November 2012

Central Ballard Residents Association tonight, Nov. 8, Greenways on agenda

Live in Central Ballard? Or maybe you just want to know more about this thing they call a "greenway"?

Then head over to the Central Ballard Residents Association meeting tonight, Nov. 8, which will be held in Swedish Hospital, Conference Room A, on the first floor. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

The guest speaker will be Douglas Cox from the Seattle Department of Transportation. He'll give you the lowdown on everything there is to know about the Ballard Greenways, residential streets which will be slightly changed to make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians to use.

Neighborhood
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Shedding some light on pit bulls' bad rap

By Elizabeth Wang

“Affectionate,” “friendly” and “lap dog” aren’t usually characteristics used to describe a pit bull. But increasingly, local pit bull owners are teaming up in an attempt to change the misconception of aggression many people hold about the breed.

October 27 is National Pit Bull Awareness Day. It’s a day designed to appreciate and educate the public about pit bulls. For it, dog walks were organized around the state to help spread awareness about pit bulls and the responsibilities of their owners.

Danette Johnston is a recent pit bull owner and the founder of Dog’s Day Out in Ballard (http://dogsdayoutseattle.com), a dog day-care center and training facility. Since adopting Rufus, an American Staffordshire terrier and border-collie mix, earlier this year, Johnston said she hasn’t noticed any significant aggressive or violent behaviors. She’s trained her dog to be obedient and well-mannered to prove that this breed is no more dangerous than the next.

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Seattle School Board unanimously approves BEX IV Levy proposal

The Seattle School Board unanimously approved the district's BEX IV Levy Resolution at their SODO headquarters on Nov. 7.

The Building Excellence (BEX) IV Levy aims to improve school infrastructure throughout the city over six years if the $694.9 million levy is passed by voters on the Feb. 12, 2013 ballot.

Two measures drew attention in West Seattle: the districts plan to replace Arbor Heights Elementary by 2019 and their plan to move Schmitz Park Elementary students to a new building on the Genesee Hill site by 2015. The Schmitz Building's future was left hanging limbo as to whether it would be used as a school or sold off/rented out for other purposes.

In weeks leading up to the final school board vote, the district altered those plans thanks in large part to community backlash from Arbor Heights parents and faculty and the Schmitz Family, who donated the land for Schmitz Park Elementary 50 years ago.

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UPDATE: North Highline voters saying no to Burien annexation

Annexation to Burien is being soundly rejected by North Highline voters.

As of Nov. 7, here are the results from King County elections:

For annexation
Votes 1,278
Percent 35.73

Against annexation
Votes 2,298
Percent 64.26

The first round of returns, released at 8 p.m. on Nov. 6 had 1,195 (36.43 percent) yes votes for annexation and 2,085 (63.56 percent) no votes.

The final tally will be certified by the county on Nov. 27, but it appears, at this point, North Highline will remain unincorporated.

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Whole Foods confirms they are coming to West Seattle in 2015

The specialty grocer Whole Foods Market, once planning to take up residence on Alaskan Way, is now settled on opening a 41,000 sq. foot store in 2015 in the new mixed use development planned for 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW.

In a press release on Wednesday, the President of Whole Foods Joe Rogoff said, "We've long wanted to be part of the West Seattle community and we're grateful to all the residents who have reached out to support our efforts."

Rogoff continued, "Creating jobs, supporting local producers and lending a hand to area schools and non-profits are core to our philosophy and practices, and we're eager to share this with West Seattle. And of course we're thrilled to be expanding the selection of natural and organic food, sustainable seafood, humanely raised meats and housemade prepared foods and bakery items to the community."

When complete it will be the seventh Whole Foods Market in the Puget Sound area and the new store will likely mean 150 jobs for the area.

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Seattle Parks acquires property near big Fauntleroy development

Seattle Parks press release:

As part of the Parks and Green Spaces Levy acquisitions, Seattle Parks recently negotiated an agreement to acquire the property at 4731 40th SW to the west of the new proposed development at 4755 Fauntleroy Way.

We are gathering community input on the purchase of the site.

For more information please visit
http://seattle.gov/parks/projects/west_seattle_junction_uv/
or for more information on the levy visit
http://seattle.gov/parks/levy/default.htm

You are invited to send Chip Nevins an email at chip.nevins@seattle.gov or comment tomorrow at the Design Review Board Meeting
· Design Review Board Meeting
Thursday, November 8, 2012 8 p.m.
West Seattle Senior Center
4217 Oregon St SW
Hatten Hall
Review Phase: EDG--Early Design Guidance

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Burien Town Square standstill agreement extended 90 days

The standstill agreement between the city of Burien and Burien Town Square developer Harbor Urban has been extended for 90 days.

The city and developers had signed an agreement that would have given the two parties until Nov. 15 to agree on an acceptable alternative to previously planned condos on a vacant Town Square site.

However, on Nov. 5, city attorney Craig Knutson told council members the two sides are close to an agreement but “unfortunately it is not complete.”

Harbor Urban has proposed a 173-unit, “high-quality, market rate” apartment complex for the site.

Knutson also revealed the city has talked to other potential developers about the site.

Lawmakers unanimously approved the extension.

Mayor Brian Bennett emphasized that the agreement most likely will come earlier than 90 days.

Neighborhood
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Burien council passes budget on 4-3 vote

By a 4-3 vote, Burien lawmakers approved Nov. 5 a 2013-2014 budget balanced by taking $1 million out of reserves.

The council members had generally agreed on the outlines of the budget at their Oct. 22 meeting but two lawmakers asked to delay final consideration. Budget adoption had been fast tracked to accommodate medical and travel plans of some council members.

But Councilmember Bob Edgar said a vote on Nov. 5 would be premature with the annexation of North Highline being decided at an election the next date. In early returns, North Highline voters strongly rejected the annexation measure.

Councilmember Gerald Robison replied that even if annexation is approved, it would be several months before it went into effect. The budget must be approved by the end of the year.

Councilmember Jack Block Jr. objected to voting on the budget without first seeing a final draft.

Lawmakers received a preliminary budget on Oct. 1. Changes have been made as council members work through budget decisions.

Neighborhood
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Finally, Ballard Carnegie Library officially a landmark

It's the moment you've all been waiting for. At least, if you're a history nerd who lives in Ballard.

Nov. 7, at about 4:30 p.m., Seattle's Landmark Preservation Board unanimously designated the Ballard Carnegie Free Library as a historic landmark. Though it certainly looks like one, up until this point, it was not actually a landmark.

The designation means that extra guidelines and restrictions will apply to the building; any changes to the exterior of the building must be approved by the Landmarks Board. This helps prevent any major change, or absolute demolition, from happening to the building.

At the nomination meeting on Sept. 19, board members agreed to only nominate the exterior for landmark status. They reasoned that the inside had been too greatly altered since the tenancy of The Kangaroo and The Kiwi, an Australian-themed pub.

The building owner, Karoline Morrison, who has been vocal about her opposition to the designation, was not present at the meeting. No representatives stood up to speak, either, making the process rather quick and smooth.

Neighborhood
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UPDATE: ChoralSounds NW, "I’ll be Home for Christmas" runs Dec. 8 & 9; Topical but family-friendly

ChoralSounds Northwest will feature "I'll be Home for Christmas", Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. & Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2:00 p.m., at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. Tickets are $15 to $25, those 17 & under free with a paid adult ticket. www.nwassociatedarts.org or 206-246-6040.

The public is also encouraged to attend a free preview concert for a taste of the show the prior Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2:p.m. The half hour preview takes place at Glendale Lutheran Church where the choir rehearses, 13455 2nd Ave. SW, in
Burien.

ChoralSounds Northwest is part of Northwest Associated Arts, which includes KidSounds Northwest, YouthSounds Northwest, TeenSounds Northwest and SilverSounds Northwest.

The presentation includes singing, instrumentation, dance and acting, plus a poignant first act with an uplifting resolution. A soldier is overseas at war while his wife and daughter are left to celebrate the holiday season without him. Then, unexpectedly, he returns home for Christmas.

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