Light Rail Station Area Planning
NE Pacific St./NE 45th St.
Station Area Advisory Committee (SAAC)DRAFT
Summary of the April 4, 2000 Meeting (prepared by David Goldberg, SPO)
Attendees: David Goldberg, Hans Aschenbach, Pam Bruton, James Dailey, Cathy Dampier, John Deeter, Ron Endlich, Susan Freccia, Alice Hanson, Fred Hart, Roger Iwata, Julian Saucedo, Clayton Young
Station Design and Station Area Planning Forum - Ron Endlich summarized the status of station design and discussions with the UW about station location. Mayor Schell is helping to facilitate discussions between the UW Regents and Sound Transit Board. David Goldberg mentioned that there was a joint interest in getting the light rail system to Northgate. Roger Iwata distributed notes of the verbal and written comments given at the Forum. David G. distributed the City Light Rail Review Panel's comments on the Sound Transit station design.
Station Area Planning - David provided an overview of Action Package recommendations and summarized the Land Use, Transportation, etc. Committee members suggested several additions.
Add neighborhood plan recommendation D8 -Improving NE 42nd St. [and NE 43rd St.] from I-5 to the campus as green streets. David apologized to Clayton for this oversight.
Reference neighborhood plan recommendations related to the UW Master Plan (B14, D5, D13, E11) , and add D13, B14 - Support UW efforts to construct a contiguous waterfront trail extending from Montlake Bridge to University Bridge.
Add, "Expand car-sharing to include the University District." as a recommendation.
Add, "Support a waterfront taxi connection between the UW, the east side of Lake Washington and Lake Union.
Pedestrian Overlay along NE 43rd St - David G. discussed the SAP proposal to establish a P1 Overlay on a portion of NE 43rd St. The discussion paper concerning this is attached. Committee members raised the following comments:
Could NE 42nd St. be added since it has a very similar character and role as NE 43rd St.? David responded that it could be added, however, he was aware of opinions that the "pedestrian emphasis" inherent in the P1 Overlay should be generally focussed on The Ave. As the direct connection to the station entrance, David thought the P1 Overlay on NE 43rd was very desirable.
A question was asked if the P1 Overlay could wrap around to corner onto a portion of 15th Ave. NE to provide more "eyes" on the station. This, again, is possible but might pose some difficulties for restricting the use of 15th for parking access. Design Review could work to ensure that the retail uses wrapped the corner. Concern was expressed about the impacts of any additional parking on the alley, access to Malloy parking, and (if it was in an above-ground structure) to the residents.
Public Restrooms - Hans Aschenbach lead a discussion about the City's project to install six self-cleaning public restrooms as a pilot project. He suggested that the University community consider asking the City to locate one near the corner of NE 43rd St. and 15th Ave. NE. Members of the committee expressed interest in supporting this request. Hans will work with Fred Hart to draft a letter of support.
Additional Information and Handouts
Pedestrian Overlay Options for NE 43rd St. - Attached in following pages
University District Station Area Planning Action Package - Available on line at <www.ci.seattle.wa.us/planning/HomeSAP.htm>
Information relating to City Council actions for permitting of Light Rail is also available at the site given above If internet access is not available to you call David Goldberg at (206)684-8414 to have any of this information mailed to you.
Pedestrian Overlay Options for NE 43rd
Consider applying the P1 pedestrian designation to the parcels fronting on the NE 43rd St between Brooklyn Ave NE and designating the corresponding portion of NE 43rd St. a Principle Pedestrian Street.
Overview
NE 43rd St is an important east/west connection in the University District and will become more important with the construction of a light rail station entrance at 15th Ave NE. The neighborhood plan designated NE 43rd St. as a green street and recommended improving the pedestrian environment; especially between the Ave and University of Washington.
The members of the station area planning team, including SPO and DCLU staff are considering ways to complement the physical improvements of green street designation and the station entrance with appropriate development standards. Since this street is zoned for mixed-use and is a primary walking route between the light rail station and The Ave, the Brooklyn Neighborhood and Safeco Tower, we suggest applying the "P1" designation to NE 43rd St. between Brooklyn Ave. and 15th Ave NE. Character of NE 43rd Street
Land Use
The zoning along NE 43rd St. between the University and Roosevelt Way NE is NC, except the half block bordering Roosevelt, which is C1. The height limits are either 65' or 85'. The land uses vary and change between Roosevelt and the University. There is currently a high density of residents west of Brooklyn and south of NE 43rd St. Safeco Tower is located north and west of the intersection of Brooklyn Ave. NE and NE 43rd St. There are several low density commercial uses and a large parking lot that could be redeveloped
Streetscape and Designation
The neighborhood plan recommended NE 43rd be a green street. The community has not, however, developed a plan for implementing the green street. The width and condition of the current sidewalks vary. Street tree plantings are intermittent. Parking is allowed on much of the street. There are mid-block alleys on most blocks to allow for service and access. University Way NE is designated a key pedestrian street.
"P" Designation Features
A "P1" overlay contains provisions for the NC zones to create a pedestrian friendly environment. A "P1" overlay is implemented in conjunction with designating a Principle Pedestrian Street.
Allowed Uses
Uses are generally regulated by the underlying zone. Drive-in businesses, including gas stations, are prohibited
Street Level Uses
At least 80 percent of the building along the principal pedestrian street must be occupied by street level uses including: personal and household retail sales and service uses; eating and drinking establishments; customer service offices or entertainment uses. These uses must be within ten feet of the street property line
Parking
Parking requirements may be reduced for the business establishment contained in the street level use list. Parking may be located at the rear of a structure, or may be built into a structure, or be located within 800 feet of the lot. In P1-designated zones, parking cannot be directly on the principal pedestrian street. Access to parking must be from the alley when the lot abuts an alley, provided, that when the lot fronts on more than one street, access may be from the street which is not the principal pedestrian street. When the lot does not abut an alley, and the lot fronts on more than one street, access to parking shall be from the street which is not the principal pedestrian street. If the lot does not abut an improved alley, and only abuts a principal street or streets, access may be permitted from a principal pedestrian street.
Blank Facades
Blank facades shall not exceed thirty feet, and 40 percent of the facade of the structure along the principal pedestrian street. Opportunities and Implications of Establishing the P1 Designation The P1 designation would generally require new development along NE 43rd St. to be more like the development on The Ave. Existing uses would not be required to make changes to conform with the requirements of the new designation. There are several properties that are either built well below the allowed height or are used for parking. These properties may redevelop. The P1 standards would greatly increase the activity on this street by requiring street frontage along NE 43rd St. to be occupied by retail uses rather than parking, driveways or drive though lanes. Both of the blocks between Brooklyn Ave. NE and 15th Ave. NE have alley that can provide access to services and parking. The University Bookstore has expressed interest in redeveloping their parking lot. Their preliminary concepts conform to the P1 designation; there is retail along NE 43rd St. and the access to parking is via 15th Ave. NE. The Washington Mutual Bank, located at the northeast corner of Brooklyn Ave. NE and NE 43rd St., would not be consistent with the P1 requirements because of the drive-through and insufficient windows. Flowers Restaurant would be consistent. Sound Transit has committed approximately $500,000 to improve NE 43rd St. between The Ave and 15th Ave NE. The City is proposing that Sound Transit fund improvements for this full extent. This funding would allow for both design and implementation of the green street improvements, and would complement the P1 designation.
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