space and 75 residential units. Parking to be provided for 156 vehicles below grade. Existing structures is to be demolished. Zone: Single Family 5000, Arterial within 500 ft., Steep slope (>= 40%), Liquefaction prone soils, Neighborhood Commercial 2-30′ Pedestrian, Neighborhood Commercial 2-40′ Pedestrian

October 26, 2016 6:30 p.m.
Seattle University
1000 E James Way
Student Center 160
Fr. LeRoux Conference Center
Campus Map
Notice of Design Review

1830 E Mercer St

Appeal of conditional approvals for 5-story structure containing 32 apartment units and 2,035 sq. ft. of retail at street level. Parking for 10 vehicles to be provided below grade and surface parking for 2 at the alley. The existing structure on site is to remain. Zone: Neighborhood Commercial 1-40′, Arterial within 100 ft., Urban Village overlay

Appeal Hearing Notice

139 27th Ave E

Application to subdivide one development site into three unit lots. The construction of residential units is under Project #6540226. 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. Environmental review conducted under #3024943. Zone: LowRise-1, Potential slide area

Notice of Application

1814 E John St

Application to allow a 4-story apartment building with 27 small efficiency dwelling units. No parking is proposed. Existing structures to be demolished. Zone: LowRise-3, Urban Village overlay

Notice of Decision

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board
Buildings in Design Review Map
Seattle In Progress

The family of Julia Lee presented the small jewel of a park to the City of Seattle today with a brief ceremony. The tiny park is located at MLK and E Madison and is a beautiful part of the neighborhood. The gathering was well attended by family and friends as well as members of the community. Julia’s daughter, Paige Lee Knudsen recounted her mom’s story and the park’s history. (Please see the previous article for details of the park’s history). She was accompanied by two of her three brothers.

The Parks Department has indicated enthusiasm for the formation of a “friends” group for the park from the community. Because the Parks Department is very stretched, citizen involvement in park maintenance would greatly enhance upkeep and appearance. More information will be posted about this volunteer work when a plan is formulated.

It’s that time of year! Don your favorite hoodie and join us on East Madison as we celebrate all things Autumn this Saturday. We’ll kick things off over brunch at Two Doors Down, with pumpkin pancakes and hot cider and an outstanding pumpkin brew selection from breweries located right here in the Pacific Northwest.

Two Doors Down opens at 10 AM, brunch lasts until 2 pm, and the burgers are available from open to close – we’ll be featuring a seasonal special (caramelized pumpkin – you need to try it!) on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Bottleneck joins in on the fun at 4 PM and goes all night as well – in addition to featuring Flying Lion and Anderson Valley pumpkin beers on draft, we’ll be serving our WORLD FAMOUS La Calabaza Margarita (with a nutmeg spiced rim) as well as a spiked punch served right from a jack o’ lantern. Round out the afternoon with a backdrop of hay bales and jack o’ lanterns galore – participating breweries include Populuxe, Laurelwood, Rogue, Dirty Bucket, One Tree, Lowercase and many more.

Saturday, 10/29 from 10 AM to Midnight
Hosted by The BottleNeck Lounge and Two Doors Down
Located at the corner of East Madison and East John Streets on the backside of Capitol Hill
www.bottlenecklounge.com

The Madison Valley Merchants Association is still raising funds for this season’s holiday lights. The lights on Madison add holiday cheer and safety to our neighborhood in the dark and dreary months. The cost of installation, maintenance, and removal of the lights is about $12,000 and we need to raise this amount soon!

We've recently received $3,380 from the Merchants Association.

Current amount raised: $4,901

Thanks to all who have contributed so far — if everyone would pitch in we could get it done! To donate online, click the Support button near the Green Bird on the home page of this site, and leave a note that the donation is for the lights. Or you can mail your contribution to:

Madison Valley Merchants Association
4111 East Madison Street #290
Seattle WA 98112

We appreciate your help!

Wednesday night is the second opportunity to comment on the proposed building replacing City People’s. The architect and developer have modified the design in response to community input and will be presenting their new version to the public.

The modified plans can be seen here: http://bit.ly/2epcLmE (big PDF, could take a minute or two).

For those wishing to submit comments by email:

Deadline for Letters: Tomorrow Noon
Email To: [email protected]
In the subject line reference the project number: 3020338, 2925 E Madison St.

The public meeting will be:

October 26, 2016 6:30 PM
Seattle University
1000 E. James Way
Fr. LeRoux Conference Center - Student Center 160

Following last weekend’s weather delay, crews plan to begin work at the 23rd Ave E and E John St intersection this Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23. Crews will close the intersection to through traffic from 7 AM to 7 PM each day of the weekend; the intersection will be reopened to regular travel overnight on Saturday. This schedule remains weather dependent and subject to change.

The contractor will provide local access to businesses, community destinations, and residences near the intersection, but through traffic will be detoured via E Aloha St, 19th Ave E, and E Madison St (see map below). 

If you live on or are headed to 23rd Ave E between E Aloha and E Madison streets or E John/E Thomas St between 19th Ave E and 24th Ave E (shown in yellow on the map), you can drive past the detour signs into the local access areas to reach your destination. Drivers passing through the area, however, should continue to follow the signed detours and avoid cutting through residential streets. See the flyer for more details.

Transit reminders:

• • Metro route 8 and its bus stops will be detoured around the intersection during the work; look for posted Rider Alerts, call Metro at 206-553-3000, or visit metro.kingcounty.gov/signup/ for more information
• • Metro routes 43 and 48 will not be detoured, but will travel on their current routes through the intersection; riders may experience delays due to construction

Crews also plan to work at this intersection October 29 and 30, so stay tuned for updates next week. These weekend closures are necessary to give crews a safe space to work while they install the foundations for new trolley poles at the intersection.

 Other reminders

• • Crews plan to pave at the 23rd Ave and E Union St intersection November 4 – 6; please stay tuned for more details.
• • Crews continue roadway demolition and paving at 23rd Ave and E Madison St while maintaining eastbound, westbound, and southbound travel at the intersection (reminder: northbound 23rd Ave remains closed at E Madison St). Neighbors can expect temporary changes to the traffic configuration on E Madison St over the next several weeks as crews complete one area of work and move to the next. Through traffic will be maintained.
• • Temporary driveway and sidewalk closures are ongoing as crews continue work in Zone C, from E Union St to E John St. Please use caution and pay attention to sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours. If you have any questions about the work in your area, please call 206-727-8857.
• • Be sure to visit out the new public artwork by artist Martha Jackson Jarvis at the southeast corner of 23rd Ave and E Union St. The piece was commissioned with Seattle Department of Transportation funds from the City’s 1% for Arts program and administered by the Office of Arts & Culture.
• • The Office of Economic Development is continuing to work with businesses to address their needs. If you have questions, please email or call Michael Wells at [email protected] or 206-684-8612.

For more information

Visit: www.seattle.gov/transportation/23rd_Ave.htm

Email: [email protected]

Call the 24-hour project hotline: 206-727-8857

September was the fourth consecutive month during which there were relatively few Madison Valley crimes reported to the police, and of the 39 incidents reported, approximately half were car prowls. Our car prowl numbers during the past few months have been reduced from what they would have otherwise been by the activities connected with the construction of the multi-use trail in the Arboretum. During a typical summer month there are usually three or four car prowls reported each month in the Arboretum, compared to an average of only one per month this summer.

Unlike August, there were no reported serious crimes against persons during September. There were, however, seven attempted or completed burglaries.

1. On Sept. 1 at around 5 P.M. someone broke a kitchen window of a residence on 30th Ave. E. near John and set off a home alarm system. When police arrived they found no evidence than anyone had gained entry. The owner was contacted and told to inform the police if she found that any of her belongings were missing.

2. Sometime during the night of Sept. 1–2 a burglar broke into the detached garage of a home on 22nd Ave. E. near Highland and stole two expensive bicycles and personal belongings that were in unlocked cars inside of the garage. The value of the stolen items was approximately $7000 and police found no fingerprints at the scene.

3. Sometime during Sept. 3–5, someone broke into the bicycle storage unit of an apartment building on Union near 24th and stole two bikes. At the time of the police report possible videos of the burglary taken by security cameras were not available.

4. On Sept. 12 police were called to a home on 32nd Ave. E. near Thomas to investigate a burglary that had occurred while the residents were away during the previous weekend. The burglar apparently entered the home through an unlocked back door and stole laptops and jewelry. Police were unable to find fingerprints.

5. On Sept. 19 at approximately 9 P.M. police responded after a home alarm had been triggered at a residence near 20th and Galer. When they arrived they found that someone had entered the home by prying off the screen and entering through a second floor window accessible via a balcony. The burglar rummaged through a bedroom on the first floor of the residence and set off the alarm when exiting through the front door. The owner was out of town at the time and thus the police report contains no information about what was stolen. Police found no fingerprints at the scene.

6. Sometime between 12:30 and 4:30 P.M. on Sept. 27 a burglar broke into a home on 26th Ave. E. near Mercer and ransacked several rooms in the house. The burglar stole cash and electronic equipment worth approximately $3,500 but curiously did not take other valuables that were in plain sight. For example, the burglar had obviously handled a wallet containing $400 but took none of the money it contained. Police found fingerprints at the scene.

7. At approximately 4 P.M. on Sept 27 juveniles wearing school backpacks gained access to the mail room of an apartment building on Union near 24th. Video cameras recorded them opening and stealing items from the packages. Although the police found no fingerprints, the video tapes enabled officers to identify two of the juveniles.

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

UPDATE: The election party has been cancelled. 

No matter your party affiliation, nobody can deny this year’s presidential election banter has been contentious! Tuesday, Nov. 8 will bring a ballot battle royale and Cafe Flora has just the ticket to celebrate that patriotic spirit: an election night party!

Join Cafe Flora in Madison Valley to watch the coverage on two big screens, with lively drink specials and a meatless buffet featuring its Oaxaca Tacos! Election Party Tickets: General - $35; kids 12 and under - $17.50. Tickets include admission to the event and food; drinks are sold separately. 

Purchase tickets online at www.cafeflora.com. Once you have placed your order, you will receive an email receipt. Your receipt is your ticket. Please bring a copy of the email receipt and a valid ID with you to the event. Seats are limited to 200.

Special election night cocktails ($11 each), from Café Flora’s bar manager Ginger Cantey:

Apples vs. Oranges, inspired by America’s favorite: the Appletini. It features Thatcher’s Organic Apple Spice Ginger Liqueur, vodka, BroVo’s (Woodinville, Wash.) new Orange Curacao, and a splash of apple cider. 

Make American-O Great Again, inspired by the classic Americano cocktail. This drink features BroVo (Woodinville, Wash.) “Jammy” Sweet Vermouth, Campari, Sun Liquor’s (Seattle) Orange Bitters, topped with soda water.

Along with these cocktails, Cafe Flora will have a few extra draft beers, and its regular full bar with beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages for sale.

Cafe Flora
2901 E Madison St., Seattle
206-325-9100
www.cafeflora.com

SeattleU is currently conducting their citywide 2016 Seattle Public Safety Survey. The goal of the survey is to gather public safety and security concerns from those who live and/or work in Seattle. The final report will be used by the Seattle Police Department to assist them with making our neighborhoods safer. The survey is accessible from now through November 30th in áŠ áˆ›áˆ­áŠ› (Amharic), ä¸­æ–‡ (Chinese), English, í•œêµ­ì–´ (Korean), Soomaali (Somali), Español (Spanish), and Việt Tiếng (Vietnamese).  A printable copy of the survey is posted on our website to share with those without online access.

Please forward this email, share on social media and otherwise tell your friends, family, co-workers and community members about the survey.

EastPAC thanks Seattle U, the Community Oriented Policing Services Office, the Seattle Police Foundation, and the Seattle Police Department for working to prioritize the communities concerns via this survey and the micro community police plan program.

As always, if you have questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to reply to this message or contact us at [email protected].

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!

The Madison Valley Merchants Association is still raising funds for this season’s holiday lights. The lights on Madison add holiday cheer and safety to our neighborhood in the dark and dreary months. The cost of installation, maintenance, and removal of the lights is about $12,000 and we need to raise this amount soon!

Current amount raised: $1,521

Thanks to all who have contributed so far — if everyone would pitch in we could get it done! To donate online, click the Support button near the Green Bird on the home page of this site, and leave a note that the donation is for the lights. Or you can mail your contribution to:

Madison Valley Merchants Association
4111 East Madison Street #290
Seattle WA 98112

We appreciate your help!

In September, the Madison Valley Park Foundation donated a local park to the city of Seattle.

Julia Lee’s Park, located at MLK and East Harrison, was established in 1993 as a memorial to Julia Lee Knudsen by her husband, Calvert Knudsen (pictured below).

Julia Lee Knudsen was born in Seattle in 1925 and lived in the Washington Park neighborhood. She met her future husband while they were students at the University of Washington. Later in life she was active in the arts, and was a trustee of the Seattle Symphony and a member of the Arboretum Society of Seattle. She died in 1990 from heart failure at age 65. 

Afterwards, her husband purchased an empty lot to build a memorial. He hired architect Glen Takagi and landscape designer Ann Smith Hunter to create the park. Ms. Hunter chose mature shrubs and trees for a lush look, as well as plantings that would require little maintenance. During spring the park abounds with azaleas and rhododendrons in full bloom.

The donation was authorized by Julia’s grown children, who no longer live in the area. Their reasons for donating the park were the difficulty in upkeep, but more important, to prevent it from being developed.

The dedication ceremony takes place October 24. Julia’s children will be in attendance.

Monday, October 24
Noon to 1 PM
Remarks at 12:30 PM
Light refreshments will be served.

Here are the Council, OPCD and SDCI Land Use notices within the last month for communities from 18th Ave. to Lake Washington and E Union St. to SR-520.

Updated Environmentally Critical Areas Map

Steep slope maps have been updated using a combination of LIDAR technology and topographic contours using aerial photos. Because of time constraints, the center third of the City is based only on the 2001 LIDAR information.

(see full size)

The changed maps are implemented as a Director’s Rule and are used as advisory by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections for initial information and screening. Whether or not a site is eventually treated as an environmentally critical area is based on the actual topography of the ground surface.

The methology used and map details are linked here:

Notice of Proposed Adoption of Director’s Rule

Seattle 2035 – FINAL Opportunity to Comment

On October 17, 2016, the Seattle City Council may take action on Council Bill 118683, as amended. Council Bill (CB) 118683 consists of amendments to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the City’s Land Use Code to implement the Mayor’s Recommended Comprehensive Plan, known as Seattle 2035. Information regarding the scope of changes under consideration is available on the Planning, Land Use and Zoning Committee website.

The full council meeting will be on October 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue.

Written comments may be submitted at any time until the final Council vote on the legislation. However, the Council prefers to receive written comments by 12:00 p.m. on October 17, 2016 to allow for review by the Council during its consideration of the proposal. Please send comments to Councilmember Rob Johnson via e-mail at: [email protected]

Notice of Opportunity to Comment

Design Reviews and Land Use Applications

2925 E Madison St – Design Review

Design Review Early Design Guidance proposing a 4-story mixed use building consisting of 26,600 sq. ft. of retail space and 75 residential units. Parking to be provided for 156 vehicles below grade. Existing structures is to be demolished. Zone: Single Family 5000, Arterial within 500ft., Steep slope  (>= 40%), Liquefaction prone soils, Neighborhood Commercial 2-30′ Pedestrian, Neighborhood Commercial 2-40′ Pedestrian

October 26, 2016 6:30 p.m.

Seattle University
1000 E James Way
Student Center 160
Fr. LeRoux Conference Center

Campus Map
Notice of Design Review

212 25th Ave E

Land Use Application to allow two 3-story, two-unit townhouse structures in an environmentally critical area. Parking for 4 vehicles provided on site. Environmental review includes future unit lot subdivision. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-3, Arterial within 100 ft., Scenic view within 500 ft.

Notice of Application

152 20th Ave E

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into two unit lots. 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: Lowrise-3, Urban Village overlay.

Notice of Application

140 Lake Washington Blvd E

Land Use Application to allow a single-family dwelling unit with attached 3-car garage in an environmentally critical area. Project includes 18,975 sq. ft. of landscaping. Zone: Scenic view within 100 ft., Urban residential, Single Family 9600, Potential slide area, Archaeological buffer area, Steep slope (>=40%) Conservancy recreation, Arterial within 100 ft., Special grading requirement.

Notice of Decision

224 23rd Ave E

Land Use Application to allow a 4-story structure containing 6 small efficiency dwelling units and 4 apartment units. Existing duplex structure to remain (12 total units). No parking proposed. Determination of Non-Significance (no environmental impact statement required). Environmental review completed and no conditions imposed. Zone: Lowrise-3, Arterial within 100 ft., Urban Village overlay

Notice of Decision

1711 25th Ave

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into four unit lots. 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: Lowrise-1, Steep slope (>=40%)

Notice of Decision

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board
Buildings in Design Review Map
Seattle In Progress

On Saturday, October 1, about 60 concerned citizens of Madison Valley braved the first chill of autumn to listen to architect Peter Steinbrueck outline a strategy for his participation in the design review of the City Peoples Garden store site. The information and fund-raising event was sponsored by the group Save Madison Valley (SMV) and generously hosted by the Wyman sisters in Virginia’s horse corral.

Peter is the perfect consultant. He is an extremely friendly fellow who grew up in the neighborhood and has a clear-eyed, practical approach to the design review process. His tenure as a City Councilmember has given him an insider’s understanding of Seattle’s government. He has been hired as a paid consultant to the SMV group for about 6 months.

Peter reviewed the current status of the proposed project and outlined concerns of the community. These concerns have remained unchanged since the announcement of the project this past spring.

Peter emphasized that any effort to stop a building project altogether is a fruitless pursuit. Even if this company would pull out, another will develop the highly desirable property. His point was that it is in the best interest of the community to work together with the developer and come to a mutually acceptable design.

Some concerns with the current design are as follows:

SMV believes the overall scale of the building is out of sync with the surrounding architecture and adjacent single-family neighborhood. The proposed building will take up the entire footprint of the property although its overall bulk is 80% of what is allowable by the current zoning.

The parking garage’s south-facing outside wall is felt to be an affront to the neighbors on Dewey Place. This is a concern for the people who live behind the building. The architect has stepped back the setback in the new proposal, wrapped the cement in softer materials and will provide extensive landscaping. However, the wall would still seem imposing. The problem lies in the fact that the cement structure is the foundation for the building and will provide parking for customers of the grocery store and the apartment residents. But parking is essential. Without it, residents would obtain RPZ passes and park along the neighborhood streets further congesting the area. The reality is that people have cars.

The current proposed entrance to the resident parking area is on Dewey Place. The adjacent neighbors are opposed to this plan as an unfair traffic burden.

SMV members especially lament the potential loss of existing tree canopy and greenery on the hillside. Before this building proposal, the Dewey Place hillside was completely ignored by the community—it is a tangle of undesirable weedy plants and trees. Its predominately deciduous plants make it particularly unsightly in winter. The sidewalk is completely overgrown, muddy and impassable, yet this situation is reversible. With effort, the hillside could be cleared of the undesirables and replanted, but maintenance would be essential.

Additionally, the SMV group would like to see a mix of affordable apartments offered, some effort at “green building,” i.e. LEED architecture, and a nice streetscape on the north side.

Peter pointed out, as before, that this building proposal is in compliance with the current zoning for E Madison. It will probably be approved at some point.

An issue of perhaps greater consequence is the new HALA upzoning effort by the current city administration. Madison Valley—and all neighborhoods in Seattle—are at risk of even bigger and taller structures as our congested city searches for more housing and business viability.

The efforts of the SMV group to to encourage participation in the design review process are to be commended. Citizen participation in the neighborhood enables us to direct the life of our community. Hopefully, the momentum initiated by the City Peoples’ site will carry forward and residents will continue to participate in community and city planning.

The next design review for the proposal is:

October 26, 6:30 PM at Seattle University
Seattle University
824 12th Ave
Admissions & Alumni Comm Bldg- Student Center 160

Read more information on the design review process for this site.

To comment on this project, please send your comments on proposed land use actions in writing to the Public Resource Center either by email to [email protected] (preferred method), by fax to (206) 233-7901, or by mail to:

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
ATTN: Public Resource Center or Assigned Planner
700 Fifth Ave, Ste 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019

Please include the project, project address, and your mailing address with your comment. We will post all comments, in their entirety, in our electronic library.

Planner: Magda Hogness
Project Number: 3020338

For more information regarding Save Madison Valley visit savemadisonvalley.org for details and suggestions for your input in this process.