Shoreline Council sets Aurora right-of-way lines

SHORELINE – The Shoreline City Council recently took action to set maximum boundaries to the space the city may need for future projects in the central Shoreline area along Aurora Avenue N.

Several future city projects to be constructed through the central Shoreline Area — on Aurora Avenue N. from 172nd Street to 192nd Street — will need right-of-way space, including the widening of Aurora Avenue N. and construction of the Interurban Trail. In approving maximum right-of-way lines at its July 14 meeting, the Council identified the maximum amount of land the city might need for these projects, before these projects are fully designed. The lines the Council adopted preserve the current boundary on the west side of Aurora Avenue N., but cut through several businesses on the east side.

“We have put a lot of time in this and it accomplishes things that need to happen for the business community,” said Council member Linda Montgomery. “It removes the uncertainty and gives the worst case scenario for businesses on the east side, and allows businesses on the west side to ignore the 10 foot setback.”

Many people at the meeting spoke out against the amendment to the comprehensive plan.

In a letter to the Council, Shoreline Merchants Association (SMA) members argued that for the businesses on the east side of Aurora, including those located in the “wedge,” the right-of-way lines “may very well result in inverse condemnation for those properties, which would be detrimental to both the businesses and the city.”

President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce Greg Olson stated in a letter presented to the Council: “Many businesses feel the establishment of a 110-foot right-of-way will result in a design for the Central area that will absolutely use the full right-of-way. The reason some businesses feel this way is because they do not believe the City will act in the best interest of existing businesses” due to “the lack of communication.”

The Chamber requested Council not adopt the right-of-way lines and presented several issues it would like to see the city address in the future design of this section of the Aurora Corridor project. Diverting northbound buses onto Midvale Avenue, developing “the wedge” into “a vital and vibrant business district,” reducing the width of the sidewalks and retaining as much of the two-way left turn lane as possible, were some of the issues the Chamber presented.

Several Planning Commission members, spoke in favor of the right-of-way lines. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommended the approval.

“Adoption of the proposed maximum right-of-way is an important first step toward making firm our commitment to provide certainty to the business and property owners affected by the redevelopment of Aurora Avenue,” said planning commissioner Robin McClelland. “Plans for acquisition, relocation and realignment can be set in motion for an orderly transition.”

Before the Council took its vote, Council member Bob Ransom moved to postpone the vote indefinitely, which was rejected. The Council voted 5-1 to adopt the maximum right-of-way lines, with Council member John Chang the dissenter.

“People’s livelihood is at stake,” Chang said. “We need to think about who we value here — someone who walks by Aurora or someone’s livelihood. It is time for us to sit down with the businesses and work something out.”

Council member Rich Gustafson said “I think there truly is a benefit for advanced planning and this removes uncertainty. This amendment also does not preclude alternative designs. We need to take a look at the Midvale bus option, and sit down with business owners.”

Upon Mayor Scott Jepsen’s motion, the Council then voted unanimously to require city staff present the Council with plans on how the city plans to work with the businesses on the implications of these right-of-way lines.

“We need to begin working with businesses in areas where there could be potential land swaps, to work out possible solutions to make this work,” Jepsen said.