Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts

Planning Commission discusses Middle Housing at July 18, 2024 meeting

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Shoreline Planning Commission
By Pam Cross

The Planning Commission Regular Meeting of July 18, 2024 was held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed.

Staff Presentation by:
  • Elise Keim, Planning Manager
  • Steve Szafran, Senior Planner
  • Emily Larson, Otak

Study Item 6-1(c) 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update - Middle Housing Public Participation Summary and Draft Regulations

Public Comment (letters)
During the 2023 legislative session the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1110, also known as the Middle Housing bill, which requires cities to allow middle housing in low-density residential zones within six months of their comprehensive plan adoption

With this new state mandate Shoreline again pursued grant funding to update the city’s zoning code to allow middle housing in compliance with HB 1110. (Staff Report; emphasis added)

Middle Housing has been before the Planning Commission five times. In opening comments, commissioners talked about how they approached these discussions. 

We don’t want our city to become a bunch of really big buildings with some pathways in between. And since we are still growing, we need to keep people’s wants and needs front and center so they want to continue to live here, and the next generation will want to stay here too. 

In order to foster communication to determine a shared vision, there was a lot of public outreach. As a part of that they prepared an informational handout briefly summarizing middle housing.

Feedback



One thing that people were skeptical about is whether middle housing is going to move the needle on affordable housing. There appears to be a preference for lower height and smaller buildings in residential neighborhoods. 

Based on this preference, staff are looking at a form-based residential code rather than the current units-based code. “The code will focus on building height, width, and depth” as well as pedestrian and vehicle access.

Per HB 1110 no on-site parking is required for middle housing within ½ mile of a major transit stop. Staff is proposing 0 stalls per unit in accordance with HB 1110, and 1 stall per unit for those farther than 1/2 mile of a major transit stop.

Proposed permitted housing types


NR-3 includes those areas that are currently zoned R4 and R6, and are further from transit.

Further discussion covered zoning (allowed uses and set-backs); fire requirements (for access, required hydrants, fire impact fees); potential side sewer upgrades; curb and sidewalk requirements; electricity to be underground.

Sprinklers are already required for new residential buildings and unit conversions. Middle housing will be subject to the same rules as single family dwellings.

*AMI is Area Median Income.

The above reference to Affordable Housing makes it clear that Middle Housing is not synonymous with Affordable Housing.

If a builder/owner/developer includes 1 or 2 units of affordable housing, they are able to build additional units as shown above.


Per HB 1110 middle housing cannot have any standards more restrictive than those standards for detached housing. 

Staff are proposing to repeal Single Family Detached Residential Design regulations and replace it with Neighborhood Residential Design regulations. These are zone-based design standards and would also apply to any detached housing that occurs in these zones. 

With that in mind, staff are proposing a light-touch on design standards and focusing on those standards that have public support and promote the city’s vision. (Staff report)

Go to this link FAQ HB 1110 to see a quick interpretation of this complicated HB 1110 prepared by the Washington Association of Cities

Middle Housing is scheduled to come before the City Council on July 29, 2024 as a Discussion Item. There will be no action taken at the meeting but I expect councilmembers will have questions. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say.


 

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Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024

Saturday, June 29, 2024

L-R: Christopher Mosier (behind), Julie Povick, Bradley Cabe, Leslie Brinson, Mei-shiou Lin, Lauren Hadley, and Colt Fry

By Pam Cross

The Shoreline Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024 was held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed.

The Commissioners are Christopher Mosier (absent), Leslie Brinson (absent), ,Julie Povick, Bradley Cabe, Mei-shiou Lin, and Colt Fry (absent)

This was an update to the 2024 Comprehensive Plan - Middle Housing discussion of the following issues from House Bill 1110:
  • Tier Options
  • Alternative Compliance
  • Draft Land Use Maps
Staff Presentation by
  • Andrew Bauer, Planning Director
  • Elise Keim, Planning Manager
  • Steve Szafran, Senior Planner
  • Emily Larson, Otak

Otak, Inc. is an award-winning urban design, architecture, planning and engineering firm. They are involved in the Ronald Bog Basin Study and The Shoreline Interurban Trail.


TIER OPTIONS

TIER 2

At the Planning Commission meeting of May 20, 2024 it was stated that Shoreline’s population of approximately 61,120 designates it as Tier 2. The Commission discussed whether the city should move to a Tier 1 designation now in order to avoid having to change everything as our city continues to grow.

Staff recommended staying with Tier 2 for a variety of reasons including anticipated time to reach Tier 1 status (estimated 12 years), and allowing more time to scale up the city infrastructure.

TIER 2.5
At this June 6th meeting, a Tier 2.5 was added for discussion purposes.


The change from Tier 2 to Tier 2.5 affects significantly more areas of Shoreline.

Additionally, 2.5 adds “High Activity Areas” and an associated 1/4 mile buffer. High Activity areas include commercial centers or nodes with grocery stores, restaurants, and/or retail. Civic facilities such as a library or post office would also be included.


The attachments mentioned in the chart are part of the Staff Report.

HB1110 - Standard or Alternative Compliance

In addition to the new base requirement for middle housing, Alternative Compliance options are available.

Risk of Displacement

The staff report defines Displacement as when a household is forced or pressured to move due to reasons beyond the householder’s control.
  • Physical: demolition, eviction, natural disaster
  • Economic: rising rents or property taxes
  • Cultural: cultural institutions/communities leave
Staff recommended exempting lots subject to sea level rise and flood hazards.

Other critical areas will be protected with regulations. And higher displacement risk can be addressed through policy and implementation. Additional details are included in the staff report.

LAND USE

The new land use designations will also become the zoning designations eliminating the confusion when trying to comply with both zoning and land use.

This is a work in progress. While it was stated that current R-4 and R-6 would be changed to NR3 (Neighborhood Residential 3), there are lots currently zoned R-4 or R-6 that meeting criteria to move to N2 would be changed to N2 which is more intense than NR3 with higher building heights, more allowed types of housing, and some small commercial.

It’s important to keep in mind that R-4, which was based on population, has less density than R-6 or R-18. The number gets higher as density increases.

But NR1 is “the most intense neighborhood residential zone where building heights may exceed three stories, with more types of commercial.” (Staff report)

The number gets lower as density increases.

The only speaker at public comment was Jonathan Lounds, representing the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. He stated the MBA prefers changing to Tier 1. The MBA appreciates Tier 2.5 being considered but suggests allowing 6 units per lot within a 1/2 block of major transit, and 6 units per lot within 1/4 mile of a high activity area.


HOUSING

The scope of housing in comprehensive plans has expanded dramatically. It’s no longer just about the number of units, but a deeper analysis to address people's needs and incomes. Shoreline will be looking into an affordable housing plan, including planning, funding and budget.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Residents have stated they would like more shopping and dining opportunities in Shoreline.

Other topics briefly touched on included 
  • auto-dependent uses such as drive throughs. Can this be done on a policy level? They will have to talk to the business community. Drive-throughs are a salvation to parents
  • The large number of lots under Homeowners Associations control. Many of them appear to limit middle housing. The City may have to work with HOAs to include middle housing opportunities

DISCUSSION COMMENTS

The houses of “baby boomers” will be hitting the market in the next 20 or so years. This needs to be a consideration in our discussions.

If we are ahead already of where we need to be, should we be even farther ahead?

It’s hard to visualize 4 units per parcel without stacking units. R-6 allowed 6 units per parcel (acre). Now we are talking per “lot”.

What does this mean now? 6 “units” or 6 “houses”? Per acre? Per lot?

Shoreline has a lot of smaller units. Family housing is in short supply. Should we continue this way?

Displacement is important to address. Owners of property are unable to stay there. Who are these high risk people?

Affordable housing in Shoreline. Is it really affordable? I reached out to all affordable housing in Shoreline as a potential renter. I had several persistent responses over a month. There appear to be vacancy issues. We need to consider affordability before we build even more “affordable” housing. We have a lot of vacancies in Shoreline. It is worth looking into

Planning Commissioners favored Tier 2.5


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Shoreline Planning Commission meeting Thursday, June 20, 2024

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Shoreline Council chambers (left)
Photo by Mike Remarcke
The Thursday June 20, 2024 7pm Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting will be held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed. 

You may attend the meeting in person, join via Zoom webinar, or listen to the meeting over the telephone. 

The Commission is providing opportunities for public comment in person, remotely, or by submitting written comment. 

In person public commenters must sign up in person prior to the start of the meeting, and remote public commenters must sign-up online by 6:30pm the night of the meeting. See Links at end of this article.

There are three items the commission will be studying:
  1. Climate Action Plan
  2. 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update – Introduction of Community Development and Park, Recreation Open Space and Arts Elements
  3. 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update – Middle Housing Discussion of Tier Options, Alternative Compliance, and Draft Land Use Maps. This is a continuation of the discussion on which tier of middle housing regulations to pursue as well as the discussion about standard or alternative compliance. The Planning Commission is proposing an additional Tier 2.5 which would fall between Tier 1 and Tier 2.
LINKS

In person meetings are held in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

--Pam Cross

Updated with meeting time of 7pm 6-19-2024

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Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024

Monday, June 10, 2024


Planning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024

By Pam Cross  

The Planning Commission Regular Meeting was held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed.

Commissioners Present: Christopher Mosier (chair), Leslie Brinson, (Vice Chair),Julie Povick, Bradley Cabe, Mei-shiou Lin, and Colt Fry

Absent Commissioner Lauren Hadley (excused)

Staff Presentation by
  • Andrew Bauer, Planning Director
  • Elise Keim, Planning Manager
  • Steve Szafran, Senior Planner
  • Julie Ainsworth-Taylor, Assistant City Attorney
  • Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk
Other:
  • Emily Larson, Ota
The Commissioners discussed their questions and comments about Land Use, Housing, and Economic Developments proposed for the Comprehensive Plan. There is a detailed spreadsheet attached to the staff report linked here Staff Report PC 6/6 This provides a broad outline of where Shoreline appears to be headed.

LAND USE

The City of Shoreline provides the following definition:


Because this is a 20 year vision it is one of the most important times to have your say in what Shoreline will look like two decades from now. Changes to the Comprehensive Plan are possible once a year, but they can be difficult to incorporate.

In reviewing the Commissioners’ comments, there were some common themes: Focusing on growth near transit buildings on the existing city and regional strategies of keeping people and jobs near transit will minimize the use of private vehicles and will maximize our investment around transit/light rail. It is thought that future growth areas may emerge over time when we would consider incorporating middle housing and neighborhood commercial centers.

HOUSING

The scope of housing in comprehensive plans has expanded dramatically. It’s no longer just about the number of units, but now we are taking a deeper analysis to address people's needs and incomes. Shoreline will be looking into an affordable housing plan, including planning, funding and budget.


Other areas that will be discussed are uses for vacant and underutilized land, short term rentals, and height and design transitions between developments. These are just a few of the areas that will be looked into.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT


Residents have stated they would like more shopping and dining opportunities in Shoreline.

Other topics briefly touched on included:
  • auto-dependent uses such as drive throughs. Can this be done on a policy level? They will have to talk to the business community. Drive-throughs are a salvation to parents
  • The large number of lots under Homeowners Associations control. Many of them appear to limit middle housing. The City may have to work with HOAs to include middle housing opportunities


DISCUSSION POINTS
  • If you rent low income housing without individual utility metering, you cannot qualify for a discount from the utilities themselves
  • Late fees for rent need to be capped
  • Short term rentals need regulations but do not impact affordable housing
  • We could add regulations for utilities and parking instead of outlawing them
  • Short term rentals change the nature of a residential neighborhood and we make them register as a business with low tax benefits.
  • Not everybody wants to live in apartments
  • A lot of people want to live near the light rail. Everybody wants different things
  • People want choices where they live
  • The things that we're making money from are some of the things that our residents say they don't necessarily like about the city
  • We have a lot of rhetoric throughout our comprehensive plan that talks about creating a pedestrian oriented city and also fixing aurora but we are still very car dependent.
  • We’ve talked about pedestrian access, but we’re not really getting it
  • We need accessible parking so that someone who can’t walk very far
  • Our transportation department needs to look at street Parking or loading zones for out of town people to support our commercial enterprises
  • We’re not going to get rid of parking entirely - It’s just not possible. But we could reduce it in many areas
  • How are HOAs and our regulations going to interact?
This is just a sampling of the questions asked by the Planning Commission.


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Planning Commission meeting Thursday, June 6, 2024

Sunday, June 2, 2024

From left: Christopher Mosier (behind), Julie Povick, Bradley Cabe, Leslie Brinson, Mei-shiou Lin, Lauren Hadley, and Colt Fry. Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

By Pam Cross

The June 6th Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting will be held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed. You may attend the meeting in person, join via Zoom webinar, or listen to the meeting over the telephone. 

The Commission is providing opportunities for public comment in person, remotely, or by submitting written comment. In person public commenters must sign up in person prior to the start of the meeting, and remote public commenters must sign-up online by 6:30pm the night of the meeting. (See Links at end of this article.)

This meeting is an update to their May 16 meeting. You can see the summary of the last May meeting in the link below.

The 2024 Comprehensive Plan update is now at a stage where development of draft goals and policies and supporting analysis are underway. The Planning Commission will play a key role in providing input and feedback on this work throughout most of the rest of this year. 

This meeting the Planning Commission will have an opportunity to discuss their comments on three draft elements of the Comprehensive Plan Update: Land Use, Housing and Economic Development.

Land Use Designation

Land use designations will need to change as part of implementing middle housing.They will consider focusing on future growth near transit, cafes and other neighborhood commercial uses such as cafes, coffee shops, and pubs. 

They will also discuss transit, pedestrian and bike access, and parking, compatibility with existing neighborhood, and working with Homeowner Associations to allow housing consistent with City Code.

Housing

The City will need to do more as the need for housing, particularly affordable housing, grows. This meeting will consider the issues of affordable housing, vacant and underutilized land, Regulations and housing, Cost and Supply to clarify unwritten or vague administrative procedures and policies, as well as Short term rentals impact on housing availability

Economic Development

Encouraging local iconic growth and development through consideration of: neighborhood smaller commercial spaces; opportunities to enhance the future of Aurora Ave N and the Town Center; capitalizing on Shoreline’s greatest natural asset the Puget Sound shoreline; enhancing tourism and recreation; looking for opportunities to enhance tourism and recreation; reinvesting in North City and Ballinger.

Source: the Planning Commission staff report.

LINKS

Remote meeting links:

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Spaces available for individual meetings with Shoreline staff about your home improvement plans - plus workshops and vendor fair

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Individual consult from a previous event
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
Do you have a home improvement project in mind but need some guidance to get started? 

Join Shoreline Planning staff for our popular free home improvement workshops to help with your potential project.

We still have spaces available for you to meet with technical reviewers to discuss your potential projects. 

Sign up for individual appointments here. Depending on the scope of your project, you can meet with up to three technical reviewers.

Dates:      
  • Tuesday, March 26           
  • Tuesday, April 23           
  • Tuesday, May 21
Time: 6:00 to 8:00pm
Location: Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Avenue N, Shoreline WA 98133

Workshops - in addition to individual appointments there are workshops which require only an RSVP

New presentations for 2024: 
  • Middle Housing: April 23 at 6:30pm New state regulations are increasing residential development opportunities. Learn about middle housing and what it means for your property.
  • Deck 101: May 21 at 6:30pm Learn more about residential deck permitting for new decks and deck replacements.
Vendor fair. Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Vendor fair

In addition to appointments with technical reviewers, we will have several outside vendors and resources available to meet with to discuss your project. No appointment is necessary to meet with these vendors, so be sure to set aside extra time to discuss their services. The Vendor Fair is open to all residents of the Seattle metro area.

List of Vendors (subject to change)
  • BECU
  • Cedheco
  • CG Engineering
  • City of Shoreline Environmental Services
  • City of Shoreline Planning & Community Development
  • H2D Architecture + Design
  • Irons Brothers Construction
  • Master Gardeners Program of King County
  • Lowe's of North Seattle
  • Nelson Geotechnical Associates, Inc.
  • Redwood Builders LLC
  • Renewal by Anderson
  • Seattle Credit Union
  • Shoreline Tool Library
  • Sound Seismic
  • State Farm
  • Tree 133 LLC
  • Walls and Weeds
More information

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Here Comes the Train! Sound Transit update at CityLearn - in person and on Zoom Wednesday March 13, 2024

Monday, March 11, 2024

Photo courtesy Sound Transit
Sound Transit Update
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 7 - 8:30 pm

In-person in Council Chambers at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133
or online on Zoom

After many years of planning, two light rail stations open in Shoreline in 2024. What can residents expect in these last months of construction and testing?
 
City of Shoreline staff Juniper Nammi, Lynnwood Link Extension Light Rail Project Manager, is joined by a representative from Sound Transit to share project updates and answer questions.

Test run through Shoreline at NE 195th overpass
Photo by Steve Treseler

Also on the agenda: Walk, Ride, and Roll thru Shoreline

The State of Washington enacted the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law in 1991 to encourage less fuel-consumption, less congestion, and more breathable air. 

It is time for the City to update its CTR Plan. City staff will explain the overall program with goals to encourage fewer “drive-alone” trips. 

Find out how you can be an instrumental part of this plan update and provide feedback on this as well as specific programs such as scooter/bike-share, shared-use mobility hubs, and EV car share all of which will be coming soon to Shoreline.


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Shoreline wants bus base out of Ridgecrest; Metro wants more time

Friday, February 2, 2024

Sixty Metro Access vans are parked under the Cascades Bingo sign in the middle of a weekday in January Photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

At the Monday, January 22, 2024 City Council meeting, the council changed Shoreline’s zoning laws to forbid bus bases in the Ridgecrest neighborhood, the current location of Metro Transit’s Access bus base and maintenance garage.

As previously reported in Shoreline Area News, the current owners of the property want to sell the site and Metro wants to buy it. The city says the bus base has never been legally permitted; vehicle storage has been forbidden at the site since 2008, four years before the base opened. 

Metro says they need the site to provide paratransit services in North King County and is threatening the city with legal action. Metro is asking for six years to find another site despite already owning a bus maintenance garage and two underutilized parking lots in the city. The city is eyeing the site to build a community arts and performance space with affordable housing for local artists.

Michelle Allison, Metro Transit’s General Manager,
said Metro’s question to the city is “why?”
and threatened further legal action
According to written public comments from Michelle Allison, Metro’s General Manager, without the Ridgecrest bus base, Metro would need to deploy buses from South Park, Bellevue or Kent bases which would increase expenses, congestion, travel time and decrease reliability. 

This makes the site an essential public facility in Metro’s view and contends it would be illegal under the state’s Growth Management Act if the city forced the bus base out. Given the cost and complexity of buying property in the region, Metro wants at least six years to move to a new site.

According to Metro’s public comments, there is nowhere else in Shoreline for the bus base to go because the other sites where bus bases would be allowed under the new zoning rules are either not for sale, would displace retail stores, are slated for other development, or aren’t big enough.

At the January 22 meeting, Councilmember John Ramsdell asked why the sites Metro already owns in Shoreline could not be used to park Metro’s vans. 
“I haven’t heard much of a reason why from Metro why none of those three other sites… would be unworkable.” He said, 
“I think it’s a little bit dishonest that we were told there is no other option in North King County that would accommodate the one hundred access vans.”

According to a staff report, Metro Transit owns three sites in Shoreline that would be permitted to be used as a bus base. Metro owns two park-and-ride parking lots in Shoreline (the 5.34 acre Shoreline Park and Ride Lot on the corner of 192nd & Aurora and 211 spaces at the Aurora Village Transit Center east of Costco) 

Both sites are expected to be underutilized once the Sound Transit Light Rail stations open later this year. Metro also owns the 12.53 acre King County Metro North Base located west of I-5 which is currently used as a bus base and maintenance garage but does not have room for the Access vans, according to Metro.

In an emailed response to questions, a spokesperson for Metro said, “The three sites identified as options each have limitations and tradeoffs. A fuller evaluation is needed to address whether those limitations can be overcome or if they cannot, and additional time will then be needed to make an alternate site—if found to meet the necessary criteria—operational.”

In written public comments, Allison pleaded with the city to negotiate a solution without further legal conflict and said, “Metro’s question to the city is ‘why?’”

In a letter sent to Metro obtained through a public records request the city told Metro that the site was in violation of the city’s zoning laws because it had never received a permit to operate as a bus base. The city cannot permit Metro to use the site as bus base because it would be in violation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, according to the city.

A map of the Ridgecrest Commercial Planned Area as designated in 2008; the zoning area includes the Metro bus base in the south-west parcel. Map data from OpenStreetMap 

In 2008, four years before the site was put to use as a bus base, the city passed ordinance 492 which created the Ridgecrest Commercial Planned Area incorporating the six parcels at the corner of 5th Ave NE and NE 165th St. 

The zoning rules allowed greater density while enforcing rules to improve the livability of the neighborhood and encourage retail businesses. One of the rules explicitly forbids vehicle storage on any of the six parcels - including the site currently in use as a bus base.

However, in 2012, the city granted a permit to remodel the property into a bus base and garage. A permit search result shows the city reviewed and approved the plan for compliance with city zoning rules in 2012.

Councilmember Keith Scully speaking in favor of the
Ordnance said,“that is Metro's problem, not ours.”
Photo by Oliver Moffat

In public comments at the January 22 council meeting, Councilmember Keith Scully made his feelings on the matter clear: 

“We have tolerated for over 10 years, the facility that is not in compliance with our code in a neighborhood where it does not belong. 
"And we have bent over backwards, extending the period of time that facility was allowed to operate. 
'"We have bent over backwards, trying to find an alternate location in Shoreline. 
"Nothing about this ordinance bans transit access. Nothing in this ordinance has anything to do with the operation of the busses,” he said. “That is Metro's problem, not ours.”

Artspace Mt. Baker Lofts in Seattle. Photo Credit: Artspace
ShoreLake Arts recommends something similar at the Ridgecrest bus base -

In 2022, the city provided funds to ShoreLake Arts to conduct a market study on a project presented by ArtSpace to build a permanent home for ShoreLake Arts including classrooms, a performance space, art installations, and 40 to 70 units of affordable housing for artists. 

ArtSpace has completed similar mixed-use live-work spaces for artists in the region: the Mt. Baker Lofts in Seattle and the Schack Art Center Lofts in Everett. 

ArtSpace recommended the former “Bingo Hall,”,now in use as a Metro bus base in Ridgecrest as the preferred location in the 2022 study.


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Pam Cross: So... just what is a Concept Design

Sunday, January 14, 2024

The sign at Hillwood Park is a statement of concept design.

By Pam Cross

It seems as if every time we turn around we are looking at a Concept Design for a new building, a new car, a new plane, a new park, or the latest expansion of Sound Transit. So what exactly is a Concept Design?

A concept design refers to the early idea or plan that will guide the design of a specific project. It is the very basic structure of what something will look like upon completion. Because it is preliminary, the concept design must be fluid.

Example: Park Concept Design

Once a bond measure passes the voters and the funding is available, the real work begins. The park has to be designed, construction plans need to be drawn up and the actual building of it needs to be opened up to the public for bidding. There are a multitude of steps along the way and each is critical to ensuring the project is successful.

The pictures we see on the City’s website and in the presentation materials are design concepts that reflect the priorities from public feedback regarding the types of park amenities desired, and provide a general idea of how the park improvements may look.

The City of Shoreline website states:
 
“There will be a public engagement process incorporated in the final design process. What won’t change in the final design are the amenities that are going into each park and the general location of the amenities.”

There is a lot of work that is still to come: design, construct, improve, obtain permits, renovate, acquire, develop, or equip, all necessary appraisals, inspection and testing, demolition, administrative expenses, permitting, mitigation, construction, and so forth. So completion is a long way from a concept design.

If we look at the actual wording of Parks Proposition 1 we see the following: (emphasis is mine)


“The Projects shall include the acquisition of real property as necessary to locate such facilities. The City shall complete the Projects at the time, in the order and in the manner deemed most necessary and advisable by the Council.

"The Council shall determine the exact specifications for the Projects, and the components thereof, as well as the timing, order and manner of completing the components of the Projects. The Council may alter, make substitutions to, and amend such components as it determines are in the best interests of the City and consistent with the general descriptions provided herein.

"If the Council shall determine that it has become impractical to design, construct, improve, obtain permits, renovate, acquire, develop, or equip all or any component of the Projects by reason of changed conditions, incompatible development, costs substantially in excess of the amount of Bond proceeds or tax levies estimated to be available, or acquisition by or dependence on a superior governmental authority, the City shall not be required to provide such component or components.

"If all of the Projects have been constructed or acquired or duly provided for, or found to be impractical, the City may apply remaining proceeds of the Bonds authorized herein (including earnings thereon) or any portion thereof to other park, recreation and open space capital purposes or to the redemption of the Bonds as the Council, in its discretion, shall determine.”

Clearly changes can be made by the City after the proposition has been passed. None of this information was hidden in “the fine print” - it is clearly stated in the proposition.

We have to remember that landscaping takes time to grow and the “finished product” likely won’t look finished for some time.



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Three to step down from Shoreline planning commission

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Pam Sager 2nd from left; Julius Rwamashongye 4th; Janelle Callahan 5th
Commissioners who are leaving at the end of their term in March
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

By Oliver Moffat

The Shoreline Planning Commission held its first public meeting of 2024 on Thursday, January 4th.

Three of the seven commissioners announced at the meeting that they will not be reapplying to renew their terms which will end in March. As a result, the city has extended the deadline for applications to January 19th. Commissioner Janelle Callahan, Commissioner Julius Rwamashongye, and Chair Pam Sager announced they will be stepping down.

On the agenda was a review and discussion of the update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The comprehensive plan shapes the future of the city by setting priorities to determine how money will be spent for big projects and what rules will govern future development through changes to zoning laws.

Amongst the proposed updates that the commission reviewed was a citizen initiated proposal to build a pedestrian bridge to connect the gap in the interurban trail between Shoreline and Edmonds. The citizen initiated proposal received public support in comments and would build a bridge across N 205th Street (State Route 104).

Also discussed was a proposal to rezone the vacant land owned by the DNR at southwest corner of the Fircrest campus to allow for future development.

Applications are due by 5:00pm on Friday, January 19, 2024. More information and learn how to apply at the Shoreline Planning Commission


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Help plan the future of Shoreline by serving on the Shoreline Planning Commission

Friday, January 5, 2024

Photo by Jason Goodman on unsplash.com

UPDATE: Application deadline extended to January 19.

The Shoreline City Council is looking for volunteers to serve on the Planning Commission for four-year terms beginning in April 2024. 

The volunteers who serve on the Shoreline Planning Commission provide recommendations to the City Council on land use, growth, and development issues.

The Commission addresses key questions that affect the quality of life in Shoreline, such as: 
  • How should we balance new commercial and residential development with the desire to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods? 
  • How do we plan for a future that includes light rail? 
  • How can we encourage developers to use green building practices and provide affordable housing? 
  • How will the City allow alternate housing types that fit within our established neighborhoods?
No technical background or experience in land use is required. 

Important qualifications are an ability to listen and work well with others; a willingness to prepare and read staff reports prior to the meetings; and a commitment to regular attendance and active participation at the meetings. 

Candidates must live or own property in Shoreline. The City compensates Commissioners for their time.

Application details
  • If you are interested in applying, fill out a Community Service Application
  • You can also pick up a copy from City Hall. 
  • Submit your application by email to clk@shorelinewa.gov 
  • or mail it to:
    • City of Shoreline, City Clerk
    • 17500 Midvale Avenue N
    • Shoreline, WA 98133
  • You can also drop it off in person at the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor of City Hall. 
Applications are due by 5:00pm on Friday, January 19, 2024.

More information:

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Shoreline Planning Commission January 4, 2024 to study proposed amendments to 2024 Comp Plan

Saturday, December 30, 2023

L-R: Commissioner Mei-shiou Lin, Chair Pam Sager, Commissioner Andy Galuska, Vice Chair Julius Rwamashongye, Commissioners Janelle Callahan, Leslie Brinson, and Christopher Mosier.

The Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 7pm will be held in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

You may attend the meeting in person, join via Zoom webinar, or listen to the meeting over the telephone. The Commission is providing opportunities for public comment in person, remotely, or by submitting written comment. In person public commenters must sign up in person prior to the start of the meeting, and remote public commenters must sign-up online by 6:30pm the night of the meeting.


Remote meeting link:

Agenda Highlights: Comprehensive plan amendments

For 2024, there are eleven (11) privately initiated amendments and three (3) city- initiated amendments. At tonight’s meeting, staff is requesting the Planning Commission make a recommendation to Council which amendments should be evaluated in 2024, establishing the Final 2024 Docket. The Commission’s recommendation will be submitted to the City Council to establish the Final 2024 Docket. City Staff will then analyze and evaluate the proposed amendments and return to the Planning Commission for study sessions and a public hearing.

Contact the Planning Commission:
Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk
(206) 801-2514
choekzema@shorelinewa.gov


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Help plan the future of Shoreline by serving on the Planning Commission

Friday, December 1, 2023

Photo by Jason Goodman on unsplash.com
The Shoreline City Council is looking for volunteers to serve on the Planning Commission for four-year terms beginning in April 2024. 

The volunteers who serve on the Shoreline Planning Commission provide recommendations to the City Council on land use, growth, and development issues.

The Commission addresses key questions that affect the quality of life in Shoreline, such as: 

  • How should we balance new commercial and residential development with the desire to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods? 
  • How do we plan for a future that includes light rail? 
  • How can we encourage developers to use green building practices and provide affordable housing? 
  • How will the City allow alternate housing types that fit within our established neighborhoods?

No technical background or experience in land use is required. Important qualifications are an ability to listen and work well with others; a willingness to prepare and read staff reports prior to the meetings; and a commitment to regular attendance and active participation at the meetings. Candidates must live or own property in Shoreline. The City compensates Commissioners for their time.

Application details

If you are interested in applying, fill out a Community Service Application. You can also pick up a copy from City Hall. Submit your application by email to clk@shorelinewa.gov or mail it to:

City of Shoreline, City Clerk
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Shoreline, WA 98133

You can also drop it off in person at the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor of City Hall. Applications are due by 5:00pm on Friday, January 5, 2024.

MORE INFORMATION

shorelinewa.gov/plancom
Senior Planner Steve Szafran
sszafran@shorelinewa.gov
206-801-2512


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Neighborhood Subarea Planning to be discussed at Shoreline Planning Commission retreat

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Mountlake Terrace created a subarea
for its Town Center
The Shoreline Planning Commission will consider Subarea Planning at its retreat on September 7, 2023.

What is Neighborhood Subarea Planning?

Neighborhood subarea plans (or subarea plan) are detailed plans for a smaller geographic area within a community. 

The areas can include neighborhoods, commercial nodes, downtowns, corridors, or other types of districts with cohesive characteristics.

Subarea plans provide a way for residents and businesses in these areas to better define and understand how their area fits within the rest of the City and identify specific goals and objectives for their area while still achieving the broader goals of the citywide Comprehensive Plan. 

For example, a subarea plan might include how and where to focus commercial or mixed uses, address walkability / connectivity, open space, etc. 

Planning on a “smaller scale” also provides an opportunity for active engagement and direct community input into the plan.

Subarea Plan Examples

There are countless examples nationwide, but some local examples of subarea plans include the Mountlake Terrace Town Center Subarea Plan and the City of Issaquah Olde Town Plan.

The City of Shoreline has a history of subarea planning such as the Town Center Subarea Plan (2011) and the two light rail station subarea plans. Previous plans, no longer in effect, also included North City and Ridgecrest.

Relationship to Comprehensive Plan

The 2024 Comprehensive Plan update is well underway and provides an opportunity to establish a policy foundation for future subarea planning work that could occur following the completion of the Comprehensive Plan at the end of 2024.

Discussion Questions
  • Would the Planning Commission like to further explore neighborhood subarea planning in future years?
  • Are there particular areas of focus to consider as it relates to defining neighborhood subareas?


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Vendor Fair Tuesday for home improvement resources

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
The City of Shoreline is holding a vendor fair on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 6-8pm in the lobby of City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N. Free parking in the city garage on the north side of the building.

The fair is free as is the Permitting 101 session at 7pm. 

No appointments are necessary and it is open to anyone who lives in the larger region, not just Shoreline residents.

Vendors meet with home owners at April's vendor fair
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
Vendors who will have materials and representatives at the fair:
  • Lowes - North Seattle 
  • Master Gardener Program
  • Irons Brothers Construction
  • City of Shoreline Public Works, Surface Water Program
  • City of Shoreline Planning and Community Development, Comprehensive Plan 
  • Built Green Program (Master Builders)
  • City of Shoreline Community Services, Environmental Services Program
  • Greenhome Solutions
  • Northwest Solar
  • Signature Surveying and Mapping
  • Sound Seismic
  • Dunn Lumber
  • BECU
  • Gene Johnson Plumbing
  • CNL Design
  • Sky Nursery
  • Seattle Credit Union
  • Walls and Weeds Architecture 
  • Buildings For The Future SPC

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Vendor fair April 25, 2023 for home remodeling information

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Remodeling vendor fair at Shoreline City Hall
April 25 and May 23, 2023
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Are you considering a major remodel or perhaps an addition to your Shoreline home?

The Shoreline Planning department is sponsoring vendor fairs on Tuesday April 25, 2023 and Tuesday May 23, 2023 in the lobby of Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N. Free parking in City garage.

Local businesses will have representatives with information about their services.

Permitting 101 presentation at 7pm
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

The event is free and runs from 6 - 8pm. It is open to all, not just Shoreline residents. 

Also free is a workshop on Permitting 101 with planning staff discussing permitting in Shoreline. This session is at 7pm.

Vendor fair photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Vendors who will be at the fair:
  • Lowes - North Seattle 
  • Master Gardener Program
  • Irons Brothers Construction
  • City of Shoreline Public Works, Surface Water Program
  • City of Shoreline Planning and Community Development, Comprehensive Plan 
  • Built Green Program (Master Builders)
  • City of Shoreline Community Services, Environmental Services Program
  • Greenhome Solutions
  • Northwest Solar
  • Signature Surveying and Mapping
  • Sound Seismic
  • Dunn Lumber
  • BECU
  • Gene Johnson Plumbing
  • CNL Design
  • Sky Nursery
  • Seattle Credit Union
  • Walls and Weeds Architecture 
  • Buildings For The Future SPC
If you have questions, contact Jarrod Lewis 206-801-2521 email JLewis@ShorelineWA.gov


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