Shoreline Council to discuss design guidelines for Shoreline Light Rail stations at Monday dinner meeting

Monday, November 30, 2015 – Special Meeting 5:45pm
Shoreline City Hall,  17500 Midvale Ave N, Room 303

- Design Guidelines for Sound Transit Stations in Shoreline - page 5-7 has specifics of (draft) guiding principles.

Staff and public review of designs for Sound Transit Lynnwood Link Light Rail stations, garages and the associated light rail facilities will begin in 2016. The City adopted a Light Rail design review process in late August; however, Council has not yet provided guidance on what types of design components are important.

In order to provide guidance regarding the City's preference on the design of the stations, parking garages, and associated facilities, staff is proposing that Council adopt Light Rail Design Guiding Principles (Guiding Principles) to guide City staff and as input to Sound Transit.

Design Review Public Process
At the August 31 Council meeting, Council approved a public involvement process regarding the design of Sound Transit facilities in Shoreline, including the light rail stations, public spaces, 185th and 195th Street bridges, parking garages, and other features. Under this process, the City will host a preliminary open house in late January or early February to introduce the design process to residents and explain how their input could impact design.

The City will then coordinate on joint open houses with Sound Transit at the various stages of design at 30%, 60%, 90% complete design phases to receive public input. The City’s intent is to receive ideas and concerns regarding the design of the light rail facilities to inform its formal response to Sound Transit’s design proposals. The goal of each open house will be to solicit comments from the public on the project for both Sound Transit and Council.

Following each phase of Sound Transit Open Houses and staff group meetings, City staff will review comments and provide a recap of the Open House and recommended response letter to the Council for their review and approval.

Guiding Principles
Staff is proposing the attached draft Guiding Principles (Attachment A, p 5-7) as guidance to City staff and input to Sound Transit during the design process. The principles are designed to capture both Council’s and the public's interest in how the facilities will look and function once completed.

While the City has design standards for commercial development, there isn’t anything related to transit facilities, specifically light rail. The stations at 145th and 185th and the associated facilities (parking garages, landscaping, 195th St. pedestrian bridge, etc.) will be the gateways to Shoreline for anyone riding light rail. These facilities will also be gathering places for the community, and as such, should integrate with our communities in a positive way.

The way the design review process is structured, Council and the public will be responding to the designs only at major milestone phases (30%, 60%, and 90%). However, staff will be working closely with Sound Transit staff on a weekly (if not more) basis providing input throughout the design process. Adopting Guiding Principles will provide staff a framework of what’s important to Council and Shoreline residents during the review process.

Additionally, the Guiding Principles will provide context for Council’s review at the design phases – the comments would likely utilize the Guiding Principles and how the designs reflect the City’s expectations. This will also provide a framework of the City’s interests for Sound Transit staff in their work.

Design Concepts
To put together the draft Guiding Principles, staff reviewed previous Council resolutions, comment letters, and design related discussions with the public that addressed Sound Transit. These design concepts are the starting point of the conversation, and staff is looking for Council’s reactions and suggestions during the discussion.

The draft includes the main principles with examples, both to help illustrate the principle and to provide context and definition. The main principles include:

1. Sustainability – to employ sustainable, low impact and climate friendly practices;
2. Multi-modal Stations – stations should function as full service transit hubs;
3. Mobility – to accommodate all people with mobility challenges;
4. Light Rail Stations/Facilities Design – connect to the surrounding community to encourage and enhance vibrant, livable and sustainable stations;
5. Public Amenities – stations should be gathering places that create a sense of community and emphasizes the arts, culture and history of the community; and
6. Public Safety – facilities should be safe, welcoming areas for all ages at all times.
7. Public Art – integrate elements of art wherever possible.

Next Steps
Council will hold an initial discussion on draft Guiding Principles and provide staff any feedback. The next step is to publish the Guiding Principles as part of the City open house to kick off the design process. Staff and Council will take input from the public on the principles during the open house and in writing before and after.

Staff will then organize comments received from the Council, public, and partners and present final draft Guiding Principles for Council review and potential approval after the kick off but prior to the Sound Transit design open houses.

Staff anticipates coming to Council within a month of the open house with a resolution proposing to adopt Guiding Principles based on all the feedback received.