WHEREAS, the Seattle Comprehensive Plan designated Northgate as an urban center, and as Northgate is significantly underperforming its jobs and housing targets, it is the City's goal to stimulate community and economic revitalization; and

WHEREAS, the Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan (NACP) addresses interrelated land use and transportation issues that are unique to Northgate; and

WHEREAS the vision of the NACP is to concentrate new office, retail and multifamily development in the core of the Northgate area surrounded by lower density residential neighborhoods, and to create a transit-supportive environment that emphasizes multi-modal transportation solutions including improved pedestrian, bicycle, bus transit, and high-capacity transit facilities and services; and

WHEREAS, Northgate currently plays major local and regional transportation roles that will become increasingly significant as proposed projects for King County Transit-Oriented Development, Sound Transit light rail service, and a potential future monorail line are realized; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:

Section 1. Seattle Transportation (SDOT) is directed to lead development of the Northgate Coordinated Transportation Investment Plan (CTIP). The CTIP is essentially an area-wide transportation analysis for the Northgate area that will facilitate public and private investment in Northgate area transportation projects and services, and coordinate transportation investments that best reflect the long-term goals of the Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan (NACP). The CTIP will build on the extensive body of prior transportation planning work and be updated to reflect current conditions and projected future needs.

The CTIP will include a technical review of planned and potential projects in the area and cover all modes of transportation. The technical review will include an evaluation of existing and future transportation infrastructure and service needs and deficiencies (basing future needs on a future year scenario defined by projected growth in the Northgate area and the region, and existing or shortterm needs on known or projected specific projects). The technical review will focus on converting the existing transportation network from one that is primarily auto-oriented to one that strives toward more balance across all transportation modes. The technical review will also identify measures to calm traffic where appropriate throughout the surrounding area while providing safe and efficient corridors for people and vehicles moving to and through the Northgate area.

As a result of the technical review, the City expects to produce a list of transportation infrastructure improvements to address existing and future transportation needs within the Northgate area, along with cost estimates, priorities, and potential funding sources. The CTIP shall identify and evaluate least-cost / maximum-benefit strategies and projects. It will also identify and evaluate project opportunities that would otherwise be foreclosed for the foreseeable future.

The CTIP will also analyze the direct and cumulative impacts of projects (project-level for known specific projects and planning level for other sites based on general growth forecasts) and their associated transportation improvements. The City expects that property owners will then be able to use the CTIP transportation analysis to fulfill much of the environmental review requirements for potential transportation impacts and mitigation for those projects. The CTIP may include an EIS or other appropriate environmental review and analysis of the impacts of the transportation impacts of predicted growth and known specific development projects in the Northgate area. It is possible that the Executive will propose future amendments to the Land Use Code and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Policies to enable the City to use the CTIP in reviewing specific projects, so that mitigation for transportation impacts can better address areawide transportation needs for the neighborhood. To the extent feasible, the transportation analysis will facilitate project-level planning and compliance with SEPA requirements for review of transportation impacts. The City expects that property owners will be able to use the CTIP transportation analysis to fulfill much of the environmental review requirements for potential transportation impacts and mitigation for those projects. The CTIP shall be scoped and developed in such a manner that it can serve as a basis for the transportation component of a possible later Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Northgate area.

Section 2. SDOT is directed to develop and implement a public and agency involvement plan to seek community and agency input throughout all phases of the CTIP including consultant selection and project scoping. Agencies are to include, but not be limited to City of Seattle departments (Seattle Public Utilities, Department of Planning and Development, Seattle City Light, Fire, Police, etc.), King County, Sound Transit, Seattle Popular Monorail Authority, and Washington State Department of Transportation.

Section 3. By April 15, 2004, SDOT is directed to complete a CTIP scope, schedule, budget, and public involvement plan for Council review. Within 30 days of the effective date of this resolution, SDOT is directed to begin negotiating cost sharing agreements with public and private participants that may benefit from the CTIP.

Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of _________, 2003, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this _____ day of __________, 2003. _________________________________ President __________of the City Council

THE MAYOR CONCURRING: _________________________________ Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of _________, 2003. ____________________________________ City Clerk

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