Deb Barker, Presiding
4 Executive Bd. Members, 10 neighborhood residents, representatives from W Seattle Blog, and Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods.
Announcements – Deb Barker
- Murray Pump Project/Combined Sewerage Overflow - A meeting will be scheduled by King County to discuss the three current project alternatives the week of March 15 – more to come.
- Seattle City Light Task Force – The task force goal is to develop solutions for improving the City’s power grid. City Light is looking for volunteers for the task force. If interested, contact Stan Lock (Dept. of Neighborhoods), or MOCA. A resident (Tony Stepan) said he was interested.
Levy Funds – Morgan Junction Allocation – Chip Nevins, City of Seattle
- Mr. Nevins is the acquisition planner for the 2008 Parks Levy. The $146 million levy includes $30 million for acquisitions, and $24 million for acquisitions for neighborhood parks. Morgan Junction has been identified as an underserved area. The park sites should be at least 10,000 square feet. The City is seeking input on vacant or underutilized parcels. The Parks Department has heard though the Neighborhood Planning status workshops that improving the Green Crescent was an important need. Suggestions from the community at the MOCA meeting included the following sites: Huling Bros. property (outside of Morgan Jct), vacant site at NW corner of California/ Graham Street, Church on 42nd at Juneau, Graham at 50th Avenue, the Eddy Street Ravine, the lot behind Starbucks, Gatewood Elementary School, and developing greenspace within the street rights of way.
Parks Levy 2010 Opportunity Fund – Deb Barker/ Ann Martin
- The Parks Department will be allocating $1.5 million for a parks project. Four applications in the Morgan Junction neighborhood have been submitted, including: Orchard Street Ravine property acquisition, the Fairmount Playfield, property adjacent the Green Crescent, and transferring the Eddy Street Right of Way to Parks. Project proposal letters are due Feb 1, and the applications are due in April. A proposal letter is required for all applications.
- Ann Martin presented a project for the Orchard Street Ravine. The Friends of Orchard Street Ravine (FOSTR) is asking for street vacations along 38th Street SW, and Orchard Street, and acquisition of a vacant parcel at 7137 38th Avenue SW, so that the existing recently developed green space can be protected from potential development of the parcel. A motion was approved by MOCA that supports the Orchard Street Ravine project.
Morgan Junction Festival – Cindi Barker
- MOCA is looking for guidance on the festival date. Last year’s festival date in June worked well. The Board is leaning toward the weekend of June 12/13 which is the driest period; another option is June 26/27. No major conflicts were identified. The festival will likely include the “Bite of Morgan Junction” again, and more arts/crafts vendors. MOCA is looking for volunteers to help with the Bite, arranging for vendors, and helping to set up / take down.
SW District Council Update – Chas Redmond
- Chas Redmond serves on the SW District Council and spoke to their mission/vision. The District Council meets the 1st Wednesday of each month. In 2010, the meetings will be organized to have guest speakers during the first hour, and the second hour will focus on a discussion of what West Seattle should look like, in preparation for the Neighborhood Plan updates. This will give the Board time to begin strategizing on issues such as Green Streets, gateways, overlay districts, etc. MOCA has discussed the need for focusing on connectivity, the build form, and open spaces.
Updates
- SW Police Precinct – There was a report that there is a rise in car thefts and prowls in West Seattle, and burglaries have also increased.
- Kenney Home Expansion – The Master User Permit (MUP) application was filed December 28, 2009, and found complete on January 7, 2010. The project will have a contract rezone from LD to MR, and need a SEPA application and guidance from the Design Review Board. The project will also require an application for the vacation of 46th Street SW, and relocation of the Seaview Building. The comment period has been extended to February 3. TJ Lehmen (Euclid Development LLC) the Owners representative, noted that the project plans should be available for presentation at the April MOCA meeting. Most of the concerns heard from the public relate to traffic, parking, massing on the west edge, and height/bulk/scale.
- Spokane Street Viaduct – The West Seattle Blog has information on the latest closures and detours, and a newsletter was mailed to West Seattle residents.
- Orchard Street Ravine Pedestrian Improvements – The Cumulative Reserve Fund (CRF) project that was awarded is mostly complete. The kiosk was recently installed, and the hiker safety signage will be installed in late January.
- West Seattle Trails – The Fauntleroy area is the next neighborhood to have signage installed. The City is requiring $1 million in liability insurance for kiosks, and permission from adjacent property owners, as well as a variance. Community input for the Morgan Junction signage will be needed in late February.
- Stalled Projects – The project at the 5800 block of California Avenue (west side) is now underway. The site at the NW corner of California at Graham Street is still for sale. A request was made to plant wildflower seeds on the property and have the fencing removed in the interim. Mr. Lehmen will look into the request.
- Myrtle Street Reservoir – The plans are 98% complete. The turf has not yet been established yet.
- Next MOCA Meeting to be April 21, 2010





