Disclaimer: We are publishing a letter from a resident. This is a letter from an individual and any opinions / thoughts expressed in this letter are not necessarily the opinion of the Montlake Community Club (MCC).

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Happy New Year Montlakers!

Some of us thought that this would be a good time to share more information about major Seattle zoning changes being proposed by the Mayor to our City Council which will increase density to accommodate growth and hopefully make housing more affordable. This email is an attempt to clearly show the proposed changes to Montlake. 

Montlake is one of 30 “Neighborhood Centers” in Seattle proposed for significant density increases. The “Neighborhood Centers” are only a portion of the density increases – the neighborhoods themselves are also slated for significant increases.

In Montlake’s case, about 24 blocks will be zoned for Low Rise 2 (up to four stories) and Low Rise 3 (up to five stories), townhouses and apartment buildings. Nearly 400 historic Montlake homes are currently on these blocks. As we know, this is a large portion of tiny little Montlake, and this will significantly change Montlake forever if implemented as proposed!

The remainder of Montlake’s residential lots will be zoned NR which will allow for four units per lot in addition to the already allowed ADU’s. The three-block business district on 24th Ave will be rezoned to NC2-55 which allows 55’ tall mixed-use buildings. But nothing is final yet, so your feedback to City Council is extremely important.

Please click here for the proposed Montlake zoning map on page 4 – it clearly shows the plan!

Montlake Community Concerns with the Process:

1. Most everyone agrees with the goals but feels that the whole plan is moving us too fast and too far with too much at stake, and with very little outreach from the City!
2. December 20^th, the deadline for community input, was an inconvenient time for most to research and respond due to the holidays!
3. The plan seems to be developed in a “cookie cutter” approach without taking into account our unique and individual neighborhoods – what makes Seattle, Seattle!
4. It’s not clear whether this plan will actually make housing more affordable in Seattle!

Montlake Community Concerns with the Plan: 

1. Montlake is designated a Historic District by the Department of the Interior.
2. Parking is already problematic without increased density. No off-street parking will be required within a half mile of bus rapid transit stops or light rail stops. One parking spot will be required for every two dwelling units that aren’t and ADUs will be exempted from parking requirements. The plan relies on the fact that we are close to Light Rail and have a bus line. 
3. Congestion is also already problematic on our narrow little 1920’s streets and the plan does not address this. Congestion continues to increase from SR520 and the increased capacity at Montlake Elementary.
4. There just isn’t the infrastructure in our historic neighborhood to support this plan. 
5. Setbacks will be reduced so tree canopy will be lost.
6. The plan does not include any design requirements to maintain the character of the neighborhood, and blocks can be developed individually lot by lot with no coherent plan. 
7. Rezoning the site of the old Montlake Market is not included in the plan. It could be a wonderful location for at least six stories (with views) we believe. In addition, the large NOAA Fisheries site is for sale and could be beautifully re-developed into multi-family homes. It’s not included in the plan either.

Key Dates:

1.      December 20^th – public comments were originally due

2.      January 6^{th _} Initial discussion at City Council Meeting

3.      February 4^th – Madison Park Neighborhood Meeting 7-8:30 at Bathhouse

4.      February 5^th – Public City Council Meeting 5pm at City Hall

5.      May 2025- City Council votes on the plan

6.      June 2025 – One Seattle Plan submitted to Legislature to fulfill HB 1110

What can you do?

1. Share this email with your neighbors!
2. Sign the petition – https://www.change.org/p/preserve-montlake-neighborhood-while-growing
3. Contact Joy Hollingsworth, our District 3 City Council Representative and leader on this project, at Joy.Hollingsworth@Seattle.govalong with OneSeattleCompPlan@Seattle.gov with your feedback. Even though December 20^th has passed, City Council feedback is always a great option!
4. Contact Janice Sears @ JLSears0705@Outlook.com if you would like to help with a counter proposal.

    More information about the proposed changes is coming to montlake.net soon, so please check back.

Thank you!

Janice Sears @ JLSears0705@Outlook.com

Join us for a virtual tour of Montlake Elementary, tomorrow, January 22 at 8AM on Teams! 

Looking for an Elementary school for your Kindergartner to attend next year? Check out Montlake Elementary, your neighborhood school! 

Thinking about school for your child next year?  We know there are many options out there, both public and private, but we hope you’ll consider joining Montlake Elementary! Beginning in Fall of 2025, we’ll be back at our permanent home in the Montlake neighborhood in a great new building with fantastic features! Note that this tour will not be of the school building currently under remodel, but instead will be a chance to get to know the Montlake Elementary School Community!

Montlake Elementary is a small, neighborhood school known for our garden and art program, as well as Special Education Access and Resource programs. We have a team of wonderful, dedicated, enthusiastic teachers and support staff at Montlake who are the backbone of our school – many of whom have been a part of Montlake for 10+ years (and some for over 20!). Our team and programs include an academic interventionist, full-time art program, instrumental and vocal music programs, PE, “wellness Wednesday” activities (including gardening) and other programs that support students. 

We also have robust afterschool options between a thriving Enrichment program and an aftercare program: 

• Our Enrichment program, organized by the PTA, offers a wide range of afterschool activities each season (e.g., art, lego, gymnastics, mixed sports, chess, languages, drama) with classes taught by a mix of the fantastic Montlake teachers and external providers.
• Montlake has a great afterschool care program run by Launch that runs from the end of the school day until 6pm. Students are served a healthy snack, enjoy indoor and outdoor free play time, receive homework help, and try a range of fun teacher-led interactive activities that build on student interests! 

Our incredible public school is backed by the amazing Montlake community and a fantastic PTA that seeks to support our students and school staff as well as build community.  

We would love to see you at our online “tour” where parents will be able to get a sense of the Montlake Elementary community from the comfort of your own home! 

Upcoming Tours: Online:  Tuesday, January 22 (at 8am on Zoom) 

RSVP to Missy Pody, Elementary Assistant, at mapody@seattleschools.org for the link to the session.

Please consider joining us, and reach out to the Montlake PTA at info@montlakepta.org if you have any questions! If you can’t attend the tour but are interested in Montlake, please reach out and we’ll do our best to work with you! 

We can’t wait to meet you!

Thinking about school for your child next year?  We know there are many options out there, both public and private, but we hope you’ll consider joining Montlake Elementary! Beginning in Fall of 2025, we’ll be back at our permanent home in the Montlake neighborhood! 

Montlake Elementary is a small, neighborhood school known for our garden and art program as well as Special Education Access and Resource programs. We have a team of wonderful, dedicated, enthusiastic teachers and support staff at Montlake who are the backbone of our school – many of whom have been a part of Montlake for 10+ years (and some for over 20!). Our team and programs include an academic interventionist, full-time art program, instrumental and vocal music programs, PE, “wellness Wednesday” activities (including gardening) and other programs that support students.

We also have robust afterschool options between a thriving Enrichment program and an aftercare program:

• Our Enrichment program, organized by the PTA, offers a wide range of afterschool activities each season (e.g., art, lego, gymnastics, mixed sports, chess, languages, drama) with classes taught by a mix of the fantastic Montlake teachers and external providers.
• Montlake has a great afterschool care program run by Launch that runs from the end of the school day until 6pm. Students are served a healthy snack, enjoy indoor and outdoor free play time, receive homework help, and try a range of fun teacher-led interactive activities that build on student interests!

Our incredible public school is backed by the amazing Montlake community and a fantastic PTA that seeks to support our students and school staff as well as build community. 

We would love to see you at one (or both!) of our school tours in our temporary home at the John Marshall School. Tours begin at 8am at the John Marshall Building, 520 Ravenna Blvd in the Greenlake neighborhood. We’ll also be hosting an online “tour” where parents will be able to get a sense of the Montlake Elementary community from the comfort of your own home!

Upcoming Tours:

·         Tuesday, December 10 from 8-9 a.m. 

·         Tuesday, January 22 (at 8am on Zoom)

RSVP to Missy Pody, Elementary Assistant, at mapody@seattleschools.org for either or both sessions!

Please consider joining us, and reach out to the Montlake PTA at info@montlakepta.org if you have any questions! If you can’t attend these tours but are interested in Montlake, please reach out and we’ll do our best to work with you!

We can’t wait to meet you!

As MCC reported in our recent issue of Montlake Flyer, there is a zoning change proposal that will greatly affect Montlake neighborhood. We would like residents to be well-informed and be aware of the fact that community input period ends on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Zoning Update detailed information Link https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OPCD/SeattlePlan/OneSeattlePlanDistrict3_NC_Profile.pdf—Page 7 and 8 are regarding Montlake)

Engagement page link — including Community information sessions (including virtual information session – Dec 12 and virtual office hours – Dec 16) and where you can send your comments https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/engagement

You can also use the QR code and website below to leave your comments

General zoning update website link https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com

Date: Wednesday December 4th

Time: 3-7pm

Address: Dahlia Press, 2917 Fuhrman Ave E. Seattle WA 98102

Cost: Free

Website: https://www.dahliapress.com/events/friendsandneighborsnight2024

Details: We’re thrilled to announce that Portage Bay Friends & Neighbors Night is returning on Wednesday, December 4th. Plan to join us from 3pm – 7pm for holiday shopping and merriment, including exclusive greetings and gifts on sale at Dahlia Press, and pop-up experiences from our friends at Lulumiere Candles, Samantha Slater Studio Jewelry, The Confectionery, and more! While you’re there, pick up a fresh holiday wreath from local Scouts and don’t forget to visit our very merry selfie station where you can snap a pic with Santa himself! This unique holiday event will take place across the Dahlia Press storefront, Chloe Clarke, The Art of Paper, Joe’z Bayside Market & Cafe, and Strength Studio.

Thanksgiving is coming up in two weeks and so does our beloved annual race of Montlake Turkey Trot. We are excited to have many people participate in the event as runners / walkers. In order to have this race happen, we have to have various volunteers. Those of you who have already signed up to help, THANK YOU. We would like to you to consider volunteering as Course Marshals – who help guide runners along the route, ensuring they stay safe and on track during the race. If you are not running / walking, but you would love to be a part of it, please consider and sign up for the position from the link below.

We welcome and appreciate everyone who volunteers in various positions to make this race happen.

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/92872/montlake-turkey-trot/volunteer

Our annual holiday evergreens sale is back! Pre-order your trees, wreaths, garlands, and swags by November 22nd! Pick-up will be on December 7th, at: 1633 E Lynn St, Seattle, WA 98112 Trunk trimming & car roof tie-up will be available. Baked goods and warm beverages will be for sale during pickup, as well. Any questions? Contact us at: evergreens@montlakepta.org Happy Holidays!

https://www.montlakepta.org/category/evergreens-2024

The Montlake Park and Habitat Restoration Area, located along South Portage Bay just west of the Montlake Community Center, is a critically important habitat as the last and only substantial natural area on the Ship Canal between the Ballard Locks and the Montlake Cut.
The Park dates back to 2004, when Seattle Parks cleared several acres west of the parking lot. Seizing on the opportunity to make this portion accessible to the neighborhood, volunteers spent many weeks clearing blackberries, broken concrete and invasive weeds. In 2010, several volunteers from Montlake and Portage Bay applied for and received a $100,000 Dept. of Neighborhoods grant to hire a landscape architect to create a park environment on the cleared land for habitat restoration, a sizable increase in accessible Montlake Park land.
A kayak launch and picnic area were donated during park construction and provide access to the protected waters of South Portage Bay. Sculptural rocks commemorate the original occupants of Portage Bay and Duwamish Chief Cheshiahud. A weekly birder’s group has identified over 80 species of resident and migratory birds, regularly seeing over 20 species each week. Recently, park volunteers participated in a year-long project with Beavers Northwest to monitor beaver activity in the park, to observe both the benefits they provide to habitat expansion as well as the need to protect vulnerable trees from beaver damage. The SR 520 contractor has committed to saving the large beaver lodge.

Current volunteers are seeking a new generation to help maintain and encourage use of the habitat restoration portion of Montlake Park. This includes an opportunity to participate in the Green Seattle Partnership’s (GSP) Forest Steward Program, to assure this portion of our neighborhood park remains a welcoming respite, especially throughout the SR 520 viaduct replacement project. The Steward works with friends, neighbors and local groups on various maintenance activities, including selecting and planting new native trees, to give back to the community by protecting a valuable asset for native plant and animal habitat. We hope a new Forest Steward will find it rewarding to protect and promote the habitat portion of Montlake Park.
To learn more about the habitat restoration area of Montlake Park and the position of Forest Steward please contact Anne Preston at annevpreston@gmail.com or Annie Stixrood at astixrood@comcast.net. For more about the Forest Steward program, training and application process at GSP, contact director Eric Sterner at eric.sterner2@seattle.gov

The registration for the Montlake Turkey Trot (November 28 – Thanksgiving Day 9AM) is now open. You can register from the LINK. Please join the race on Thanksgiving Day (0.5miles, 1k or 5K ) by running, jogging, or walking and help raise funds for University District Food Bank. You can also make donations or volunteer for the event.