Form revised December 4, 2006

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
DPD	Mark Troxel/5-1739	Karen Grove/4-5805

Legislation Title:

An ordinance relating to environmental protection amending Attachment 1 to Seattle Municipal Code Section 25.05.675 to add Jefferson Park and the Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint as public places offering views of significant natural and human-made features.

· Summary of the Legislation:

New Parks projects have created new viewpoints at Jefferson Park and at Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint.  The SEPA chapter lists public places from which the views are protected.  This legislation will add two planned viewpoints in Jefferson Park (The Overlook and the Gatehouse Plaza) and the Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint to that list.

· Background:   The Jefferson Park expansion project will bury the existing reservoir beneath a lid that will be landscaped for public use.  The site’s topography enables great views to the west, and the site development plan designates two areas that will be developed with signage and amenities suited to public enjoyment of those views.  Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint is a new park at 1411 31st Ave. S. overlooking Sam Smith Park with the Downtown Skyline and the Olympics visible in the distance.  All sites offer panoramic views, although the Gatehouse Plaza view is partially obscured by the existing Gatehouse.  Panoramic views offer a wide viewshed within which development or tall trees is not necessarily detrimental to the view, and could possibly frame or enhance it.  Environmental analysis of future development within the viewshed of these sites will need to respond to how the development will affect the protected view.  Because the proposed viewpoints are located about 50 feet higher than potential nearby development sites, and the current height limits on those sites is limited to 37 feet, it is unlikely that SEPA viewpoint designation will adversely affect development potential in the Mt. Baker or Beacon Hill neighborhoods.

· Please check one of the following:

__X__ This legislation does not have any financial implications.

Please list attachments to the fiscal note below:

DPD Director’s Report