Getting Alki Elementary done is turning out to be a major exercise in changes and exceptions. Building the school to code has created a long list of things that were not there in the initial planning. For example, currently the school would have to have 48 off-street spaces that do not appear in the plans. And, the planned rebuild of Alki Elementary School includes nine zoning “departures” – exceptions – that require city approval. The city is on board to make it work.
Last week, the city Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) granted approvals of all nine of the zoning departures. Those approvals of the departures are:
1. To allow greater than allowed building height.
2. To allow less than required vehicular parking.
3. To allow bus load and unload off site
4. To allow a curb cut to a service area without parking
5. To allow larger curb city width
6. To allow larger curb cut flare
7. To allow less than required long-term bicycle parking.
8. To allow less than required weather protected bicycle parking.
9. To allow a changing image electronic sign.
One issue had to do with height. The Director stated that the height departure will not exacerbate existing traffic, noise, circulation, or significant impacts on housing or open space in the area. But it’s height and parking that people in the neighborhood were most concerned about.
The current zoning for height is limited to building only up to 35 feet. However, the Seattle Public Schools‘ plan is for 57 feet.
The purpose of the increased height stated was for additional classroom uses, building parapet, and necessary mechanical equipment to service the building. The city stated that the departure is “appropriate in relation to the programmatic requirements of an elementary school and the character and scale of the surrounding area and appropriately located on the site. The over height areas will increase the appearance of bulk at the site but is commensurate with the overall scale of the school.”
Not all was flat out approved with a rubber stamp. SDCI approved all the departures without conditions except for #9. That one is regarding an illuminated sign. The conditions put on that for that approval are as follows:
1. Limited to one single-faced sign.
2. Time of use is restricted to 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. weekdays and weekends.
3. The sign is limited to being lit using one color with a dark background.
4. No video, flashing, scrolling, rolling, tumbling, or moving images are allowed. The message may change.
