Make sure to attend this meeting if possible and we’ll be sharing our coverage with the neighborhood.

MEETING DETAILS:
Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Loyal Heights Community Center, Room 2, 2101 Northwest 77th Street.

Written and/or oral comments may be submitted at the meeting.

The PRCC boundaries are Aurora Ave to 8th N.W. and 46th Street to North 75th St. Along with people who live in that area, anyone who owns a business or property within those boundaries is eligible to serve.

We are normally quite informal and consider our primary goal just to be in place, then if something happens in the neighborhood that needs attention or a “community voice” we are able to respond quickly and speak up for our neighborhood early in the planning process.

The minimum involvement as a board member includes attending the monthly meetings and weighing in on the occasional group e-mail. There are opportunities to do more, such as attending meetings or writing letters on PRCC’s behalf, but it is not required.

Our agenda is shaped largely by input from people who attend our meetings – most frequently Phinney Ridge residents who are feeling frustrated by the response, or lack of response, they are getting from the city on a problem that most commonly includes traffic, safety, zoning and land use. PRCC board members often bring agenda items to the meetings based on their experiences or at the request of neighbors. We also get occasional guest speakers such as candidates running for office, city planners hoping to build support for a new or proposed city policy, or those who can help shed light on a complicated issue.

Most often we give advice and help connect neighbors with problems to other neighbors who can, or are willing to help. If we decide to take a side in an issue, we often draft a statement, then send it to the appropriate parties. If there is a neighborhood issue someone wants to deal with, the PRCC is a great way to find other people who might share your views and can help.

The board is a nice group of open-minded people, pretty low key, so all input and all styles of people are welcome and encouraged. We really could use some fresh faces, especially any neighborhood business owners and condo and apartment dwellers as they are currently not represented on the board at all.

Even if people are not interested in serving on the board, we are trying to raise awareness that we are there and really encourage “drop ins” at our meetings.

Diane Duthweiler dduthweiler@comcast.net (206) 782-1420

A geotechnical report has been submitted by the developer which identifies the soils on the site and will allow designers to accommodate for the soil conditions.

It will address any peat found on the site and the potential impacts and/or recommendations for anticipated construction.

Electronic copies of the project are not available. Hardcopies may be obtained from the DPD Public Resource Center, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000 (206) 684-8467. The Public Resource Center is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

MEETING LOCATION:
A public meeting to review this application will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Loyal Heights Community Center, Room 2, 2101 Northwest 77th Street. Written and/or oral comments may be submitted at the meeting.
LINKS:
Fred Meyer Meeting Bulletin

Peat Settlement Issues

Board Positions:
We have Board positions for interested community members available including: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer. and the following standing committee positions. If you’re interested, email info@greenwoodcommunitycouncil.org

Committees:
Planning and Land Use Committee: to engage ongoing neighborhood development activities and to proactively engage in community planning and development utilizing existing City and Neighborhood plans, including but not limited to zoning, parks, and design review.

Health and Safety Committee: to engage in neighborhood environmental health and safety issues, work with existing community/public safety groups including but not limited to G.A.I.N. (Greenwood Aurora Involved Neighbors) and local police/fire personnel.

Public Outreach Committee: to engage community neighbors on matters involving the GCC, solicit community involvement within the GCC, manage GCC social events, liaison with other community social groups, and update social events calendar, including events not directly associated with the GCC.

Transportation Committee: to engage in the maintenance and development of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation, including but not limited to sidewalks, traffic calming, crosswalks, pedestrian corridors and mass transit.

Greenwood Rezone

Some neighbors expressed concerns that an upzone could also mean increased property taxes for residents who chose not to sell their lots to developers. Barbara L. Shale, of the King County Tax Advisory Office, addresse the issue by explaining that a jump from single-family to L3 zoning — L3 is the low-rise zone most commonly occupied by clusters of townhomes — wouldn’t increase anyone’s taxes overnight. She said that the value of a house often goes down when the value of the land itself goes up, and that taxes would likely stay about the same until the next physical property inspection of the area, in 2015 or 2016.

Although most of the debate was about the “buffer” of single-family homes, neighbors were also concerned about upzoning the commercial lots at the core of the Fred Meyer development. Proposed changes would allow buildings that currently top out at 40 feet to be raised to 65 feet. Although this is obviously attractive to developers, Stanley made it clear that the Advisory Group behind the zoning proposal was thinking about the future growth of Greenwood, not about Fred Meyer.

Fred Meyer’s plans for a new shopping center don’t actually include or require any zoning changes.
“I’m going to sorely miss Greenwood Market,” Stanley said, “but that’s not something [the GCC] have any control over. That’s not something we’re trying to have control over.”

The neighbors at the meeting felt they hadn’t been given enough time or information to make a decision about the new changes, so they unanimously passed Resolution 2. That resolution opposes the changes “at this time,” and urges the City Council to “demonstrate community support for [future changes] and the notify those impacted by the change.”

First produced Off-Broadway in 2007 in an adaptation by George Drance and The Magis Theatre, The Great Divorce brings to life C.S. Lewis’ 1940s allegorical novel. One drizzly afternoon our author embarks on a supernatural voyage with a cast of eccentric, humorous characters that bear a remarkable resemblance to us. Theatrical, imaginative and thought provoking. It’s a bus ride from hell to heaven that, in the grand C.S. Lewis tradition, leaves you breathless and wanting more.

The Great Divorce runs Wednesdays through Saturdays through February 27, plus the added performance on Tuesday, February 16. Tickets are available through Taproot Theatre’s box office at 206-781-9707.

Wed. February 10 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. February 11 7:30 p.m.

Fri. February 12 8:00 p.m.

Sat. February 13 2:00 p.m.

Sat. February 13 8:00 p.m.

Tues. February 16 7:30 p.m. NEW!

Wed. February 17 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. February 18 7:30 p.m.

Fri. February 19 8:00 p.m.

Sat. February 20 2:00 p.m.

Sat. February 20 8:00 p.m.

Wed. February 24 7:30 p.m. Post-play Discussion

Thurs. February 25 7:30 p.m.

Fri. February 26 8:00 p.m.

Sat. February 27 2:00 p.m.

Sat. February 27 8:00 p.m. Closing Night

Taproot Theater Entry

Fall in Seattle was a sad season, with the unbelievable realization that an arsonist had destroyed one of the Greenwood / Phinney Ridge most beloved cultural institutions. The arson devestation to neighborhood businesses and the Taproot theatre was both shocking and sobering.

Winter is a new season, and like a sparkling cover of fresh snow, the Taproot Theatre is back…. and with a roar. We visited the Taproot last night for their first show at the newly renovated location. The rejuvenation of the theatre in such a short period is truly incredible to see. The theatre space is new, modern, lively, and filled with the energy of the both the performers and community itself.

In some ways, the previously chosen C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce represents the community’s own balance between the hell of the fire and the “heaven” that is the amazing performances at this theatre. There was no question that the audience was filled with the love and energy to see the Taproot back in such a beautiful space.

Restored Taproot Theatre Stage

The show kicked off with the producing artistic manager thanking the community for its support, together with the Seattle Fire Department and specifically the team that saved the theatre that fateful October night. The fire is also an important reminder that the theatre’s continued vitality depends on the community’s continuing support. Although donations are great – just as important are the ongoing annual subscriptions to the theatre’s season.

Great Divorce - Taproot Theatre

The show itself – The Great Divorce – is not about marriage and divorce. It’s a 1940’s fantasy by the Christian focused author of the Chronicles of Narnia. The proselytizing show begins in a foggy Grey Town where passengers bicker as they await the “bus” to either heaven or hell. Characters in the play dress in either grab grey “ghost” clothing or very brightly colored spirit colors. C.S. Lewis himself is portrayed as a detached 3rd party observer of the scenes, allowing him to comment and participate.

Taproot Upper Lobby

The show was first produced just two years ago by a smaller New York company, and in Seattle just a cast of ten portray over 20 characters. Each scene displays the fight for conversion. Sometimes with husbands and wives – but each is a battle for the souls of the lost. The show’s lighting and the marble-like background changes with each scene to portray the mood.

The Taproot Theatre and the Greenwood community have proven their stamina with the rapid return of this cultural institution and a play that challenges both the intellect and the spiritual agenda. As the Theatre and community consider an expansion of the space into the now vacant area from the fires – the packed house and energy of the show are a strong endorsement to growth. Special deals for younger audience members including the pizza+ theatre special for only $10 are worth a look for students around the Seattle region. The Great Divorce plays the Taproot through February 27, 2010.

Seattle Zoo Tree

Oxman has been keeping an eye on the project, and he’s concerned about the health and safety of the remaining trees. Construction may pose a threat to some of the Zoo’s old trees, and Oxman says he noticed trees that had not been properly fenced and mulched.

He filed a complaint with the City on December 31st, complete with photos of rebar and other construction material stacked against one tree, but he says inspectors didn’t find anything when they visited the site. The complaint is online, but still listed as “not resolved.”

The Zoo says their treatment of the trees has followed the tree protection plan they have in place, , although they did find and move the rebar after Oxman brought it to their attention. The Zoo has an arborist on site to make sure that its trees — some of which are over a century old — are properly cared for.

Although some trees were removed as part of the West Entry construction, Zoo spokesman David Schaefer said that the plans were drawn up with trees in mind. “We actually moved one building to protect a tree, so it didn’t come down,” he said

It’s on. The two top homes for holiday lights in Greenwood Phinney are dominating the votes at the annual Wacktastic Light Show contest. Unless you make your voice heard – these homes will battle for the top prize. Check out what they have to offer – and contribute to our country’s democracy.

731 North 88th Street

6819 Phinney

Awards Party

There will be a party at the Greenwood Collective (8537 Greenwood Avenue North) on December 20th 4p to 8p to honor the residents who won the community poll for favoritest lights!

4-6pm: Food and drink provided by lovely local Greenwood restauranteurs

Hot chai from Morning Glory Chai
a keg o’ beer from Naked City (we’ll have to make sure you’re over 21 for this goody)
… plus an ongoing slide show of entries and (if we’re really, really good) a roving Santa

… plus any donations to the Greenwood Food Bank collected

6-6:45pm: The Christmas musical stylings of band, Green Handshake

7 to 8p: Awards Ceremony and Prizes emceed by Rat City Rollergirl Mascot, Rocketman Houllahan. The results of the community vote revealed! The wackiest store display as determined by Esteemed Wacktastic Judges!

In preparation for the big day, Couth Buzzard is actively soliciting volunteer help for sorting and shelving thousands of books. This Saturday and Sunday, (December 12-13) the owners will be hosting all-day work parties, so stop by if you have a chance and lend a hand!

Contact Couth Buzzard directly at 206 436-2960 or call Theo Dzielak (206 418-9522, melodyplay@earthlink.net) for more information.

By: Alicia Craven