Comments on: My Kind of NIMBYs

By: The Truth About Density Advocates | hugeasscity

The Truth About Density Advocates | hugeasscity — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:40:51 +0000

[...] the members of the HAC Collaborative be some of the most unrelenting density advocates out there, but not one of us would fall into Mr. Miller’s first category, although I suspect we [...]

By: Zelbinian

Zelbinian — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:50:59 +0000

Yeah, I live right by the Whole Foods and I think that 160′ is probably overkill. That said, if the choice is between blocks and blocks of eyesores and an oddly placed collection of large phallic structures, well . . . that’s no choice at all, really.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:00:45 +0000

I am not in favor of 160′ in that neighborhood. That said, the idea that potential rezoning to 85′ no big deal but anything higher is sacrilege (see Northgate, Dravus, SE Seattle) is flawed. I’d argue a 85′ wall is much more detrimental to light and air than a 120′ building with setbacks above a 30 or 40′ podium. Its imposing on Market street in Ballard and that’s a much wider ROW than Roosevelt.

By: alexjonlin

alexjonlin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:37:49 +0000

I live right just a couple blocks from that site, and am excited about having some good development there. However, 16 stories is just ridiculous. 85 feet would be good though. Most of the neighborhood will still be super against that height (they keep saying they want 40) but I would okay with it, as long as they give us a pocket park and setbacks and that kind of thing. The view from Roosevelt thing is kind of ridiculous; maybe taking the view away would be a good thing cause it would keep the students on task. :)

By: Joshua Daniel Franklin

Joshua Daniel Franklin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:38:33 +0000

Roosevelt High School is uphill from 65th, so the NC2-30 zoning would protect the school’s daylight. The view corridor is a different issue and would require either 1-2 story or some sort of setbacks. Right now there are fenced-and-boarded 2-story buildings along 15th Ave NE but you can see the high school from the lovely Pizza Hut parking lot on NE 65th.

By: Bill B

Bill B — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:56:52 +0000

165′ on capital hill!!!

By: Higginbottom

Higginbottom — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:39:15 +0000

http://www.soundtransit.org/x8528.xml

You can find an aerial map of the Roosevelt station area at the above link. The high school is clearly marked.

By: Higginbottom

Higginbottom — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:13:53 +0000

I also don’t think this is typical NIMBY behavior, but the High School thing baffles me a bit. The high school (which, yes, is lovely) is a block in from the arterial…so does that mean you can’t build anything on the arterial in order to protect views of the high school from the arterial? I mean, a one story building will block the view for pedestrians, so what is the difference between one story, four stories, eight, sixteen? There is no way you are going to see the high school from 65th if anything gets built there, except between the buildings. And the higher you go, the more space you might get between buildings. But I agree anything higher that 65′ or 85′ is ridiculous for a neighborhood like Roosevelt.

By: Joshua Daniel Franklin

Joshua Daniel Franklin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:25:45 +0000

This is a great post, and timely. There's a public meeting about the Roosevelt Development Group proposals on Tuesday. You can also submit public comments about the EIS scoping online (email the form to the land use planner). I disagree that this is "typical" NIMBY behavior. There are things that really are worth protecting for the whole city, including historic landmarks like Roosevelt High School. Another thing worth mentioning is that one of the proposed NC3-160 sites (the fruit stand block) is right on the edge of .25mi from the station. That's still quite close, but shouldn't the highest density be right next to the station?

By: another YIMFY

another YIMFY — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:23:02 +0000

“It’s an architecturally attractive national landmark, and the neighborhood wants to be able to see their historic gem.”

This is the type of argument that NIMBYs use:
– at the Camp Fire (aka “historical Waldo Woods amidst a rare 3rd growth forest”) site in Maple Leaf
– at the Ft Lawton (“precious green space (for rich white people) and endangered species habitat”) affordable housing project in Magnolia
– “vital local businesses” at the proposed Goodwill mixed use site on Dearborn

PS – Sisley really only thinks he will get 85 feet. He is just messing with the neighborhood.