Magnolia is Really Part of Seattle...
Let's end city hall's neglect of Magnolia...
Ted GRay's Page
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- Where do you live???
- W. Lawton St.
- Have you been hit???
- Not Yet
About
Policy Makers:
Mayor Greg Nickels
askthemayor@seattle.gov
Chief Kerlikowske
Gil.Kerlikowske@seattle.gov
Director of Department of Neighborhoods
Stella Chao
Stella.Chao@seattle.gov
West Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinators:
Francisco Tello
(206) 684-7708
francisco.tello@seattle.gov
Terrie Johnston
(206) 684-4741
terrie.johnston@seattle.gov
Mayor Greg Nickels
askthemayor@seattle.gov
Chief Kerlikowske
Gil.Kerlikowske@seattle.gov
Director of Department of Neighborhoods
Stella Chao
Stella.Chao@seattle.gov
West Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinators:
Francisco Tello
(206) 684-7708
francisco.tello@seattle.gov
Terrie Johnston
(206) 684-4741
terrie.johnston@seattle.gov
© 2009 Created by Bill Gossman
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Development Plans; City and Its Partners Unresponsive and Out of Touch
Media Contact:
Raschelle Serghini-Burton ** For Immediate Release **
(206) 327-5679
SEATTLE – May 20, 2008 – The Sustainable Neighborhoods Coalition (SNC), a newly formed
citizens group, today called for a 180-day moratorium on the current approach to determining
how or if Ft. Lawton will be developed.
During the moratorium, the City must consult the existing Discovery Park Master Plan, develop
its own Master Plan for the re-use of Ft. Lawton and share it with the citizens of Seattle. The
plan must be based on the City’s prior written commitments to “create an open space park with
only those facilities and developments absolutely necessary for the enjoyment of the open space
experience.” The Ft. Lawton Master Plan must clearly describe the background, the purpose, the
philosophy and guiding principles that will govern any proposed development on the site.
Coalition members believe that the City must develop and share with the citizens of Seattle a
detailed proposal that includes:
• the City’s objective(s);
• a clear demonstration of purpose and need;
• a comprehensive and objective assessment of the environmental impact;
• alternative uses;
• mitigation measures;
• an assessment of significant adverse impacts that cannot be mitigated;
• major conclusions and significant areas of controversy; and
• any uncertainties and other issues to be resolved.
Moreover, the City must demonstrate how its proposal for re-using Ft. Lawton aligns with the
Discovery Park Master Plan, which clearly:
“…lays down guidelines which, if followed faithfully, cannot fail to create on this site a
park which will be one of the great urban parks of the world – and a joy to this City
forever.” – Discovery Park Master Plan
(more)
Ft. Lawton 180-Day Moratorium
Page 2
Then, the City and its partners must conduct a series of regularly-scheduled, frequent and
meaningful planning and design forums that are easily accessible to all citizens. During these
meetings, the City must allow multiple opportunities for citizens to:
• Hear and see proposed plans in detail;
• View and comment on artistic renderings and other visual aids showing the proposed
development;
• Review supporting studies and analyses, including, but not limited to, transportation
issues, environmental impact, economic considerations, land value assessments, etc.;
• Ask and receive detailed, public responses to their ideas, suggestions and concerns; and,
• Be fully included in the process going forward.
“We’re tired of back-room deals and shoddy, fox-watching-the-hen-house processes that
ultimately lock citizens out of land use decisions. The current process is inauthentic and the
discussion about redeveloping Ft. Lawton leaves too many important questions unanswered,”
said KC Dietz, SNC President.
Today’s call for a moratorium follows weeks of bureaucratic foot-dragging and evasiveness on
the part of the City and its partners. Recent so-called “planning meetings” with the City and its
partners on this topic have failed to produce meaningful answers to legitimate questions from
neighbors. On May 9, SNC filed a Public Disclosure Act request which the City has likewise
evaded, claiming it will require until May 30 – the day prior to the next so-called “planning
meeting”– to provide responsive documents, while at the same time advising it will seek
unspecified “clarification” of SNC’s request by May 21.
“City authorities must demonstrate a sincere willingness to work with the community as they
develop a Master Plan for the site. We call on the City to engage in a process that is more
transparent and inclusive, and that encourages city/stakeholder teamwork,” added Dietz.
# # #
About Sustainable Neighborhoods Coalition (SNC)
SNC is a citizens' coalition in favor of neighborhoods that are attractive and walk able, that have
a strong sense of place, that are safe, that are dedicated to the preservation of the open space, the
critical environmental and ecological areas, and the historical sites in and around them, and that
promote smart development that is aimed at diverse, existing communities.