July 19, 2006 - Kenny Home - 21 persons attending, including 3 guests

Steve Sindiong, Presiding

Introductions, Announcements, Updates:

  a.. Neighborhood Business District Strategy - Meetings continue re. NBDS zoning change proposals. Of current discussion are "Green Factor" planning for open space planning, single family residences at ground-floor in business zones (currently allowed only on arterials), and reductions in parking space allowances. Code changes will be approved in the Fall. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

  b.. Gatewood Elementary Playgroup Improvement - A "Small & Simple" grant has been approved, a landscape architect has been hired, and community public hearings have been held. The improvements will include an amphitheatre type arena, look-out areas, and a new school/park sign on Frontenac. Fund raising efforts will take place this Fall. Volunteers are now needed to work on ivy removal and repair of existing equipment (call Carla Larson, 938-5435) Notes of planning meetings will be posted on the MoCA website (morganjunction.org) or gatewoodelementary.org/

  c.. Orchard Street Ravine - the vegetation management team is not working. The lower trail will be narrowed to preserve existing habitat. Work parties are scheduled for August 12 and Sept. 9 (mostly working on blackberry vine removal). The final trails plan include key issues and cost information for two trail options (one to 38th Street and another to Orchard Street). The results of the plan will be help at a public meeting on August 21 (6:30 to 8:00 at High Point Community Center, 6920 34th Ave SW) The Orchard Street Ravine option was the most expensive option. Public comments are welcomed - contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

  d.. Capital Improvement Projects/Community Reserve Fund Applications - in process of being prioritized and will be approved my Council and Mayor in Fall, 06. The CRF candidates initially include two candidate projects: 1) Orchard Street Ravine Pedestrian Access Improvements, and 2) Morgan Junction Park Pedestrian Access Improvements. For details: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

  e.. Lowman Beach improvements project - The King County Wastewater Treatment Commission is replacing and upgrading several pump stations in W. Seattle. Activity at Lowman Beach Park station will be the replacement of electrical systems in September, followed by more extensive construction later in the year. For continuing information, contact: Martha Bartch at 206 684-1280, information at dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/projects/westseattle/index.htm.

Seattle Police Department: Officer Mark Spadoni, SW Precinct (206 233-1549) The current speed monitoring sign is slowing the off-ferry traffic on Fauntleroy - it will be permanent. Similar speed monitoring signs are suggested for other sites along Fauntleroy. Concerns expressed re. late-night teen activities at Solstice and Lowman Beach Parks. Also concerns re. late-night drag-racing activity at the Morgan Junction. The Police van is still available, but not used as much due to manpower costs.

Disaster Preparedness: Cindi Barker ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) Seattle Police Dept. has prepared an inventory of neighborhood resources, facilities, personnel expertise, and other resources for disaster response and recovery. It includes the 18 blocks of zoned business district. Also noted will be areas of risk and hazard. This resource is currently being prepared by the Police Dept. for distribution to block-watch contact persons.

Washington State Ferry Plan Update: Gary Dawson, Fauntleroy Community Association The Ferry Advisory Committee of South-Sound (contact through MoCA website for meeting information) is now working to enhance passenger-only services for Vashon/Southworth Ferry. The Joint Transportation Committee of the state legislature worked for a year, but the state will not finance passenger-only services. Water-taxi services (financed locally) are expected to expand. According to the long-range plan published in early 2006, it is hoped that the Southworth ferry services will run directly downtown, leaving only Vashon Island ferry services at the current neighborhood dock. Eventual Vashon passenger-only ferry services would go to expanded facilities at the downtown dock, probably under County support. Meetings are being held on these and other proposals. Concerns were expressed about the environmental impact of any expanded car ferry and passenger-only ferry services at Fauntleroy dock.

High Point Development Update: Tom Phillips, Seattle Housing Authority Neighborhood model houses are now open, parks are open, and all rental housing has been built. For-sale housing units are being constructed within the next 8 months. Habitat for Humanity is one of the builders of the for-sale housing units. The entire project is getting a lot of national attention. Morgan Street will be rebuilt as a boulevard with pedestrian crossing lights just east of 34th. Discussion held re. our preferences for either an intense 24-hr closure of Morgan for about 6 months or occasional closings during construction for 12 to 18 months. Concensus of MoCA group is to get the project done with total closure. Concerns were raised re. enhanced traffic signals at Holden for detoured traffic. Efforts are still being made to include a grocery store, but the response interest is minimal, even with reduced rates and tax incentives. Alternate plans call for smaller retail businesses facing 35th. For more information contact Tom Phillips at 206 615-3414 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Corner Inn Property Redevelopment: Scott McMurray, MarSan LLC. At Northwest corner of Fauntleroy and California. Consultant (Weber Thompson, PLLC) is now developing plans for eventual construction of 3 story mixed use (ground floor retail, upper floors apartments) building, ca. 17,000 square feet on main floor. Current occupancy leases run through 2008, so design process will take place during next 2 years. Neighborhood input will be welcomed as plans proceed.

MoCA Seattle Clean and Green Event - May 20: Stan Locke Southwest Neighborhood Comm. Assn. Report made about successful event attended by Mayor Greg Nickols for clean-up activities at Solstice Park, Lowman Beach Park, and the Morgan Junction Business District. Special thanks to: Cindi Barker, Steve Sindiong, Toby and Maiko Weymiller, Chas Redmond, Cameron & Peter Moores of C&P Coffee, Brooks Lynch of Tully's, Brian Bixeman and Steve Kamphaus of Morgan Thriftway, and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

MoCA Summer Festival: Sept. 17 (noon to 5:00 pm) Planning is taking place for 20 boothes, entertainment, music, refreshments, etc. New sponsors are being sought (contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) - we'll link sponsors to our web site. Music, entertainment groups sought (contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Eldon Olson, Secretary