Comments on: Comic Relief http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/ > so much wonderful packaged in such a mess Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:37:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: sam_iv http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-5759 sam_iv Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:59:03 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-5759 One thing Portland has done is to hold a competition for sensitive, sustainable in-fill townhome designs. They pick the best two or three, have their planning department improve it under the codes, and then sell the plans to developers. The city then guarantees a certain turn-around time in receiving the permit. Most developers do not care what they build, as long as it is profitable. The shortened and guaranteed permit times greatly reduce costs of construction. Its too bad DPD hasn't had aggressive leadership dealing with townhomes and mid-rise. Sally Clark held some meetings about it a while back, but basically threw up her hands at the end of it. City government is definitely due for some change. One thing Portland has done is to hold a competition for sensitive, sustainable in-fill townhome designs. They pick the best two or three, have their planning department improve it under the codes, and then sell the plans to developers. The city then guarantees a certain turn-around time in receiving the permit. Most developers do not care what they build, as long as it is profitable. The shortened and guaranteed permit times greatly reduce costs of construction.

Its too bad DPD hasn’t had aggressive leadership dealing with townhomes and mid-rise. Sally Clark held some meetings about it a while back, but basically threw up her hands at the end of it. City government is definitely due for some change.

]]> By: I got a Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck Jersey http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2613 I got a Seahawks Matt Hasselbeck Jersey Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:10:19 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2613 I am a Seahawks fan from Argentina. Very nice Seahawks information. I miss the days of Curt Warner. I hope to be in Seattle for a game this fall. I am a Seahawks fan from Argentina. Very nice Seahawks information.
I miss the days of Curt Warner.
I hope to be in Seattle for a game this fall.

]]> By: Mike http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2596 Mike Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:54:55 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2596 This is incredible. This looks like it is in Poland. This is incredible. This looks like it is in Poland.

]]> By: GW http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2616 GW Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:07:20 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2616 This is another one of Edi Linardic's babies. I actually was on the Area 7 DRB when this one came through EDG (believe it or not, the initial design studies for this were far worse than anything you see here), but was off the board by the time it came back for a recommendation meeting. Linardic's also responsible for many of the Silver Cloud hotels scattered around Seattle, and the Bellagio Condominiums on Bellevue Ave on north Capitol Hill. This is another one of Edi Linardic’s babies. I actually was on the Area 7 DRB when this one came through EDG (believe it or not, the initial design studies for this were far worse than anything you see here), but was off the board by the time it came back for a recommendation meeting. Linardic’s also responsible for many of the Silver Cloud hotels scattered around Seattle, and the Bellagio Condominiums on Bellevue Ave on north Capitol Hill.

]]> By: dang http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2615 dang Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:17:26 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2615 This exemplifies the lack of clout that the DR process has here in Seattle, which is not a knock on the DR board, but on the whole mirage of an "approval" process. There is no real mechanism within the board's current purview to deny a design this bad, even though it might very well be universally recognized as BAD. Provided the "architects" (used in the loosest sense) work within the land use code, do not seek departures, and develop a logical, reasoned position for how a project meets the objectives of the design guidelines, there is little that the DR board can do without resorting to some level of subjectivity, which is verboten. Board members may be able to slow down the process by requiring follow-up presentations, but ultimately they can not deny a project if it follows the land use code and addresses (however awfully) the design guidelines. Even if a ruling is made against a project, the owner need only appeal it and re-present their rationale to the powers within DPD. That said, how do we as a community prevent a disaster like this without developing a ridiculously onerous, Byzantine or repressive approval process that unfairly hinders competent designers and developers, or threatens to squelch creativity altogether? This exemplifies the lack of clout that the DR process has here in Seattle, which is not a knock on the DR board, but on the whole mirage of an “approval” process. There is no real mechanism within the board’s current purview to deny a design this bad, even though it might very well be universally recognized as BAD. Provided the “architects” (used in the loosest sense) work within the land use code, do not seek departures, and develop a logical, reasoned position for how a project meets the objectives of the design guidelines, there is little that the DR board can do without resorting to some level of subjectivity, which is verboten. Board members may be able to slow down the process by requiring follow-up presentations, but ultimately they can not deny a project if it follows the land use code and addresses (however awfully) the design guidelines. Even if a ruling is made against a project, the owner need only appeal it and re-present their rationale to the powers within DPD.

That said, how do we as a community prevent a disaster like this without developing a ridiculously onerous, Byzantine or repressive approval process that unfairly hinders competent designers and developers, or threatens to squelch creativity altogether?

]]> By: carless in pdx http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2609 carless in pdx Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:40:46 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2609 You know, anyone who had ever taken a color theory class would know this would fail. Red and green? Seriously? wtf It would have been better painted beige. Thats truly sad. You know, anyone who had ever taken a color theory class would know this would fail. Red and green? Seriously? wtf

It would have been better painted beige. Thats truly sad.

]]> By: carless in pdx http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2608 carless in pdx Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:37:15 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2608 Unlike downtown, Portland doesn't run design review on neighborhood infill projects, unless they are in a design overlay or historic district where it would be subjected to the <a href="http://www.portlandonline.com/Planning/index.cfm?a=133694&c=39750" rel="nofollow">Historic Landmarks Commission.</a> And yes, they <a href="http://chatterbox.typepad.com/portlandarchitecture/2009/01/joslin-retires-as-city-landuse-honcho.html" rel="nofollow">have teeth.</a> Some in <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2008/12/leonard_suggests_design_review.html" rel="nofollow">city council</a> are pushing for design review of even single-family homes in Portland Unlike downtown, Portland doesn’t run design review on neighborhood infill projects, unless they are in a design overlay or historic district where it would be subjected to the Historic Landmarks Commission.

And yes, they have teeth.

Some in city council are pushing for design review of even single-family homes in Portland

]]> By: Sir Learnsalot http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2592 Sir Learnsalot Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:04:02 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2592 I live right across from this crapfest. Luckly my window looks at the rooftop garden right between the two buildings. If I'm sitting the right way at my desk I can block out both buildings and just look at the Cascades. I live right across from this crapfest. Luckly my window looks at the rooftop garden right between the two buildings. If I’m sitting the right way at my desk I can block out both buildings and just look at the Cascades.

]]> By: serial catowner http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2595 serial catowner Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:36:57 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2595 Something has gone very very wrong with American architecture. This job would have been improved immensely if no architect had been allowed to get near it. A very clear case of a guild monopoly making the product worse and the price higher. Something has gone very very wrong with American architecture. This job would have been improved immensely if no architect had been allowed to get near it. A very clear case of a guild monopoly making the product worse and the price higher.

]]> By: holz http://hugeasscity.com/2009/02/08/comic-relief/comment-page-1/#comment-2594 holz Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:14:03 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2009/02/08/comic-relief/#comment-2594 no, bash away on w/t - they are responsible for some really fugly projects. the silver cloud inn - stadium, was not them. it was bumgardner. no, bash away on w/t – they are responsible for some really fugly projects.

the silver cloud inn – stadium, was not them. it was bumgardner.

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