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Council decided the primary benefits of neighborhood commercial were: 1) fewer car trips to downtown centers, 2) neighborhood conveniences, and 3) neighborhood gathering places.
Councilmembers Allen, Vache, Margeson and Stilin firmly agreed locating commercial within walking distance of residential concentrations and parks was important.
Preserving neighborhood character was paramount to council. Councilmember John Stilin commented, "I'd rather have a neighborhood begging us to open up to development, than be pushed..."
They all emphatically agreed (including Richard Cole) convenience stores, gas stations, and "loud" signage were completely off the table.
In my opinion, in light of the rapid downtown urbanization, Council should take another look at neighborhood commercial zoning. When the Hartman Pool is demolished the vacant site could be an excellent location for a small cafe or community building, while preserving many of the trees.
Bob Yoder
Yes! My husband and I were just discussing this - Ed Hill is such a wonderful place to live, but we really wish there was a neighborhood cafe we could walk to for a coffee and a chat with other community members.
ReplyDeleteVisiting Minneapolis there were these amazing neighborhood cafes. I wish there was something like that here. But it's hard to imagine what business could be successful near, say, Hartman Park considering the relatively small number of customers that live within walking distance or even that would choose to drive her (IF there was even parking available). Most would choose to drive downtown or near PCC or maybe near Washington Cathedral. Would ANY businesses even be profitable near Hartman Park? If so, would ANY of them be compatible with the neighborhood?
ReplyDeleteWhat is possible?
No thanks. Let's please preserve any semblance of residential peacefulness we have left on the hill. (We already have the schools, the ballfields--with lights-- and plenty of traffic.)If you want to meet with other community members, invite them to your house or meet in downtown Redmond.
ReplyDeleteI do no envision people walking to the café. (Hardly see many people out for walks around here...and the fact that we have to designate a "walk to school" day is a giveaway about the non-walking culture up here.) They will drive their kids to school and perhaps stop at the café--with their vehicle. If I lived on the street east of the pool, I'd be very concerned about the plans for that area.