A group of neighbors concerned about development in the area of NE 65th and 15th AVE NE contacted Shelley Bolser of the Seattle Department of Development recently. She provided the following update.
RDG Rezone
The Scoping Report for the Environmental Impact Study is not yet completed. Work is progressing very slowly, may be done in a month, but could be later. (Remember, the Scoping Report will only say what will be studied, it will not give any information on the impacts that may occur from development. It would say for instance," traffic may be impacted and should be studied" and would probably indicate what type of traffic would be studied - motor vehicles, bicycles,etc. it would not say "the project will add 5600 vehicles per day to the traffic.......". That type of information will come in the Draft EIS.)
Shelley indicated that once the Scoping Report is completed it will be turned into DPD and the public will be notified. We will make sure everyone knows when that occurs. There is no public comment period at that point.
Shelley then expects that DPD will advise RDG to put together their contract rezone application before proceeding. She indicated that would be to minimize the work that would be required for the EIS and the Contract Rezone Application processes. At that point, RDG would have to specify the zoning changes they are requesting for each parcel (rather than stating a range of zones for each parcel.) They would also have to provide drawings for the buildings they intend to put in. Once the application is submitted by RDG to DPD the public will be notified. There will be large white signs posted at the sites, as well as a mailed notice (everyone who has submitted a postal mailing address via written/emailed comment or signed in at the Scoping meeting).
The Design Review Process would then (theoretically) proceed at the same time as the EIS Draft is being prepared. The design review process requires design drawings and specific information about buildings and placement. At that point RDG would be required to get specific about their plans.
DPD also provided this information:
RNA - Warren Report Implementation
As we mentioned in a previous update, the mayor has started the process of implementing the Warren Report recommendations for rezoning of the Roosevelt Neighborhood in anticipation of the light rail's arrival. The mayor has set aside funds needed to study the report and do the analysis required before changes can be made to the Future Land Use Map of Seattle. The funds have not yet been released to the DPD, so they have not yet begun the process, but we are hoping this will start in the near future. We will keep you informed.
Once the process starts, you can expect a public comment period. Some modification of the recommendations might occur in response to public comments and city analysis. The" Warren Report " can be found on the RNA website or at this link:
http://rooseveltseattle.org/Documents/Roosevelt_Zoning_Recomendations_July_2006.pdf
Thank you for your continued interest in the future of our neighborhood!!
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