City Changes Standing Advisory Committee Name

 

The Department of Neighborhoods recently sent out this information:

Earlier last year, the City Council passed Ordinance 126685, which made several technical corrections and clarifications to the City’s land use regulations (Titles 23 and 25 of the Seattle Municipal Code).  The legislation recently went into effect and includes some minor adjustments to the City’s Major Institution Advisory Committee process.  Namely, “Citizens’ Advisory Committees (CAC)” will now be known as “Development Advisory Committees” and “Standing Advisory Committees (SAC)” will now be known as “Implementation Advisory Committees.”  

These changes were made to clarify and better reflect the functions of these committees.  The committees’ role, authority and scope of work remains unchanged.   

To review a copy of Ordinance 126685, see SDCI 2021 Omnibus (legistar.com). 

If you have questions about the changes, please reach out to  (nelson.pesigan@seattle.gov) or Dipti Garg (dipti.garg@seattle.gov).

 

A SAC (Standing Advisory Committee)  meets several times a year to advise the City on the Master Plan development for Children's Hospital. The last meeting was March 2022 and was the 29th meeting held since the committee was formed by the City.

Tonight Important Hospital Construction Meeting to Impact North Laurelhurst

 

Tonight, from 6-8pm, the community is invited to attend the 28th meeting in the series of Children Hospital Meetings with the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee) to hear about specific plans for the next phase of development, "Copper Project" - a surgery pavilion and parking garage at the north end of Laurelhurst, in the area of 45th Avenue NE and NE 50th Streets.

The two new proposed 37 foot tall buildings, connected by a bridge span, will be viewable by those living in that area, according to images prepared by the Hospital's contracted design firm. Parking for 1,138 vehicles is also proposed.

The buildings and a new road will be situated close to the perimeter of the Hospital and residential boundaries. As neighbors have expressed in over 100 pages of comments submitted to the City, there will be significant  and permanent impacts affecting the livability of the neighborhood.

The public is invited to give comments at 7pm on Wednesday. Sign-up here up until 2 hours before the start of the meeting.  Written comments can be submitted anytime, but in ample time to give the SAC adequate time to review. Send comments to nelson.pesigan@seattle.gov.

Here are the meeting materials:

• WebEx Meeting Link.  Dial-in/Access Code: 408-418-9388 / 2496 477 2633
• Here is where public comments are posted
• Here is the 2020 Annual Report
• MUP Public Comment (submitted 2/2/21 according to DON (Dept of Neighborhoods)
• Phase 3 MIMP/Forest C
• SAC Meeting Notice/Agenda
• Seattle Children's Annual Report Presentation

Here is the agenda:

• Welcome /Introductions of SAC members 
• 9/21 Meeting Summary
• SAC roles/responsibilities
• Phase 3 MUP - Forest Project Overview
• 7pm - Public Comment 
• Election of new Chairperson 
• Adjournment and scheduling of next meeting 

The Children's Hospital SAC meeting that was supposed to take place on July 13th was  postponed, as was the December 2020 one, for similar reasons.. 

The meeting reportedly ran into several difficulties and a motion was made to stop the meeting immediately. First, the City's Department of Neighborhoods did not send out the presentation slide deck until the morning of the meeting, giving SAC members very little time to review the slides to be prepared for the meeting. The general timeframe is supposed to be at least one week.

Second, SAC members communicated that the 2020 MIMP Annual Report had many inconsistencies and inaccuracies and it was requested that they be corrected for the next meeting.

However, it has been reported that many of the inconsistencies have still not been corrected in the MIMP report, for the Wednesday meeting. 

Nelson told the Laurelhurst Blog "The Annual Report that is posted is the document that DON received from Children’s on 2/2/2021."

It is also a concern that the slide show presentation and MIMP report will not match and the MIMP is what is on file for the public to view. 

Neighbors have communicated that it is mandatory that the Hospital prove that the MIMP Report has been amended so that it is consistent with the slides.

The SAC expressed in prior meetings that it cannot accurately review the ongoing progress made in meeting the conditions of the Master Plan and approving it if the 2020 MIMP Report is inaccurate and the Hospital falsely claiming that they have met the Conditions.  

Reported inaccuracies of 2020 MIMP:

• Condition 15 not met as stated: “Children’s Complied with [City Council Condition 15].” (2020 MIMP Report, paragraph 15, PDF page 13):

Children’s shall create and maintain a Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) to review and comment on all proposed and potential projects prior to submission of their respective Master Use Permit applications. The SAC shall use the Design Guidance Guidelines for their evaluation.

• The SAC is to review and comment and advise the City and Children’s Hospital on the development that is occurring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan before Children’s submits its MUP application to the City.
• Children’s submitted its Master Use Permit for Project Copper on July 7, 2020. Since the first SAC meeting for Project Copper was held on August 31, 2020, the Hospital did not meet with the SAC prior to submitting its Master Use Permit.
• The MUP states: “Seattle Children's submitted a Master Use Permit application for SDCI review on July 7, 2020" – this should be removed as it seems there is no pending application at the City. [2020 MIMP Report, PDF page 3]
• The Hospital withdrew its July 2020 Master Use Permit application and was to start and submit a new permit. However the MIMP report states (page 3): “Seattle Children's submitted a Master Use Permit application for SDCI review on July 7, 2020" which is reportedly not accurate and appears as if it needs to be removed from the report, as at this time there is no pending application.
• The report incorrectly states that the next phase of construction was presented to the SAC on June 25 of last year, including showing a design presentation. However the SAC did not meet on that date. Maureen Sheehan, with DON, sent email with a YouTube link with the design presentation, however that is not the same as a formal SAC meeting. Maureen did not state that the YouTube was to be a substitute for the meeting or notify the SAC of the short response timeframe.
• There was no notice in the email or video that the Hospital was going to submit Project Copper to SDCI before a SAC meeting took place. And the SAC was given very short notice in which to review the document.
• No notice was given to the SAC that the Youtube video was supposed to take the place of a SAC meeting. To the contrary, the July 1 email states “We are planning to hold the first in a series of on-line Standing Advisory Committee meetings to receive a detailed project presentation and review and comment on Project Copper later this Summer.”
• The meeting presentations states “Surgical Capacity Expansion: Project Copper – MUP paused.” However, the 2020 MIMP Report describes the project in detail and suggest that Project Copper is ongoing. [2020 MIMP Report, PDF page 3]
• It is not clear when Children’s issued its 2020 Annual Report. The Report indicates that Project Copper is going forward when, in fact, Children’s had withdrawn its MUP application. There needs an additional update to the MIMP report that in fact, Children’s has withdrawn its MUP application for Project Copper.

    

Neighbors, in addition, expresses these concerns:

• The Hospital is not following the correct sequence, in which the major institution formulates the proposed plan, then presents them, including the designs to the SAC, who review and make changes and then send it to Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI ) who review it and send it back again to the SAC for any additioal changes.
• Hospital's process was out of order: In July, Children's Hospital went directly to SDCI and submitted their  permit which was  different than what was approved in the Major Institution Master Plan. Then the Hospital scheduled an  August meeting. However, during this time, SDCI  begun to work on the project. The City put up the notification boards up around the perimeter of the property which included the comment deadline. However neighbors reported that the documents regarding the proposed development were not even on-line yet in time to be able review and submit comments
• Neighbors also submitted comments on the Hospital's non-compliance stating that the Hospital is not following the approved standard process and that that the Hospital was trying to get approval from the City when they were supposed to first have the SAC's input whose role it is to review the development plans and makes changes. 
• One neighbor, David Yuan, sent a letter to the Director of the Department of Construction and Inspection, Nathan Torgelson, which stated, in part, that the process appeared to be faulty because the SAC had not been given the opportunity to review and comment on Children’s potential project before Children’s submitted its Major Institution Master Plan. (MUP) application to the City. This is the legal requirement of Condition 15 of the Seattle City Council decision that has not been followed.
• Concern that the Hospital's proposed development different is very different that what was approved in 2010 in the MIMP, in which the Seattle City Council approved the 20-year growth Master Plan for Children’s Hospital. The process to come to the approval included several years of Citizen Advisory Committee Meetings, multiple meetings between the hospital and LCC (Laurelhurst Community Club.) The City Council adopted the two parties Settlement Agreement some of which include: reduced square footage, no expansion of Hospital boundaries across Sand Point Way, 50 year restriction on expansion into residential areas,  height restrictions of no more than 20 percent of the campus land area over 90 feet and no more than 10 percent over 125 feet and no structure above 140 feet in height. The full Settlement Agreement is here.

Go here for more information or contact Nelson.Pesigan@seattle.gov.

Tomorrow Children's Hospital Next Phase Of Development Update

Tomorrow night from 6-8pm, the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee), made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods, will hold its 21st meeting in the Ocean Café of the hospital.

The SAC advises the City and Children’s Hospital on issues related to the design and construction of new buildings and other projects under the City approved Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

Agenda items include:

• New member introductions
• 2017 MIMP Annual Report
• Forest B Update (new 8-story building to be built over next 2 years)

Public comment will be at 7:05pm. All SAC meetings are open to the public. Those interested in any of the topics on the agenda are encouraged to attend.

Tonight Learn About Hospital's Plans For New 8-story Building To Be Constructed Over Two Years



Tonight from 6-8pm, the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee), made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods, will hold its 19th meeting in the Ocean Café  of the hospital. 

The SAC advises the City and Children’s Hospital on issues related to the design and construction of new buildings and other projects under the City approved Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

The main agenda item tonight is a presentation of plans for the new Building, named Forest B, of which construction will start next summer for about 2 years. 

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Public comment will be at 7pm. All SAC meetings are open to the public. 

Forest B will be located on the existing surface parking lot near the Emergency Room, at an angle to Building Hope, the newest structure.

Some options of design will be shared tonight.  The renderings and a site plan will be published shortly after on the Hospital Construction website.

The hospital is planning to submit a MUP application next month, then the SAC committee will review and discuss the information, discuss design guidelines and conditions and subsequently present those to the Seattle Department of Constructions and Inspections (SDCI).   Planning is scheduled to start in October, followed by a schedule of permitting deadlines. The scheduled opening of the new building is planned for the summer of 2021.
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Todd Johnson, Children's Hospital Vice President, Facilities and Supply Chain, told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff:

Forest B will be approximately 300,000 square feet (about the size of Forest A) and eight stories tall, within approved Major Institution Master Plan guidelines. During construction, we may add a temporary construction driveway on Sand Point Way.  Construction will generally be five days a week and there will be activity after hours. 

Forest B will be a diagnostic and therapeutic building designed to support the sickest children in our region and will also be home to 20 new cancer care beds (only new beds in the project) on the top floor under an approved certificate of need to the State of Washington (a formal process to gain approval for additional beds).  

The new building will also have a new outpatient clinic space for cancer and cardiac care; a new infusion center; new large, state-of-the-art operating rooms and support spaces; a clinical laboratory and inpatient pharmacy and a work space for physicians and others caring for patients in the building.   

There will be approximately 300 underground parking spaces.  The Hospital shuttles will move to the north end of the site.  The circulation of shuttles, bicycles, pedestrians and cars will be better separated.   

We will make deliberate connections to the bus stops and Burke Gilman Trail crosswalk.  We are working with Transpo Group to better understand how to optimize the flow of traffic on and around our campus.

There will be a landscaped plaza and circulation area in front of the new building.  Existing landscaping around the construction site will be preserved and/or replaced and enhanced. 

We intend to utilize the existing entrances/exits on 40^th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way and will continue to use the Penney Drive entrance as the primary means for entering and exiting.  The Phil Smart Way connector will remain in place. 

The hospital determined it needed additional facilities based on growing patient volumes, innovation-driven program growth (in areas such as immunotherapy and neurosciences), and the functional obsolescence of some of the oldest buildings on campus.  

We expect a certificate of occupancy in mid-2021.  We then will then commission building systems, clean, install furnishings and equipment, and complete staff training.  We should be ready to care for patients in late 2021 or early 2022.

Additionally, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published in a newsletter that the helistop will move to Building Hope temporarily and later will be located on the roof of the Forest B Building. And the Hartman Building, the brick one-story building, located directly across from the Hospital, will become an outpatient diabetic care facility with construction starting in early 2018 and completion in 2020-21. 

The Hospital currently has 373 beds, of which most of are being renovated and changed into new NICU beds.  When Forest B is complete, the Hospital will have a total of beds.

Updates On Center for Spiritual Living, Talaris and Apartments at 40th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street On Monday's Hospital Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda

Monday night from 6-8pm, the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee), made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods, will hold its 18th meeting in the Ocean Café on the 7th floor (Ocean entrance) of the hospital. 

The SAC advises the City and Children’s Hospital on issues related to the design and construction of new buildings and other projects under the City approved Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

 

Agenda items are:

• Updates on: Center for Spiritual Living, Talaris and Apartments at 40th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street
• MIMP Conditions
• MIMP Annual Report
• EIS Addendum Process and what will be analyzed
• SAC role in design review process
• MUP Package review

Public comment will be at 7:35pm.

 

All SAC meetings are open to the public. Those interested in any of the topics on the agenda are encouraged to attend.

New Proposed Hospital Entrance On Narrow 40th Avenue NE Draws Serious Safety And Traffic Flow Concerns

Last month, the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee), made up of representatives of Children’s  and Hospital and City representatives held a meeting on  issues related to the design and construction of new buildings and other projects under the City approved Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

The meeting focused on the design of upcoming construction of the 293,000 sq.ft building, named the Forest B Building, which will be located on the existing surface parking lot at an angle to Building Hope, recently completed. 

The front entrance will be on the narrower street, 40th Avenue NE instead of Sand Point Way, of which SAC members brought up their concerns.

Three floors of parking (241 stalls) will be added under the new building. The helistop will move to Building Hope temporarily and then to the roof of the new building.

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

New Children’s Hospital’s  Parking and Entrance Proposals

Seattle Children’s Hospital’s proposed Forest Building B, slated for construction 2017-2019, will add 293,000 square feet. This is allowable under their current Major Institution Master Plan and its phasing.

However, plans for a new underground garage and a shift of the hospital’s main entrance, both accessed from 40th Avenue NE, present serious concerns. Page 10 of the Design Guidelines under “Parking and Vehicle Access,” addresses entrances in the MIMP.

Neighbors and the Standing Advisory Committee already have noted that relocating the main entrance from Sand Point Way to 40th Avenue NE is of major concern. Backups already occur both on this short street and at the NE 45th Street stop light when buses and shuttles turn in either direction off/onto 40th Avenue NE. This street often queues up throughout the day, and can require several light cycles to crossing through it.

SCH Phase 2 proposes to add more cars from the new parking garage entrance/exit, exacerbating the existing tight conditions. In addition to patient drop offs, extra delivery trucks will supply the relocated cafeteria.

All of these new entrances/exits for additional functions would impact the capacity and efficiency of 40th Avenue NE for all other users. This street was originally designed as a residential street along the now-demolished Laurelon Terrace condominiums.

40th Avenue NE has a capacity about the length of 12 vehicles. It is already heavily used by SCH for access to: the main Emergency entrance for patients and ambulances, an ED parking lot, primary truck deliveries, and the SCH employee shuttle system.

Sandwiched between Sand Point Way NE and NE 45th Street., 40th Avenue NE, is a main access street to Laurelhurst Elementary and Villa Academy students, staff, and faculty. This short street also serves the residential neighborhood as a major crossing to the Fire Station on 40th Avenue NE /NE 55th Street, access to the northeast businesses (such as the Metropolitan Market), and is controlled by a long stoplight.

The corner intersections are also very dangerous points for pedestrians and bicyclists. Vehicular traffic is coming fast down the steep NE 45th St. hill, as well as along 40th Avenue NE off Sand Point Way NE.

LCC had voiced concerns about the safety of the intersection of 40th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street before the Master Plan was approved. LCC had met with both SDOT and SCH to discuss the intersection in the planning process of the first phase.

LCC’s Settlement Agreement with SCH (before the Major Institution Master Plan) required SCH to avoid excess use of 40th Avenue NE.

Looking from a wider perspective, LCC is concerned about the cumulative effects of traffic volume and congestion on the neighborhood’s transportation needs and its access to major roads and highways. The neighborhood is essentially surrounded by Sand Point Way NE / NE 45th Street and Montlake Boulevard. The ability to move along these routes is essential.

Those additional impacts on transportation include:

• The University of Washington’s 20-year expansion plan of 12.9 million new square feet. Student/faculty/staff are expected to increase by 20 percent over the next 20 years.
• The University District Upzone, which could triple the U-District population over the next 20 years.
• The planned University Village expansion, which will bring increased numbers of shoppers and diners to an already busy area.

All of this projected growth will have a cumulative effect on traffic through Montlake Boulevard, Pacific Avenue, 25th Avenue NE, NE 45th Street, Sand Point Way, and the surrounding streets. 

LCC wants a new, comprehensive traffic study – including all of the projected growth along this corridor over the next 10 to 20 years – conducted by Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Department of Transportation. The study should be done as soon as possible so that new data are available before considering the addition of more vehicular traffic on 40th Avenue NE, as proposed.

To support the new services offered by SCH in Phase 2, better transportation access for patients, families, medical professionals, and staff need to be addressed, along with the requirement to preserve access for adjacent neighborhoods and local businesses in Laurelhurst and Bryant.

Seattle Children’s Hospital will present its plan to the Laurelhurst Community in January. Details of the meeting date and time will be announced in the Laurelhurst Blog and through LCC’s Constant Contact network.

To comment now on SCH Phase 2 plans or impact concerns, please email: todd.johnson@seattlechlidrens.org, with a cc to schcomments@gmail.com. 

Tonight Children's Hospital Advisory Committee Public Meeting



Tonight from 6-8pm, the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee), made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods, which advises the City and Children’s Hospital on development that is occuring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan, will hold its 14th meeting in the Ocean Cafe on the 7th floor of the hospital from 6-8pm. 

Public comment will be at 7:35pm.

Agenda items are:

• Chair & Vice-Chair Nominations
• Main Campus Project Updates
• Transportation – bike/ped upgrades
• Infrastructure
• Five-year strategic plan
• Timeline for SAC review of proposed development Children’s

All SAC meetings are open to the public. Those interested in any of the topics on the agenda are encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Maureen Sheehan at 206-684-0302 or Maureen.sheehan@seattle.gov. 

Children's Hospital Development Public Meeting Tonight

  

Tonight from 6-8pm, the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee) made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods that advises the City and Children’s Hospital on development that is occuring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan, will hold its 12th meeting in the Ocean Cafe on the 7th floor of the hospital. 

Public comment will be at 7:15pm.

Here is the agenda:

• Opening and introductions
• Housekeeping
• Update on the 2013 Annual Report
• Project Updates (as needed)
• Public Comments
• New Business
• Adjournment

Hospital Standing Advisory Committee Meeting Tonight, Public Invited

The Seattle Childrens Hospital Standing Advisory Committee is holding its ninth meeting tonight from 6-8pm (in the Sound Cafe- Whale Zone, 5th floor) in conjunction with Children's Hospital Staff and the Department of Neighborhoods.

The public is invited to listen and to give feedback specifically at 7:55pm.

The SAC is made up of representatives fromthe Hospital staff, residents from various neighborhoods near and far and the group advises the City and Children’s Hospital on the development that is occurring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

The agenda is:

• Housekeeping - Approval of Agenda/Minutes for Meeting (Committee)
• Committee Distribution and Master Plan Annual Report and SDOT Submissions (Children’s Staff and Consultants)
• Project Updates - Phase 1 Construction/40th & SPW Signalization/Replacement Housing/Emergency Department Planning (Children’s Staff and Consultants)
• Report on Ambulatory Care Needs (Children’s Staff and Consultants)

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Important Updates From Hospital Advisory Committee Meeting Last Night

The Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) held their eighth meeting last night. 

A new large model of the Phase 1 buildings was displayed and is pictured above.

The informational meeting covered the following topics:

• review of progress on Phase One Construction
• review of building exterior models and interior renderings
• update on Livable Streets Initiative and recent SDOT workshops
• general updates on the 40th and Sand Point Way Signalization Project
• update on replacement housing

Here are the specifics discussed on each topic:

Update on specifics of interior and exterior of Phase 1 buildings:  presented by representative from Sellen construction and ZGF architectural firm

• facade of the hospital will be shingled stone creating a texture.  For later phases the color can be easily matched or changed
• "fins" (vertical colored plates of glass) will be put on the facade in strategic positions to screen the natural light going into the patient rooms as well as serving as a decorative elments. They will be  fritted or textured with transparent colored patterns and are attached to each window. The effect creates a vertical play of softer muted colors as opposed to bright primary colors often used for other pediatric hospitals.  
• sun shades will be near the tops of the buildings to minimize heat going into the rooms
• primary colors, predominantly used for hospitals, will be muted for Phase 1 buildings for exterior
• patient rooms will use primary colors and have fold out sofas for space for 2 to sleep and also a rocking chair slider
• patient rooms will be 342 square feet, about the size of a smaller hotel room
• rooftop gardens will be a "donor opportunity"
• facade has a vertical diagonal line created by the stone and the architect commented  that this adds "a playful character to the building" and will be in contrast to Phase 2 buildings that will be more of a block shape
• Phase 1 to be completed in Febrary 2013

Tower Crane: presented by Todd Johnson, Hospital's Vice-President of Facilities

• has 3 red lights and a flag
• goes over no private property and just swings out on 40th Avenue NE
• doesn't carry load on the street or above the hospital
• emergency helicopter pilots briefed on location of crane
• green stripes were placed on the nw corner of the tower crane and that signifies eventually the top of the mechanical penthouse

Livable Streets Initiative: presented by  Pablo Nunes-Ueno, Hospital's Director of Transportation

• goal to "create projects to improve safety, health, flow of transportation and livability around hospital"
• recent two workshops drew 300 people and 100 ideas. Hospital narrowed it down to 9 ideas, then the City narrowed it down to 6. The City will evaluate the ideas over the summer including how much each costs
• One proposed project as required traffic mitigation, but not part of the Initiative, is the building the ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems), which will detect real time traffic information and display the information on electronic signs.  Drivers will be able to see how long it might take to reach 520 through Montlake or going on NE 45th Street so as to let drivers choose alternate routes.  Automated signs will also show when Montlake Cut Bridge will open to boats.
• ITS will optimize signal coordination with all the stoplights along Sand Point Way to the Hospital to help move vehicles most efficiently through the intersections
• the Hospital will pay up to $500,000 to build the ITS
• "Projects came out of the community and were born of the SAC meetings and we feel proud we can deliver by 2012"

Some Livable Street Proposed Projects:

• "Greenway" (residential street that is improved to make all feel comfortable walking biking or playing) on 39th Avenue
• Sidewalk and intersection redesign at NE 50th Street and 40th Avenue Ne
• ADA accessible connection at 36th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way and also Burke-Gilman Trail and 45th Avenue NE)
• Pedestrian Crossing Signal at NE 52nd and Sand Point Way. A "Greenway" up Windermere Circle, across NE 50th and connects to Laurelhurst Playfield.
• Crosswalks and curb bulbs at NE 45th Street from 40th Avenue Ne to 47th Avenue NE

40th Avenue NE Signalization Project: presented by Transpo Group, a traffic engineering and consulting firm

• pedestriarn crossings across Sand Point will be shorter as they will be across a straight line instead of diagonally as they are now
• there will be pedestrian islands for crossings on 40th Ave NE 
• crossings will be 30 feet shorter (currently 100 feet and with new crossings will be 60 feet)
• "We're excited to have come up with something different that fits a lot with what we have heard from the community. And we are excited about the outcome of the conceptual phase and open house workshops."
• improved transit accessibility
• improved crossings -  further detailed designs are in the works that may separate pedestrians and cyclists
• Design work will be completed in 2012 then will take about a year to build, just about the same time Phase 1 of the Hospital will be completed
• Two bus hubs to be installed on either side of Sand Point way

Replacement Housing: presented by Todd Johnson

Children's is obligated under the MIMP to replace 136 Laurelon Condomimium unites that were demolished, having the same configuration (1-3 bedrooms) and quality and not using City funds

• Children's looked at land near Northgate transit center, Roosevelt, Magnuson Park and the University District
• To be located at 11th Avenue NE and Roosevelt and between NE 45th Street and NE 46th Street.
• It is land acquired by the UW when they bought Safeco - currently it is surface parking
• Will be 200 units total
• New housing to be located will be benefit staff of the Hospital and UW as they will work in collaboration to provide the new housing as workforce housing "to help retain top health care professionals and also as a way to recruit"
• Units will be first offered to hospital and UW staff and they will given 5 day window to sign up. Remaining units will be offered to the public
• Put in covenant in agreement that will guarantee affordability
• Several SAC members asked how this replacement housing is equitable in serving the same population as those who were at Laurelon if the units are primarily serving hospital and UW staff
• "Housing should be comparable to Laurelon and serve the same population." one SAC member said.

For information on the Master Plan go here. 

To keep updated on the construction go here. 

For questions about the construction, call 206-987-6197 or email construction@seattlechildrens.org.

 

Hospital's Standing Advisory Committee Meeting Tomorrow

Seattle Children’s Hospital Major Institutions Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) is holding its eigth meeting tomorrow from 6-8:30pm., in the Sound Café on the 5th Floor in the Whale Zone of the Hospital.

The agenda includes:

• Review of progress on Phase One Construction, review of building exterior models and interior renderings
• Update on Livable Streets Initiative and recent SDOT workshops
• General updates on the 40th and Sand Point Way Signalization Project 
• Update on Replacement Housing
• Public comment at 7:30pm

Children’s Hospital and the City of Seattle maintain a Standing Advisory Committee made up of representatives from Children’s Hospital, and surrounding communities to advise the City and Children’s Hospital on development that is and will be occuring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

For more information, contact Steve Sheppard at 206-684-0302 or steve.sheppard@seattle.gov from the Department of Neighborhoods.

  

Seattle Children Hospital's Livable Street Initiative on NEDC Agenda Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow night starting at 7pm is the February Northeast District Council meeting.

Included on the agenda, will be a presentation at 8:10pm on the Children's Hospital Livable Streets Initiative.  The community is welcome to attend with comment and questions.

Through the initiative, Seattle Children's Hospital has "committed to spend nearly $4 million on transportation improvements in NE Seattle as part of the Major Institution Master Plan," the website says.

At the last SAC (Standing Advisory Committee Meeting) a few weeks ago several members of the  committee who have been working on the project gave an update on the Initiative:

•The initiative is a 20 year plan for improving bike/pedestrian connectivity throughout Northeast Seattle.

•The report compiled information on projects from six different transportation studies plus hundreds of public comments from the Livable Streets Workshop.

•The workshop, held last November, drew more than 300 participate from various NE Seattle neighborhoods

•Participants made suggestions for street, trail and sidewalk improvements, including ideas to improve transportation and connectivity in the neighborhoods. \

•Some of the projects outlined are: creating Green Streets (quiet, pedestrian/bike friendly street yet still open to vehicles), improving trail access, crossings on Sand Point Way, building sidewalks and adding crosswalks.

•The final Livable Streets report prioritizes the improvements based on SDOT criteria and workshop comments.

•There is wide support for getting the projects completed - 20 different neighborhood clubs and organizations co-sponsored the workshop event.

•The final Livable Streets Report is not yet posted electronically. Email LivableStreets@SeattleChildrens.org to request a copy.


(photo courtesy of Hospital website)

Children's Hospital Development SAC Meeting Tomorrow Night

Children’s Hospital and the City have put together the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee) made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital and surrounding neighborhoods to advise the City and Children’s Hospital on development that is occuring under the provisions of the Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

Tomorrow night at 6pm in the Sound Cafe (5th Floor Whale Zone at Children's Hospital the SAC will hold it's 6th meeting.

The main focus of the meeting will be on the development of the SAC’s comments regarding the helistop master use permit. The SAC had delayed comments pending the issuance of the EIS addendum on relocation of the helistop. The addendum has now been issued and the SAC will resume discussions and develop its comments. Public comment period has been extended until February 3rd.

Here is the agenda in the order the items will follow:

• Brief update on the construction management plan by Todd Johnson of Children's and two others from Sellen Construction.
• Presention on livable streets presented by Pablo Nunes-Ueno with Children's.
• City of Seattle DPD presentation on the addendum to the final EIS regarding relocation of the existing helistop
• Committee clarifying questions and answers
• 7pm: Public comment
• SAC discussion of possible comments to Children’s the possible helistop MUP
• 8:30 adjourn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children's Hospital Unveils New Temporary Location for Helipad

Children’s Hospital presented a new proposed site for the helistop at the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee) meeting on Thursday of last week.

Children’s agreed to study alternative sites and came up with the new proposal based on SAC comments at a previous meeting, that raised concerns about the rooftop location originally proposed atop a building very near NE 45th Street and about 300 feet away from residences.

Children’s model showed a raised helipad on the ground in the front entry area of the hospital, with a path leading directly to the new ER. Patients would be transported to the main elevator (the same roof elevator) and go down one floor directly to the ER or, depending on their needs, to the floor providing the necessary emergency treatment.

Children’s estimates that the travel distance to emergency services is the same for both the roof and ground locations.

The new proposed ground location is still near the site originally approved on the MIMP.

The new proposed site would be temporary, about 2 years according, or until possible future phases of development begin.

If the next phase is built, the helipad would be temporarily moved back to the rooftop near NE 45th Street during construction and then permanently located to the roof of the new centrally located diagnostic and treatment building which was the originally proposed helistop location.

More detailed studies will be conducted as Children’s prepares their MUP application. These studies will include noise, wind turbulence and other impacts.

There will be a public comment period when Children’s submits their MUP application.

The Master Plan is located here.

Hospital Expansion Meeting Tomorrow Night - Discussion on Helistop

The SAC (Standing Advisory Comittee) will have its sixth meeting tomorrow night from 6:30-9pm in the Sound Cafe on the 5th floor in the Whale Zone.

The meeting will focus on the Helistop (helicopter pad) and the proposal to move it 250 to 300 feet closer to residences on and around NE 45th Street.

The Citizens  Advisory Committee (CAC) was reconstituted by Children’s Hospital and the City of Seattle as the SAC and is made up of representatives of Children’s Hospital, and surrounding communities. 
 
It advises the City and Children’s Hospital on development that will be starting soon under the provisions of the new Children’s Hospital Major Institution Master Plan.

The meeting will start with a presentation by Children's on the helistop MUP application followed by public comment at 7:30pm.

After the break, the committee will have a discussion of possible comments regarding the helistop MUP to submit to Children's.

Next Hospital Exansion SAC Meeting on Wednesday

Wednesday at 6pm is the fifth meeting of the SAC (Standing Advisory Committee), the city appointed Committee overseeing the upcoming expansion of Seattle Children's Hospital.

The agenda will include discussion of the Committee comments to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) concerning  the  Children’s Phase 1 Master Use Permit (MUP) Final EIS Addendum.

There will be an opportunity for public comments at 6:50pm prior to the committee’s consideration of its comments.

Here is the agenda:

6:25
Addendum to the Final EIS for the Proposed Phase 1 Expansion
a. Brief overview of the document - CIty Staff or Consultant
b. Scope of Review - CIty Staff or Consultant
c. Committee Member clarifying questions

6:50 
Public Comments

7:20
Break

7:30
Committee Development of its possible comment letter

8:15
General Updates - Todd Johnson, Hospital


The meeting will take place in the Sound Cafe on the fifth floor of the Whale Building.

New Model of Hospital Expansion To Be On Display And SAC Meeting On Monday

Children's Hospital will be having an open house tomorrow from 10-12 at the Laurelhurst Community Center, for the public to view the conceptual model of the proposed Phase I development, which is expected to begin early next year.

This is an opportunity to learn more about the development, hear about recent changes to the original Master Plan and have your questions answered by Children’s staff and architects from Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects.

One big change discussed at recent SAC meetings is the flipping of Phase l and Phase 3 developments. What this means to the neighborhood is that intensive development closest to neighbors would occur immediately, rather than a decade from now as originally planned and approved by the City Council.

The original plan called for construction of the first bed tower further north towards Sand Point Way in an area that would have the least impact on the nearby homes. The helipad and the emergency department were to be located to the north away from neighbors.

The proposed changes would move the helipad about 250-300 feet closer to neighbors along NE 45th. The impacts of the helipad atop the south tower facing homes—such as safety, turbulence, noise and light spillage have not been addressed.

The short street, used as a short cut to get to Sand Point Way behind Wells Fargo Bank, will be affected during and after the construction.

Above is a rendering of what the campus might look like when Phase l is completed in 2013.

You can view the Master Plan here.

A second open house will be held at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center next Saturday, July 31, from 10 a.m.- 12 pm.

For questions contact Lisa Brandenburg, Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President at 987-1468 or lisa.brandenburg@seattlechildrens.org.

And this Monday from 6 - 8:30pm is the next scheduled meeting of the SAC (Standing Citizens Advisory Committee) to be held in the Sound Cafe on the 5th floor at the hospital.

On the agenda is:

• the Master Use Permit (MUP) Application process and timeline
• presentation by Children's and discussion of the Phase 1 designs as provided to the City of Seattle for the MUP application
• status of Phase 1 designs and modifications made from the pre-MUP level design
• discussion by the SAC of their comments to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) regarding the Phase 1 Master Use Permit (MUP) Application to be submitted to DPD

At 6:50 pm the public is invited to comment at the meeting (as always) so that the committee can hear the public's input as it finalizes its comments regarding the MUP.

(photo courtesy of Daily Journal of Commerce)