Mirabella on Denny & FairviewSeattle P-I ran an article today indulging the views of one South Lake Union constituent concerning the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan, specifically around a proposal to increase heights and density by parks and public transit. Representatives of Pacific Retirement Services, developers of Mirabella (pictured above), lay it on pretty thick:
Masson, a SLUFAN board member said she speaks for many concerned about the impact of 40-story-high structures that could block views, including those of Mirabella, and undermine a goal in South Lake Union's recently approved neighborhood plan -- livability.The comments coming from these posturing proponents of livability are especially laughable when you look at their own project – Mirabella, a massive structure covering an entire city block with no setbacks. I feel somewhat bad attacking an assisted-living facility, and I applaud their efforts in that arena, but they have no ground to stand on here.
"Any way you look at this, 400-foot height limits is very scary," said Masson, regional marketing director for Mirabella, a continuing retirement community run by Pacific Retirement Services.
"It's scandalous, what's happening in South Lake Union," said Peter Buck, an attorney representing Pacific Retirement Services, a South Lake Union property owner concerned with increased heights.
"Building 400 feet and out to the lot line could create a concrete jungle and blot out the sun," she said.
There is a refreshing perspective from Queen Anne Community Council member John Coney towards the end of the article:
Coney is aware of the upzone plans, and supports them, he said. The 400-foot-tall buildings, such as the pedestal buildings in Vancouver, B.C., that are broad at the base but slim on upper stories, do not block views, he said.Which saves more views and is more aesthetically pleasing – Vancouver-like pedestal buildings built and arranged in such a way to preserve key public view corridors (as set out in the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan), or a chunky 12-story building with little in the way of height variation or appealing design?
"I favor a few, tall narrow towers. ... It's not true that 400-tall buildings will block views," said Coney, who favors concentrating jobs, buildings and residential density in South Lake Union."
The principle behind urban centers is ... that you provide people the opportunity to live near where they work."
Masson of Pacific is a SLUFAN board member and was involved in the neighborhood planning process, so she knows the goal was not to create an unlivable concrete jungle, but a dense, sustainable urban community. It seems that once Mirabella received the green light she turned her back on density and is now looking out for her own interests.
I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this, whether they conflict with mine or not.
5 comments:
OK...I am glad I was not the only one who thought that was hypocritical! I am wondering if part of his statement was out of frustration that this movement did not come earlier so they could've doubled or tripled the height of Mirabella.
I was at the SLUFAN meeting yesterday where the various draft plans were discussed. First of all, it seemed that everyone there took the long-term goals of livability seriously. They are still in the early stages of drafting several options to recommend to the city, and there is still a lengthy EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) yet to be completed. The mayor reviews whatever plan or plans SLUFAN puts forward. Then the mayor will be making a recommendation that may or may not reflect what SLUFAN has come up with.
Of the drafts I saw saw, there were some that called for no change in existing zoning for large areas of SLU, as well as some that allow for 400 ft residential limits for anticipated growth into account in certain areas.
This has a long way to go and there many points in the process that will allow for public input.
What is revelatory here is that Masson is up for re-election as a member of the SLUFAN board.
I, too, have applied for the board position. My name is Noel Franklin and I represent the United Indians of all Tribes Foundation in leading a proposed cultural center on the Westlake Avenue edge of Lake Union Park.
As there are very few cultural or other public amenities, this center will serve as a resource to residents and area employees alike. Commercial, retail and restaurant do NOT a neighborhood make. South Lake Union needs something to engage humans in a human way. This I believe.
I also believe part of this article was to discredit me as a board candidate by somehow casting me in the light of being pro-sky-blocking development, which is quite frankly ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as the PI not calling me for comment or clarification, or even identifying who I work for in the print edition.
After a frank call to the reporter, I was granted an "insertion quote" in the online article, but before that I looked pretty, well. Lets just say I got a lot of calls asking why I wanted to blot out the sun.
I don't.
I have witnessed part of the zoning discussions and there is still much to be determined. Particularly, I can't form a solid opinion until we know more about the public benefits to be paid into by developers--a detail I believe to be before city council as I type.
However, I do trust the process, and I will stay involved regardless of the election outcomes. I ran for the seat not in any incendiary or rivalistic way. I simply wanted to be more involved, and perhaps contribute to the board's diversity.
I was at the SLUFAN meeting yesterday, until they closed the meeting to the press and public.
I’d suggest that it is time that people use their heads and not just their hearts. Yesterday’s discussion of the PI article and the attacks on Diane for speaking to the press were misguided.
There was no suggestion in the PI article that Noel represented development interests. What the article said is that she and Diane represented different constituencies.
It is simply a fact that Noel represents what is in essence a non-profit community group. Diane represents residential interests. If you look at the make-up of the SLUFAN board, Diane Masson is the only one that represents residential constituency. On the other hand, there are a number of members that represent non-profit or community organizations, including Myla Becker (Cascade People’s Center), Lloyd Douglas (Cascade Neighborhood Council), Dawn Oliver (Morningside Academy), and Dick Wagner (Center for Wooden Boats). The article was factual, not demeaning to Noel.
The controversy over board positions has nothing to do with Noel. It was those in control of the Board, however, who chose to leave on two expired board positions rather than appoint Noel to one of them.
The reality is that the SLUFAN board is attempting to use absentee votes and the votes of expired board members in trying to remove the only representative of residential interests while adding Noel, who will become the fifth representative of the non-profit community organization constituency.
Clearly, in the meeting I attended, emotions got in the way of any analysis of the facts. The attacks on Diane Masson were unwarranted. It is outrageous to think that it is a sin to talk to the press or to stand up for the residential community.
Everyone should be aware that all of the public was kicked out of the room for an “executive session.” I understand that the attacks on Diane Masson were intensified once this session was underway out of sight of the public and press.
Shame on those on the SLUFAN board who make their attacks in a secret meeting. South Lake Union does not belong to you. You represent the public. If you are not willing to let the public see you act in your meetings, you should not purport to represent the public and should refrain from making any recommendations to the City supposedly reflecting public interest.
I support tall, thin buildings to increase density in South Lake Union. Yes, this will affect how much Masson will be able to charge elder retirees in her project, but I think we need to be able to bring more families and professionals to the area.
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