A Design Review for the Tully’s/Moon Temple lot is scheduled for this Monday (August 5) at the University Heights Community Center.
Here are the details:
The proposal is for a one-story structure with 9,365 sq. ft. of retail space, surface parking for 25 vehicles. Existing structure to be demolished.
You can see the proposed design here.
Date: Monday, August 5, 2013
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: University Heights Community Center, 5031 University Way NE, Room #209
All meeting facilities are ADA compliant. Translators or interpreters provided upon request. Please contact the planner listed above at least five business days prior to the meeting to request this service.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT
The Director will accept written comments to assist in the preparation of the early design guidance through August 5, 2013. You are invited to offer comments regarding important site planning and design issues, which you believe, should be addressed in the design for this project.
Comments and requests to be made party of record should be submitted to [email protected] or City of Seattle – DPD – PRC, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, PO Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019
PROCESS
An application for Design Review related to future development of this site has been submitted to the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). The first phase of Design Review includes the Early Design Guidance (EDG) meeting. At the Early Design Guidance meeting, the following occurs:
- The applicants will present information about the site and vicinity as well as early massing design concepts.
- The public may offer comments regarding the design of a development on the subject site.*
- The Design Review Board will provide guidance and identify those Design Guidelines of highest priority for the design as it moves forward towards Master Use Permit (MUP) application.
- Following the meeting, DPD will issue a written Early Design Guidance report summarizing the meeting. This report will be sent to those who signed in at the meeting or otherwise requested a copy.
*Please note that public comment at the EDG meeting is limited to design considerations. If environmental review is triggered, comments related to environmental impacts (such as traffic, parking, noise, etc.) may be sent to DPD following notice of that review.
MORE INFORMATION
This proposal may be viewed at our Design Review Program website at http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Design_Review_Program/Overview/. For more information regarding this application or the Design Review process, you may contact the Land Use Planner listed above, go to the Design Review Program website or visit our office at the address above. (We are open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 10:30 am to 4 pm Tuesday and Thursday.)
In the comments of our initial post, Brian writes:
Hello Wallingford neighbors from Uptown and West Seattle. You should know that you are not alone – CVS is preparing an invasion of our neighborhoods! They are proposing very similar projects in the heart of Uptown and the Alaska junction. Both of those projects are single-story, single-use, suburban stores right next to major transit hubs.
Also, the design packet for your August 5 Design Review meeting is now available (click here).
And here’s the one for Queen Anne/Uptown (click here)
A prize for who can tell the difference!
No packet yet for West Seattle, but oh boy! It will have a drive-through (click here).
Despite comments above to the contrary, community voices DO have an influence. The Walgreens in the heart of Capitol Hill was first proposed to be a suburban store on a surface parking lot. At Broadway and Pine, of all places! Community pushback AND sincere engagement with the developers led to it becoming a mixed-use apartment building. Walgreens still arrived as a tenant, but in an urban building, not a suburban one from 1950.
I would like to hear how our all-mighty Wallingford Community Council is planning on approaching this project. In my opinion, this project would have a much more negative impact on our neighborhood than the project that they recently spent so much time battling; a Living Building headquarters building for a great local employer at what was a horribly ugly site at the base of Stone Way.
Wallingford Community Council, please use your assumed power as a mouth peace for the neighborhood to organize and rally support to stop this ridiculous project.
Thank you!
Cameron
Wow. I generally support new building in our neighborhood commercial districts but I cannot imagine that anyone outside of CVS corporate headquarters could possibly embrace this proposal. They want to tear down buildings with neighborhood character that provide multiple retail opportunities to replace them with an ugly (does anyone disagree?), monolithic drug store (the one thing the neighborhood definitely doesn’t lack). Despite the increased bulk there is net loss in retail opportunities. A prettier parking lot is perhaps the only benefit but the fact that there is a surface lot at all is a ridiculous waste of precious space in this vibrant, walkable neighborhood. The only purpose of this building is to help CVS carve out market share and increase their visibility. We have stand up for the long term interests of the neighborhood. If CVS wants in, let them build an attractive, mixed use building that will have some resiliency, rather than a single use building that will be a vacant eyesore if CVS is unsuccessful in driving out their competition.
I don’t know if we can stop it, but I do know I’ll never shop there. If it has a parking lot, I might use it when I run to Bartell though.
Just checked out the plans…. YUCK, it looks like every walgreens, rite-aid, CVS building up and down california. This needs to be stopped, this does not add value to our community.
This is completely disgusting. Wow. Awful.
Agree. Just wrote a post, but the catcha would not let me send it. I guess they do not thing 3+4 are 7. Maybe this time.
I will never set foot in CVS. But as chris plans, I will park there to go to Bartell’s.
I sure hope they stay and CVS is boycotted.
Anyone know if Walgren’s is making any money, I never see anyone in that store when I walk by. Maybe they will leave.
As a newcomer to the Wallingford area,moving from the east coast,I must say I am enormously discouraged that Wallingford would even consider such a building. When we moved here we carefully chose a neighborhood that had character and a sense of it’s past. The new proposed structure is not at all in concert with the esthetic appeal of a walkable city neighborhood,but rather mirrors every suburban corner throughout the country,or down on Aurora Ave. Wallingford is not a strip mall. It is a village not in need of a yet another drugstore
Be careful to not allow the character of this great neighborhood to erode with this kind of new construction . Guard what we have or we will lose it one building at a time .
Please don’t allow this
Hate it.
Pam –
Wallingfordians don’t want anything to do with this CVS project (at least everyone I talk to). But there isn’t much (anything) we can do about it – the city government is powerless/uninterested in stopping it or anything else. Wave the prospect of tax revenue at them and they’re all in.
City council persons and mayoral candidates talk ‘neighborhood’ but don’t mean it. Just ask any of them a question on the topic and watch them change the subject.
John(I know I am preaching to the choir) ,so sad-Seattle neighborhoods have something very unique. Coming form the east coast-where old is really old-things are valued a bit differently. Historic review boards would be in place here.(if here was east) Once the original character begins to be chipped away at-it can’t be replaced. At the very least (and I understand development) some tremendous care should be given to construction/design/use. The “downtown” area of Wallingford is what helps make our little community. I am assuming there is no “historic” design review board or anything ??? Even some southern CA towns that are historic have very tough guidelines. I guess that’s because we are Seattle not a real “town’.
This is a travesty. Let’s certainly do everything we can to stop it. cj
the Wallyhood design review post said it will be a one story building . Looking at the design proposal, the building is intended to be at least two stories high.
I’m assuming this is a done deal, they own the property, so what is this design review meeting supposed to accomplish? What can we do to stop this? This property is right at the center of wallingford, I can’t believe that an outside corporation can demolish a historic building and the community has no say in it, is there a way to declare it a historic site so they can’t touch it?
There has to be something we Wallingford peeps can do. So unbelievable.
I’ve defended projects like the Stone34 building and the apartments at the AVTech site, but this CVS store proposal is insulting and ridiculous. A one-story corporate drugstore with lots of parking is completely inappropriate for that location. Whatever our previous differences on past projects, Wallingford should unite against this monstrosity.
You all understand that there’s a parking lot in that space now, right? And that it won’t be one-story?
We have historic preservation laws in Seattle, but they aren’t going to apply to this building plus it is probably too late to try to designate it (which would, based on precedent, be a waste of time anyway).
The reality is that the one real opportunity anyone had to stop this building being built was to outbid CVS in the Tully’s bankruptcy.
Regarding this meeting on August 5, will any of you be there? It says this is a design review as it moves towards a master permit, can we raise the issue of the fact that we don’t want this thing in there at all? Can having a ton of people show up in this meeting voicing opposition have any affect on the outcome? I wanted to hand out flyers tomorrow at 45th and meridian informing people that there’s a meeting but I can’t tell if it’s an appropriate venue for it. And if any of you want to help give me a shout.
I will help you.
In the later afternoon works for me. how do i contact you?
Shirley
I’ll be down there in about an hour, and whenever is good for you. 2063569489 text me I’ll be there
Like we need another drug store…another ugly generic drug store to sell us more disposable junk and take away from the Wallingford aesthetic and make that block look like mc-mansion land central NC and everywhere else across America. Is there a way to stop this? Do they own the land? Would we even be heard or is it all just a formality to placate neighbors before destroying their neighborhoods?
My understanding is that we can influence the design, but probably won’t be able to make CVS go away. Presumably CVS has done the market research that says othis is a good location for this store (and the one they plan to build on Queen Anne), but I don’t personally know anyone who will shop there. I will be there on Monday to let them know what I think of their store in our neighborhood. And also to try to influence the design for the better… because the reality is, it’s probably going to be built whether we like it or not.
If you really hate the prospect of this building in our neighborhood, please go to the meeting on Monday. Saying “we can’t do anything” is not only a terrible attitude, it’s untrue.
I’ve sent the review board my feedback. Please mention this project to your neighbors in case they don’t read this blog. I want the city to know that we are not at all happy with the proposed design. Thank you.
I posted a ton of flyers on around the area of 45th and meridian, had a some conversations with people and generally people are very surprised and angered that this is even a possibility. If any of you would like flyers to post or hand out to your neighbors, I’ve created one and can update it with new dates for future meetings, I can send you a pdf to print yourself if you’d like.
I also contacted the Wallingford Community Council, they are having a meeting on wed, here’s what they had to say:
“Lian,
There will be someone for the developer at the meeting on Monday night as it is part of the city’s required permit process. The WCC’s Land Use Chair plus others will also likely be at the meeting. The community council has also been trying for a couple of weeks to get a representative of the developer to come to our meeting on Wednesday night. So far, the developer has not responded to our request. Nevertheless, we will be discussing the project at our meeting, whether CVS is there or not. At this point, WCC hasn’t taken a position, but may do so after our meeting on Wednesday.
The WCC meeting is open to everyone. We meet at 7:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Center. We would like to have the input of the community.
Lee Raaen-President”
By the way someone posted this petition about a month ago, please pass it on.
http://www.change.org/petitions/cvs-pharmacy-do-not-build-in-wallingford-seattle-wa
Note that the comments to DPD need to be about the design, not the tenant. DPD doesn’t care (and can’t really review) that CVS is moving in. If you’re opposed to the project, keep the comments along the lines of massing, the proposed single-tenant ~10,000sf retail space, the single story (its zoned for 40 feet), the parking (I’m fairly certain none would be required). I’m surprised by the number of comments that focus on the tenant rather than the design, but the design is all the *design* review board can look at.
I have been through this process on First Hill for another project. The Design Review Board, in that case, was very restrictive in the comments they would take from the public, and they had to do only with the design, not the project as a whole. If someone got off topic the chair asked them to sit down. The review board has a limited period of time for the meeting and usually declare at the beginning of the meeting how much time they have for community comment. You have to sign up to speak and they limit that to a minute or two. If you go over, they ask you to sit down. It is true that they will not take any comments on the efficacy of the project itself. That part is a done deal as they usually have all the needed permits by then except the approval of the Design Review Board. Does it still matter if you show up? YES!!!! Just because they wont take your testimony doesn’t mean you shouldn’t voice it. If a room gets really crowded with people opposed to the project, that makes a statement. Will it win out over corporate greed…it might if CVC sees that the community is really against it. However, be prepared as CVC is professional at getting their way and this is probably not the first community to oppose their project. Also, the more publicity that can be generated in the media the more impact it will have on CVC. Anyone have contacts?
Does CVS serve strong drinks?
Hello Neighbors, I thought we lived in Wallingford, not Bellevue. The design is so generic and suburban. Isn’t there some way to preserve the character of the present buildings through a rehab?
Design aside – Wallingford needs another pharmacy like it needs another Thai restaurant. We have Bartell’s, Pharmaca, and Walgreen’s already.
I am strongly against this and will do what I can to stop this. Flash Mob anyone?
Hi. Has anyone suggested having our own meeting at 6 pm (before the 6:30 meeting) to get our talking points in order? We need some coordination if our own Wallingford community council isn’t yet taking a position on this. (My God.)
This meeting is ONLY to comment on the design, not the tenant. We should make sure we are working together to defeat this project by having a coordinated effort with a strong message, strong talking points.
If there is a pre-meeting already for tonight, please let me know and I’ll come. It would be great if some of those most knowledgeable on the best talking points would come too (Kyle, Jon, Lian, others?!). How about it?
Jenny
Maybe outside the building? The scheduled meeting will be a push for people who work as it is, but worth meeting on the east side of the building (shady) for a few minutes. I guess out biggest push is to the design committee to build something compatible with the area. But..I am not encouraged, for I imagine the architects have done their thing, and been paid.
I cannot imagine why CVS thinks this is a good location. We are drowning in pharmacies.
I’ve heard a lot of people say (on this site and in conversation) that 45th doesn’t “need” another drugstore, or that it’s ridiculous that CVS believe that there is demand for another pharmacy at this location. I think it’s worth clarifying that CVS is NOT building this store because they think that we need or want it, unfortunately. Instead, someone in corporate headquarters did a calculation and determined that this new store is likely to make them money. This calculation probably took into consideration the nearby Bartell’s, and someone at headquarters may have argued that a new CVS could easily push Bartell’s out of business… As well as Pharmaca. I’m guessing there is an algorithm based on geospatial statistics that plays a major role in siting decisions for business such as these.
To be clear, I am not saying this is right or that it is good business practice — I truly hate it. But we need to realize that this is the way things are done nowadays. Optimistically, I’d like to believe that opposition from the community may make a difference. In addition to the wonderful organizing that is taking shape on this thread, another thing we can do in the long run as consumers and community members is to be sure to support our small businesses on 45th as much as possible. Whenever I consider making a purchase on Amazon, I stop to think about whether I can purchase the item at one of our local businesses instead, even though it may be less convenient or cost me a few dollars more. I’m not saying that buying a couple toys from Kids on 45th instead of ordering it on Amazon will save the Moon Temple building and scare off CVS, but I do think that we all need to look at the bigger picture and figure out how our collective behaviors are enabling corporations like CVS to forcibly take over our neighborhoods like this…
I will not be able to attend the meeting tonight, but below are the points that I sent to the design review board:
The proposed design does not address the goals of the NC2P-40 zoning or the character of the Wallingford Urban Village.
– The single-tenant space does not allow for a variety of uses and presents an uninteresting pedestrian streetscape. In particular, a single entrance at the corner of 45th and Meridian creates a long facade along 45th with no street-level activation, replacing the existing three storefronts with a single wall with no entries. Detailing in the facade does not address the fact that three storefronts are replaced with a single tenant space.
– The single-story design underuses the 40 foot zoning. A FAR of 0.46 is proposed, approximately 15% of the allowable floor area.
– Excessive parking is retained in the existing surface parking lot. The design review documents note that parking is required, but it seems unnecessary for the NC2P zoning in an Urban Village with frequent transit access.
Kyle has it exactly. This is the sort of thing that needs to be said to the design review board, not “we don’t want CVS” which they won’t care about and are, frankly, not permitted to consider.
All,
Here is a link to the Wallingford Design Guidelines. This has information on suggested/encouraged/desired elements planting, seating, heights, setbacks, signage, etc.
http://clerk.seattle.gov/~ordpics/117619at18.pdf
Kyle, I think you’ve nailed the most pressing issues – in my opinion.
I am planning on going to the meeting tonight and will try to get there about 10 minutes early.
Maybe CVS doesn’t pay fair wages to their employees and we can get McGinn to get involved as he did with the Whole Foods in West Seattle. I realize that required an alley vacation and this does not, but if he is pushing for Seattle being able to address the growing income disparity this may another opportunity. Again, not a topic the review board can technically consider, but it might be worth looking into and raising if it is an issue.
Will somebody be reading Kyle’s comment for him?
It’s not really that CVS thinks they can be a 4th drugstore in Wallingford, it is their intention to be the only drugstore and to do whatever will accomplish this goal. I have heard from Bartell employees that CVS wants to take over the neighborhood. Alas, unless we find a way, we could very well lose our Bartells as it is one of the smallest in the area and Bartells doesn’t have the wherewithal to fight a giant like CVS. (Kind of reminds me of the way the mob works.) CVS is also taking over a local antique store in Burien where they would be the 6th drugstore, but remember that’s not their intention. We need to be clear this building does not fit in with any urban architectural vision of Wallingford that one might think of. It simply does not fit the character of the neighborhood and would tower over everything around it. There’s a lot more to be said and much that was said well here. But now we must go off to the meeting. Good luck everyone.
Uptown is actively trying to fight the CVS proposed there. Hopefully West Seattle too as they are also facing one of these projects. As I said in a comment on the previous post, citizens CAN affect these projects and it is totally worth trying. Otherwise we’re stuck with the consequences for decades to come and, a terrible precedent for how our city grows.
http://www.wallyhood.org/2013/06/tullys-moon-temple-demolished/comment-page-2/#comment-254339
Sure, DPD has its rules and limited process. But this is our city and that should not tie our hands to inform our fellow neighbors and make a stink!
I am completely disgusted! I was a little excited to see what was going to go in there….. until I saw these plans! I guess pharmaca, wallgreens, and bartells are not enough. Down south the build across the street from each other to capture market share and put the other out of business, in the end only the neighborhood loses. Please sign me up to do anything that could stop this.
For those of you attending tonight, feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know what happened (and we’ll create a new post to update the story). Or, you can also leave comments here.
About 7 years ago I managed the Wallingford Bartell’s for about a year. I now work in the corporate office as the general merchandise buyer (those Doctor Who toys Wallingford seems to love so much? That was me!) I knew most of my customers by name when I managed your store. I’ve seen a few posts saying we can’t fight a national chain coming in. We’ve been doing that for 123 years. We’re still family owned, and locally operated. We will always do our best to give great service, provide a great selection at fair prices with great weekly ads. Above all, we’ve been part of this community for over 100 years. All of our employees and family owners live and work here. We’re your neighbors. We appreciate your business and we’re not going anywhere.
THAT is the best news I have heard! So glad to hear from you. Thank you.
Regarding the meeting. Comments relevant for the most part. I think the BIGGEST message to the architects, is that we KNOW they did not design much of anything considering the neighborhood. They just took their cookie cutter design that you can see EVERYWHERE, and were hoping we would lie down like little lambs. It was helpful to hear from everyone. I liked the comment by the man who mentioned Needham, Mass, saying that this CVS was actually acceptable. Maybe we should contact THAT community.
This is not for sure, and needs to be announced. but the DEVELOPER IS SCHEDULED TO COME TO WWCCOUNCIL TOMORROW NIGHT.
GOOD TO KNOW AND SEE IF IT IS TRUE.
SHIRLEY
It was so great to see so many people come out! I’m so proud of my neighbors! It was a promising meeting, but just the beginning, we gotta keep pressing. Great job everyone!
Yes-very promising. There were so many articulate ‘right on ‘ comments. thank you neighbors. I did not speak because most of what i felt had been said. Is the meeting Wednesday key in this?
Quick heads up –
Pretty sure the WCC meeting is Wednesday night – 6 @ Good Shepard
The Wallingford Community Council meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7 pm in room 202 at the Good Shepherd Center. So the meeting this month is Wednesday, August 7 at 7 pm.
Just wanted to repost this, don’t know if it would help at all but only needs a little over 100 more signatures now, about 50 more were gathered yesterday.
http://www.change.org/petitions/cvs-pharmacy-do-not-build-in-wallingford-seattle-wa
Please take the less than 5 mintues it takes to sign and do it. This is so wrong.
Kyle is correct. For design review, one must focus on design issues. If CVS is seeking to go higher than zoning allows, object to changes (and point to the Wallingford Neighborhood Plan). Parking? Raise concerns about increased traffic. Without landmark status, it is difficult if not impossible to address the “looks” of the building. You can raise concerns about setbacks, rooftop equipment (perhaps), pedestrian concerns around increased traffic and driveway crossings, etc.
On another note, based on the “no design work” submittal that has been referenced, this project has the earmarks of test balloon, i.e. before we invest a large amount of money designing something, lets test the waters to see how much work we will have to do. This can strongly influence the bottom line of the project and perhaps make the site less attractive. Locate the contact at CVS corporate and make it very clear your views on the project. Suggest ways in which their money would be better well spent, and more accepted to the neighborhood.
Finally, does anyone know the status of the property when Tully’s liquidated? Perhaps contact with the “McDreamy” new owner can influence the project if it is not a done deal. The Tully’s location was a favorite. Again, perhaps something can be done to demonstrate how the better financial decision is to not sell the property to CVS?
The WCC is still our recognized organization and does carry some clout with the city. It is election season, contact some of our city council (Conlin O’Brien) to see what they are willing to do to support the neighborhood (hopefully better than they supported the Roosevelt District!).
Just a few thoughts.
what I’ve been wondering about is that new apt. building next to the old Tully’s parking lot, on about 46th and Meridian……to my eyes there are NO parking spaces provided in the building…….does this mean that to live there you have to not have a car? OR, will there just be that many more cars on the street? I thought there was some law saying that new buildings had to provide parking?????????
Has there been any update on what is going to happen to Moon Temple? I will be so sad if we lose this venerable institution!
The Stranger has a good account of what happened at the Design Review meeting – a “win” for the neighborhood (at least for now) :
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/08/16/is-bad-publicity-enough-to-change-crappy-developments-in-wallingford-queen-anne-and-west-seattle
good review of meeting in The Stranger! We Can do positive things for our neighborhood…..neighborhood activism…reminds me of the 60’s in the Bay Area…..and here, we kept the Good Shepherd Center from being turned into a plastic strip mall, And we kept the Wallingford Center and turned it into something good…..we do not need another pharmacy, particularly one like that…..also, once again, WHERE is the parking provided for the new apt. building next to the Old Tully’s lot???? I thought you were required by law to provide parking for buildings these days…..
(If you’re reading that Stranger blog entry, don’t miss the linked one on Conlin!)
Penny,
I was under the impression the city was trying to limit parking in buildings but the only thing I can find about this is a year old. Do you have newer information?
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/07/23/city-council-finally-passes-regulatory-reform-measure
Did you all get the email regarding contacting our council members about the emergency legislation by councilman Conlin? There was a vote today and I received this email from councilman Tim Burgess’ office, this is good news RIGHT???
Dear Lian,
Thank you for your email to Councilmember Burgess about the minimum density legislation before the City Council. The Council voted unanimously this afternoon to pass this legislation.
Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Nate Van Duzer
Nate Van Duzer
Legislative Aide
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Seattle City Council
206-684-8806
[email protected]
http://www.seattle.gov/council/burgess/
It is good news for sure. Although the interim legislation does not require CVS to change its plans, it does demonstrate that Seattle is not going to roll over and accept their cookie cutter designs in our neighborhoods…in the future.
What’s important about this legislation is it defines our development goals more clearly, and gives city and neighborhood leaders an opportunity to approach CVS and ask them to sit down and consider a new approach to expanding in the Seattle market.
We can show them a better way, if they’re willing to listen. Like the way Walgreens revamped their approach to settling down in the heart of Capitol Hill, scrapping their plans for a one-story building and embracing the idea of a multi-story building with retail on the bottom and affordable housing on top. I love that story and think it has lessons for us today in Wallingford.
I think the right approach is to build a dialogue with CVS and their developer, help them to learn about Seattle’s vision and what makes our neighborhoods speical, and offer them the chance for a win-win. Their reputation is at stake and that makes an opportunity for us.
here’s a link to Councilman Conlin’s Emergency Legislation Proposal:
http://conlin.seattle.gov/2013/09/04/minimum-density-requirements-emergency-legislation/