GRE Ballard, LLC has received conditional approval to move forward with the construction of a four-story building containing three live/work units, 101 residential units, and parking for 95 vehicles on 6559 15th Avenue NW, across from Ballard High School.

The proposed project was unpopular at passed Design Review Meetings as neighbors came out in numbers to speak up against the project.

Calling it a "recipe for disaster" , neighbors worry about pedestrian safety and traffic flow.

Wedged between Ballard High School, two daycares, Salmon Bay Elementary School, and the Ballard Pool, many children travel past the building.

Also, with 101 units, the development will add significant traffic to the surrounding streets.

“Here you have a slew of kids trying to cross, cars in a hurry all trying to use the intersection at the same time,” a community member said at the Second Design Review meeting in January.

Designers from the Clark Design Group addressed this concern by proposing a widened and more open garage entrance with added mirrors and signage.

But at the end of May, the Seattle Department of Planning and Development sided with the neighbors and announced that the designers would have to replace the initially-proposed 67th Street garage entrance with two garage entrances on 15th Avenue.

Additionally, the designers worked to give the building a more aesthetically pleasing look.

The neighbors however found little attractive about the proposed four-story “monolithic block”, as they called it.

“I love what they’re doing with the empty lots but this is just humongous. Yes, we’re urban but this is a neighborhood!” a concerned neighbor voiced.

In the DPD's decision however, it is stated that the development complies with " the City‟s height, bulk and scale SEPA policies."

The State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) review concluded that "some adverse impacts on the environment are anticipated to result from the project, but none would rise to the level of significance."

The development proposal was approved with various conditions including a safe passage for pedestrian past the construction site along N.W. 67th St. and 15th Ave N.W. during all times of construction.

Appeals of this decision can be made to the Hearing Examiner until September 5, 2011.