Roosevelt Zoning Committee and the Sisley Properties

The February 10^th meeting of the Roosevelt Planning Committee was attended by over 100 Roosevelt and Ravenna neighbors as well as City councilwoman Sally Clark and others. Jim O'Halloran presided and commented on progress of the 65' development at the Scarlet Tree location, which seems to be delayed with financing, and the 40' Brooklyn Court project which is held up by an appeal to save a 90' cedar tree on the site which the City had previously given approval for removal.

The next topic was the Sisley property. A local architect and friends had done some computer generated modeling of the area in question and projected on the wall what various zoning changes might mean to the area skyline.  He worked from the premise that the developer may ask for zoning that would allow 160' structures in the upcoming contract rezone process.

Another group reported on the current zoning around Seattle's 10 high schools and the study seemed to show that schools are normally set in single family residential zones with one side bordering on a commercial/village district and, the school is held as the dominant feature in the area. A symbolical and functional tribute to the value of education. Another report mentioned that the Rainier Valley will have operating light rail this summer. Four stations are in place and track-testing is being done right now. The zoning heights in that entire area are maxed at 65' and the distribution of zoning is comparable to the Roosevelt area. It was suggested that rather than reinventing the wheel, the City and the citizens should see if the area as zoned provides ample ridership for the transit system without the need to pop up the zoning whenever and wherever vacant/disused land becomes available.

The Roosevelt Zoning Committee and several others have worked many years on the Roosevelt Plan. There was a petition available for people to express support of the plan and an indication that if and when the owner and/or developer submits a contract rezone application, there may well be another petition to support or reject that application, depending on how it addresses the current and future needs and wishes of the community.

Sally Clark then took the floor and answered many questions and addressed many concerns. It was of great benefit to the audience to have someone with such an extensive knowledge of the rezone process on hand and her contribution was greatly appreciated.

The meeting broke up on schedule at 9:00 PM. If you would like to be on an email list that receives notices of futures meetings concerning these Ravenna/Roosevelt issues please send and email to RavennaRooseveltZoning@gmail.com and request to be on the list.