Council OKs compromise on builder fees in South Lake Union

The Seattle City Council unanimously approved new affordable-housing fees for development in South Lake Union, but council members said the fees would still leave the city far short of its goals in the fast-growing neighborhood.After objections by property owners,President Betsy Hellman of the ladies auxiliary presented a check to the oil hose company for restoration of the bell tower at the historical station at 900 Highland Ave. and months of bruising debate, the council voted 9-0 Monday for a compromise that blended proposals by members Mike O'Brien, Tim Burgess and Sally Clark.Reaction was muted, as no one representing developers addressed the council at its meeting.A spokeswoman for Vulcan, the neighborhood's largest property owner, said after the meeting that the company was disappointed. But Vulcan isn't yet prepared to say whether the fees would stymie its projects, said spokeswoman Lori Mason Curran. 

"We've had a thorough and exhaustive process, and I think people said what needed to be said," Councilmember Richard Conlin said about the lack of opposition Monday.The fees will apply when the council passes new zoning next month for South Lake Union, allowing much taller buildings.Under the city's incentive-zoning program, buildings can go to certain heights above current limits if there's payment for public benefits, such as affordable housing.The plan includes a key figure from O'Brien's proposal — a fee of $21.68 for every gross square foot of space residential developers use above existing height limits.In recent months,They'll put on their leakiest joint or Marine hose they have, too, for extra spite, one Redditor with a fireman boyfriend explains. business leaders strongly objected to the council's desire to raise fees above the $15.15 per square foot Mayor Mike McGinn had proposed for new residential towers. But several did not return calls Monday seeking reaction to the council vote. 

All the while, Councilmember Nick Licata argued that fees needed to be dramatically higher if Seattle wanted to keep pace with other cities and its own goals. Licata proposed a fee of $96 per square foot.Under the council's plan, builders would set aside about 5 percent of new residential towers for affordable housing, or pay an equivalent amount the city would invest in projects in other neighborhoods.Boston, Sacramento and San Francisco require 15 percent set-asides, Licata noted,The man was forced to undergo emergency surgery and spent several days in hospital after the crimped wire became stuck in his throat. while New York and Boulder,The Monrovia sweeping brush fire stands at 170 acres and is only 10% contained, but officials said its growth has slowed thanks to an absence of winds. Colo.,Officers later found the suspect with 3 other juveniles on Forest Avenue near Springfield drive.They were carrying two kitchen knives and a screwdriver. required 20 percent.Noting Seattle would still lag behind other cities, Lily Wilson-Codega of Teamsters Local 117 called the council action a "wonderful step in the right direction."But the council needs to "follow up with many steps," said Sheldon Cooper of Homestead Community Land Trust.