Broadview / Bitter Lake / Haller Lake

What & Why

The Mayor’s Office transmitted to City Council most of the rezones identified in our Neighborhood Plan update and Urban Design Framework, with the exception of proposed height increases. The rezones will:

• Rezone some Commercial 2 (C2) to Commercial 1 (C1) along Linden Ave. N
• Add a Pedestrian designation (P) to sites on the east side of Linden Ave. N, between N 135th St. and N 130th St.
• Rezone sites on N 130th St. Between Linden Ave. N and Aurora Ave. N from C1 to Neighborhood Commercial 3 (NC3)
• Rezone 2 sites on Aurora Ave. N from C1 to C2

We will implement height increases through the application of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda's Mandatory Housing Affordability legislation.

City Council is considering proposed legislation to Seattle's land use and zoning that would affect property in the Bitter Lake area. You can read the public hearing notice on our Project Documents page.

The zoning proposals are based on the Bitter Lake Urban Design Framework (UDF), documenting the highlights of the development vision for the Bitter Lake Village Center as identified in the 2012 neighborhood plan update. Our UDF defines the land use and urban design recommendations, including land use regulations, streetscape design, and open space recommendations that will guide future development while ensuring Bitter Lake Village becomes a thriving center for the community. Our UDF illustrates the basis for City legislation (described below) to amend the Land Use Code.

In 2012 we partnered with the Broadview, Bitter Lake, and Haller Lake communities to update their neighborhood plan. In July 2015 we released draft legislation and issued a State Environmental Policy Act determination for proposed rezones and Land Use Code amendments to implement the plan’s recommendations. We received no comments or appeals, and are proceeding with finalizing legislation for the Mayor and Council’s review. Our proposed legislation will help carry out key actions identified by the community in their neighborhood plan.

Our legislation is intended to:

• Create a walkable, dense, mixed-use neighborhood center along the newly reconstructed Linden Ave. N
• Encourage future development that builds on recent multifamily and mixed-use development along Linden Ave. N
• Support the neighborhood’s pedestrian and transit orientation around N 135th St and Aurora Ave. N
• Strengthen Aurora Ave. N as a regional commercial center and source of jobs, while enhancing its fit with surrounding communities

Our Director’s Report contains analysis of the proposed rezones, provides an assessment of the proposal’s effect on estimated growth, and the ability of local infrastructure and services to support development. We have conducted an environmental analysis and made a determination of non-significance. We are recommending adoption of the entire package of rezone proposals. To review these documents, go to our project documents page.

Project Benefits

The neighborhood plan update identifies specific steps the City and community can take to create vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that include:

• A lively village center along Linden Avenue N.
• Strong community organizations in Broadview, Bitter Lake, and Haller Lake
• Balanced transportation network
• Supportive and healthy environment

The End Result

An updated plan that reflects the community's values.

Get Involved

Even though the update is complete, there is still work to be done! For more information on how to get involved, contact David Goldberg at (206) 615-1447 or davidw.goldberg@seattle.gov.

Project Documents

Proposed Rezones

• Director's Report
• Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village Rezone Ordinance
• Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village Rezone A
• Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village Rezone B
• Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village Rezone C
• Bitter Lake City Council Public Notice

SEPA Determination

• SEPA Determination of Significance
• SEPA Checklist
• Urban Village Rezone Exhibit A
• Urban Village Rezone Exhibit B
• Urban Village Rezone Exhibit C
• Director's Report
• SEPA Draft Ordinance
• SEPA Public Notice

Neighborhood Plan

• Bitter Lake Urban Design Framework (March 2015)
• Broadview-Bitter Lake-Haller Lake Neighborhood Plan Update (March 2012)
• Healthy Living Assessment Report — focuses on how people use their neighborhoods, specifically addressing areas of built and social infrastructure that have clear connections to people’s health
• Bitter Lake Proposed Rezone Map
• Bitter Lake Proposed Rezone and Land Use Code Amendments Ordinance

Meeting Documents

Phase 3 Meeting — Goals and Strategies (November 2011)

• Strategies Display Boards — Actions that could be taken to create: 1) Healthy People, 2) Strong Communities or 3) Great Places
• Overall Urban Design — An overview of the main recommendations covered in the neighborhood plan update
• Complete Streets — Recommendations for creating a “Complete Streets Network” improving how we get from place to place
• Strong Community Photo Display — Pictures illustrating actions that help create strong, local communities
• Linden Town Center Key Directions — Overall recommendations for creating a town center along Linden Ave N.
• Linden Town Center Streetscape — Describes the desired relationship of land uses to adjacent sidewalks
• Linden Town Center Character — Illustrates a potential cross section of new development on the grocery Outlet/Rite Aid site, and the relationship of the façade to the street right-of-way
• Economic Data — Background data about the BBH area retail market
• Economic Retail Trade Area Analysis — Comparison of various retail trade area captures
• Economic Trade Capture — More specific discussion of BBH trade area capture and growth

Phase 2 Meetings — Prioritization (June 2011)

• June 21 Meeting Agenda
• Participant Packet
• Meeting Presentation
• Linden Focus Map
• Possible Development for Linden Avenue
• Complete Street Discussion
• Land Use Concepts
• Phase 2 Summary
• Renter's Workshop National Night Out Notes
• Four Freedoms Seniors' Workshop Notes
• Ida Culver Seniors' Workshop Notes
• New Haven Seniors' Workshop Notes
• Youth Scavenger Hunt First Session
• Youth Scavenger Hunt Second Session

Phase 1 Meetings - Issue Identification (February-March 2011)

• Broadview / Bitter Lake / Haller Lake Public Meeting Agenda (March 12, 2011)
• Where Do You Live? video Meeting Summary
• Phase 1 Summary
• Renter Workshop Notes (February 2011)
• Renter Workshop Notes (March 2011)
• Youth Workshop Notes (March 2011)
• Senior Workshop Four Freedom House (February 2011)
• Senior Workshop Ida Culver House (March 2011)
• Senior Workshop New Haven (February 2011)
• Senior Workshop North Haven (March 2011)
• Senior Workshop Northgate Plaza (March 2011)
• March Meeting Instant Polling Results
• Rentors Instant Polling Results
• Seniors Instant Polling Results

Background

• 1999 Broadview – Bitter Lake – Haller Lake Neighborhood Plan
• Broadview / Bitter Lake / Haller Lake Status Report
  We worked with the Seattle Planning Commission, the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee, the Department of Neighborhoods, and neighborhood residents to create snapshots of this neighborhood as it is now, compared to 10 years ago. The status report will help us make informed decisions about how to update the plans.
• Improvements to Linden Ave N
  This SDOT project will transform the street into a safe, neighborhood-friendly main street for the village center. For more information contact Thérèse Casper, Project Manager, therese.casper@seattle.gov, (206) 684-8764.
• New bus rapid transit service to Aurora Avenue North
  The E Line, opening in September 2013, will operate between Shoreline’s Aurora Village Transit Center and downtown Seattle. The RapidRide E Line will replace Route 358. We will also make sidewalk improvements to increase access to RapidRide.

Timeline

• 1999
  Neighborhood Plan Completed
• March 2011
  First workshop to identify what’s valued about Broadview / Bitter Lake / Haller Lake, how it is changing, and the issues and opportunities that should be addressed as part of the update.
• June 2011
  Workshop to dig deeper into the priorities and to identify what we can do to address issues and seize opportunities.
• November 2011
  Open House to develop an action plan that identified the next steps to take
• Spring 2012
  Update Complete
• Ongoing
  Update development regulation
  Executive recommendations and Council action