Stakeholders Attend Open House; Learn More about Neighborhood Growth Alternatives

A lively group of some 75 residents and other stakeholders gathered to ask questions, get information and voice concerns about the future of urban growth in the South Lake Union neighborhood at an open house in mid-September. The event, hosted by the city of Seattle, gave the community a look at four Urban Form Alternatives that will be the subjects of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be developed over the next year.

“We know our neighborhood has to grow, but the question is how to do that while reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring that we have a thriving, pedestrian-friendly, attractive neighborhood,” said Jerry Dinnidorf, a member of the SLUFAN Community Council.

The open house kicked off the first of what will be a variety of opportunities for neighborhood residents to communicate their views and values to city planners as the process continues. In late October, a neighborhood information forum will include a slideshow presentation about the urban planning implications of different building forms, heights and other design considerations.

“We’ll have a chance to learn more about what already is known concerning the factors that make for a lively, livable neighborhood,” said Steven Paget, president of the SLUFAN Community Council. “It will help people evaluate zoning alternatives.”

Then, in late November, the city Department of Planning and Development will hold a “scoping meeting” for the EIS study. City staff will take input from the community on factors to include and evaluate in the EIS. An independent planning consultant will do the analysis for the EIS, and the scoping meeting is one of several ways the community will have a voice in how the EIS evolves. Throughout the year, a series of formal public comment opportunities and associated meetings will also be held.

At the end of the EIS process, the Department of Planning and Development will make a recommendation about one or more Urban Form Alternatives. “The recommendation could be one preferred alternative, or more than one preferred alternative or even a combination of the alternatives under study,” said Paget.

He encouraged everyone who lives and works in the South Lake Union neighborhood to contribute to the discussions this year that will help shape the neighborhood’s future.