Northeast District Council Meeting Notes

Courtesy The University Park Community Club
6 May 1999
(as taken by Eloy Apodaca while trying to be involved in the meeting at the same time.)

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A brief review of meeting the evening of May 6th:

A. Vivacious discussion of SeaTran issue affecting Burke-Gilman, Inverness and Mathews Beach area. After finding out that a major sewage control development was intended on wetlands, that parallel the trail and that would exist between the above two communities, community members decided to research the full scope of that activity. They discovered that there was more to the construction than what was being publicized. They also discovered that their communities were going to be highly impacted by the hydrog-sulfide gases that were going to be emitted by the plant. They got the help of a toxicologist and several other people to bring attention to the issue. The city people assured them that they would include them in their planning efforts (one of many previous promises) and then turned around and petitioned to "vacate" the proposed site. They gave until May 7th for comments. As of last night Meg Ryan O'Donnel (legislative aide to councilmember Larry Phillips) reported that they had assured her that they would place the petition on hold. NEDC decided to support the efforts of the communities. As such a letter will be going out today to the effect that we recognize the seriousness of the sewage problem, that there is certainly a need to address the issue but that this be done in a more comprehensive manner that will not exclude community input.

B. Landlord nuisance issue currently going the rounds of the city council (see yesterday's PI) was addressed by the Ravenna community and urged all of us to get involved.

C. Accessory Dwelling Units were discussed at length and everyone was urged to please make inputs, especially as it concerns homes that are not owner-occupied.

D. Neighbor Street Fund. Due to city employee sickness there has been no final decision on street projects. John Marek from SeaTran was there last night to discuss what projects had been approved and why others that were recommended were turned down. This was interesting. I have a copy of the projects recommended and copy of projects accepted. I asked John if he could meet with the community members (on 21st & NE 50th, and those at NE 55th & 20th NE), to discuss their concerns. He said he'd be happy to. Gretchen Bear/Paul Tamura/Valery Munsey please get a hold of me so we can set up that meeting.

E. Trans-Lake Washington Advisory Committee. A report was presented on city activities moving in the direction of either a new bridge (Kirkland to Magnuson Park), expansion, modification of 520/Evergreen Point. The council is still opposed to any development that will increase vehicular density. They have gone on record supporting the further expansion of rail on both 520 & I-90.

F. Neighborhood matching Fund Marker Project. The idea is to mark those projects that have been funded thru street monies and that have a lasting and significant impact. Dept. of neighborhoods would like to place plaques to mark these projects. It was the end the meeting and discussion was minimal. UPCC has had no projects so there was nothing to offer.



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