2nd Departures Meeting for New Thornton Creek Elementary
Thornton Creek Elementary Cafeteria
6:30PM
On June 3rd, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods hosted a “departures meeting” to review 3 departures from the zoning code requested by the Seattle Public School District for the new Thornton Creek Elementary School. The 3 departures requested were:
1. Greater than allowed building height.
1st departure request: exceed the 35' height by 8' to allow mechanical "penthouse" on the school roof.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
Mech equip allowed per code, but proposal is to enclose it for aesthetics.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
2. Less than required on-site parking.
2nd departure request: 114 parking spots + 8 spots for child care needed per code, although 3 can count as on street (119 needed per code).
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
Requesting a reduction of 63 parking spaces from the 119 required onsite. Departure needed to allow for open space/play areas). Gasps heard.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
Parking supply: current onsite parking is ~43-45 stalls. Demand for future & existing school is 119.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
924 on street parking spaces within study area (800' of site). 700-ish were avail during normal daytime hours. 647 spaces avail at 8:30PM.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
3. Continuation of on-street bus loading and unloading.
NE 75th St and 40th Ave NE currently functions at a Level F in the am. Will get worse with school. Warrants a signalized intersection.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
Traffic consultant has recommended to the District to stagger future TCES and existing school pick up/drop off times by 45 mins.
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014
There was a pretty good turn out for the first departures meeting, but there were still enough concerns from those in attendance and the departures committee to warrant a 2nd meeting.
About 53 community members here literally on the edge of their seats. pic.twitter.com/vqtwhyK96g
— WedgwoodCommCouncil (@WedgwoodCC) June 4, 2014