Public Invited To Submit Request To Relocate Billboard At Five Corners By Friday

Once a year Seattle residents have the opportunity to request the relocation of a billboard sign by sending a request to the City's Department of Planning and Development.
The Laurelhurst Community Club has recently submitted a request to move the large billboard at Five Corners, the busy intersection of Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE, NE 45th Street, NE 45th Place and Union Bay Place NE.   

In order for requests to be considered, the sign must be located in Seattle in an area where advertising signs are permitted by City Code. 

"All requests for relocation are processed and considered by the owner of the advertising sign. The relocation request process is voluntary and the owner of the billboard has the right to decline the request," the information says.

Here is the letter LCC to Diane Sigamura, DPD Director:

The Laurelhurst Community Club Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its last Trustee meeting to nominate the billboard located at Five Corners, for relocation. It is a very busy intersection. 

The connecting streets provide direct routes to University Village, the main corridor to Seattle Children’s Hospital and an important connection to the University of Washington and Husky Stadium.

This intersection has a level of service (LOS) rating of F.

The billboard at this intersection contributes to driver distraction, even more so in recent years due to Code changes that authorize video components to signs and billboards.

Aside from driver distraction and the accompanying bicyclist and pedestrian safety issues, the billboard at Five Corners is unattractive and out of context.  An oversized billboard at this location gives the feeling that one is driving on SR 99.

When the Sand Point Naval Air Station was conveyed to the City of Seattle in 1997, the need for this section of NE 45th Street to be held as a state highway spur was eliminated.  It would be wonderful to now remove this vestige of state highway appearance and restore the aesthetic environment to one appropriate for an arterial that winds between residential neighborhoods. 

Over the years, the Laurelhurst Community Club Board of Trustees has heard from many neighbors complaining about the billboard at Five Corners for the reasons that we have cited.  We hope that you will give our nomination serious consideration.
                                              

The public can send requests until Friday of this week to Diane Sugimura, Director; Department of Planning and Development, via email at diane.sugimura@seattle.gov or by regular mail sent to  PO Box 34019; Seattle, WA 98124-4019.

The Laurelhurst Community Club encourages neighbors to send in their comments regarding the Five Corners billboard.

Over 1,900 "Red Light Runner" Citations Issued At Five Corners Reports SDOT

The Laurelhurst Community Club passed along some updated information to us on a recent report of the "Red Light Runner" Cameras at Five Corners, where Union Bay Place NE, Mary Gates Boulevard, NE 45th Street, 35th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way meet.

On August 1st,  SDOT reported that there have been just over 1,900 citations issued for red light violations at the Five Corners intersection. 

From mid-June through mid-July, 368 citations were issues. 

SDOT stated that there is a continued need for cameras at this location.

The intersection, which has an 'F' level of service (LOS), has three red light runner cameras set up at the sometimes very dangerous five point intersection, "Five Corners." There have been many near collisions, not only between cars, but cars and pedestrians with cars driving very fast to to get through the intersection on a red light.

The first 10 months of last year, about 4,900 citations were issued at the Five Corners cameras. And February 2010 alone had 315 citations issued.

Ninety-seven percent of those citations were about evenly divided between the east and westbound cameras - 2,234 eastbound and 2,458 westbound and 212 total from the northbound camera on Mary Gates Drive.

About 7,000 red light runner citations were issued in 2009, according to the Laurelhurst Newsletter published in April of last year.

If your car crosses the crosswalk after the light turns red, the car is photographed with a still camera and a short video. Then the Police Department reviews the photos to determine if a ticket should be mailed out to the car owner.

The owner has 18 days to pay the fine, ask for a hearing or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she was not driving. The cost for the ticket is $124.

Update on Aegis Memory Care Center Proposal And Historic Benton Clock To Be Refurbished



Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published an update in their recent newsletter, on the proposal for Aegis Assisted Living/Memory Care at Five Corners, where the former Baskin Robbins site, which closed September 2015 was located saying:

Update on Aegis Five Corners Plans

Aegis Senior Communities recently presented preliminary plans to build out a large assisted living and memory care facility at the triangular lot at the five corners intersection of NE 45th Street and NE 45th Place.

Because the location of the project will have direct impacts on the neighborhood, LCC has requested it be an official party of record in the permitting process for Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) and transportation planning impacts with SDOT. 

Bryon Ziegler, Aegis Director of Development and Entitlements, recently reported that, in response to LCC’s earlier requests, they have refined their design to connect better visually with the Burke-Gilman Trail and to level the open space plaza area at the street frontage. The group showed plans and revised concepts for the architectural character during LCC’s October 9 meeting. 

Ziegler also said they have leased the former Baskin Robbins store to a medical supply company for about 18 months prior to construction of their new facility. An occupied space will help deter problem graffiti, which they have been cleaning up regularly.  

Aegis also contacted the Benton family, owners of the historic clock on site, and agreed to a purchase price. Ziegler writes, “Our intent is to purchase the clock, remove it from site during construction and have it professionally refurbished, then place it back in a more appropriate location in the new open space plaza.” 

LCC supports the addition of a senior care facility in Northeast Seattle and submitted comments to SDCI on the proposed build out of the structure , driveway, and gardens. 

LCC is very supportive of the second massing alternative as it offers a good pedestrian experience and appears to be more of a “gateway” building at the Five Corners location, making it a more significant entrance to the Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. The building tucks into the hillside and creates a multi-level structure, which is much more interesting than a box shape.  

The distinct indentation of the residents’ garden along NE 45 Street offers a park like setting to pedestrians and nearby residents looking south and west. The larger, south-facing plaza and gardens offer longer exposure to much needed natural sunlight for its residents. The garden edge on the northern part of the parcel would provide an improved, tree-lined experience along the Burke-Gilman Trail for that short segment. 

Aegis should consider the opportunity to utilize its rooftop for a residents’ community garden or an additional garden that gives residents a safe space away from the pollution and noise of the street traffic. A green roof could soften the harsh visual impact of such a massive industrial rooftop at this five-way focal-point intersection. Its rooftop location might benefit from the installation of discreet solar panels to generate alternative energy as well. 

The preliminary architectural design for this Aegis location appears to borrow features from both the historic Tudor and Craftsman styles found in the adjacent Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. LCC strongly encourages quality and compatibility with the neighborhood in determining the overarching style of the new facility. LCC requests that SDCI require samples of proposed building materials and a more fully developed design from Aegis Senior Communities LLC before permit approval. This would include exterior facades, window types, paint colors, and lighting as key design components. 

Because senior living facilities are very labor intensive, underground parking shown in all of the alternatives is essential. The underground parking places shown in the alternatives look impossible to use, however. They appear to offer little or no room to back up or exit. It may not be possible to park as many cars as shown within the footprint on the drawings. LCC requests a more detailed drawing of the parking stalls and circulation be submitted to SDCI and SDOT before their permit approval. 

The Five Corners intersection is one of the busiest in Seattle, and the busiest in Northeast Seattle. When the red-light cameras were operative at that intersection for several years, the City of Seattle reported that it had the highest number of infractions recorded and fined. Therefore, it is critical that the driveway proposed along NE 45th Place is far enough away from that intersection to avoid backups and potential collisions.  

In addition, trees and vegetation along both NE 45th Street and NE 45th Place should be set back or low enough to maintain safe sight lines for oncoming traffic and pedestrian crossings. There is a proposed island which may (or may not) be useful, but open sight lines are very important. 

Aegis together with the Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods could lobby the State Legislature to amend the four-corner maximum statute on red light cameras to include five-ways. This would help prevent the rampant red-light running, avoid collisions, and protect pedestrians as well as occupants of other vehicles in the intersection. 

LCC is supportive of this type of facility, and wants to contribute as a party of record to make it a good fit and a successful addition to the neighborhood. 

Permits (3025007, 3025056) have been submitted to the City's SDCI (Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections).  The demolition permit includes "two existing one level buildings" the building to the north of Baskin-Robbins up to Bakker Dry Cleaning. The addresses are 3200-3212 NE 45th Street and 3201-3209 NE 45th Place.  

The new facility would have 116 units and would be five levels over a parking garage with 2500 square feet of retail on the first floor which would house a salon and cafe, according to the design proposal submitted in July 2016.


The new facility would have 116 units and would be five levels over a parking garage with 2500 square feet of retail on the first floor which would house a salon and cafe, according to the design proposal submitted in July 2016.

Bryon Ziegler, Director of Development and Entitlements for Áegis Senior Communities, told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff in March, that "other possibilities include an ice cream bar, community room, outdoor plaza and salon."

Bryon said that they are anticipating permits in late 2019 and the construction period is likely 20-24 months with the first resident move-in’s the fall of 2021. Aegis anticipates approximately 80% of the residents will come from the local neighborhoods.

Bryon told the Laurelhurst Blog staff that the new site is somewhat confusing saying: 

The assemblage of parcels includes 3200 and 3232 NE 45^th Street and 3215 NE 45^th Place. There are two buildings, but three parcels.  

There is also a billboard that will be eliminated. The historic clock will remain. 

The 30’ city right of way between the curb and the property line will be landscape and enhanced for public use, including the little pedestrian bulb at the intersections of 45^th and 45^th. This Aegis Senior Community will be designed to either the City’s Living Building Challenge or Mandatory Housing Affordability standards.

He said that the businesses currently in the buildings that will be demolished will have all their leases honored, until they end in 2019.   These businesses included  Diane’s Alterations, Lakeview Vision Clinic, Edward Jones, Farmers Insurance, Uncle Lee’s, University Tutoring, Felipa’s Consignment and Rules Salon. 

The café at Aegis, would be open to the public and would be the Queen Bee Café, a non profit business. Others are currently located at the Madison and Queen Anne Aegis facilities and specialize in traditional English crumpets.

 

 

Bryon said that Aegis has engaged Transpo traffic engineers to conduct a traffic study of the very busy Five Corners area where the facility will be located.

 

 

For more information about the project, go to the City permits website and reference permits 3025007, 3025056, 6520824, 6537047, 3025007, 6552104, 3025056, 6557274, 6082637.

 

Another retirement home is also under review for 4020 NE 55th Street, where the Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Hospital is currently located, across the street from Metropolitan Market. The proposal, Permit #3025827, includes 3 stories of approximately 74 units with 3,100 square feet of commercial space and parking for approximately 28 vehicles located below grade. The existing structure would be demolished.  The architect has proposed 3 different alternatives which can be seen here.

  

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Tonight Public Invited To Aegis Assisted Living/Memory Care Early Design Guidance Meeting

The public is invited tonight at 6:30pm to the  Aegis Assisted Living/Memory Care Early Design Guidance Meeting held by the City's Northeast Design Review Board. The meeting will be held in Room 202 at the Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Avenue North.)

Aegis is to be located at 3200 NE 45th Street, at Five Corners, where Baskin Robbins previously was located. 

Project # 3025056, proposes a six-story assisted living building with street level retail, parking for 65 vehicles below grade. 

The Laurelhurst Community Club reported that at the first EDG (Early Design Guidance) meeting, the Board asked Aegis to return after further exploring the potential for visual connection to the Burke Gilman Trail and its residents, as well as further refine the open space area in front of the building to make it more level along the street frontage, which will be addressed at tonight's meeting. 

Three "massing concepts" in the design proposal were submitted and the third one has been "tentatively approved at EDG" (shown above). It provides less light for north facing memory care center, but provides south facing open space along NE 45th Street, a terrace adjacent to the Burke-Gilman trail, "breaks up the bulky facade along NE 45th Street" and provides corner/commercial retail frontage.

Here is information LCC recently published:

Update on Aegis Five Corners Plans

Aegis Senior Communities recently presented preliminary plans to build out a large assisted living and memory care facility at the triangular lot at the five corners intersection of NE 45th Street and NE 45th Place.

Because the location of the project will have direct impacts on the neighborhood, LCC has requested it be an official party of record in the permitting process for Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) and transportation planning impacts with SDOT. 

Bryon Ziegler, Aegis Director of Development and Entitlements, recently reported that, in response to LCC’s earlier requests, they have refined their design to connect better visually with the Burke-Gilman Trail and to level the open space plaza area at the street frontage. The group showed plans and revised concepts for the architectural character during LCC’s October 9 meeting. 

Ziegler also said they have leased the former Baskin Robbins store to a medical supply company for about 18 months prior to construction of their new facility. An occupied space will help deter problem graffiti, which they have been cleaning up regularly.  

Aegis also contacted the Benton family, owners of the historic clock on site, and agreed to a purchase price. Ziegler writes, “Our intent is to purchase the clock, remove it from site during construction and have it professionally refurbished, then place it back in a more appropriate location in the new open space plaza.” 

LCC supports the addition of a senior care facility in Northeast Seattle and submitted comments to SDCI on the proposed build out of the structure , driveway, and gardens. 

LCC is very supportive of the second massing alternative as it offers a good pedestrian experience and appears to be more of a “gateway” building at the Five Corners location, making it a more significant entrance to the Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. The building tucks into the hillside and creates a multi-level structure, which is much more interesting than a box shape.  

The distinct indentation of the residents’ garden along NE 45 Street offers a park like setting to pedestrians and nearby residents looking south and west. The larger, south-facing plaza and gardens offer longer exposure to much needed natural sunlight for its residents. The garden edge on the northern part of the parcel would provide an improved, tree-lined experience along the Burke-Gilman Trail for that short segment. 

Aegis should consider the opportunity to utilize its rooftop for a residents’ community garden or an additional garden that gives residents a safe space away from the pollution and noise of the street traffic. A green roof could soften the harsh visual impact of such a massive industrial rooftop at this five-way focal-point intersection. Its rooftop location might benefit from the installation of discreet solar panels to generate alternative energy as well. 

The preliminary architectural design for this Aegislocation appears to borrow features from both the historic Tudor and Craftsman styles found in the adjacent Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. LCC strongly encourages quality and compatibility with the neighborhood in determining the overarching style of the new facility. LCC requests that SDCI require samples of proposed building materials and a more fully developed design from Aegis Senior Communities LLC before permit approval. This would include exterior facades, window types, paint colors, and lighting as key design components. 

Because senior living facilities are very labor intensive, underground parking shown in all of the alternatives is essential. The underground parking places shown in the alternatives look impossible to use, however. They appear to offer little or no room to back up or exit. It may not be possible to park as many cars as shown within the footprint on the drawings. LCC requests a more detailed drawing of the parking stalls and circulation be submitted to SDCI and SDOT before their permit approval. 

The Five Corners intersection is one of the busiest in Seattle, and the busiest in Northeast Seattle. When the red-light cameras were operative at that intersection for several years, the City of Seattle reported that it had the highest number of infractions recorded and fined. Therefore, it is critical that the driveway proposed along NE 45th Place is far enough away from that intersection to avoid backups and potential collisions.  

In addition, trees and vegetation along both NE 45th Street and NE 45th Place should be set back or low enough to maintain safe sight lines for oncoming traffic and pedestrian crossings. There is a proposed island which may (or may not) be useful, but open sight lines are very important. 

Aegis together with the Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods could lobby the State Legislature to amend the four-corner maximum statute on red light cameras to include five-ways. This would help prevent the rampant red-light running, avoid collisions, and protect pedestrians as well as occupants of other vehicles in the intersection. 

LCC is supportive of this type of facility, and wants to contribute as a party of record to make it a good fit and a successful addition to the neighborhood. 

Permits (3025007, 3025056) have been submitted to the City's SDCI (Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections).  The demolition permit includes "two existing one level buildings" the building to the north of Baskin-Robbins up to Bakker Dry Cleaning. The addresses are 3200-3212 NE 45th Street and 3201-3209 NE 45th Place. 

The new facility would have 116 units and would be five levels over a parking garage with 2500 square feet of retail on the first floor which would house a salon and cafe, according to the design proposal submitted in July 2016.

The new facility would have 116 units and would be five levels over a parking garage with 2500 square feet of retail on the first floor which would house a salon and cafe, according to the design proposal submitted in July 2016.

Bryon Ziegler, Director of Development and Entitlements for Áegis Senior Communities, told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff in March, that "other possibilities include an ice cream bar, community room, outdoor plaza and salon."

Bryon said that they are anticipating permits in late 2019 and the construction period is likely 20-24 months with the first resident move-in’s the fall of 2021. Aegis anticipates approximately 80% of the residents will come from the local neighborhoods.

Bryon told the Laurelhurst Blog staff that the new site is somewhat confusing saying: 

The assemblage of parcels includes 3200 and 3232 NE 45^th Street and 3215 NE 45^th Place. There are two buildings, but three parcels.  

There is also a billboard that will be eliminated. The historic clock will remain. 

The 30’ city right of way between the curb and the property line will be landscape and enhanced for public use, including the little pedestrian bulb at the intersections of 45^th and 45^th. This Aegis Senior Community will be designed to either the City’s Living Building Challenge or Mandatory Housing Affordability standards.

He said that the businesses currently in the buildings that will be demolished will have all their leases honored, until they end in 2019.   These businesses included  Diane’s Alterations, Lakeview Vision Clinic, Edward Jones, Farmers Insurance, Uncle Lee’s, University Tutoring, Felipa’s Consignment and Rules Salon. 

The café at Aegis, would be open to the public and would be the Queen Bee Café, a non profit business. Others are currently located at the Madison and Queen Anne Aegis facilities and specialize in traditional English crumpets.

Bryon said that Aegis has engaged Transpo traffic engineers to conduct a traffic study of the very busy Five Corners area where the facility will be located.

 

For more information about the project, go to the City permits website and reference permits 3025007, 3025056, 6520824, 6537047, 3025007, 6552104, 3025056, 6557274, 6082637.

 

Another retirement home is also under review for 4020 NE 55th Street, where the Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Hospital is currently located, across the street from Metropolitan Market. The proposal, Permit #3025827, includes 3 stories of approximately 74 units with 3,100 square feet of commercial space and parking for approximately 28 vehicles located below grade. The existing structure would be demolished.  The architect has proposed 3 different alternatives which can be seen here.

Why Red Light Runner Cameras Were Removed At Busy Five Corners

photos from October 2007



The Laurelhurst Blog has received questions recently about why and when the "Red Light Runner" Cameras were removed at Five Corners, the busy intersection of Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE, NE 45th Street, NE 45th Place and Union Bay Place NE.

In August of 2008, three cameras were installed at "Five Points" after the Laurelhurst Community Club voted unanimously to support neighbors requests as well as more than 400 petition signatures, for installation of the cameras at the intersection. LCC requested funding for cameras in September of the previous year.

In August of 2011 the Laurelhurst Blog reported:

On August 1st of that year,  SDOT reported that there were over 1,900 citations issued for red light violations  and from mid-June through mid-July, 368 citations were issues.  SDOT stated that there is a continued need for cameras at this location.

The first 10 months of last year, about 4,900 citations were issued at the Five Corners cameras. And February 2010 alone had 315 citations issued.  Ninety-seven percent of those citations were about evenly divided between the east and westbound cameras - 2,234 eastbound and 2,458 westbound and 212 total from the northbound camera on Mary Gates Drive.  For the first 10 months of 2010, about 4,900 citations were issued at the Five Corners cameras. February 2010 alone had 315 citations issued.  Ninety-seven percent of those citations were about evenly divided between the east and westbound cameras - 2,234 eastbound and 2,458 westbound and 212 total from the northbound camera on Mary Gates Drive.

About 7,000 red light runner citations were issued in 2009, according to the Laurelhurst Newsletter published in April of last year.

About 7,000 red light runner citations were issued in 2009, according to the Laurelhurst Newsletter published in April of last year.

The intersection, which has an 'F' level of service (LOS), had three red light runner cameras set up at the five point intersection, where there have been many near collisions, not only between cars, but cars and pedestrians with cars driving very fast to make it through the intersection on a red light.

If a car crossed the crosswalk after the light turned red, the car was photographed with a still camera and a short video. Then the Police Department reviewed the photos to determine if a ticket should be mailed out to the car owner. The owner had 18 days to pay the fine, ask for a hearing or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she was not driving. The cost for the ticket was $124.

In March of 2011 the Laurelhurst Blog reported about two bills that were before the State. One was proposed by Tim Eyman, calling for a public vote before cameras could be installed and the other, bill 1279, was supported by the City of Seattle and others who" recognized that red light runner cameras improve pedestrian and bicycle safety."

1279 clarified the existing law by specifically stating that cameras may be placed at intersections of two or more arterials, thus addressing court challenges at the highly dangerous Five Corners intersection.

LCC wrote a letter at that time stating:

Currently, the cameras are situated on two of the arterials in compliance with state law, but because it is a multi-arterial intersection, there have been court challenges to some of the tickets issued.  It is important to clarify existing law to ensure that this type of location is covered."

About six years ago the lights were removed. A neighbor told the Laurelhurst Blog "the City took out cameras at 5 corners much to our dismay! In 2012/13 the law was changed to two arterials only."

LCC recently told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff that:

The saga of the Red Light Cameras was long and complex. Neighbor Jean Amick valiantly championed the installation of red light cameras for several years saying that neighbors want some enforcement at 5 Corners as over 400 people signed the petition. It is a dangerous intersection, and drivers were  blatantly "running the red lights", causing serious accidents.   Running the reds was rampant with no consequence.  There has never been any police enforcement at this site.  We are very anxious to pursue improved safety (again) in NE Seattle and wherever else there's a 5 way light.

With the strong support from the City of Seattle (SDOT) , the program was finally installed in 2010.

The program was a huge success, curbing drivers from crossing through red lights, and preventing many accidents.

The City of Seattle was extremely supportive as well, and it was one of the highest revenue sources from collections of the fines.

Then, a lawsuit ensued at the State level claiming (see below) that this red right camera was illegal because it managed a" 5 way" intersection, and the State statute call for it only to be at a 4 way intersection.   

The judge chose to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis of res judicata, and didn’t rule one way or the other on whether the cameras were legal (although he did say that he had some “problems” with the plaintiffs’ legal theory). 

All of our 46th District State Reps and Senator fought hard against this loophole, but there was much opposition to the overall concept of these red light cameras that the amendment by our State Representatives did not pass.

Thus, because the 5 way intersection did not meet the law, the red light cameras at 5 corners had to be removed.   

Sometimes tickets mailed to red light runner drivers were tossed out if they came from the camera company, not the City.  And the 46ths District tried to get "clarification" on camera bill to include 2 arterials, with no success. 

My records do not show the exact dates that  the Red Light  cameras were disconnected by SDOT, and then finally removed.  Most likely by the end of 2010, after the Judge ruled.  Not sure, but  might be safe to say "about 5 years ago" the Red Light cameras became inoperative. 

The red light running is again worse than ever, and it is tragic that a loophole could not be fixed to allow the law to apply to a 5  or 6 way intersection as well. 

It may be worth trying to get it re-installed with an amendment in the next legislative session as people turn over, and it may gain some traction and pass this time.  

Most likely it will not happen without action by the legislature to change the statute, as has been proposed in the past.

As far as adding cameras at other locations, that’s not an issue for the Law Department, but is a policy determination for SPD, the City Council, and the budget office to make. 

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Here is King5's story on the issue:

Investigators: Red-light cameras may issue illegal tickets

by CHRIS INGALLS / KING 5 News

Posted on February 3, 2010 at 10:16 PM

******

SEATTLE - It's just one little traffic case. But it's calling into question thousands of tickets generated by some of those red-light cameras in Seattle.

Traffic judges have declared the camera set-up illegal at a busy intersection near the University of Washington and they've tossed tickets out, but the city is still ticketing unsuspecting motorists.

NE 45th Street at Union Bay Place NE is not your typical intersection.

"What's unusual is you have cars coming from all directions at you," said Michael Stokes who routinely drives through the intersection.

The five-way intersection has a dizzying configuration of lights and signs and turn lanes. And towering over it all are camera systems on the lookout for red-light runners.

Recently they recorded  video of an eastbound car on NE 45th Street. It clearly shows the car cruising through the intersection after the light turned red. The driver got a costly ticket for $124 in the mail.

But on Monday Seattle traffic judge Francis deVilla dismissed the infraction.

He didn't respond to the KING 5 Investigators' repeated requests for an explanation.

But the City Attorney's Office says it was just informed deVilla ruled that the camera system is illegal at the intersection. The judge apparently based that decision on state law which says cameras are restricted to intersections where two arterial roads meet - your typical four-way stop.

But then, NE 45th Street at Union Bay is a five-way intersection.

The judge may have determined that one extra street means cameras cannot legally be placed here.

Gareth Kenee is one of more than 9,000 drivers that city records show got a ticket there. Like many, he didn't have time to go to court to challenge it.

"Yeah, I just paid it," Kenee said.

At $124 a ticket, this could be potentially be a million-dollar intersection for the city since it installed cameras there a year and a half ago.

We've learned legal questions were raised months ago in a lawsuit now being heard in federal court.

And  the City Attorney's Office acknowledges that Seattle traffic judge Adam Eisenberg dismissed at least one ticket at the same intersection.

So why does the city continue to issue tickets and fines at a controversial intersection?

The City Attorney's Office believes the intersection is legal and says it will likely fight all these challenges.

Meantime, the city continues to write an average of 16 tickets a day at that one intersection.

Tonight Aegis Assisted Living At Five Corners Design Review Meeting

The Northeast Design Review Board is meeting at 6:30 tonight regarding the proposed development of Aegis Living, (3200 NE 45th Street), an assisted living and memory care provider, which would be built at "Five Corners, where the former Baskin Robbins site, which closed September 2015 was located.

The Design Review is being held at the University Heights Center (5031 University Way NE) in Room 109.

The details state:

Council Land Use Action to rezone a 31,970 sq. ft. portion of land from NC2P-40' (Neighborhood Commercial 2, Pedestrian Overlay with a 40' height limit) to NC2P-55'(M) (Neighborhood Commercial 2, Pedestrian Overlay with a 55' height limit and a mandatory housing affordability suffix of (M). Project includes a 6-story structure containing 136 assisted living units with retail space at street level. Parking for 53 vehicles proposed. Existing structures to be demolished. 

Aegis Living is planning on a building a 135 unit, six story building (55-70 feet) with 53 parking stalls on a lot currently zoned for 40 feet. Permit # 3025056 will require City approval of a "contract re-zone" to build as requested. 

An NEDC (Northeast District Council) Board member said "Of note is that newly approved higher heights can later be used to justify higher heights for future nearby buildings. This site is a 5-way intersection which had a "red light" camera which recorded 6,000 violations by SDOT in 2009 while it was operative.  A sight line should be retained for the traffic traveling south on NE 55th Street and 35th Avenue NE."

The new facility would be five levels over a parking garage with 2500 square feet of retail on the first floor which would house a salon and cafe, according to the design proposal submitted in July 2016.

Bryon Ziegler, Director of Development and Entitlements for Áegis Senior Communities, told the Blog Staff last March, that "other possibilities include an ice cream bar, community room, outdoor plaza and salon."

Bryon said that they are anticipating permits in late 2019 and the construction period is likely 20-24 months with the first resident move-in’s the fall of 2021. Aegis anticipates approximately 80% of the residents will come from the local neighborhoods. 

The assemblage of parcels includes 3200 and 3232 NE 45^th Street and 3215 NE 45^th Place. There are two buildings, but three parcels.  The existing large billboard will be eliminated and the historic clock, below the billboard, will remain. 

Businesses  that will be affected are: Diane’s Alterations, Lakeview Vision Clinic, Edward Jones, Farmers Insurance, Uncle Lee’s, University Tutoring, Felipa’s Consignment and Rules Salon. 

Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) wrote in a newsletter, earlier this year:

LCC Comments on Aegis Design Plan 

LCC wrote to Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections in support of the proposed Aegis senior care facility at Five Corners and  its local approach to senior living.  

LCC offered comments on the architectural style and building design, massing and scale to adjacent structures, and zoning. LCC has appreciated Aegis’s outreach process for involving the neighborhood in the design process.  

Aegis’s large assisted living and memory care facility site is the triangular lot at the Five Corners intersection of NE 45th Street and NE 45th Place. The location of this facility is at the gateway to residential communities, and its look and size will have direct impacts on the neighborhood.  

The tentatively approved concept is Massing Concept Option #3, which features a garden patio cut out along NE 45th Street and a memory garden at the back of the building along the Burke Gilman Trail. The proposed architectural character for this site borrows features from the historic Tudor and Craftsman styles found in adjacent Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods.  

LCC very much supports this design effort from Aegis as their building will be a prominent structure with significant visual impact. The facades and materials and overall style appear very compatible with the quality of its surrounding architecture.  

Despite the codes’ allowance for the averaging of the buildable heights within a sloped lot, the 72-foot height requested in the plans starts straight up from the pedestrian level intersection and is out of scale to surrounding small businesses and nearby single-family residences.  

The requested building height also will block view lines of Mt. Rainier for some adjacent residents from the north and east, as well as create more shading along the Burke-Gilman Trail. LCC recommends that the building be lowered by at least 12 to 15 feet. LCC is supportive of Aegis’ re-configuration of the new crosswalk and improved public safety; however, LCC recommends retaining a 30-foot setback for the project, not the 21-foot requested setback. The loss of site lines due to a shallower setback could be detrimental at this dangerous intersection.  

The garden patio feature for pedestrians with access to the cafe is welcoming landscape along NE 45th Street. LCC would like to see a roof-top garden feature incorporated in the design. This outdoor space with views of Mt. Rainier could be used for activities by patients, families, and Aegis staff. While LCC supports this project, it requests that the issues outlined be addressed further and resolved in the design approval process before approval for construction. 

And here are Laurelhurst Community Club's (LCC) condensed comments on the Aegis development: project submitted to the City:

Architectural Design characteristics

A. Design

The samples shown in the proposal by the architects for this Aegis location, appears to borrow features from both the historic Tudor and Craftsman's styles found in the adjacent Bryant and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. The location of the proposed facility at the Five Corners is truly a "gateway" building that should reflect some of the architectural features. 

LCC strongly encourages this type of quality in the overarching style of the new facility, similar to the Aegis in Queen Anne at Rogers Park be used as a prototype. Conversely, the Aegis on Madison Street, is not as appealing with too much tall massing-wedged into its triangular lot. The Bellevue Aegis facility is also lacking much design character at all, and falls short of a "gateway" style and quality.  LCC requests that SDCI require an actual sample of type of materials that will be used, and provide a more fully developed design from Aegis Senior Communities LLC before permit approval. This can include exterior facades, window types, paint colors and lighting as key design components.

B Parking Requirements

Because the senior living facilities are very labor intensive, the underground parking in all of the alternatives is essential. The Five Corners location has professional offices across the street, and NE 45th Place in the residential streets behind it in the Bryant neighborhood are already impacted by parking from the staff and patients "spill over" parking every day. In addition, there will be facility visitors, patient support and delivery vehicles at that congested triangle. Aegis must provide at least 65-70 of its own dedicated parking stalls to enable the facility to operate, and allow for some overlap at the "shift change". The main employee shifts operate at 6:00am-2:00pm, and then 2:00-10:00pm so that employees must arrive in the dark by 5:50 am. It is unrealistic to project that many of the staff will be riding their bikes in the dark at 5:15-5:45 am (especially since many employees are statistically noted as female), or, would ride home on their bike in the dark when the second shift ends at 10:00pm.

Transit options are also very limited at the early morning, and late evening hours, and Aegis has not offered any shuttle service. Thus, many workers will be SOV users, and it needs to provide parking for them in all alternatives. Aegis may want to partner with Seattle Children's Hospital to pay to share their shuttles at least to the Light Rail facility.

Visitors to patients will also need some transient parking places which should be allocated in the Aegis parking stall plans, based upon their historical projections. (see below concerns about the parking stalls submitted)

The commercial stores offered at the facility will likely need a few parking places in addition to being available for pedestrians, and bikers although it is most likely used by visitors, residents and staff.

C. Traffic and Circulation

While SDOT  will have its own regulations and recommendations about the proposed new facility, LCC offers its comments: 

Traffic

• The Five Corners intersection is one of the busiest in Seattle, and THE busiest in NE Seattle. In fact when the "red light" cameras were operative at that intersection for several years, the City of Seattle reported that it had the highest number of infractions recorded and fined.
• When the driveway is located along NE 45th Place, it is critical that it is far enough away from the center of that intersection to avoid backups and potential collisions.
• In addition, trees and vegetation along both NE 45th St and NE 45th Place should be set back to maintain safe sight lines for oncoming traffic, and pedestrian crossings.
• Circulation for vehicles and underground parking stalls should be open, and without barriers  to smooth entry. Aegis should work with SDOT and SDCI to be certain that curb cuts to the drop off circle, delivery driveway and into the underground parking  lot are wide enough, to prevent backups which could occur as vehicles enter their primary driveway off NE 45th Place.

D. Community Outreach

The Laurelhurst Community Club appreciates the outreach stated in the Aegis plan to host community use of their facility.  Because Aegis will likely have some former residents of the adjacent neighborhoods, it would be a positive and inclusive use of the facility to keep its residents involved with their friends and family.

Thank you for considering the comments of the Laurelhurst Community Club, and we know that the City of Seattle will consider the impacts of the development of such a large institution in such a small footprint. LCC is supportive of this type of facility, and wants to contribute as a party of record to make it a good fit and a successful facility in the neighborhood.

For more information go here.

Another retirement home is also under review for 4020 NE 55th Street, where the Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Hospital is currently located, across the street from Metropolitan Market. The proposal, Permit #3025827, includes 3 stories of approximately 73 units with 3,100 square feet of commercial space and parking for approximately 30 vehicles located below grade. The existing structure would be demolished. The architect has proposed 3 different alternatives which can be seen here.