Comment period extended on Uptown Draft EIS
Those wishing to voice their opinion on the Uptown Rezone Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) have a little more time to do so.
The comment period, originally slated to close on Sept. 1, has been extended until Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. Comments can be submitted via email to jim.holmes@seattle.gov.
The draft EIS considers three alternatives. The “no action” alternative retains the current building heights and zoning for parcels expected to be redeveloped, and does not include design and development standards specific to Uptown to guide that growth.
The “mid-rise” alternative would include new neighborhood design standards, and buildings spanning five-to-seven stories with mandatory housing affordability requirements.
The “high-rise” alternative also includes the affordability requirements and design standards, but with taller, thinner, 16-story buildings in areas of the urban center.
For more information on the three alternatives, and the process, go to www.seattle.gov/dpd/cityplanning/completeprojectslist/uptown/whatwhy/.
Aegis of Queen Anne at Rodgers Park opens on Saturday
The newest retirement community on Queen Anne will officially open its doors this weekend, with a pair of stars from the hit PBS show “Downton Abbey” on hand to greet visitors.
Lesley Nicol (Mrs. Patmore) and Raquel Cassidy (Baxter) will be at the new Aegis of Queen Anne at Rodgers Park (2900 3rd Ave. W.) as part of the grand opening celebration on Sept. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will also allow attendees to tour the new building, and enter to win prizes from local businesses.
The 129-room development is the biggest development of the 28 Aegis Living communities in Washington, California, and Nevada.
For more information on the retirement community, visit www.aegisliving.com/aegis-of-queen-anne-at-rodgers-park/.
To view pictures from the Queen Anne & Magnolia News’ tour of the facility, visit www.queenannenews.com.
Bike the Bluff this Sunday
Bikers and walkers alike will make their away around Magnolia on Sunday for the 25th annual Bike the Bluff event.
Pre-registration is $20 for an individual, and $40 for a family (two or more individuals), while day-of registration is $25 and $45. Participants can choose a 5-mile or 7-mile loop as part of the fundraising event for the Catharine Blaine K-8 fifth grade class trip to Islandwood, an environmental science camp on Bainbridge Island. The start and finish line is at the Catharine Blaine Playground, behind Pop Mounger Pool on 32nd Avenue West.
For more information, visit www.bikethebluff.org. For questions, email BikeTheBluff@BlainePTA.com.
Design Review Board meets next week
The proposed fate of the former Silver Platters location at 701 5th Ave in Uptown will go before the West Design Review Board on Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Queen Anne Community Center.
The board, which consists of Christine Harrington, Katherine Idziorek, Homero Nishiwaki, Boyd Pickrell, and Janet Stephenson, will review a proposal to allow a five-story building with 99 residential units and 3,500 sq. ft. of commercial use at ground level, and parking for 73 vehicles below grade. It also calls for the removal of the existing structure.
This proposal differs slightly from the one presented in February 2015 during the early design guidance phase, which was also five-stories, but included 104 residential units and five live/work units at ground level, along with parking for 80 vehicles.
Along with this project, the board will also review a second proposal for a 14-story office, retail, and apartment building at 625 Boren Ave. N. in South Lake Union, starting at 8 p.m.