Neighborhood-plan updates, the next step

Many neighborhood activists and advocates around West Seattle, as well as around the rest of the city, are watching to see what happens with city government’s announced intention to reopen the official neighborhood plans for potential updates. So we wanted to pass along the official city news release about action taken by council members today. West Seattle has no areas up for the first round of intensive review, but will have areas eligible for the “status review” mentioned here:

Council Sets in Motion Update of Neighborhood Plans
One-year assessment kicks off city-wide work while three high-priority
areas jump immediately into planning

SEATTLE – City Council today authorized an update of neighborhood plans
across the city. Councilmember Sally J. Clark, the chair of the
Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee, said, “Ultimately,
updating the neighborhood plans is an opportunity for us all to recommit
to the vision of safe, affordable, sustainable neighborhoods for today
and tomorrow.”

In 1999, nearly 20,000 citizens collaborated with city staff and
consultants to produce 38 neighborhood plans for urban villages and
urban centers in Seattle. The plans identify actions needed to ensure
that each neighborhood thrives as Seattle grows over time. The original
plans had 20-year horizons. The update process approved today provides
the chance for a mid-life tune-up.

The process to update neighborhood plans will begin this fall in three
changing neighborhoods and with a planning area status review throughout
the city. City staff will work with neighborhood residents and business
people to gather information to create snapshots of each neighborhood
compared to 10 years ago, including demographic shifts, zoning, housing
units and affordability, transportation upgrades in the past 10 years,
new parks, and a neighborhood plan implementation report. The status
reports will help neighborhood advocates and the city recognize gaps and
inform decisions about whether or how to update particular plans. A
Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee, made of citizens appointed by
the Mayor, Council and Neighborhood District Councils, will provide
guidance to the updating process.

While the triage and reporting phase proceeds through 2009, light rail
will start rolling through Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill to Downtown.
Three neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle with light rail stations and
significant multi-family and commercial area around them are about to
become very popular, very fast — Beacon Hill, McClellan and Othello.
Updates of the plans for these three areas would get under way
immediately.

Councilmember Clark said, “My goal is to ensure an update process
that carries forward the best elements of citizen engagement and
partnership from the city-wide, national model planning effort of 10
years ago while bringing new voices into the mix. This is a great
opportunity for neighborhoods to look at where they are and what they
want to be in the future.”

3 Replies to "Neighborhood-plan updates, the next step"

  • Pete September 22, 2008 (4:45 pm)

    Once again West Seattle is relegated to second place on the city’s list. There is always some place else in the city with more pressing needs. Maybe with the Nicklesville beign set up here we will get some attention.

    +++++

    I worry that after this first round of updates that there will not be enough energy left to finish the plan updates. All of the plans should be updated. I have not seen any mention of the areas of the city that have never had a plan developed in the first place. This includes Alki which does not presently have a plan.

    ++++

    But we must remember that our leaders downtown have our best interest at heart………

  • old timer September 22, 2008 (9:36 pm)

    “But we must remember that our leaders downtown have our best interest at heart………”

    So, what’s the legal definition for ‘our’?

  • westwood September 23, 2008 (12:20 am)

    This is actually good news. Of course it makes sense to look at light rail neighborhoods first. But West Seattle needs to lobby hard to be in the next round of planning efforts. With the projects already on the books and the redevelopment of the Huling Bros property, big changes are coming to the Junction. West Seattle needs city attention and investment to plan new housing and transit where it works best. I would urge people to contact Sally Clark and let her know we want some time and money used on looking at our needs here in West Seattle.

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