Speak your mind about city’s neighborhood plan

Geeky Swedes Ballard

More than a decade ago the city created Neighborhood Plans to manage growth in Seattle’s neighborhoods. Now the city is revisiting the plans to see if they are achieving their goals and strategies. Tomorrow (Thursday) night, the Seattle Planning Commission and the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee invites the public to review and comment on the plans that were drawn up for Ballard, Crown Hill, Greenwood/Phinney, Fremont, Wallingford and Green Lake. A second series of meetings will be held in October to review the status reports that will be written up after the city-wide meetings. You can review the Neighborhood Plan for Ballard/Crown Hill here. The meeting is Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Phinney Neighborhood Center.

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

31 thoughts to “Speak your mind about city’s neighborhood plan”

  1. My favorite part of the plan?

    Completion of the Burke-Gilman Trail
    In September 1997, CH/B NPA issued the following policy
    statement: “Extend the Burke-Gilman Trail through Ballard
    within the existing rail right-of-way and on to Golden
    Gardens Park.”
    Completion of the Burke-Gllman Trail through Ballard will
    offer transportation, recreation, open space, environmental,
    and economic benefits to the Ballard community, the city,
    and the region.
    Proposals from CH/B NPA include (1) completing the
    Burke-Gilman trail through Ballard along railroad right-of-
    way between 1 Ifh NW and the Locks; (2) ensuring
    appropriate design to maximize safety for trail users and
    minimize impacts on adjacent industrial activities; (3)
    developing public art along the trail usirfg 1 % for Arts funding;
    (4) completing purchase of pending acquisition under DoPAR’s Open Space Program of ‘~Shilshole Park; (5) improving the shoreline access at 34th NW street end; and (6) siting a community kiosk
    near the trail as it passes the Hiram Chittenden Locks.

    1997!
    1997!
    1997!
    1997!
    In September 1997, CH/B NPA issued the following policy
    statement: “Extend the Burke-Gilman Trail through Ballard
    within the existing rail right-of-way and on to Golden
    Gardens Park.”

    Twelve years later…….

    The Ballard Chamber of Commerce is still suing the city to stop the trail.

    How wonderful.

  2. Yeah I just read the same. I'm beginning to see this more as a public safety, livability issue, more than an economic one. It is disgusting how long, and at what expense, it takes for anything to be done.
    I retract my doubt about the Chamber's motives, mostly, and will be putting my energy into letting them know directly how I feel about the further delay of the completion of this missing link. It's been studied to death, debated to death, and it isn't helping the community at all.
    If there's anything that I find as priority, it is public safety. I'm afraid the Chamber isn't working toward that goal in good faith.

  3. WOW!!! Hooooray!!!

    chopper_74=convert

    I love you, Chopper. Ha. But seriously, thank you. Especially because I haven't always been civil, and I'm sorry about that.

  4. Most of the credit should go to Silver, the pictorial collage of the link was enlightening for me. Also, the research that I've done the past 24hrs has solidified my disgust over the issue. I've enjoyed the trails that exist for 30 or more years, and there is no conscionable reason to delay the completion of this link for another day.
    I've been loved, once or twice, it never gets old…

  5. Didn't the city council recently vote to extend the urban center south a bit to include the entire area between 15th and Shilshole…like the defunct auto dealership area?

    We have a Kiosk at Bergen Place right? But not at Crown Hill…or have I missed it?

    How about “Hidden Beach Trail”? Does it exist?

    It also looks like 20th and 28th were supposed to get bike lanes.

    …but really, since we didn't get the monorail, I want the Commuter Rail! :)

    There really is a lot of neat stuff in this community plan. It is well worth reading.

  7. ….and if I recall, the current path was NOT the one recommended by the study from the mid 90s……..that study's recommendation was TOTALLY disregarded………….it has gone on soooo long that my memory fails about all of the details, but I am certain Doug11 can recite the study from the mid 90s…….and, is the Chamber against the trail, Doug????? NO, they are not, just against the current location.

  8. Right. In the Chamber's own words:

    “The Ballard Chamber, as a participant in neighborhood planning since the late 1990s, has been supportive of a bicycle trail. We continue this support.”

    SPG already nominated that statement for “most disingenuous statement of the year.”

    Of course….. the Chamber isn't against the trail!! They just joined the lawsuit against the trail that was SDOT approved and which already WON the first legal battle… but don't misunderstand. That's not because they're against the trail!! No, really. They've actually supported it since the late 1990s! They love the trail. They're just suing to stop it, that's all. Don't misunderstand, ok?

  9. Sure they are a bunch of misguided hypocrites. Did the Ballard Chamber of Commerce use a Ballard Lawyer to file an appeal to the missing link? well no. They used one out of downtown. Humm, thought they supported Ballard businesses.

  10. The case was before the Seattle Hearing Examiner. Everyone knew which way that ruling would go, it was a step in the process that was required. C'mon Doug, you are more enlightened than to dwell on that. They are not suing to stop the trail, just this location. I wish I could get some crayons out for you……………

  14. I'm sorry BBO, but your comment unfairly impugns the reputation of the hearing examiners, who are sworn to fairness, don't you think? To say that 'everyone knew which way that ruling would go' suggests the HA is not an independent arbiter of hundreds, if not thousands of these disputes and challenges every year.

    And I don't believe it's correct to say the Chamber is suing not to stop the trail, 'just this location' The Chamber has never proposed an alternateroute for the trail, and they met during the study process with SDOT in 2003. In addition, the Chamber had a representative on the main stakeholders committee, which was the citizen oversight committee
    http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pdf/Desig…, page 11.

    One hopes they understand that the suit challenges whether or not the HA correctly applied the law in this case — if the City loses, they do more wasted studies, spend lots of money. If the City wins, they've wasted hundreds of thousands defending a frivolous lawsuit.
    Neither of those outcomes change the route for the trail — that's not the issue here.

  15. Somewhere in the archives of SDOT (and probably in a folder in a file cabinet in a Salmon Bay SG office there are the results of a study done in the late 80s, perhaps early 90s. It envisioned a repaved Shilshole, absent railroad tracks, sidewalks, shoulders, and a beautiful multi-use path on the south side of the street. The BGT. Really.

    What we got out of it was phase 1 of that project (paving of Shilshole). I suspect the realization that the City might actually build a trail if and when Burlington Northern abandoned the rail line was the impetus to go into the rail business — control the land, you can try to control the use of it. A very smart business move.

    But we own it, and we've spent 10+ yrs finally getting to a real decision about ways to share it, and it's time.

  16. FYI, the suit against the City to further delay construction of the BGT, identified in the Crown Hill/Ballard Neighborhood Plan as the #2 “Key Strategy,' was filed on behalf of the Ballard Business Appellants by the man who just happens to be the Chair of the Seattle Planning Commission, as well as the co-chair of the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee, which will be overseeing the updates to the neighborhood plans. Interesting, eh? He also is on retainer with Salmon Bay SG for 'due diligence' related to transportation issues/Burke-Gilman Trail.
    http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/npi/npac/n…

    I appreciate that all of the commissioners on the Planning Commission identify any conflicts of interest at the start of their meetings, for items on that day's agenda. I don't know what the rules are for those same declarations related to this neighborhood plan update work, but it is worth asking the question about how his lawsuit against the City, which is working to implement one element of a neighborhood plan, will influence his view of the Crown Hill/Ballard plan when the work to udate is completed.

    What a tangled web we weave……

  17. For trail supporters, tonight's meeting is a good chance to express your views about the 1997 plan, what you liked and didn't like, and what improvements in the plan you hope to see. Ballard has changed A LOT since the plan was first adopted, so come on out and get engaged in the process.

    Link above gives location, etc.

  18. Unbelievable!!

    So you're saying the guy in charge of implementing and/or updating the Neighborhood Plan is suing the City in order to stop one of the Neighborhood Plan's key strategies???

    And he's getting paid by Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel all at the same time???

    If true, DISGUSTING!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!

  19. Thanks for the research and update BB1. Very interesting and troubling at the same time. I will not be able to make the meeting but I do hope this is brought up.

  20. I salute you sir. Not necessarily for reaching the same decision I have, but for actually researching the true facts and the background behind this issue.

    And thank you Silver.

  21. bbb1- Do you have a url to a document filing that has the Chair's name on it on behalf of the Ballard suit? I would like to see it for myself, and print it to take with. I did not see a name listed on your supplied link with a name denoted as Chair. I certainly would like to know info about this person and situation to discuss it with them whether at the meeting or with a phone call. Thanks

  22. Well he (Josh Brower) is for sure the acting chair of the Seattle Planning Commission, and the co-chair of the NPAC according to city of seattle sources.

    http://www.seattle.gov/planningcommission/commi…

    And he is listed on official documents as having represented them (Ballard Business Appellants) at the Hearing Examiners hearings.

    “The appeal hearing was held before the Hearing Examiner (Examiner) on April 6, 7 and 17, and May 8 and 11, 2009. Parties represented at the hearing were the Ballard Business Appellants, by Patrick J. Schneider and Joshua C. Allen Brower, attorneys-at-law;”

    Quoted from: FINDINGS AND DECISION OF THE HEARING EXAMINER FOR THE CITY OF SEATTLE
    In the Matter of the Appeal of THE BALLARD BUSINESS APPELLANTS from a Determination of Non-significance issued by the Director, Seattle Department of Transportation.

    Hearing Examiner File: W-08-007
    Date: June 9, 2009

    http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs….

  23. I just got off the phone with a person at the Seattle Planning Commission. The person who is current Chair of SPC is out of town and will not be attending the meeting Thursday night. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this source but she seemed sure. This may be a very good opportunity to voice opinions without the possibility of him whitewashing or avoiding the issue by moving discussion to other topics without adequate consideration.

    The Chair is a volunteer position I am told as are all on the panel. The ethics guidelines are clear that someone in his position has to disclose any conflict of interest before discussion of a related topic and should really recuse himself. In this case his ties and work for SBS$G and any other involved party should be disclosed before any discussion of BGT and he should not participate. If not disclosed I am told he violates ethics guidelines and should be reported. It is not uncommon for businesses to stack the deck in their favor in cases like this. Getting someone on the inside is obviously a strategic move and then getting them in as chair is quite a bonus. How rigorously ethical guidelines are adhered to is up for investigation and I am a wee bit cynical. I was told our concerns about his position would be brought up with the proper upper level parties and I would be followed up with next week.

    The role of the planning commission, from their website states “The Planning Commission advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on a broad array of issues related to land use, transportation, and neighborhood planning, goals and policies.” So they advise The Department of Planning and Development and Mayors office among others.

    Profound thanks to bbb1 for bringing this to our attention.

  24. I'd love to see … Ballard Bicycle Boulevards!

    Details in the forum: https://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=1322
    Or on my wee site: http://totcycle.com/blog/ballard-bicycle-boulev…

    Oh, and finish Key Strategy #2 already. Or at least fix Freddie's to Ballard Ave while we wait for this lawsuit to shuffle off this mortal coil. My original thoughts from round 8 of the Missing Link kerfuffle remain the same:
    http://totcycle.com/blog/bikes-business-and-the…

  25. Thanks for the good links Crownhiller.

    I cannot confirm that Mr. Brower is on the payroll of SBSG, but he lists them as a client. You will note the filing for superior court documents are signed by Paul Nerdrum.

  27. I find that to be quite interesting and disturbing. Although, I certainly pick and choose who I support in Ballard, I'm not a Chamber dedicated to Ballard.
    Yeah, time for some daylight in the processes of the Chamber.

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