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Tuesdays are Muppet Days
Seattlest Pix 09Nov23
Can't Miss It: Monday
Thanksgiving Pairing Suggestion: Sides with a Pint
NIMBYs in Laurelhurst gained ground in their war against sick children, when a city hearing examiner agreed that Seattle Children's Hospital's proposed 350-bed expansion was "aggressive."
Something called the Laurelhurst Community Club has been battling with Children's for some time now--apparently the helicopters carrying the sick kids in are too noisy for them, which is weird because Airwolf had that WhisperQuiet button on its rotors decades ago--and for some reason they got their way in this hearing, despite no one quite knowing who they are or how much of Laurelhurst they really represent.
Now it's up to the City Council, and while we think this should be an easy call, here are a few things they might keep in mind: Children's has been in Laurelhurst since 1953--it's no surprise to any homeowners that there's a hospital there. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee and the director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) both recommended approval of Children's Master Plan. Children's is currently near capacity, and it's not even flu season.
Lastly, you don't want to be known as a member of the "Dead Kid Council," which is of course, how we will refer to you in perpetuity should you not come down on the right side of this thing.
Check out the City Council's release regarding "scores" of calls about the examiner's decision after the jump.
Hearing Examiner has provided recommendations to Council on Children’s request for expansionSEATTLE - Today, the Seattle City Council received scores of calls
from constituents regarding the recent recommendation by the city’s
Hearing Examiner on Seattle Children’s Hospital’s request for its
master plan. It’s critical the public understand the process and the
involvement of the City Council.The process started when Seattle Children’s Hospital made a request
for approval of a new Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) to guide a
proposed expansion of its buildings and campus. Master plan approvals
are subject to the city’s quasi-judicial rules and the state’s
Appearance of Fairness Doctrine (RCW 42.36). Under these rules, the
Councilmembers cannot hear directly from the public about the merits of
the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation, Children’s proposed
expansion, comments or objections to the expansion.A quasi-judicial decision means that the Council are acting as judges
rather than legislators as they are responsible for determining the
legal rights, duties or privileges of specific parties. In this case,
the specific party is Seattle Children’s Hospital. The Appearance of
Fairness Doctrine is intended to ensure that legislators sitting in a
quasi-judicial capacity are not subject to the undue influence of
proponents or opponents of a land use proposal. In essence, the
quasi-judicial process is designed to ensure that Councilmembers remain
unbiased as decision makers.The Council’s decision on Seattle Children’s Hospital requested
expansion will be based on the Hearing Examiner’s record. This record
includes public testimony provided at the hearing as well as exhibits
submitted by the proponents and opponents at the time of the Hearing
Examiner’s hearing on the proposed expansion. The Council cannot
consider information outside of this record, unless a valid appeal is
submitted with a request for additional information. No public comment
outside of the Hearing Examiner’s record or appeal process can be
considered.The Hearing Examiner provides a recommendation only. The Council will
review the record and consider the merits of Seattle Children’s
proposal late this year or early next year. During the review process
the Council may hear appeals that are submitted in accordance to Council
rules. The Council has the final decision on whether to allow
Children’s to expand.
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"A quasi-judicial decision means that the Council are acting as judges rather than legislators"
No. It means they'll be "quasi-judges"
Is everyone in Laurelhurst an idiot now? What a piece of trash writing.
This method makes sense, as most people are idiots and waste a lot of time whining. This isn't Roslyn. We have a heck of a lot of folks in this town. The council can't hear all of them, so they send proxies. This Hearing Examiner's report includes public opinion. So your opinion will be heard.
Do you know that Senator's don't read every bill or read every letter? Did you know they pay people they trust (or should trust) to do that, create a report and then the Senator reads said report?
Did you know businesses do this too? Did you know this is pretty much how everything works? Or do you not read reviews of restaurants or movies either?
This is the best fair-use of one my pictures evar! *smooches*