Not leaving the rezone: the Berean Church renovation included lunch
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
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| Berean Bible Church 2345 North 185th Street in Shoreline |
It’s not often when one sees the client serving the workers at a construction site but that is what’s going on in Shoreline in a rare show of gratitude in the construction business.
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| A more contemporary fireplace and upgraded windows were installed |
A major renovation project is under way at Berean Bible Church on N 185th Street as the church expands its interior space to more readily accommodate visitors and church goers. The church was built 55 years ago and includes the sanctuary, education wing, and a full-size gymnasium in addition to offices and children’s areas.
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| The interior lounge area was gutted for the remodel including removing interior walls and windows. |
The construction project has been underway since late summer and plans are that it will be mostly completed in time for Christmas services. The remodel includes renovation of the main hallway and lounge, updated restrooms to provide greater accessibility and expanded staircase from west parking, all to better serve the congregation and community.
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| The west entry from the parking lot was remodeled to be more welcoming and have easier access. |
Craig Chaney, primary architect for the project from Merrick Lentz Architects stated, “We worked with the Church to realize their vision, transforming a small lobby and narrow hallway into a large, light filled gathering space that presents a welcoming and comfortable environment to everyone who visits."
| Some of J.M. Riley’s construction crew enjoying one of the weekly lunches provided by volunteers and Panera Bread Alderwood Mall. |
| Manager Marty McIntyre from Panera Bread at Alderwood Mall provided a wonderful spread of their famous lunches for the construction crew. |
The superintendent for the principal contractor, JM Riley, Kevin Kimler commented, "The lunches have gone a long way to create great relationships with the workers and church, and the church certainly knows that sometimes the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!”
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| Merrick Lentz Architects' rendering of new Commons area of Berean Bible Church |
The “Open Doors - Open Arms” theme for the renovation is keeping in mind that with the rezoning of 185th Street the population around the church will grow dramatically. The church is preparing long range to better serve the community as well as its own membership, including very active children’s and youth programs.
"I have had the privilege of being part of this church family since its conception,” stated Senior Pastor Jim Shemaria, and as pastor for the past 25 years I’m looking forward to Berean serving this community as it undergoes great changes with the new Light Rail coming near us. We have been on this corner for 52 years and look forward to the next 52 years with our newly remodeled facility.
"The renovation project started at the end of July and is on schedule to finish in time for Christmas services on December 23rd. We invite the community to join us for the celebration of Christmas and to enjoy our new remodel project.”
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| Volunteers provided much of the labor for painting the interior, including Senior Pastor Jim Shemaria who earned his way through college by working for a painting contractor. |
The nearly one-million-dollar project is completely self-funded with some of the work, such as interior painting, being provided by church volunteers.
Berean Bible Church is located at 2345 North 185th Street in Shoreline, just two blocks east of Meridian Avenue. The Church is just across from the Senior Center at the Shoreline Center at 1st NE and NE 185th which can be used for additional parking.
Planning the future of 185th
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
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| 185th Street Corridor |
This is the area which was rezoned for high density as part of the 185th subarea around the 185th light rail station.
Now they want to involve the community and have planned several outreach events.
The City has been preparing for many years for the scheduled opening of the Shoreline North/185th Station in 2024. Between 2013 and 2015, the City engaged the community in the development of the 185th Street Station Subarea Plan. In March 2015, Shoreline’s City Council approved zoning updates for the 185th Street Station Subarea.
Now, the City is undertaking the 185th Street Multimodal Corridor Strategy (185th MCS) to engage the community in the creation of a vision for the 185th Street Corridor.
Outreach events and activities
Corridor Walking and/or Biking Tours
Walk or bike along the corridor to review existing conditions, identify corridor components to preserve/enhance, and envision needed changes that could help the corridor work better for everyone.
- Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 1pm to 3pm. Start and end tour at the Spartan Recreation Center, 202 NE 185th Street, Cascade Room
In order to manage tour sizes, please RSVP and indicate your walk or bike tour preference and number of participants.
Children under 18 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Storefront Studios
Learn more about the process and talk to the team about the existing corridor and the future demands anticipated on the corridor.
- Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 1pm to 3pm. Spartan Recreation Center, 202 NE 185th Street, Cascade Room
- Tuesday, October 23, 2018 from 1pm to 3pm. Spartan Recreation Center, 202 NE 185th Street, Cascade Room
Hear a brief presentation about the 185th MCS and discuss your ideas for corridor improvements with the team.
- Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 6pm to 8pm. Council Chambers, City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N.
Correction: Post Office property was not in the 185th rezone
Friday, October 20, 2017
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| Post Office property is zoned Commercial Business |
In the article about the loss of the North City post office lease, I stated that the property had been rezoned as part of the 185th Station Subarea.
That was not correct. The parcel where the post office sits at NE 175th and 15th Ave NE was rezoned years ago.
With the assistance of the Planning department, I now have the correct information.
North City along 15th NE was zoned CB (Community Business) about 17 years ago. At the same time, the other existing business areas were also zoned CB: Ballinger, 4-Corners, Ridgecrest, and the area around NE 145th and 15th NE.
Much of the property along the east side of 12th Ave NE was rezoned to CB with the Station Area rezones several years ago.
The development requirements for CB zoning were slightly modified about 5 years ago to be consistent with other CB zones outside of North City.
Currently, the maximum building height is 60 feet (from average existing grade or 5-6 stories) with residential and commercial uses. There is no requirement that multi-story buildings include retail spaces or "affordable" residential units. However, developers can apply for Multifamily Tax Exemptions if they provide some affordability. The Polaris Apartments on NE 175th St are a recent example of that.
145th Station Citizens Committee to hear about planning for 185th Subarea
Sunday, June 19, 2016
There will be a meeting of the 145SCC this coming Thursday, June 23, 7-8:30pm at Shoreline City Hall, Room 302, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133.
On the proposed agenda is Paul Cohen, Shoreline Planning Manager, for a discussion of what is happening with development in the 185th station Area (development discussions, permits, other processes).
The group will also decide whether to meet during the summer. There is a meeting planned for September 22, just before the City Council is scheduled to vote on Adoption of 145th Station Area Development Code Amendment and Zoning Map on Monday, Sept 26.
Futurewise awards City Livable Communities Award for 185th Street Station Subarea Plan
Sunday, March 27, 2016
From the City of Shoreline
On March 16, Futurewise awarded the City a Livable Communities Award for its 185th Street Station Subarea Plan. The award recognizes the City’s efforts to encourage smart growth in the community through adoption of policies and regulations that exemplify smart land use principles, which help to create healthy communities.
“As the region continues to grow, so will Shoreline,” stated Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts. “The work we did on the 185th Street Station Subarea helps ensure that growth is concentrated around transit investments instead of allowing it to spread throughout the city. This will help create a more walkable community, with greater housing options, and will better support neighborhood businesses.”
The City has resumed the planning process for the 145th Street Station Subarea Plan, which will be a similar process to the 185th planning process. More information and find out about upcoming meetings here.
As a smart growth advocate, Futurewise works to protect forests, farms, and shorelines by limiting development on critical rural and resource lands and habitat. Futurewise’s Livable Communities program advocates and promotes vibrant, compact, livable development in our urban communities by supporting housing options, transportation choices, and smart development patterns.
Superior Court has granted Summary Judgement to the City on the Planned Action Ordinance
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Statement from Shoreline Preservation Society
In the matter of the Ordinance 707, The Planned Action Ordinance the Court has granted Summary Judgement to the City of Shoreline vs Shoreline Preservation Society. The community group had sought to oppose this ordinance which abrogates the rights of citizens to receive notice, comment of appeal development proposals.
The judge let this stand as well as the EIS. However, there was minimal explanation as to why in the ruling.
“Of course we are disappointed and disagree with the Judge’s opinion, “ said Janet Way, President of the Shoreline Preservation Society.
“We are studying the ruling and deciding what options and strategies might be possible going forward. We will decide what course of action we might take further as necessary. But we are still working hard on issues of immediate importance and concern on the 145th Rezones and on informing our neighbors of what is happening. Though we are saddened by this decision, we will continue to advocate for the environment and to preserve things that matter in Shoreline.”
The ruling leaves in place the Planned Action Ordinance and EIS for the 185th Subarea.
This means that for the time being the mile-wide rezone and massive changes to the community will continue in relation to Light Rail Station Area development regardless of their impacts to the community. It remains to be seen what the actual impacts will be and the costs to the taxpayers and to special districts charged with providing services.
185th Street Station Subarea Planned Action Ordinance stands
Statement from the City of Shoreline
On March 18, the Superior Court of King County granted the City’s Motion for Summary Judgment in Shoreline Preservation Society’s (SPS) challenge to the City’s planned action ordinance (Ordinance 707) and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 185th Street Station Subarea Plan. The Court granted the City’s motion on all counts.
One of SPS’s primary arguments was its belief that in addition to the EIS completed for the Subarea Plan, the City should have also completed a separate EIS for adoption of the planned action ordinance. SPS also argued in the alternative that if a separate EIS was not required, they should be able to challenge the EIS prepared by the City for the 185th Street Station Subarea Plan in the Superior Court proceeding. The Court held that not only was a separate EIS not required but that the proper forum for SPS to challenge the Subarea Plan EIS was before the Growth Management Hearings Board. SPS did challenge the EIS before the Growth Board, and in December 2015, the Growth Board ruled in favor of the City and dismissed SPS’s case in this regard.
In addition, in its Summary Judgment ruling, the Superior Court found that the City provided adequate public notice and opportunities for comment as required by SEPA and the Shoreline Municipal Code when adopting Ordinance 707. The Court stated, “Defendant provided adequate notice of not only its intent to adopt a planned action ordinance, but allowed ample opportunity for public comment and involvement which included, among other things, visionary workshops, walking tours, design dialog workshops, environmental review, social media, mailings, community event forums, planning commission meetings, public hearings and city council meetings as well as postings on the City’s website, on social media and in the newspaper.”
“The City engaged the public in a robust planning process for the 185th Street Station Subarea Plan spanning almost two years,” stated City Manager Debbie Tarry. “We are pleased by the Court’s decision and will continue to engage the public in the planning process as we continue planning for the 145th Street Station Subarea.”
Read more...
Shoreline Preservation Society announces appeal of GMHB case
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
SPS did so because the Board erred in a rush to approve transit-oriented development, failing to recognize that the Shoreline City Council has mandated explosive new growth without any plan to pay for the substantial new infrastructure that will be required to support it.
SPS is appealing the GMHB decision because these massive rezones are wrong for Shoreline, a city that prides itself on having livable neighborhoods. SPS believes that the City’s actions do not comply with the Growth Management Act and therefore must be invalidated and remanded back to the GMHB Board by the Court.
The physical nature of our community as described in the appeal states: “According to the Subarea Plan, the subarea’s existing population is 7,944 people. This subarea, rezone, and planned action allows for buildings of 4-7 stories with densities upward of 48 dwelling units per acre with a build out population of approximately 56,529 people -- a population eight times its existing size, and larger than the existing population of the City of Shoreline as a whole.
Janet Way, President of SPS, stated
“SPS is standing up for the distinct character of our community, while still in support of the GMA. We can support smart growth and promote a vibrant community without dismantling our existing community completely, displacing thousands of residents who have contributed to our community for many decades. We can support growth without destroying our sense of place or overtaxing our residents to pay for upzone impacts.”
Read more...
KUOW: vast 185th rezoning will make Shoreline look like Seattle
Monday, January 18, 2016
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| 1400 homes in the 185th rezone |
Shoreline, just north of Seattle, is a classic suburb facing a very urban challenge.
It is gaining a light rail station at 185th Street and I-5. And that new station is kicking off a vast redevelopment that will change the shape of the city. In all, 1,400 homes have been rezoned for a densified redevelopment that will change this part of the city into something that looks as though it were born in Seattle.
The article covers both sides of the debate.
The imposition of a densified urban vision for the area around the light rail station at 185th is stressful for the people who live there now.
But City Council proceeded, permitting a redevelopment area so vast it could eventually house 50,000 people. The city's current population is around 55,000.
Now the City is working on redevelopment of the 145th Corridor and a rezone around the 145th transit station and mounting a publicity campaign to draw in new business and "millennial" residents.
Read the article here
Upcoming public meetings:
Tuesday, January 19, 2016: 145th St Corridor Project hosted by the Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association, 7pm, Ridgecrest Elementary School, 16516 10th NE.
Thursday, January 21, 2016: Planning Commission Meeting, 7-9pm, Shoreline City Hall Council Chambers, 17500 Midvale Ave N.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016: Light Rail Station and Facility Design Public Meeting, 6-8:30pm, Shorewood High School - Commons and Theatre, 17300 Fremont Ave N.
Thursday, January 28, 2016: 145th Street Station Citizens Committee, 7-8:30pm, Room 301 City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N.
Read more...
City receives planning award for 185th Street Station Subarea Plan
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
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| Final 185th zoning changes Go to this link for an interaction version |
The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) and the Planning Association of Washington (PAW) jointly awarded the City its Honor Award for the City’s 185th Street Light Rail Station Subarea Plan. Award jurists deemed the Subarea Plan to be an “outstanding example of good planning in Washington.”
Every year, PAW and APA jointly honor outstanding contributions to the field of planning in Washington. Jurists identified the broad-based public involvement process, the phased zoning, the different housing options, and how the Subarea Plan worked with the City’s overall Comprehensive Plan as some of the reasons why the 185th Street Station Subarea Plan stood out. Jurists also stated that the plan would be seen as an example for other jurisdictions across the state in how to tackle difficult decisions around growth over the next twenty years.
Earlier this year, the City received an award from the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County for its leadership in supporting affordable housing opportunities in Shoreline. The award recognized the City’s use of incentive zoning and impact fee exemptions for affordable housing in the 185th Street Station Subarea Plan.
To learn more about the 185th Street Light Rail Station Subarea Plan visit the City website.
Read more...
SPS Community Update and Q & A
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
- Legal Actions Taken against the “Radical Rezones”
- Legal Process, Timeline, Rezones Potential Impacts to YOUR Neighborhoods?
- What can we all do? How can we help?
Local Non-profit files petition with Hearings Board on 185th Station Area Subarea, Zoning and FEIS
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The petition states “In one stroke of the pen, the City Council has radically transformed a City which prides itself on livability and quality of life, good schools, and a breathing and continuous canopy of trees, into a dense urban center not unlike South Lake Union or West Seattle."
“Shoreline is a beautiful city, and it deserves to be defended from arrogant, oversized actions by the Council, that threaten our neighborhoods and which will ruin what we love most. We are taking actions to protect our neighborhoods that our families hold dear,” said Janet Way, President of SPS.
Council adopts 185th Street Station Subarea Plan
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Shoreline City Council rezones 294 acres in the 185th subarea
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
An amendment by Will Hall passed 6-1. In the MUR 45 and MUR 70 zones, single family homes would NOT require a conditional use permit. Single family houses can continue, be remodeled, rebuilt, but new construction could not be single family.
Another Hall amendment passed unanimously for 18 units per acre in MUR 45 zones, to encourage new projects to use land efficiently. Houses could be row houses, townhouses - smaller buildings but more units.
The main motion, Ordinance 706, to adopt the zoning map, passed 5 to 2 with Eggen and McConnell dissenting.
Read more...
185th Subarea decisions scheduled for Monday's council meeting
Saturday, March 14, 2015
- Adoption of Ord. No. 706 – 185th Street Station Area Development Code Amendment and Zoning Map
- Adoption of Ord. No. 702 – 185th Street Station Area Plan, Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Land Use Map
- Adoption of Ord. No. 707 – 185th Street Station Area Planned Action
City communicates with residents in the 185th rezone
Friday, March 13, 2015
- A letter from Planning and Community Development Director Rachael Markle, which you can access from this link.
- The zoning map, which the City Council will review and vote to implement at its March 16 meeting. Link to map.
- Architectural drawings and photos of different building heights. Access from this link.
On February 23, 2015, the City Council selected the enclosed zoning map for potential adoption at their March 16 meeting. This meeting will take place in the Council Chambers at Shoreline City Hall (17500 Midvale Avenue N), beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the action the Council is scheduled to take, please visit the City's light rail web page at www.shorelinewa.gov/lightrail.
...the City has created an interactive map at www.maps.shorelinewa.gov/lightrail185th to help residents identify exactly what their property's new zoning may be and when it would be effective. The Council is considering three phases for the zoning to be implemented in 2015, 2021, and 2033.
While emailing the Council prior to the March 16 meeting is the most effective way to voice your opinion, there will be an opportunity for oral public comment at the meeting, although this time may be limited. (Editor bolding)
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