UPDATE: As expected, the City Council approved the budget. Stay tuned for more information on the Legislative Rezone for the 35th Ave NE Business District when we learn more in 2015. Also, please tell your neighbors and keep an eye out for information so that everyone’s voice can be heard.

Discussion at recent public workshop on 35th Ave NE.
- the neighbors and residents in close proximity to the business district,
- those who use and shop in the buisness district,
- those who own buisnesses along 35th Ave NE, and
- the landowners and future developers along 35th Ave NE.
At the end of July, the 35th Ave Committee unveiled their recommendations for streetscape design guidelines, supplemental design guidelines, and zoning recommendations at its third and final public workshop. A public comment period was held to solicit additional feedback and revisions were made to that plan. Following these revisions, the final plan was presented to both us (the Wedgwood Community Council) and to the Ravenna-Bryant Community Associaiton for approval. Both groups formally endorsed the plan and the recommendations included. During that presentation though, the 35th Ave Committee explained that there are defined process for the streetscape design guidelines and supplemental zoning recommendations to be approved or used by the City in the future. However, there was no defined process for implementing the zoning recommendations that were developed by the community unless the City took on a legislative rezone process (a corridor or area-wide analyis and rezone process conducted by the City).
Click Image for Link to Nov. 5th Budget Committee Meeting Video. (We couldn't turn off "autoplay" on embeded video.)
According to the 35th Ave Committee, the City Council is set to vote on a budget today which includes funding for the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to conduct a legislative rezone for the 35th Ave NE Business District between 2015-2016. The budget includes time for DPD during 2015-2016 to analyze the 35th Ave Committee’s final zoning recommendations, conduct additional public outreach, and prepare the legislation for the rezone. This is a unique process the City is taking on as they are responding to a community’s request for additional, modest height increases in cerain locations to support more retail diversity that better serves the surrounding neighbohrood.
More information on the legislative rezone can be found on the 35th Ave Committee’s website.