March 14, 2008
Michelle Fleharty
Real Estate Manager
Safeway, Inc.
Re: Pinehurst “Green” Safeway
Dear Michelle:
First off, thank you to you, to Gary Slabaugh, and to others at Safeway for your leadership and efforts in discussions with the Pinehurst neighborhood regarding a redeveloped Pinehurst Safeway store. For many years, the residents of Pinehurst have been working to get a high-quality store that meets the needs of our community, and we believe that Safeway has been forthcoming and responsive in our current dialogue to the neighborhood’s voice and priorities.
I am writing today to reaffirm Pinehurst’s support for Safeway’s application for a rezone in order to build a new Pinehurst store at 123rd and 15th Avenue NE. As you know, the Pinehurst community’s support for the rezone is based on our expectation that a new store would be built to green standards and that a community gathering space and certain design elements would be included in a new store. Items that Safeway and the community have discussed in the past include:
· Energy efficient systems, reduced emission elements, local materials, and low water landscaping;
· Utilization of heat reclaimed from cooling units for heating the store;
· The possibility Low-Impact Development (LID) features, such as non-potable water in the restrooms and permeable paving for the parking lot;
· New sidewalks on 123rd and 16th (possibly permeable surfaces);
· A covered outdoor seating area with an indoor/outdoor fireplace off of a coffee shop (also referred to as the “community gathering space”);
· Possible retention of existing trees in SE corner of the property;
· Noise reduction elements near the loading dock;
· Varied roof shapes – not completely flat; and,
· Trellises and other design elements to reduce a “boxy” feel.
As we now approach the formal community benefit agreement discussions that will be part of the rezone process, we want to be clear about what our expectations are for the new store. The Pinehurst community asks that the above mentioned items be included in the new store. In addition, we ask that a new store be built to at least to LEED silver standards. We believe that a LEED silver certification will be within reach of achieving once the already discussed items are included. Also, we ask Safeway to include bioswales (or other type of on-site stormwater infiltration) in the parking area if it is determined that permeable paving will not work on this site. And, while we have not previously gotten into specifics regarding the store roof, the neighborhood strongly urges Safeway to include a green roof as a component of the project.
Pinehurst residents see a new ‘green’ Safeway as a Win-Win situation for the community, Safeway, and the City of Seattle. Building green is not only part of Seattle’s greater vision for sustainability, but it sets a precedent for other businesses and developers and other communities that our commitment to the environment and future generations starts now.
With so much current focus on global warming and building a sustainable Seattle, the Pinehurst Safeway redevelopment has the potential to be a model for other future grocery stores in our city. Requiring at least LEED silver certification will ensure that objective and quantifiable measures of sustainability are met.
The Pinehurst community has gone to great efforts to work with Safeway and to support this project. We believe that Safeway shares our vision and commitment for a sustainable store. Pinehurst residents affirm our commitment to the rezone and to a truly ‘green’ store (LEED standards and best management practices for low impact design), and we ask that Safeway formally commit to the elements discussed above and that Safeway be accountable for meeting these criteria in the unexpected event that circumstances or commitments change.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
