Just in from the Department of Neighborhoods: The list of citywide winners for art commemorating Neighbor Appreciation Day this Saturday includes West Seattle High School ninth-grader Delaney Ballard and Madison Middle School sixth-graders Rahel Yohannes and Marie Ong. You can see their winning work here.

Rachel just sent a note she wanted to share about someone who came up to her house about an hour ago – read on:Read More

(October 2009 photo courtesy of Greg Whittaker from Mountain to Sound Outfitters [WSB sponsor] and Alki Kayak Tours)
Story and photos by Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

As promised, the Alki Community Council introduced new webmaster/Alki News Beacon editor Glynnis Vaughan Thursday night in its new meeting location at Alki UCC.

But before the introduction of Vaughan, the council was treated to a presentation by United States Coast Guard Auxiliarist Lyn McClellan (left). The room of about 20 clearly enjoyed the half-hour discussion about the history of the Alki Point Lighthouse.

The USCG is thrilled to have it open to the public during the upcoming summer weekends (Memorial through Labor Day weekends) from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, and although the light is automated now, and the neighborhood side is veiled from it, the established-in-1887 lighthouse and its history are still worth the visit, with visitors from 68 countries stopping by during the last two years. You can read lots more about it here.

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Another West Seattle neighborhood group is starting the New Year with some new features: The Alki Community Council has a new logo (at left) as it gets ready for its next meeting. The meeting at 7 pm Thursday, January 21, also marks the debut of Alki UCC as its permanent meeting spot, instead of Alki Community Center. Its newsletter, the Alki News Beacon, also has a new look, under new editor/webmaster Glynnis Vaughan – see the new edition here; it’s now being published 4 times a year instead of 6, but ACC leaders hope a membership increase and reader interest may enable them to return to a more frequent publishing schedule; ACC members get the Beacon in the mail – membership info is here.

Long, info-packed meeting for the Admiral Neighborhood Association Tuesday night, first one under the new slate of officers elected last fall – president Katy Walum and vice president Jim Cavin (both in the photo above), secretary Catherine Barker, treasurer Ann Limbaugh. (Their predecessors were among the 15+ people on hand.) Some new procedures, some old, and lots of looking ahead as well as looking forward – read on for the toplines:Read More

New Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum sent this message to the ANA Yahoo! mailing list this morning, looking ahead to not just her tenure but in the short run, next Tuesday’s meeting. We asked if we could republish it here, for any Admiral residents who might not already follow that list (which you can read, and/or subscribe to, by going here):

Hello! My name is Katy Walum, and I am your 2010 Admiral Neighborhood Association President. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this dynamic and dedicated organization into a new decade. I am joined by a stellar board of individuals; Jim Cavin as Vice President, Catherine Barker as Secretary, and Ann Limbaugh as Treasurer. We have met and begun planning for the coming year; our principal goal is to engage Admiral residents more fully in the life of this neighborhood. This means YOU, and I want you to know what is in the works for your Admiral Neighborhood Association.

As ANA President, I will focus on three main areas: Stewardship and Implementation of the Neighborhood Plan, Coalition-Building, and Community Outreach and Events.

First, it is vital to me that our Neighborhood Plan, thoughtfully and meticulously crafted by long-time Admiral residents for the preservation of the character of our neighborhood, gain teeth in the development planning process. I will draw upon my experience as an attorney and community activist to partner with local government entities and representatives to ensure that our community’s plan for managing growth be honored by key decision-makers.

Second, I will work as President to build and foster coalitions to strengthen this neighborhood and to enable the ANA to become a better community resource. Building upon our valuable existing links to the Southwest District Council and other neighborhood groups, I plan on seeking the input and active participation of Admiral District business owners, of area law enforcement, and of other neighborhood and charity organizations. The more voices and backgrounds we have coming to the table, the more constructive an experience this will be for all!

Finally, I would like the ANA to participate in or put on more community events. Not only do these events, such as the Neighborhood Cleanup days and the Hiawatha Summer Concert Series, serve to bring Admiral neighbors together in honor and celebration of our community, but they also gain greater visibility for our organization and cultivate greater involvement. I am already planning for greater ANA involvement in community events, such as the annual Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, and I would like to explore your event ideas as well.

Now that I’ve told you about the direction I hope to steer this ship, I need you to come and help plan and execute the trip! I cordially invite you to attend our upcoming meetings to share your hopes and visions for Admiral.

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 pm to about 9 pm, in the basement of the Admiral Congregational UCC Church, 4320 SW Hill Street (on the corner of Hill and California ). Our meetings are open to the public. I will post past and upcoming meeting agendas, minutes, and other pertinent information on our Yahoo Groups web page. Please contact me with any proposed agenda items or presenters; I will be sending out the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting in the next couple of days.

I very much look forward to working with all of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Together we will shape a stronger Admiral neighborhood!

Best regards,

Katy Walum
President, Admiral Neighborhood Association
katy.walum@gmail.com

That’s City Councilmember Sally Clark (Avalon Glassworks glass pumpkin in the foreground) at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce office last Thursday, when we sat in on the monthly “Lunch with LEO” (local elected official) brownbag at which she guested. Clark chairs the council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee; a related issue we asked her about is coming to a head tonight, and while the meeting is not in West Seattle, it’s open to the public and those with an interest in neighborhood planning will want to attend.

This all links to the big event at Youngstown last July, in which more than 100 people from five West Seattle “neighborhood plan areas” showed up to talk about what’s changed since the Neighborhood Plans were approved a decade ago, and what should happen next. (The followup to that meeting is coming up Nov. 5 at Mercer Middle School on Beacon Hill, and it’s important to be there too.) The big questions now include, what happens with the neighborhood plan update process; will the city budget ehough money next year to continue proceeding with some plan updates each year; and whether a few updates per year is fast enough. That issue is so far up in the air, there’s a question about whether the citywide Neighborhood Plan Advisory Committee will even continue to exist – Councilmember Clark told us on Thursday that if it doesn’t, perhaps there could be a citizen committee as an adjunct to the Seattle Planning Commission paying attention to planning issues.

So tonight, the Advisory Committee has a special meeting to discuss its future, and to clarify city government’s commitment to the process. (Thanks to West Seattle NPAC rep Sharonn Meeks for the tip.) The meeting starts at 6:15 pm at City Hall downtown (Bertha Knight Landes Room) and a public-comment period is scheduled close to the end, around 8:10 pm.

EARLY WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Meeks says the committee voted to continue its work; now the question remains how the funding will fare in the budgeting process.

As noted here, the followup to the big July Neighborhood Plan Status Check meeting is coming up November 5th. Today, Sharonn Meeks, who’s on the citywide Neighborhood Plan Advisory Council, sends word that the city’s official summaries are now online. You’ll find them in this document, interspersed with the rest of the city – alphabetical order – listed as Admiral, Delridge, Morgan Junction, West Seattle Junction, Westwood/Highland Park.

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Short meeting last night – with “getting the word out” about PPNC and its activities a major topic. The group recently switched to a new type of mailing list and is reviewing how it’s working. Also noted, the upcoming Green Seattle Day – November 7th – find out here how to get involved. PPNC’s next meeting will be a holiday potluck in December.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Both meet tonight. FCA‘s at 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy; Admiral’s at 7 pm in the basement meeting room at Admiral Congregational Church. (Added 7:38 am – ANA president Mark Wainwright says the agenda will include updates on the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project, next summer’s concert series, officer nominations and a discussion of next month’s election.)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Larry Carpenter sends details on the ACC meeting coming up Thursday night at 7, Alki Community Center:

ACC member Ed Hanson will report on the potential impact on West Seattle of Alaska Airlines’ “Greener Skies Initiative.” Ed is the West Seattle representative on the Roundtable advisory group to the King County Airport Administration (Boeing Field). Changes in the altitudes and flight patterns of Alaska’s Sea-Tac flights could impact Boeing Field operations and increase traffic over West Seattle and Elliott Bay. Other agenda items include an update on the Homestead property and discussion of members’ goals and priorities for the coming year.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Official announcement from Steve Sindiong of MoCA‘s 7 pm October 21st meeting:

The Morgan Community Association (MOCA) Quarterly Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 21, at 7 pm at The Kenney at 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW. Agenda items include the Neighborhood Plan Update, Pro-Parks levy and park opportunities, Murray Pump Station and Lowman Beach Combined Sewer Overflow projects, Kenney status report and emergency response. For more information, contact Steve Sindiong, 206-679-5915 or e-mail at: gnoidnis@comcast.net

FAIRMOUNT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Official announcement from Sharonn Meeks of the 6:30 pm October 21st meeting:

I have arranged for the Southwest Precinct of the Seattle Police Department to come to our meeting on October 21st at 6:30 in the chapel at Providence Mount Saint Vincent. Officer Mazzuca will discuss the issues that relate to our community as well as West Seattle at large. Benjamin Kinlow, Community Crime Prevention Coordinator for West Seattle, will also make a presentation and answer your questions. Harbor Properties will be making a presentation of the very soon to be under construction LINK Project at the corner of 36th and Alaska.

Other meetings are coming up in the next two weeks too, of course (see the WSB Events calendar), but these are the neighborhood-association meetings on the horizon.

When more than 100 people gathered to talk about neighborhood planning, past/present/future, in that air-conditioned room at Youngstown Arts Center on one of those record-setting-sizzler nights in late July (WSB coverage here), city reps promised there’d be a followup meeting this fall. As noted here last week, the date was recently set for November 5th; tonight, we have the official announcement and the official location, thanks to Sharonn Meeks, who’s president of the Fairmount Community Association and is on the citywide Neighborhood Plan Advisory Council. Here’s the city announcement she forwarded:

During June and July, many neighbors joined in meetings and many other hundreds participated in on line questionnaires to review the Draft Neighborhood Status Reports and comment on changes— good, bad, and unexpected —that have occurred since Seattle’s Neighborhood Plans were written in the late 90’s. We explored growth, transportation, housing, economic development, utilities, neighborhood character, open space and parks, public services, public safety. The Planning Commission’s reports on comments can be reviewed at http://www.seattle.gov/planningcommission

So, what did we hear?
Come to the November meeting in your area and find out.

The Neighborhood Plan Advisory Committee (NPAC) and the Seattle Planning Commission want to report back to you on the trends that emerged so far and to get your help to identify the continuing priorities and new issues that should be emphasized in the final Status Reports and a State of the Neighborhood Report that will be presented to the City Council and Mayor. These reports will contribute to policy decisions including decisions about whether or how to updates neighborhood plans. Your input will also be important as NPAC shapes its recommendations on conducting, prioritizing and funding updates to the neighborhood plans listed below.

All Meetings at 6-8 pm.

Thursday, November 5th Mercer Middle School, 1600 S. Columbian Way [map]
Admiral, West Seattle Junction, Delridge, Georgetown, Morgan Junction, Westwood-Highland Park, Columbia City Hillman City Genesee, Rainier Beach

Tuesday, November 10th Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway
Queen Anne / Uptown, Belltown, Pike Pine, First Hill, Eastlake, Capitol Hill, Central Area

Thursday, November 12th North Seattle Community College 9600 College Way N.
Broadview/Bitterlake, Haller Lake, Aurora Licton Springs, Crown Hill / Ballard, Greenwood/Phinney Ridge, Wallingford, Fremont, Green Lake, Lake City, University Community

For more information, contact David Goldberg at davidw.goldberg@seattle.gov or (206) 615-1447

After extending the deadline for the once-in-a-decade survey to help update neighborhood plans around the city, the Seattle Planning Commission has posted that final tally of how many surveys it received per neighborhood. Yes, technically, Ballard/Crown Hill finished first, BUT as noted before, that area has just one plan, while West Seattle is broken into five neighborhood-plan areas, so if you add them up — Admiral, Delridge, Highland Park/Westwood, Morgan Junction, West Seattle Junction — the peninsula finished first, with 1,076 total. Watch for word of followups this fall, including meetings to discuss how the survey information (and input from last month’s meeting at Youngstown Arts Center) will be used to update those plans. Never seen your (or the nearest) neighborhood plan? You can find the plans for those five areas — developed a decade ago — in the right sidebar here.