Notice of City Council Public Hearing on
Permitting System for Light Rail Facilities and Uses

Background: Sound Transit is designing and building Link light rail, the first phase of which will extend from the City of SeaTac to N.E. 45th Street (and maybe to Northgate) in the City of Seattle. Sound Transit will need to obtain permits from the City of Seattle to construct light rail. The overall purpose of the permitting system is for the City to review Sound Transit's plans and designs to be sure they comply with all City codes and regulations, and to be sure that adverse impacts identified in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) have been addressed. The City can also impose conditions on the permits that are issued, to reduce impacts or address other regulatory concerns. After the City issues permits, it can monitor Sound Transit's performance to be sure that Sound Transit is complying with all permit conditions.

Sound Transit will need several different permits from the City because some of the light rail line is within City street right-of-way (generally SEATRAN's purview for permitting), while some is outside the right-of-way on private or other public property (generally DCLU's purview for permitting). Sound Transit will need different permits at different times during its design and construction schedule, and permitting may be different depending on whether the line is in a tunnel, at-grade, or elevated.

No system currently exists in Seattle for permitting this type of large construction project. Thus the City Council is working with several City departments to develop a system for light rail permitting. To put this system in place, the Council will review and take action on several pieces of legislation in coming months. The public will have an opportunity to comment on each proposed ordinance. The public hearing described below is the first such opportunity.

Also, starting in March, Sound Transit will apply to DCLU and to SEATRAN for the actual permits. See the contacts later in this notice under "Information Available" to get information about the actual permit applications, and the City's review of those applications.

Preliminary Outline of Proposed Legislation: The current plan is for four (or perhaps five) pieces of legislation, listed below. Items a. and b. will be considered together by the Council in March and April, while items c. and d. will follow a month or two later. Because all these items are not yet fully developed, the Council's approach may change.

a. A resolution by which the City would officially approve the light rail alignment, station locations, and maintenance base location that were designated by the Sound Transit Board in November 1999. The ordinances that follow would refer to this resolution as one requirement for issuing permits for light rail-related facilities and uses.

b. An ordinance that would amend the Land Use Code to allow DCLU to issue permits for temporary structures and uses associated with light rail construction.

c. An ordinance that would amend the Land Use Code to allow DCLU to issue permits for permanent light rail facilities on private or public property outside public right-of-way.

d. An ordinance that would allow SEATRAN to issue permits for permanent light rail facilities within City street right-of-way. This action may be taken in multiple steps, first addressing the portion of the light rail line from N.E. 45th Street to about Beacon Hill, with a separate ordinance to follow later that would address the southern portion of the line through the Rainier Valley.

Public Hearing: The City Council's Transportation Committee, and Landlord/Tenant and Land Use Committee, will hold joint meetings to consider this proposed legislation, all in the City Council Chamber on the 11th floor of the Municipal Building at 600 Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle. The Council committees will hold a public hearing on items a. and b. in the above list of proposed legislation on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 at 9:30 a.m. The Council committees' review and vote on items a. and b. is scheduled to take place no later than April 4, 2000. (The Council committees' review of items c. and d. in the above list of proposed legislation will occur later on a separate schedule.)

The public hearing on March 21 will be held in the City Council Chamber, 11th floor, Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue. For those who wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available outside the Council Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing. The City Council Chamber is accessible. Print and communications access is provided on prior request. Please contact Councilmember Judy Nicastro's office at 684-8806 as soon as possible to request accommodations for a disability.

Written Comments: For those unable to attend the public hearing, comments may be sent by March 21, 2000 to: Councilmember Judy Nicastro, 1100 Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

Information Available: The proposed ordinance to amend the Land Use Code to allow DCLU to issue permits for temporary structures and uses associated with light rail construction (item b. above) is available on-line at http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~public/leghome.htm, by clicking "City Council Bills and Ordinances," and then entering C.B. 113100. The proposed resolution (item a. above) is available by clicking "City Council Resolutions," and then entering Resolution 30128. Copies of the proposed legislation are available at the City Council's offices on the 11th floor of the Seattle Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue, or from DCLU's Public Resource Center, 710 Second Avenue, Suite 200 (Dexter Horton Building), in downtown Seattle. DCLU's Public Resource Center is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Tuesday hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Questions concerning the proposed ordinance or resolution may be directed to John Skelton of DCLU at 233-3883 or via email at: john.skelton@ci.seattle.wa.us, or to Martha Lester of the City Council's Central Staff at 684-8149 or via email at: martha.lester@ci.seattle.wa.us.

Questions concerning the public hearing on March 21 may be directed to Jill Berkey in Councilmember Judy Nicastro's office, by calling 684-8806 or via email at: jill.berkey@ci.seattle.wa.us.

Questions concerning DCLU's review of land use permit applications from Sound Transit may be directed to John Shaw of DCLU at 684-5837 or via email at: john.shaw@ci.seattle.wa.us. There will be an opportunity for the public to comment to DCLU on Sound Transit land use permit applications. To add your name to DCLU's mailing list to be notified of land use permit applications and the schedule for public comment on these applications, please contact John Shaw.

Questions related to the overall system of City permits for Sound Transit may be directed to Phil Harrison of SEATRAN at 684-5184 or via email at: phil.harrison@ci.seattle.wa.us.

Other Upcoming Activities Related to Light Rail in Seattle

Station Area Planning: The light rail stations in Seattle offer an opportunity not just to build a transportation system, but to build better communities around the stations. Community members have been extensively involved in preparing recommendations for station areas over the past year. The City is holding forums to show the specific actions that the City proposes to fulfill the community's vision for station areas. The University District Station Area Planning Forum will be held on Monday, March 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Savery Hall, room 239, on the UW campus. For information about Station Area Planning and forum dates for other Seattle station areas, visit the website at: www.ci.seattle.wa.us/planning/homesap.htm. The City Council will review Station Area Planning recommendations, probably starting in April 2000, and there will be opportunities for public input. Check the website periodically for updates.

Noise Variance Application: In March, Sound Transit will apply to DCLU for a variance from the City's nighttime and weekend construction noise restrictions along the light rail route from downtown Seattle to the University District. For information on DCLU's review schedule, including public hearings, contact David George of DCLU at 684-7843 or via email at: david.george@ci.seattle.wa.us.

General Information About Sound Transit: Visit the website at: www.soundtransit.org.

(R-permitting-notice.doc MIL 3/2/00)