The FHA recently received this email update on the situation in South Lake Union from the Lake Union Opportunity Alliance (LUOA) -- Bill
Friends and Members of LUOA --
We reported to you in January that the overwhelming numbers of comments at the South Lake Union (SLU) Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Scoping meeting were critical of the City’s proposed Alternatives #1 and #2, and supportive of the LUOA position. That is:
- Do an Urban Planning and Design Study to define public amenities and desired neighborhood features before proposing zoning;
- Alternatives #1 and #2 are inconsistent with past city planning and public inputs and are opposed not only by SLU residents, but adjacent neighborhoods, the Space Needle and the interests in Kenmore Air; and
- If the City must move ahead with the EIS process consider our LUOA 11/9/08 Alternative.
Mayor Meets
Based upon those comments and the community support at our public meetings, the LUOA Board of Directors had a meeting with Mayor Nickels on January 26th. Subsequent to that meeting, the City is exploring the possibility of developing an urban design framework for the South Lake Union neighborhood. This framework will build on previous studies, the 2007 SLU Neighborhood Plan and the comments during the scoping process. We believe that development of the urban design framework will begin shortly.
In parallel with that study we expect the City to start the SLU EIS process. We are hopeful that the study alternatives will be adjusted based upon the community input. But most important, the results of the proposed Urban Design Framework would inform EIS analysis and be complete before the Draft EIS is released later this year. We consider this very good news.
Community Input
The City has indicated that input from community organizations, such as LUOA and SLUFAN, would be an important part of the proposed SLU Urban Design Framework. As soon as those opportunities are firmed up, we will let you know so LUOA members and Friends can participate.
The City’s consideration of developing an Urban Design Framework is the result of internal reviews within the City departments. But we feel it was also, in large part, a result of your comments and actions in support of LUOA, demonstrating a significant commitment of community energy and concern.
Thank you again for your support, and feel to reply with any comments or questions.
John Pehrson, President
LUOA Board of Directors
www.luoa.org