PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING
February 12, 2001
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Approximately 10 neighbors attended this meeting for the first time.
·46 people attended meeting
Council wishes to facilitate what the neighbors want and will act as a clearinghouse and provide information as possible. The council accepts donations. Funds go towards printing and distribution of newsletter and other related needs as identified.
Update: 21st AVE: Speed Bumps status. Locations have been identified and we have been informed the target date for installing is by the end of February. Funds have been placed in the SeaTran account for installation of a sidewalk from the Cooper School gate on 21st all the way to Genesee.
Issue: Some neighbors have requested the council pursue removing the no parking signs on the 4100 block of 20th SW. 20th SW had been a city bus route however is no longer a route, due to the passage of Initiative 695. Attendees spoke up and noted school buses travel this street and as a result some people's car side mirrors have been clipped off. We can write a letter and ask Cooper school to distribute it to all of their school bus drivers to drive with care. At this time, there doesn't seem to be a consensus on this issue, however the council would like to devote more time to it. A suggestion was made to add one half hour to the end of every or every other council meeting for the purpose of discussing and building a consensus on key neighborhood issues. Attendees generally approved this idea.
Issue: The east side of 21st, although once seeded, has become a parking area. Mailboxes would need to be moved in order to ensure mail delivery, if we pursued planting low shrubs along the strip. Trees will not be permitted in the space. Are the neighbors living along this portion of 21st willing to have their mailboxes moved to facilitate planting along this strip? Will they assist? Suggestion made to communicate with all families and review issue.
Announcement: Spring-Clean. A dumpster will be placed on Dakota Ave between 19th and 20th from April 27th, through the 30th (Thursday-Monday). Neighbors should contact Pete or Robert if they know of people who will need assistance. Neighbors should be receiving a free dump pass in the mail, good until March 11th, 2001.
Announcement: There have been proposed land use code changes made recently which will facilitate neighbors making changes on their property with greater ease. The DCLU web page has specific information.
Update: Status of the Old Cooper School Project: Surveys have been completed and it has been determined the two upper floors will be living/working space/artists lofts. The main floor will contain a gym, kitchen and spaces for community uses. The DNDA is presently petitioning the Seattle School Board to provide a 100-year lease or sell the property to the community. A letter-writing campaign is occurring. Pete has a letter sample for anyone interested in writing. The development of the Old Cooper School is part of the Neighborhood's Five-Year Plan.
Presentation: Sheldon Cooper, a representative from the Homestead Community Land Trust (HCLT) shared the current activities of creating affordable housing through the purchase of an existing home currently located where the new Delridge Library will be built. It will be the first time the Homestead Land Trust will be implemented in Seattle. Land will be leased to HCLT to ensure the house will remain for lower income people. House will sell for $120,000 sometime later this summer. HCLT is a membership organization and welcomes new members. Criteria have been established for families potentially interested in purchasing this home.
Announcement: Vivian shared the ground-breaking date for the new Delridge Library: May 6, 2001. Site will also have 23 low-income housing units behind it.
Update: Radio Tower status: There is a neighborhood consensus AGAINST the placement of a larger/taller tower. Robert has website information for any neighbors who are experiencing interference from this tower. The council is currently monitoring this issue and suggests neighbors continue working with the SRO company, specifically Jason Horning to receive filters. A range of filters has been made available and it was noted by meeting attendees not all of them work. At some point there will be a public hearing on this tower issue. Our Council believes we have the Cooper School Parent Association on our side.
Information: Martha Carlson, a neighbor, announced three small businesses have purchased and submitted building plans for the property at the corner of Andover and Delridge. A design review meeting will be held Feb. 22nd @ the Delridge Community Center.
Update: All Star Fitness Facility. Robert met with the District Manager and discussed the possible options for All Star to provide below cost memberships. Several ideas were suggested and reviewed. Robert will hear back from All Star in a couple of weeks.
Announcement: Car prowls and thefts are on the increase. The Seattle Police have a special task force and believes a small gang is responsible. Locking your car is a great deterrent. Some blocks in the neighborhood have Block Watch.
Announcement: Senior Services: Seattle has a variety of supports and services for seniors. Financial assistance is available for electric and gas bills for lower income people. Community Service Center located at Brandon Court is a good place to know about. Check it out!
Issue: Mayer Condo Building project: This building project is projected for the green area between the Cooper School and West Marginal way. Hudson Street would be the single road access into the development. Many neighbors have expressed concern. A small group gathered immediately following the Council meeting and set a date of Feb 20th for another meeting on this issue.
Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council leaders want to ensure certain issues, as identified by the neighbors, are thoroughly discussed and if possible, a consensus reached. To achieve this, it was suggested meetings be extended by a half-hour. One or perhaps two topics would then be discussed. This issue(s) could be identified in the neighborhood newsletter prior to the meeting date. Suggestions should be submitted to either Pete or Robert.
It was also noted there are a variety of resources available to assist neighbors with conflict resolution. In particular, the King County Dispute Resolution Center was mentioned as a resource. (King County Dispute Resolution Center, Address: PO Box 21148, Seattle, WA 98111, Phone: (206) 443-9603, Fax: (206) 443-9737
Independent third-party mediators help individuals and organizations resolve differences without recourse to the courts or other administrative action. )
The next Pigeon Point Council Meeting will be Monday, April 9, 2001.
Meeting Notes were prepared by Jane Lanning.
