Can the Wallingford Garbage Dump be Moved to Fremont?

RE: New zoning planned for the 5 large blocks in the Fremont Urban Village lying west  of Evanston, east of 3rd Ave NW and between the Ship Canal and N 36th Street ("Fremont Canal Zone" or FCZ).

Highlighted Area of Map is being studied for zoning change.

While other Seattle neighborhoods like Ballard and West Seattle have enjoyed a revival in recent years, the FCZ has been suppressed by outdated industrial zoning.

In spite of the FCZ's historical industrial zoning, the number and sizes of actual industrial users has declined steadily and sharply, until now there are less than 2 or 3 small “industrial” companies remaining. Outfits of a bygone era like the lumber mill, coal yard, dog food factory, trolley switch yard, chrome plating and paint brush plant have all disappeared or moved to places better suited to industrial businesses – like those with access to shipping by rail or water-borne freight. Instead, the FCZ is home to many single family and multi-family residences. It’s bordered on the south by the canal, a beautiful city park and the Burke-Gilman Trail; and is bordered on its other sides by commercial and residential uses; and yet it retains obsolete industrial zoning.

The Wallingford Garbage Dump could (theoretically) be re-located to Fremont with Industrial Zoning

The City has already conducted a series of meetings with a few people in Fremont to discuss changing the zoning to either:

Neighborhood Commercial (allowing for a diversity of mixed-use commercial/residential like the Epi/PCC, but not heavy industrial)

OR

Industrial Commercial (allowing for  uses such as the garbage dump, and non-industrial uses like bigger office buildings and “big-box retail” such as Wal-Mart Discount or Home Depot, but no housing.)

The zoning that would allow the most flexibility for the long-range future needs of the property owners, the potential tenants and especially the community of Fremont would be the Neighborhood Commercial zones (not Industrial). This would allow for a sustainable mix of residential and commercial uses that would support the viability and vibrancy of the neighborhood and potential improvements in public transportation. Neighborhood Commercial zoning would also give this area a chance to connect with the rest of the community with small locally-owned shops and diverse housing opportunities, a place that feels more attractive and safe for families with children.

Here is what the Seattle Comprehensive Plans says: “LU147.2 – Industrial zones are generally not appropriate within urban centers or urban villages, since these are places where the City encourages concentrations of residential uses. However, in locations where a center or village abuts a manufacturing/industrial center, the IC (“Industrial-Commercial”) zone within the center or village may provide an appropriate transition to help separate residential uses from heavier industrial activities."

Here's what the Fremont Neighborhood Council says: "The Fremont Neighborhood Council has also acted on its own to further the goal of affordable housing. For example, in the settlement with Security Properties allowing the Epi/PCC project to go forward without an appeal, the developer agreed to support FNC's efforts to increase the availability of low-income and affordable housing in Fremont (including) actively support efforts by FNC to obtain changes in the City of Seattle zoning code for Fremont as follows: a) change the zoning or provide an overlay to allow housing and mixed-use projects in the industrial zones between 3rd Ave. NW and Fremont Ave. N....."

 

If you’re interested in the future of Fremont, to 'splain what they've already decided, the city will be hosting a public "Open House" on Wednesday November 18th at the Fremont Library (4:00-6:00pm).

See also http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/FremontUrbanVillageRezone/Overview/

Since you probably don’t have Mayor Nickels cell phone number, just ask for Wayne at the Mayor’s office at 684-4000. And call Andrea Petzel at Seattle DPD 615-1256.

What's YOUR vision for the FCZ over the next 20 years?