UCUC Approval and Adoption Matrix, Part I.F

University Community Urban Center
Approval and Adoption Matrix

I. Key Strategies

Each Key Strategy consists of activities for a single complex project or theme that the neighborhood considers critical to achieving its vision for the future. While the Key Strategies are high priorities for the neighborhood, they are also part of a twenty-year plan, so the specific activities within each Key Strategy may be implemented over the span of many years.

F. RAVENNA URBAN VILLAGE

Description

The easternmost section of the University Community Urban Center, Ravenna Urban Village, is named for the Town of Ravenna, which was incorporated in 1887 when the University of Washington was still located downtown. The shape of this urban village, which includes that former town, is related to its geography: the steep Ravenna Springs hillside on the west and the former shoreline of Union Bay once paralleled by the Seattle Lakeshore & Eastern Railroad. The railbed has become the Burke-Gilman Trail, which curves around the current commercial district. Ravenna Park is adjacent to the urban village on its northwest edge. Clockwise, the boundaries are, starting from the north, NE 55th St. east to 25th Ave. NE, south to the Burke-Gilman Trail, east to Union Bay Place NE curving south to NE 45th St., west up the viaduct to 21st Ave. NE and then north to NE 55th St. again.

Fundamental elements/aims:

Decrease presence and reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. Increase use and availability of transit: KC/Metro and shuttle in the near-term, Sound Transit and additional shuttles in the longer-term. Monorail relationship is unclear.
Add definition to neighborhood with gateways from the north, at NE 55th St., and the south, south side of the NE 45th St. viaduct.
Create and enhance a neighborhood Main Street, on 25th Ave. NE between NE 55th St. and NE Blakeley St., with potential for extending further south along 25th Ave. NE.
Increase pedestrian connections and amenities throughout.
Preserve existing green space.
Daylight Ravenna Creek, creating a (blue) greenway.
Preserve small-scale housing along Ravenna Ave. NE and the integrity of the steep slopes of Ravenna Springs by downzoning, while allowing controlled higher density in an area better able to handle it (Park Triangle). Zoning changes can be used to retain these cottages on Ravenna Ave. NE, promote affordable housing and rent stability, and foster a sense of community.
Adopt neighborhood customized design guidelines relating to trees, transition, and the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Integrated Executive Response

The vision for Ravenna builds on the area's history. "Aims" listed in the description to increase transit and pedestrian connections, retain current scale of residential development and enhance the neighborhood shopping area form a vision for the area that is consistent with the urban village strategy.

This strategy consists of projects that could be implemented incrementally; individual recommendations are not dependent on one another.

This strategy contains one recommendation that the Executive partially endorses: Daylighting Ravenna Creek. The Executive supports that part of the project that daylights the creek within Ravenna Park. It provides an amenity within the park, and avoids the technical issues associated with other segments of the project.

Department responses include: SEATRAN, DPR, DCLU, ESD-CBO. Compiled by SPO. University Community Urban Center Approval and Adoption MatrixPage 28 September 21, 1998

Lead Department: DON

Participating Departments: SEATRAN, DCLU, DPR, SPU

Activities Already Underway:

A pedestrian connection at 27th Ave. NE to the Burke-Gilman Trail has been designed and will be constructed this summer by the SEATRAN Ped/Bike Program with ISTEA funds, partially implementing one of the recommendations of this strategy (D22).
The City has received Pedestrian Facilities Program Funding for the section of NE Blakeley St. from 25th to 29th Aves. NE. The project will construct approximately 910 feet of 6-foot wide concrete walkway along the north side of NE Blakeley St. This project will be the first phase in closing a substantial gap in the sidewalk system (B2).

Tasks to be Undertaken in 1998-2000:

Feasibility evaluation tasks:

Prepare scopes of work and preliminary cost estimates for recommended transportation improvements.
Determine status of development project on Ravenna Woods site. Confirm status of private donation.
Based on preliminary project budget identify which elements of the proposal would be good candidates for a neighborhood bond or levy.
Identify alternative funding sources.
Prioritize with strategies from other neighborhood plans.

DCLU proposes to conduct a code development project as part of its 1999 work program to create a master plan program. This project will likely have citywide applicability and the scope of the project will include the items in recommendation A21 (University Village Master Plan).
In 1998. the Executive will discuss funding of the Ravenna Creek Daylighting project with King County and consider including it in the City's 1999-2004 Capital Improvement Program.
OED supports efforts to enhance the commercial business district in this area. The Neighborhood Business Council (NBC), through its contract with OED, can assist this area with some of the recommendations. In addition, OED and the NBC are hosting a series of neighborhood business district workshops in 1998 available to all Seattle area business districts.
The City is actively exploring several options to assist the community in meeting its objective of preserving Ravenna Woods, including the identification of private and public sources of funding, providing acquisition services, and funding operations and maintenance.
Identify next steps for continued implementation.

Specific Activities Associated with Key Strategy


F. Ravenna Urban Village (RUV)
#	*Activity*	*Priority*	*Time Frame*	*Cost Estimate*	*Implementor*	*Executive Response*
A10	In Ravenna Urban Village, institute a residential zoning change package for designated areas: a) L-3 to L4 and L4/RC within the Park Triangle with specific exemptions to allow cafes fronting Ravenna Park (see rezone action A10); and b) L-3 to LDT along Ravenna Ave. NE (see rezone action A10a).	key	Implement a rezone upon adoption of the urban center plan.	Staff work to implement a formal rezone process.	DCLU, Community.	The rezone may be adopted upon approval of the UCUC plan. The L4/RC zone allows small commercial uses on the ground floor of residential structures, not limited to cafes. Therefore no specific exception is required.
A11	Change zoning of designated area from C-1(40) to L-4 (see rezone Action A11).		Implement upon adoption of the plan	Staff analysis.	DCLU, Community.	The rezone may be adopted upon approval of the UCUC plan.
A12	Create a P2 overlay for 25th Ave. NE in NC2 area north of NE Blakeley St. to create a "neighborhood Main Street." Also change the zoning from NC2-40 to NC2-30 along 25th Ave. NE, limiting the maximum building height between NE 55th St. and NE Blakeley St. to 30 feet (see rezone action A12).	key	Implement a rezone upon adoption of the urban center plan.	Staff analysis.	DCLU, Community.	The rezone may be adopted upon approval of the UCUC plan.
A21	University Village proposes to work with the community and the City over the next twelve months to develop a master plan. The plan will be developed according to a process (either existing or to be developed) that speaks to the needs of all parties. This process will address parking, transportation, offsite impacts, mitigation and meaningful community participation. The process will incorporate predictability, flexibility, fairness, appropriate development standard departure, vesting, and will minimize delay. Master use and other construction permits for specific University Village proposals may be proposed, evaluated, and issued prior to and during master plan review and approval.	key		Some City procedural costs.	DCLU, University Village and Community.	See comment in Task #1 of Tasks to be Undertaken in 1999-2000 above.
B2	Blakeley/Union Bay Place. Establish parking controls, construct sidewalks, improve drainage, install traffic calming and lighting, and modify intersections and access drives to improve pedestrian circulation and safety while maintaining access to local businesses.	key		Immediate: sidewalks along north side of NE Blakeley St. Next stage: $10K to $15K for overall concept study.	SEATRAN in conjunction with Community.	SPU would provide appropriate drainage facilities to support street improvements when they are made. See Activities already underway, above, for transportation activity.
B3a RUV	25th Ave. NE center lane conflict resolution. Reduce the potential for vehicle conflicts by consolidating driveways and restricting left turns in selected areas on 25th Ave. NE.		Near		SEATRAN, local businesses.	SEATRAN will perform an operational analysis on 25th Ave. NE to recommend specific changes in 1999. Fire vehicles need to be able to turn left on 25th Ave NE. Local businesses would be involved in this process since existing on-street parking or access to properties may be affected.
B10	University Village Access. Maintain controlled access at the 'north gate' connecting through UW family housing to Burke-Gilman. Improve pedestrian and vehicular safety at access drives on south side and east side of Village. Investigate ADA access from 25th Ave. NE to University Village parking lot. (See also B3, A21)	key		Private improvements.	University Village, SEATRAN, UW.	These locations will be reviewed by the SEATRAN Pedestrian Program.
D4	Daylight Ravenna Creek.	key		Approximately $7M; $3M allocated by the County and remainder due by year 2000.	King County, SEATRAN, DPR, SPU, DON, DCLU, Community.	See comment in narrative above.
D18	Acquire Ravenna Woods as a natural area.	key	Threatened by development.	Appraised at $300K. A $50K donation is on the table.	City, King County, or private donors.	The City encourages the community to continue its fundraising activities. The City is actively exploring several options to assist the community in meeting its objective of preserving Ravenna Woods, including the identification of private and public sources of funding, providing acquisitions services, and funding for operations and maintenance.
D22	Develop publicly-owned triangle formed by 25th to 27th Aves. NE between Blakeley St. and the Burke-Gilman Trail, into Blakeley Crescent, a passive park (see also B+2/RUV, B12).	key		Minimal.	SEATRAN, Community, DON.	This project may be a good candidate for the Neighborhood Matching Fund.

F. Ravenna Urban Village (RUV) - Council Action Taken:

Approve Exec.'s Recommended Action.

MUNI13.DOC