Drafter
Clerk 10/25/2005
title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the county executive to execute an interlocal agreement with the city of Seattle for the Northgate Coordinated Transportation Improvement Plan at 3rd Avenue NE, between 100th Street NE and 103rd Street NE.
body
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
1. The city of Seattle ("city") and King County ("county") are working together to implement specific aspects of the Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan adopted in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan. Northgate is designated as an urban center under countywide and city growth management plans and the location of the principal transit transfer hub in all of north King County.
2. Northgate is one of three development sites identified in 1998 at the launch of the county's transit oriented development ("TOD") program.
3. In December 2003, the city council passed proposals that amended Northgate Overlay District development regulations, approved a development agreement to promote redevelopment of Northgate Mall and provided the city with an option to purchase land to improve Thornton creek water quality and provide public open space.
4. The city council further approved initial funding for a Coordinated Transportation Investment Plan ("CTIP") and established a broad-based advisory group, the Northgate Stakeholders. A goal of the CTIP is to analyze forecasted development proposals so mitigation measures can be more predictable, rational and equitable than a piecemeal permit decisions.
5. Lorig Associates has an option to purchase 5.9 acres on the east half of the lot south of Northgate Mall and south of 103rd Street, commonly referred to as the South Lot, and is proposing approximately five hundred housing units and retail space.
6. In August 2004, the city council approved both a memorandum of understanding with Lorig Associates regarding joint development of the South Lot and funding to purchase land and to construct the Thornton creek water quality channel stormwater project. The city council also approved the scope of work and appropriated additional funding for the CTIP.
7. The Puget Sound Regional Council ("PSRC") has allocated a $1.3 million grant to King County to construct an extension of 3rd Avenue NE between NE 103rd Street and NE 100th Street. This street improvement will provide new north/south arterial and pedestrian connections through the South Lot. The street layout, Attachment A to this ordinance, remains under discussion between the parties and is not an agreed-upon final design, nor does it necessarily comply with city requirements.
8. The city appropriated $500,000 toward the unfunded costs of 3rd Ave NE in a 2005 budget proviso that requires Seattle city council approval by ordinance of this interlocal agreement specifying the city and county roles and responsibilities, a commitment by the county to pay any unfunded costs and other conditions.
9. The potential to move King County Metro's 5th Avenue and 112th Street park and ride lot, to the vicinity of the Northgate Transit Center and future light rail station will consolidate park and ride facilities in the area for more efficient transit operations. The land can be permitted to be developed to another use, potentially as a park and open space at the former park and ride location.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Dedication of street right-of way. King County agrees to dedicate 36.5 feet of right of way from the eastern edge of its park and ride property in the Northgate area between NE 100th Street and NE 103rd Street for construction of an extension to 3rd Avenue NE. The various agencies have been notified regarding the county's plan to dedicate this right-of-way for street construction purposes.
SECTION 2. The King County executive is hereby authorized to enter into an interlocal agreement, substantially in the form of Attachment B to this ordinance, with the city of Seattle for the Northgate Coordinated Transportation Improvement Plan and improvements to 3rd Avenue Northeast between NE 100th Street and NE 103rd Street.