The kick-off presentation for a community land use planning process along 35th Ave NE.

1. The Future of 35th Ave NE
a community’s decision
Growth is inevitable and desirable, but destruction of community
character is not. The question is not whether your part of the world is
going to change. The question is how. Edward T. McMahon

2. agenda
• donut hole
• land use committee
• a brief history
• 2010 Vision Plan
• assumptions
• the plan
• proposed schedule
• stay involved
• disclosures
• how to stay informed
• q&a

3. donut hole
• Ravenna-Bryant Community
Association annexed “donut
NE 75th Street
hole”
35th Ave NE
• WCC bylaws: Donut Hole
“shall serve the following area
of Seattle…NE 75th on the
South” NE 65th Street
• Revised RBCA bylaws:
“shall serve approximately
the area of the City of www.ravennabryant.org
Seattle… Westward to 40th
Ave. NE… Northward to NE
75th St”

4. land use committee
• purpose is to pursue the land use goals of the
Vision Plan and review proposed land use
issues relative to the Vision Plan.
• spun out of the Vision Plan steering
committee.
• a committee of the WCC
• recommends actions to WCC trustees.

5. Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology
of the cancer cell. Edward Abbey

6. a brief history
• Wedgwood Annexed
– Senora Precinct 1945
– Sand Point District 1953
• Zoning
– 1923, 1947, 1973, current
• Growth Management Act
– 1990 + amendments
• Comprehensive Plan
– 1994 + major reviews and annual
revisions
• City Design Guidelines
– Updated 2011

7. You got to be careful if you don't know
where you're going, because you might not
get there. Yogi Berra

8. 2010 vision plan
involved…
• 3 public meetings
• over 800 people completed
the Vision Plan community
survey
• many steering committee
meetings
what it did was…
• define shared values for
Wedgwood, including 35th
Ave NE
• establish a strong
foundation to build on.

9. vision plan survey results
• 54.5% thought “Carefully designed
mixed-use buildings can create a
more vibrant neighborhood by
increasing density and attracting
more businesses.”
• Top 3 Business Types Desired:
1. Restaurant/Cafes 77.7%
2. Hardware Store 71.7%
3. Bookstore 64.1%

10. vision plan statements
• C-1 “The Wedgwood Business District
will feature increased commercial
businesses and mixed-use buildings...on
35th Avenue NE…” – Vision Plan, Page 12
• C-2 “Much of the neighborhood
commercial and mixed-use
development will focus near current
commercial areas on 35th Avenue NE at
NE 85th Street and NE 75th Street.
There will also likely be increased
commercial and mixed-use development
along 35th Avenue NE between the
areas, including live/work housing.” –
Vision Plan, Page 12

11. vision plan statements
• C-3 “These commercial areas will be
pedestrian-friendly, well-connected, and
with development and design standards
respectful of adjacent and nearby
residential neighborhoods.” – Vision Plan,
Page 12
• C-4 “The community is supportive of new
commercial and mixed use development
along 35th Avenue NE to achieve a more
vibrant district…” – Vision Plan, Page 12
• C-5 “New commercial and mixed-use
buildings will have pedestrian-oriented
storefronts opening to the sidewalk…”
– Vision Plan, Page 12

12. A plan is a list of actions arranged in
whatever sequence is thought likely to achieve
an objective. John Argenti

13. assumptions
 build upon the Vision Plan, which will serve as a
baseline starting point
 as of now, we will only look at Wedgwood
(between NE 75th and NE 95th Streets)
 the community will define and develop the tools
through community meetings, survey(s), a
steering committee and other resources

14. the plan
“1. Undertake a neighborhood plan that includes a
review of current zoning standards and design
guidelines with the City DPD. Revise development
standards as appropriate in accordance with
community preferences established in the
neighborhood plan.” – Vision Plan, Page 14
“2. Work with Seattle DPD to establish neighborhood-
specific design guidelines that direct new
development.” – Vision Plan, Page 14

15. proposed schedule
Jan to Feb 2012 Assemble Steering Committee
Feb to Sept 2012 Host Community Learning Seminars
March to May 2012 Planning Workshop 1
July 2012 Planning Workshop 2
August 2012 Community Survey
September 2012 Planning Workshop 3
January 2013 Propose Draft Plan(s) to Community
February 2013 Deadline for Community Comments
March 2013 Present Final Plan to Community
April 2013 WCC Trustees Vote on Plan
Submit “neighborhood plan”
May 2013
to City

16. A community is like a ship: everyone ought to be
prepared to take the helm. Henrik Ibsen

17. stay involved
• stay informed
• tell your neighbors and spread the word
• participate in Planning Workshops
• come out to Community Learning Seminars
• complete the community survey
• donate funds/professional services
• random acts of volunteering
• volunteer on the steering committee

18. In our profession, a plan that everyone dislikes
for different reasons is a success. A plan
everyone dislikes for the same reason is a
failure. And a plan that everyone likes for the
same reason is an act of God. Richard Carson

19. disclosures
 some funding will be necessary, which could
include grants and/or donations from neighbors
or businesses.
 if a comprehensive plan amendment is required,
the City will review land use changes and may
have some revisions.
 the City is not required to take up every
comprehensive plan amendment.

20. how to stay informed
WCC Website (wedgwoodcc.org)
Wedgwood Land Use Listserve