Subscribe Now To Laurelhurst Private Security Patrol

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC), recently sent out a newsletterto all neighbors regarding  subscription to the Private Security Patrol, which covers the entire neighborhood area south of Sand Point Way from Mary Gates Way to NE 55th Street for $200 per year.

LCC told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff that the success of the patrol, now in its fourteenth year,  "depends on neighbor participation - the more families that subscribe, the more coverage the patrol can offer."

A uniformed, off-duty Seattle Police officers patrol the neighborhood approximately six nights/days a week for five hours each shift.  Nights and hours will vary depending on funding received. The officer carries a police radio and police firearms and drives an unmarked personal vehicle. The officer monitors incoming 911 calls and responds to neighborhood calls, vacation checks, while on patrol as well as working with the official response from the on-duty police officers.

To participate, neighbors can use LCC’s secure on-line payment option (preferred) at www.laurel­hurstcc.com, or send a $200 check payable to LCC Laurelhurst Community Club, PMB #373, 4616 25th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105.  When paying by check, include name, address, email, and emergency contact information.   

The Stranger posted an article about neighborhood private security patrols.

In 2015, KIRO TV published a report on the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Security Patrol (below) and the Security Patrol was also mentioned in an article in the Seattle Times in November.

For more information or for questions email crimeprevention@laurelhurstcc.com. 

LCC Comments on UW Plans for Laurel Village

 

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) posted this information in a recent newsletter:

LCC Comments on UW Plans for Laurel Village:

Recently, the UW outlined its plans for renovation and additional student housing and child care at its Laurel Village site for undergraduate housing (4200 Mary Gates Memorial Drive N.E.). 

LCC shared its comments on the plans at CUCAC (a UW/City Department of Neighborhoods committee) in an effort to inform a good outcome for more housing, as well as a desirable transition to the residential neighborhood. 

LCC comment highlights include: 1) Save the mature trees that surround the housing structures and enhance the livability of the site. Trees provide a green buffer to the village residents and to the adjacent neighborhoods, providing shade and vegetation for families to enjoy. (Seattle has lost 3% of its canopy (as opposed to the City’s stated policy to grow it 5% by 2030, and large projects such as this should be built in ways that preserve the trees that clean the air, provide urban habitat and shade on increasingly hot days) 2) Use simple uncluttered architecture and Northwest neutral color palettes and natural materials, not reflective facades. 3) Design site so taller buildings are next to the higher topography on NE 45th Street, which will help scale the transition to the adjacent low-rise detached houses along Mary Gates Memorial Drive. 4) Preserve open space for families and daycare use. 5) Reduce single occupancy vehicle (SOV) transportation impacts that will be created by adding four times the number of current housing units (from 80 to 320) and tripling the day care “round trips” on this site from 77 to 200. The increase in trip generation will create more congestion at the busy five-corner intersection. LCC suggested potentially using NE 45th St. access to ease pressure at the five-way intersection. 6) Improve pedestrian safety at the hazardous crossing from Laurel Village to Clark Road. 

LCC met with the City’s Chief Safety Engineer in March 2022 to request safety improvements for student families and bicyclists who use that road to connect to the Light Rail station and campus. 

LCC requests that UW also advocate with SDOT to protect the safety of its 640 Laurel Village residents, which will include the new day care children and more cyclists. n The “fronts” of the new residential buildings should face Mary Gates Memorial Dr., and the back yards should face the interior of the site (unlike today) to transition to adjacent residences. 

LCC expressed its willingness to partner with UW and CUCAC to refine the new buildings siting, tree retention, traffic circulation, and materials palette as the Laurel Village plans progress. 

(photo courtesy of UW) 

Tomorrow LEAP HUB Open House

 The Laurelhurst Community Club published this information in a recent email:

LEAP Communications HUB Open House

Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to noon

St. Stephen's Church, 4805 NE 45th St.

Please come by to see the HUB in operation Saturday. We’d love to see you there. And, bring your neighbors!

If an earthquake occurs and shuts down our power, phones, and the internet, an Emergency Communications HUB will be set up in tents on the lawn of St. Stephen's Church.

See where neighbors will post notices of items they need (examples: a tool, diapers, blankets, food) or items they're willing to donate or loan. See where notices of missing people or missing pets will be posted. Take a look at the place where key guidelines will be displayed (example: how to purify water).

Volunteers from LEAP (Laurelhurst Emergency Action Plan) will have handouts about how the HUB works and about how each of us can prepare for a disaster.

WIN A GIFT CERTIFICATE.

People who attend will also be eligible to enter a drawing for one of four $25 City People's gift certificates. 

Visit LEAP's web page on LCC's website.

Neighbor's Interesting History On Sand Point Way, Still a State Highway

 The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published this information in a recent newsletter:

Sand Point Way and State Route 513 

Written by Jim Rupp, LCC trustee and historian 

If you are using a navigation app when you leave Laurelhurst on Mary Gates Drive, the voice will direct you to turn onto NE 45th Street, and some apps will also refer to “State Route 513.” What’s that all about? 

Well, the 3.35-mile stretch starting at the 520 Interchange, proceeding over the Montlake Bridge and along Montlake Boulevard, then on Sand Point Way up to the entrance to Magnuson Park at Northeast 65th Street, is still a state highway. It is a remnant of a longer highway whose origins can be traced way back to 1864 and at one time it extended from downtown Seattle to the city limits at NE 145th Street. 

Much of State Route 513 was created in preparation for the AlaskaYukon-Pacific exposition, Seattle’s first world’s fair, held on the UW campus in 1909. At that time, the eastern edge of Montlake Boulevard, where the UW parking lot is now located, was marshland full of cattails. 

It was still true in 1934, when my father and his UW fraternity brothers gathered cattails to decorate for a fraternity party. In 1971 the highway’s southern terminus was shortened to begin at Highway 520, then in 1991 the north end was terminated at Magnuson Park. Our odd little stretch of highway is part of the National Highway System, which identifies it as an asset of importance to the national economy, defense, and mobility. 

The state still has jurisdiction over State Route 513, which is why, until 2021, its 35 mph speed limit was higher than that of surrounding streets. That higher limit was authorized by the Washington State Highway Commission in the 1970s, when my dad was a member of the Commission. About a week after that change was implemented, my mother was driving home about 11:30 p.m., from a bridge game in Washington Park, when she was pulled over near Hec Edmundson Pavilion for speeding. “Well officer,” she said, “I’m quite sure I wasn’t speeding because my husband is on the State Highway Commission and I know they changed the speed limit here to 35.” The officer told her she was wrong and gave her a ticket, BUT along about midnight our doorbell rang and there was the officer. He apologized to my mother and took back the ticket. Mom was right again. 

Last year the state agreed with the city that a 30 mph speed limit would be safer, so new speed limit signs were installed in March of 2021. This was part of the city’s ongoing efforts help end traffic deaths and serious injuries by lowering speed limits here and there. 

Talaris Proposal Presentation Tonight At LCC Annual Meeting

Tonight at 6:30pm, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) is holding its Annual meeting via Zoom (Meeting ID: 89158249695),

The agenda items include:

• Administration
• Summary of 2022 events
• Treasurer's Report
• Election of Trustees
• Highlights from Councilmember Pedersen - presented by Malik Davis 
• Talaris Redevelopment Project Team - presentation of proposal

LCC sent out this information:

The Talaris/Battelle site’s existing seven buildings and entire landscape have been a designated Seattle landmark since November 6, 2013. Over these past years, various development projects have been proposed for the campus. 

The most recent plans submitted to the City include: 48 homesites added to the landscape; the re-use of five of the seven existing buildings; demolition of two landmarked buildings; and doubling the size of the existing conference center building.  

LCC has been at the negotiating table with the owners, the owners' development representative, the architects (Bassetti), and the landscape architects (Site Workshop) to support the preservation of the site and existing tree canopy, while forming an appropriate development plan for the owner.

For more information about LCC go here.

Comment On Proposed Tree Ordinance

 

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) shared this information:

Proposed Tree Ordinance Lacks Protections Please email your comments no later than April 4. The March issue of the Laurelhurst Letter detailed LCC's concerns regarding the City's attempt to protect the tree canopy through revised legislation. Open the link here. “This new tree ordinance, if passed, will impact our quality of life for decades to come. By allowing large trees to be cut down in favor of increasing the heat islands of Seattle, we are dooming ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren to a life devoid of much of our tree canopy. This will mean worse heat waves, worse air, more polluted runoff, likely more landslides, fewer wild birds, and a serious loss of all the mental health benefits that tree canopies provide.” — LCC trustee Connie Sidles  What You Can Do • Write, email, or call your City Council representatives. • Write, email, or call Mayor Harrell. • Write, email, or call Gordon Clowers, SDCI Urban Planner, Cell: 206-679-8030 • Ask everyone on your own contact list who lives in Seattle to write/email/call. • Ask your kids and grandkids to send a letter, maybe with a picture. After all, it is our kids who will suffer most from this proposal. Click here to review the SDCI Tree Protection Project Documents. The proposed tree ordinance is open for public comment until 4 p.m. April 4. Specific support and objections to the proposal should be sent to: Gordon.Clowers@Seattle.gov.   SDCI’s Determination of Non-significance (DNS) states that the proposed tree code does not have a significant impact on the City’s tree canopy. An excerpt from The Seattle Audubon Society comment letter regarding disagrees writing: “… a major part of our tree code is how and when tree removal may occur. This is true for current code and the proposed update. Yet, there is little discussion in the DNS of anticipated effects on tree removal rates, tree replacement rates, or how the update attempts to minimize harm to communities from tree removal and maximize mitigation through replacement. This makes the degree to which the proposed update will serve as an effective tool to help meet the City’s stated canopy and environmental justice goals difficult to ascertain. To read the entire letter, click here.

Update On Aging Sprinklers on NE 41st Street Median

 The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published an update about the long-time faulty irrigation system on the NE 41st Street median. The irrigation has had ongoing leaks and problems for many years. 

In 2014, residents living near the Center for Urban Horticulture reported major irrigation leaks in the strip between the Center for Urban Horticulture east entrance and Surber Drive NE. One resident said that there were "several curbside busted sprinkler heads that are gushing water" and that there was a " river of water running along the curb."

The UW Botanic Gardens said, at the time, that the leaks were coming from the seven non-operational valves and broken sprinklers.  He added that "the public probably thinks this is UW jurisdiction and wondering why it has not been repaired. It does not reflect a good public image to our organization as it relates to water conservation either."

The UW Irrigation Maintenance Mechanic Lead was able to turn down the valves and said that "it looked like they had not been serviced for years. There were broken sprinklers, plugged sprinklers, malfunctioning sprinklers, and possible broken piping. I turned down the valves themselves so that no water will run for now. They should not be run until significant repairs are made."

After conducting a survey of the immediate area to see if he could locate the water source or the controller he said that "Someone is turning it on and off as it does not run all year long. But it is not the UW. It is entirely possible that the water and the controls are coming from a neighboring house."  After more investigation by UW that that the actual irrigation controller is located in one of the adjacent homes.

The particular strip of landscaping belongs to the Laurelhurst Community and the City pays for the water.   

LCC published this information in a recent newsletter:

LCC Working With City On NE 41st Street Sprinklers 

Several LCC trustees have been working with the City of Seattle over the past year to develop a solution to address the aging sprinkler system problems on the NE 41st Street medians.

The seven medians were a collaboration in the 1980s between the City of Seattle (SDOT), the University of Washington, the Battelle Memorial Institute, and the Laurelhurst Community Club. The irrigation system was originally installed and operated by SDOT. 

Over the years, maintenance was neglected by SDOT and UW, leaving LCC to bear the entire expense of keeping the sprinkler system functional at a cost of several thousand dollars. 

Last fall, the SDOT irrigation team came out to assess the situation and determine the best course of action to update the system to reduce water waste.

In early February, SDOT installed new sprinkler controls, upgraded many of the sprinkler heads and installed an RF transmitter to remotely monitor the system for efficiency. They also re-routed a control box that had been located in a private garage back into the median. 

With SDOT upgrading its maintenance of the sprinkler system, LCC will be able to utilize the NE 41st Street median funds to improve the condition of the plants and landscape. These funds are raised through neighborhood donations during LCC’s annual dues drive. Occasional work parties organized by neighbors also contribute to median vegetation maintenance. 

The City recognizes Laurelhurst’s consistent efforts to maintain the trees, shrubs, and vegetation on these public medians, as well as those on the Boulevard (43rd Avenue NE). Because of our community’s participation and donations to keep up these City properties, SDOT was receptive to finding a solution to repair and upgrade the sprinkler system. 

LCC Urges Support of New Bill To Require Tree Providers To Register Before Conducting Work

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) would like to urge neighbors to support City Council CB120207, sponsored by District 4 Councilmember Alex Pedersen, that requires registration of tree care providers within the City of Seattle.

To support this bill, LCC advises to email City Council members at Council@seattle.gov  by Friday at 5pm. 

The City websites says:

This is an ordinance relating to land use and urban forestry; adding a tree service provider registration procedure and requirement. The proposed legislation also requires that public notice be posted before any major tree removal occurs. 25.11.095 Tree service provider registration Establish a public registration system for tree service providers operating within Seattle. Starting 10 November 10, 2022, after the Director has established the application process and public 11 registry, no tree service provider may conduct commercial tree work unless it is listed on the 12 City’s tree service provider public registry. Any commercial tree work must be done by a registered tree service provider who must be registered by the Director before it may conduct commercial tree work unless otherwise provided in subsection 25.11.095.A. Registered tree service providers are required to renew annually which require submittal to the Director. Registration shall be issued by the Director to each applicant meeting the following requirements: 1) Possesses a current and valid Seattle business license 2) Has at least one employee or a person on retainer who is a currently credentialed International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist trained and knowledgeable to conduct work in compliance with American National Standards Institute 3) Acknowledges in writing knowledge of City codes applicable to commercial tree work 4) Is not currently under suspension from registration under Section 25.11.100 and does not have any outstanding fines or penalties related to commercial tree work activities owed The City of Seattle 5) Possesses a current and valid Washington State contractor registration and a current certificate of insurance with an amount of insurance coverage determined by the Director. Tree service provider activities: Provide the registered tree service provider’s hiring entity with a notice at least three business days in advance of 4 the commercial tree work to include brief description of the commercial tree work, registered tree service provider, maintenance or that involves removal of any trees 6 inches or greater diameter at breast height and identifies whether said tree meets the City’s definition of exceptional, provide a copy of the tree service provider’s registration; and indicate whether a permit is required for the commercial tree and provide if so. A registered tree service provider is responsible for complying with best 14 practices applicable to the particular commercial tree work for which they are retained - including: determination of the commercial tree work needed to justify removal or pruning outside of the routine pruning operations and maintenance, maintaining adequate supervisory control over workers conducting commercial tree work, apply for the hazardous tree removal permit must either have an employee who is currently credentialed with an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, submit documents including a brief report that summarizes the factors contributing to the tree’s risk rating, including overall health of the tree, dimensions and structure of the tree, and analysis of potential targets should it or major parts of it fall. If the tree does not meet the City’s definition of exceptional, the registered tree service provider that submits the hazardous tree removal permit application may also perform the removal or major pruning of the tree. If the tree meets the City’s definition of exceptional, the registered tree service provider shall engage another registered tree service provider to independently assess the tree and submit the application for its removal.

For more information go here. 

Tonight Neighborhood Monthly Meeting

 

Tonight at 6:30pm, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) is holding its monthly Board meeting via Zoom.

Colleen, LCC President told the Laurelhurst Blog " All are invited as always."

Here is the agenda:

6:30  Welcome 

Administration

• Public Comments
• Calls/Concerns from neighbors
• November minutes
• Website Upgrades
• Treasurer's Report
• Sock Drive till 12/17

6:45 

• Crime/ Security Patrol/SPD North Precinct updates

7:00

• Parks and Recreation-programming plans

7:15

• Fees for dues/median maintenance 2022

7:20

• Talaris 
• Seattle Children and SAC
• Hospital new building access

7:40

• Tree retention vs rezone to rowhouses

7:50

• State redistricting 43/46

8:00

• Adjourn

For more information about LCC go here.

Some Interesting Laurelhurst History

A Laurelhurst Community Club member published this history about NE Surber Drive:

William H. Surber Researched and written by Jim Rupp, LCC trustee

 

When developers created Laurelhurst, their plats had picturesque street names that are long forgotten. Names like Laurel Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Ridge Road, and View Drive (all included in the Laurelhurst Heights Plat of the early 1900s) disappeared when Laurelhurst was annexed to Seattle in 1910. 

Most street names were given numbers, which helped the fire department find homes before they burned to the ground. There are some exceptions. For instance, Cascade and Olympic drives became East and West Laurelhurst drives. 

And Surber Avenue and Surber Place became Surber Drive. Why keep the Surber name? Well, it’s because its namesake – William H. Surber – was one of the earliest settlers in the area, and he was a memorable figure they called “Uncle Joe.” 

He came to Seattle in 1858 and worked as a carpenter and as a contractor driving piles for many of the early waterfront railroad trestles. He was also Seattle’s first chief of police. Through it all he supplemented his income by selling wild game he hunted throughout the area. He shot his first deer in downtown Seattle, near what is now Marion Street and Third and Fourth avenues. 

One of Surber’s favorite hunting spots was what became Laurelhurst. In 1861 he acquired 160 acres along the shores of Union Bay, bordered on the east and west by what are now 45th NE and 35th NE. 

In 1888 Henry Yesler bought part of that property and built a sawmill and created the town of Yesler, near where the UW Horticulture Center is located. Surber had a house and a farm on the property, and he would regale visitors with stories of pioneer days. To get there, friends would often take the trolley to Madison Park, then rent a canoe or rowboat and cross Union Bay. Surber was still living in his Laurelhurst house when he died in 1923 at 89. Surber is buried at Seattle’s historic Lake View Cemetery on Capitol Hill, near many pioneers who enjoyed his good company. 

Monday LCC Monthly Meeting, Agenda

 

Tonight at 6:30pm, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) is holding its monthly Board meeting via Zoom.

Colleen, LCC President told the Laurelhurst Blog " All are invited as always."

Here is the agenda:

6:30  Welcome 

Administration

• Public Comments
• Calls/Concerns from neighbors
• October minutes
• Announcements
• Treasurer's Report

6:45 

• Crime/ Security Patrol/SPD North Precinct updates

7:00

• Parks and Recreation-programming plans

7:15

• Metro bus service updates

7:20

• Land use update
• Talaris 
• Seattle Children Helicopters and SAC
• Hospital new building access

7:40

• NE 41st Street new median plans

7:50

• NEDC /City updates

8:00

• Adjourn

For more information about LCC go here.

Talaris Development Update

The Laurelhurst Blog has received numerous email asking about the status of the Talaris redevelopment.

The Laurehurst Community Club (LCC) recently told the Laurelhurst Blog that Talaris, managed by Pistol Creek is still in the SDCI permitting process, which has been going on for over a year now, as well as the Historic Landmark Preservation approval process. 

LCC added "Nothing has changed from last year as of yet, except for the recent big clean up which was long overdue." Very tall weeds covered one of the roads making undrivable. Recently the main road used for years to enter the property has been closed and the secondary one that was covered in weeds is open during the day.

The large grassy area on Mary Gates Drive was also finally mowed.

LCC said they have not heard anything specific from the owners, except they received approval for removing about 11 dead trees that fell over in mid August, 2021.

LCC's published this information in their September newsletter:

The 18 acre Talaris campus  has been unoccupied since October of 2019 when Quadrant Homes unexpectedly  pulled out of an contingent deal with site's owner to buy and develop the property.

For the past two years the site has not had any active use and the landscaping has been neglected with fallen trees, and  with  grass overgrown to a fire hazard level. In addition, an additional cyclone style temporary "security " fence was installed in violation of the historic landscape requirements. 

On August 11th, LCC noted the arrival of numerous chipper trucks on the site, and contacted the owner for information. The response was that the site was undergoing a big clean up as a good faith gesture to the neighborhood, and in preparation for potential lease/sale opportunities.  The dead trees were removed, the interior of the site was cleaned out, the perimeter along NE 41st Street was mowed, and the pond that had dried out was cleared out, and scraped down to the pond's clay bottom. The intent in future plans is to re-fill with water this fall after it was cleaned of debris. 

The temporary galvanized fence was finally removed on August 18th, leaving the black one that was installed on  September 12, 2013, the day before the site and buildings were designated by the City as historic landmarks. 

LCC continues to meet with the site's owners about potential development plans, as well as participate in the public comment processes of the City's land use and its historic preservation board.

LCC's July/August LCC newsletter said:

Talaris Update

On June 16, the owner of the landmarked Talaris site requested approval from the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board for a 12- or six-month extension on their current permit for development. The Board approved only six months, with several members expressing concern about the current conditions on the site and the need for more frequent updates. The owner also is pressing the Board to approve more temporary fencing, which is not part of the original site design. 

In September 2020, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection (SDCI) determined that the owner’s proposed plans warranted an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement), requiring the study of the potential impacts from implementation of various development alternatives. Historic preservation, retention of exceptional trees, water, waste, and traffic impacts are examples of impacts that must be evaluated before any permit is issued. The EIS is in process.

 

The property was designated with landmark status in November 2013, which dictates that specific controls define certain features of the landmark to be preserved and a Certificate of Approval process is needed for changes to those features. Some incentives and controls included in the City's ruling are zoning variances, building code exceptions, and financial incentives, which are protected, as stated on the City's Landmark and Designation website.

The site, built in 1967, was originally owned by Battelle Memorial Institute. In 1997 Era Care Communities purchased the property for $6,125,000 and it was developed into Talaris Institute which focused on infant and early learning research of the brain. In 2000, Bruce Mc Caw under the name 4000 Property LLC of Bellevue, purchased the property for $15,630,000. The county has assessed the property at $14 million and sold in 2000 for $15.6 million.

The property, when sold several decades ago, included an underlying Settlement Agreement in which Battelle Neighbors and the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) are partnered together with the land owners of the parcel. The Settlement Agreement specifically states that major institutions can't operate within this property (no hospitals, colleges, etc). And the Settlement Agreement has specific restrictions attached which specifies the use of the property to protect the quality of life in the adjacent neighborhood.

For decades, neighbors were free to stroll the grounds, until 2013, when Talaris suddenly put up "No Trespassing" signs and installed a four feet chain link fencing in 2013, as well putting up a main driveway barricade, fence on northwest side and a surveillance camera. 

Neighbors were no longer allowed to use the large grassy meadow area where generations of kids practiced soccer and the past few years the grounds facing NE 41st Street are often neglected and grass not consistently mowed. 

The Laurelhurst Community Club, has been involved with the site for over 30 years, working to ensure the property is well integrated with the neighborhood by closely monitoring proposed development. LCC has also worked with current owners in lobbying for better property maintenance. 

The Laurelhurst Blog posted about the owners of Talaris violating the landmarks agreement with the City, by installing a chain link fence last month at the 7.8 acre Talaris campus (4000 NE 41st Street).  Shortly after, the Landmarks Preservation Board listed on their meeting agenda for Talaris: "proposed perimeter fencing- retroactive."

In 2018, Talaris removed a large oak tree with proper approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board and asked for retroactive Certificate of Approval from the City, violating the Landmarks agreement.

And in April 2016, Talaris again cut down trees without proper approval from the City Landmarks Board and after the trees were cut down, then requested a retroactive Certificate of Approval from the City.

And again, in November 2013, Talaris also cut down another tree with approval from the Landmarks Board and then suddenly got a retroactive certificate in place after the trees were cut down.  

In February of this year, neighbors reported a homeless man living on the property. The site manager, living on the property had to use pepper spray to provide some distance between himself and the male,  It was reported that the male left when Seattle Police asked him to leave or be under arrest. Neighbors have reported he is still on the property from time to time leaving traces of needles.  

Affordable Talaris, made up of individuals, want to turn the large property into affordable housing, which would require an upzone of the Talaris property.. Their most recent update says: "We have expanded the scope of our efforts to advocate for a new urban village in the area around the Talaris parcel in the next Comprehensive Plan update."

It has been reported that the group has never reached out to the Laurelhurst Community Club, though they put LCC on their documents, which was not authorized.  It is also reported that they won't  respond to LCC.

Neighbors believe that is not a good fit for the property.  One neighbor commented that it's private property, not City, so can't be deemed as affordable and it's also not near to Transit usually where affordable housing is usually located.  And the massive development at Blakely is all have affordable housing that was required. 

It has been reported that several groups have come forward interested in buying the property. However, nothing has moved forward.  Several are Jeff Granville, with a non-profit called Mindful Presents , who expressed interest in developing the site as wellness center.   Another group, Harmony Hill, that work with cancer survival patients were interested. 

The once beautiful campus is now covered in overgrown weeds, enormous blackberry bushes, trees fallen across once were roads around the campus, most of the buildings in disrepair, the beautiful pond is filled with brown water and the grass on the entire campus is overgrown and very tall.  

In August the Business Journal published this information:

Quadrant's plan for Battelle/Talaris campus heads into city SEPA review

Rendering by Bassenian Lagoni 

The basic plan is for 65 houses on the 18-acre campus in Laurelhurst. Two of the original nine landmarked buildings would be removed.

 

A nearby neighbor said:

This is a precious piece of land and to destroy it due to greed would be a travesty. It is said that the owners deserve a return on their money but not at the expense of a natural resource which is irreplaceable.  And they maybe should have done due diligence BEFORE buying.

Details on the proposed land use action, EIS scoping, and public meeting can be found in this notice issued by SDCI.  

Tonight LCC Meeting, Agenda

 

Tonight at 6:30pm, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) is holding its monthly Board meeting via Zoom.

Colleen, LCC President told the Laurelhurst Blog " All are invited as always."

Here is the agenda:

6:30  Welcome 

Administration

• Public Comments
• Calls/Concerns from neighbors
• Treasurer's Report
• September minutes
• Announcements
• Committee Report

6:45 

• Crime/ Security Patrol/SPD North Precinct updates

7:00

• Parks and Recreation-programming plans

7:15

• Metro bus service -route 31/32 issues

7:20

• Land use update
• Talaris 
• Seattle Children Helicopters and SAC

7:40

• CUCAC updates -U of WA basketball practice facilities

7:50

• NEDC /City updates- U District Business Improvement

8:00

• Adjourn

For more information about LCC go here.

LCC Recognizes Special Neighbors

Laurelhurst Community Club recognized the following neighbors this summer at its Annual meeting.

LCC wrote in its most recent newsletter:

Neighbor Recognition 

In May, LCC called on neighbors to recognize special neighbors and/or businesses that have made a difference in our neighborhood, especially during this year’s Covid-19 challenges.  

Jeannie Hale received LCC’s Exceptional Service Award for her more than 20 years of service as trustee and president of the Laurelhurst Community Club. She also served as president of the Northeast District Council.  

Jean Amick Nominated by Colleen McAleer

Jean exemplifies a great neighbor as she cruises the streets on her bike spreading cheer by sharing a smile, dropping off a bouquet of flowers, sharing an archived newspaper article, or snaring you into joining her to “Weed and Sweep” at SUN Park. Jean championed the park’s vision by bringing neighbors together to purchase the land and transform it into a beautiful green space for all ages to experience. Jean is also an avid birder and provides colorful habitat for local and rare bird species that frequent her sidewalk garden. 

Burke Gilman Brewing Company Nominated by Jake and Noelle Dahl

Burke Gilman Brewing Company has become a favorite place for members of the Laurelhurst community to meet (socially distanced), interact, and enjoy a pint of their award-winning beer, 2020 GABF Gold Medal Winner, 2020 Alpha King Winner. They have supported numerous community and social causes (BLM, Stop Asian Hate, Diaper Drive, Seattle Children’s families). They should be recognized as a new, positive addition to the community.  

Pat Chaney Nominated by Robin Bransford 

A huge thanks to Pat, who organized the up keep and beautification of both ends of our 43rd Ave. NE boulevard. She contacted the city, which then delivered many truck loads of bark to various planted circles along the boulevard. She then contacted neighbors and worked along with them to weed, prune, haul, dig, and rake each planted area, which has greatly improved the appearance of the boulevard. It was a fun and rewarding project.  

Beth Cogan Nominated by Stephanie Neffner 

Beth is a special woman in the neighborhood who has gone above and beyond to help families with food insecurity in the area. When Covid hit and closed down schools, she took on the job of coordinating lunch deliveries to students receiving free or reduced lunches for almost a year. The program morphed into not only daily lunch and breakfast deliveries, but also a Friday delivery of weekend food bags. She has been monitoring the food bins outside of St. Stephens and has had food drives. When there were extra lunches, milk, or other items, she coordinated with local food banks or shelters; one of the volunteers has delivered to them as well. And, because of her compassion, she and her group of volunteers have been delivering to many locations outside of the Laurelhurst boundary line, including Capitol Hill and South Lake Union areas. 

Jamie Doran Nominated by Betty, Lauren, Grant, and Michael Pauly 

Jamie is a true weekend warrior going above and beyond to help keep Laurelhurst beautiful, spontaneously mowing neighbors’ parking strips, setting up outdoor movie nights, volunteering at the Beach Club, for youth sports, with his cheerful smile and willingness to pitch in.  

Mary Jo Gasparich Nominated by Lorelle Shearer 

Mary Jo has repeatedly spearheaded the weed and brush removal on the banks of the Laurelhurst Playfield. She is great at marshalling a group to do this over at least three seasons! It makes the sidewalk more safe and accessible.  

Peggy Headstrom Nominated by Janice Camp 

Peggy has single-handedly organized food trucks to visit our part of the neighborhood every week for the past year. It has been a welcome and energizing break in pandemic cooking and something to look forward to each week. And, it gave food trucks some business, which I think was particularly welcome in the middle of the pandemic. Peggy’s efforts helped build community, improve the mental health of the neighbors, and give business and exposure for numerous food truck entrepreneurs. 

Katterman’s Pharmacy Nominated by Robert Arbios 

Katterman’s Pharmacy has been providing personable and reliable service to this community for literally decades. If you’ve lived here for any time at all, when you walk in they know your name. But during the pandemic Beverly, Steve, and their colleagues have really stepped up their game for the neighborhood. Early on they increased their efforts to provide no-contact delivery to your doorstep at no additional cost, even for relatively inexpensive prescriptions paid for by Medicare. In January 2021, when Covid vaccines were just becoming available but still very scarce, Katterman’s took the initiative to reach out to senior customers to offer what they had to this most vulnerable group. Now with vaccine supply more plentiful, Katterman’s is operating an efficient system to administer shots to dozens of people each day. We are lucky to have such a fine, locally owned and operated entity providing critical service to this community. But we should not take them for granted. I therefore urge the LCC to not miss the opportunity to give Katterman’s the shout-out they deserve, particularly for their efforts during this pandemic.  

Bev Kelleher Nominated by Betsy Mullen 

For more years than I can remember, Bev has been organizing the cleanup and maintenance of the median on 43rd Ave. between 41st and 38th. I appreciate her willingness to collect the money and organize the workers that keep this special street in Laurelhurst looking good. I believe her efforts may have inspired the folks north of us to maintain their section of the boulevard as well. Judging by all of the walkers and runners that go by, many more people than just the residents on the street appreciate her work. Bev definitely goes above and beyond and is worthy of recognition for volunteering to keep the boulevard beautiful.  

Brian Larson Nominated by Gloria Hennings 

Brian and his entire family organize The Turkey Trot every Thanksgiving morning. Many neighbors run or walk with their families and dogs and it builds community. All contribute to the local food bank! The Larsons collect the food and money and deliver it to the district food bank. It has become an annual affair because of their willingness to organize it for the past nine years on a busy holiday. 

Louise Luthy Nominated by Kay Kelly 

Louise and her LEAP (Laurelhurst Emergency Action Plan) team stepped up, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure the health and safety of all Laurelhurst neighbors. With the established system of Cluster Captains, this network was activated to check on shut-in folks and provide connectivity to needed resources. Louise also spearheaded the building and furnishing of LEAP’s recently completed Communications HUB. Her team is now crosstraining other neighbors to operate the HUB and the radio system. The neighborhood is much better prepared for emergencies, especially earthquakes, thanks to her tenacious efforts, so we all sleep better knowing there is a safety net right here in Laurelhurst.  

Dixie Porter Nominated by Friends of SUN Park 

Dixie is a force of energy who has the knack of making the neighborhood more connected. She effortlessly has linked neighbors throughout her long residency in Laurelhurst and has acted as an informal local historian on schools, activities, and families. Dixie was ever present at the SUN Park that she helped found. Until just two years ago, she was on a ladder hanging the holiday lights s on the park’s trees. She worked vigorously to root out invasive plant species and build optimal pollinator pathways in local gardens, including SUN Park, to restore the eroded ecosystem.  

Jenny Roberts Nominated by Ardeth Hollo 

Jenny has given so much of her time and energy as the LEAP organizer Cluster Captain and communicator for our particular neighborhood. She is always eager to donate her time and talents to do tireless emails, and has hosted informative meetings for our neighbors at her home. Jenny always has a positive attitude and a “can do” frame of mind, even though she volunteers in other capacities. Kindness and thoughtfulness is her middle name, and we are so blessed to have her as our neighbor! 

Leslie Wright Nominated by Colleen McAleer 

Leslie as a neighbor extraordinaire. She now coordinates and leads the monthly work parties that keep SUN Park weeded, swept, and mulched as a showcase of native plants and a restorative green space where all may enjoy urban nature. In addition, she edits and produces the LCC newsletter’s ten issues a year, designs other materials for LCC, and creates time-sensitive Constant Contact emails, keeping the neighborhood informed about local issues in a manner that is relevant to neighbors.