day : 05/03/2017 8 results

HALA REZONING: Monday’s workshop in Morgan Junction; last week’s Westwood-Highland Park conversation; more

March 5, 2017 9:25 pm

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| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Three notes related to the ongoing community feedback on proposed Mandatory Housing Affordability rezoning as part of the city’s HALA (Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda) initiative:

REMINDER – MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY DESIGN WORKSHOP ON MONDAY: 6-9 pm Monday at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), it’s the Morgan Junction Urban Village version of the city-organized meeting that’s already been held in West Seattle’s three other urban villages (most recently Admiral last month – WSB coverage here – and The Junction in January – WSB coverage here). The city’s official description of the meeting – including how to RSVP, though that’s not required – is here.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK – WESTWOOD-HIGHLAND PARK CONVERSATION: This past Wednesday night, a community-led conversation about the proposed HALA rezoning happened at Highland Park Improvement Club:

Organizer Kim Barnes told the dozen or so attendees that she’s hoping to have two more meetings along the path of creating a community response to what’s proposed for the Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village. The affected area has three neighborhood groups, but she’s hoping their response can be coordinated. That was underscored by Cindi Barker, one of the West Seattle community advocates who have been helping neighborhoods around the area get up to speed on the proposals; she said that talking points are vital so that neighborhoods “don’t get steamrolled.” Attendee concerns included how to ensure that existing small businesses, especially those owned by people of color, aren’t put at risk by the upzoning. No dates for future meetings yet, but Barnes says she hopes that once the HALA Environmental Impact Statement comes out, that a city rep will come out and present a briefing.

TWO LINKS OF INTEREST: First – if you’ve been to a Community Design Workshop already (Westwood-HP in November, WS Junction in January, Admiral in February) – here’s a survey you might want to answer. Save the link if you’re going to Morgan on Monday, so you can answer afterward.

Second – If you’ve wondered how the city is talking with builders/developers about the proposed upzoning, read the newest SDCI newsletter, published online earlier this week.

… AND IF YOU’RE STILL NOT SURE IF/HOW YOU’RE AFFECTED BY ALL THIS – zoom in to your neighborhood via the interactive citywide map. You can comment via e-mail, at halainfo@seattle.gov, and the city has a feedback website, organized by urban village, at hala.consider.it.

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UPDATE: Small but ‘suspicious’ fire at Fauntleroy and Raymond

March 5, 2017 7:10 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

7:10 PM: A “full response” is on the way to Fauntleroy and Juneau for a possible fire in a multifamily building. Crews are starting to arrive. More to come.

(WSB photos, added 8:19 pm)

7:13 PM: Crews have traced it to a “small rubbish fire” in the alley by an under-construction townhouse project. They’re calling for the SFD investigator.

7:42 PM: Just back from the scene. The fire was in a pile of “combustible materials” under a stairwell on the alley side of the construction project. The incident commander considered it suspicious enough to call in the investigator, who arrived a few minutes ago. Police are talking to neighbors. No major damage and no injuries.

ADDED MONDAY: We followed up with SFD, whose spokesperson Alice Kim said, “Our Fire Investigation Unit members ruled the Fauntleroy/Raymond incident as undetermined, either caused by a careless disposal of smoking material or a handheld flame. SPD was notified.”

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FOLLOWUP: ‘Fine print’ item with 60+ zoning changes due for final City Council vote tomorrow

March 5, 2017 6:10 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Last August, we reported on one city notice covering 60+ potential zoning-policy changes – from parking to signage to trees to marijuana – and more, including the “historic lot exception” rule, which has factored into various land-use controversies in this area and elsewhere. That August notice was the first official public announcement of what the Department of Construction and Inspections said would likely go to the City Council for final consideration by year’s end, as what it characterized as an every-two-years “omnibus” proposal.

The measure did indeed go to the council in January and got approval from the Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee on February 24th – with two members present and voting, Rob Johnson and Lisa Herbold – after discussions at two previous meetings. We’re making note of it tonight because it goes to the full council for a final vote tomorrow (Monday, March 6th). The full 142-page text – with some changes – can be seen here. Some of the changes proposed before that vote are detailed in this memo from council staff; the original department memo summarizing the proposed changes is here. Tomorrow’s vote is scheduled during the 2 pm full-council meeting at City Hall; you can watch via Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Big Band Dinner Dance @ WSHS

March 5, 2017 3:57 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

(Photos by Steve White)

Thanks to Steve for the photos – West Seattle High School presented its annual Big Band Dinner Dance this past Friday night, and student musicians were a big part of the lineup:

This fun(draiser) also starred the West Seattle Big Band, whose main mission is to support school music programs. If you missed it – or if you were there but want to see/hear/dance to the WSBB again, while supporting more student musicians – the WSBB is on the slate for the Madison Middle School Swing Dance and Auction in less than three weeks. All the details are in our calendar listing for the March 24th event.

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West Seattle wildlife: Bald eagles in all their glory

March 5, 2017 2:07 pm

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| West Seattle news | Wildlife

It’s nesting/hatching season for bald eagles in our region, so tread lightly if you see a nest! As you know if you’ve been in West Seattle for any length of time, we are lucky to get frequent views of the bird that’s in its third century as America’s national symbol. Here at WSB, we are lucky to have been able to share awesome photos of local bald eagles, courtesy of generous and talented local photographers. One of those photographers, Danny McMillin, recently put together the slideshow video you see above – all photos of eagles (“and a few corvids”) in the Alki area, except for a few views from the Yakima River Canyon at the end – and sent it to us for sharing. Thanks, Danny!

P.S. Think you know everything about bald eagles? Check the Seattle Audubon fact sheet.

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FOLLOWUP: City-authorized encampment on Myers Way gets services, improvements as expansion begins

March 5, 2017 12:10 pm

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| Myers Way | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, taken Friday morning)

By Clifford Cawthon
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The expansion of Camp Second Chance on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle as a city-authorized encampment has begun.

In the month-plus since an emergency mayoral order created three new authorized encampments including this one, the city has been finalizing a contract with Patacara Community Services to operate the camp, which continues to draw support from residents as well as concerns from the surrounding community, while growing and maturing as a clean-and-sober homeless encampment. (Here’s our coverage of the most recent city-organized meeting about it, on February 1st.)

This week, George Scarola, the city’s director of homelessness, confirmed to WSB that the operating agreement for Camp Second Chance had “a few steps still remain (ing), but the agreement is close.” This process includes permits and agreements as well as a framework that Patacara will operate under while administering the camp in its partnership with the city.

Ahead of the finalization of the agreement, the following improvements have already been made: Read More

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LAST CALL: Nominate someplace/someone for this year’s Westside Awards by tomorrow

March 5, 2017 10:18 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Got a little time to spare today for your community – something you can do right where you are right now? It’s the second-to-last day to nominate businesses/people for this year’s Westside Awards, presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which sent this reminder:

West Seattle is home to many remarkable people and successful and innovative businesses with amazing stories. We need your input. Each year the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce looks to the West Seattle Community to nominate businesses and individuals for the annual Westside Awards. The recipients from past years listed below.

Westside Business of the Year

Westside Emerging Business of the Year

Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year

Westsider of the Year

Deadline for Nominations: March 6th

Your input is valuable because the number of votes is not the criteria for winning. Criteria includes how the candidate:

Demonstrates the highest standards
Promotes diversity, equality, and inclusiveness
Demonstrates a consistent commitment to environmental sustainability
Takes a leadership role in the community

There is always room for anything else you would like to share. On March 7th, your nominations and comments will be submitted to the selection committee and on May 4th the recipients will receive their award. Everyone is invited to attend!

Here’s the form you can use to nominate. Past year’s winners, dating back to 2010 (when WSB was honored to be chosen as Business of the Year), are listed on the Chamber’s home page.

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Highlights for your West Seattle Sunday

March 5, 2017 6:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jim Clark – on Saturday, along the Duwamish River near Cecil Moses Park)

Happy Sunday! First, if you’re heading off-peninsula:

TRAFFIC ALERT: While the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s twice-yearly inspection is OVER, as announced Saturday, there’s still a closure this morning/early afternoon north of downtown, as explained here.

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, in the street. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES: Day 3! Info’s in our Friday night story. (Various locations)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, regular hours at the home of West Seattle’s history. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

BLOCK PARTY: As previewed here, 2-3:30 pm, the Urban Homestead Foundation is hosting a Block Party on SW Dakota between 49th and 50th SW, “bringing neighbors together to celebrate the potential of what this vacant piece of land could be for our community. All are welcome! We’ve gotten a street permit along Dakota and we’re working on getting donated food and beer.”

‘BECKY’S NEW CAR’: Final performance for the Twelfth Night Productions comedy, 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Full details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘MILK LIKE SUGAR’: Matinee for the new ArtsWest production, 3 pm. Details here. (4711 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), Jen Tal and the HuZBand perform. (5612 California SW)

HAWAI’I IN WEST SEATTLE: West 5‘s monthly Hawai’i Aloha Happy Hour returns today, 4-6 pm, with music by Aunty Manu Lono and Kalei Medeiros. (4539 California SW)

MORE LIVE MUSIC: Tony Salvata at Parliament Tavern, 6-8 pm: “An early evening of country rock blues.” 21+. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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