Master plan documents

Children's Hospital, the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), and the City have worked together to develop a Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) that will guide campus development for the next 20 years. The master plan process started in spring 2007, resulting in a City Council-approved MIMP. More information about proposed campus growth is available in the following documents:

MIMP Annual Reports Now Available

Annual reports are one element of Seattle Children’s approved Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP). These reports provide a general overview of progress made in meeting the goals and conditions of the approved MIMP.

Tour the Hostpital

The following MIMP video was shared with the hearing examiner on Thursday, March 5, 2009 as part of the master plan process. The video was prepared by Children’s to help illustrate the need to grow by showing the challenges of it's current facilities, and the strain often felt by patients, families and staff due to increasingly high patient volumes.

Please note that this video contains subject matter that may be uncomfortable for some viewers.

Compiled Final Master Plan, May 12
Per Municipal Code Section 23.69.032, Children’s Compiled Final Master Plan has been approved by the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods. This document incorporates all changes and conditions imposed during the master plan approval process.
Final Approved Design Guidelines, May 7

The public was invited to provide comment on the initial draft of Seattle Children’s Design Guidelines at the Design Commission meeting on April 15, 2010. The Final Approved Design Guidelines and the previous Updated Draft Design Guidelines reflect input received from Design Commissioners, the Department of Planning and Development, and members of the community.

Design guidelines are required by Seattle Children's Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) to assist both the Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) and Children’s in achieving the desired character envisioned for the campus while harmonizing the hospital and surrounding neighborhood landscape and building forms.

Seattle City Council’s Transportation Committee to hold a public hearing on Children’s street vacation application on May 25

Seattle City Council’s Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on Children’s street vacation application on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at Seattle City Hall and begins at 9:30 am. The specific start time for Children’s agenda item, and additional meeting details, will soon be available on the Transportation Committee web page.

Street vacation refers to the process where the owner of property adjacent to public right-of-way can petition the City Council to acquire that right-of-way for private use. In order for a vacation to be approved, Council must determine that the vacation would be in the best interest of the public. Council may reference established land use policies and codes for guidance, but is not bound by them in making street vacation decisions. As defined on the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) web site, “City Council will weigh the public trust and land use effects of a vacation, mitigating measures and the public benefit provided by the vacation to determine whether or not the vacation is in the public interest.” More information about the street vacation process is available in Seattle Municipal Code 15.62 or on the Seattle Department of Transportation web site.

On April 5, 2010 Council approved Seattle Children's Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP), allowing expansion of Children’s campus to include the Laurelon Terrace property, to be purchased by the hospital. Due to its low elevation, Children’s plans to locate the majority of proposed buildings on this property in order to reduce height impacts.

Currently, NE 46th Street and 41st Ave NE nearly bisect the Laurelon Terrace property and are used primarily by Laurelon Terrace residents to access their homes. Vacation of these streets would maximize use of the site, allowing resources for the following public benefits:

  • Burke-Gilman Trail/Sand Point Way NE connection near the Hartmann site (at the proposed new intersection at 40th Ave NE and Sand Point Way NE)
  • Street amenities and shuttle enhancements on Sand Point Way NE near the Hartmann site (for example: sidewalk improvements and connections to Children’s shuttle)
  • $2 million for bike and pedestrian fund (for projects within a 1.5 mile radius of Children’s main campus)
  • Street amenities on 40th Ave NE near Laurelon Terrace site (for example: sidewalk improvements)
  • Pocket Park at 40th Ave NE & NE 45th Street (open space for public use and visual transition between the Laurelhurst neighborhood on the south and Seattle Children’s future development)
Seattle Children's Master Plan is approved by Seattle City Council

On April 5, the Seattle City Council approved Seattle Children’s Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP). Council Ordinance 123263, which approves the MIMP, is available on the City Council’s web site: http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/childrens.htm

Seattle Children's Hospital Draft Design Guidelines and Upcoming Design Commission Meeting

Specific Design Guidelines are required by Seattle Children's Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) to assist both the Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) and Children’s in achieving the desired character envisioned for the campus while harmonizing the hospital and surrounding neighborhood landscape and building forms. These guidelines were reviewed by a subcommittee of the Design Commission and will be reviewed by the full Commission.

The Commission will take some time from their review meeting on April 15 to take public comment on the draft design guidelines. Time for public comment will be limited depending on the number of attendees who wish to make verbal comment. Written comments may be submitted to Design Commission staff by Monday, April 12, 2010. Written comments will be available to commissioners prior to the meeting, but will not be read during the meeting. Following public comment, the Draft Design Guidelines will be sent to DPD for final approval.

Time and Location
April 15, 2010
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue
Boards and Commissions Room, L280

Seattle Children's Hospital and Laurelhurst Community Club reach agreement on proposed hospital expansion

An agreement between Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) regarding Children’s Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP) has been reached. The agreement supports the exceptional work and recommendations as set forth by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and will further strengthen the balance between Children’s critical need for more beds and the livability of the surrounding neighborhood.

Key issues addressed in the agreement include:

  • The total square footage on the main campus will not exceed 2.125 million square feet – a reduction of 275,000 square feet
  • Building heights will not exceed 140’ (excluding mechanical space)
  • The Hartmann property (located across Sand Point Way NE) will not be developed as a part of the master plan
  • Children’s agrees not to expand its boundaries into residential areas within Laurelhurst for a period of 50 years
  • Children’s maintains its commitment to a comprehensive transportation mitigation
  • The LCC agrees to withdraw their appeal and to support the master plan as modified by the agreement

This agreement still allows Children’s to build up to 600 inpatient beds to meet the need of our region.

On February 10 this information was presented jointly by Children’s and the LCC to the Committee on the Built Environment at City Hall. The final authority for the Master Plan approval lies with the City Council.

Seattle City Council begins review of Children’s MIMP on November 18

The Seattle City Council Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee will meet on November 18 at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall for a briefing on the Hearing Examiner’s decision. The briefing may include a summary of the proposal, an overview of the site, a review of the various program components and the process related to the development of the MIMP and the process for Council review.

As with all MIMPs, the Council will act as judges in this case, rather than as legislators. They will base their final decision on applicable laws and the Hearing Examiner’s record, along with considering the 11 appeals that have been made in this case.

Seattle Children’s Hospital Appeal of Hearing Examiner Recommendation, August 25

On August 25, 2009 Seattle Children’s filed an appeal of the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation for denial of the hospital’s Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP).

Hearing Examiner recommends denial of Seattle Children’s Major Institution Master Plan; rules Revised Final EIS to be adequate, August 11

The Hearing Examiner for the City of Seattle has recommended that the City Council deny Seattle Children's Major Institution Master Plan (MIMP). While the vast majority of the plan was found to be adequate, the Hearing Examiner recommended against approval of the MIMP based on what she described as "balancing" issues.

As part of her ruling on Children’s Major Institution Master Plan, the Hearing Examiner found the Department of Planning and Development's Revised Final EIS to be adequate. This ruling denies the appeal by the Laurelhurst Community Club challenging the adequacy of the Revised Final EIS.

Hearing Examiner Update

On July 10, the City of Seattle Hearing Examiner issued an order dismissing two key elements of the appeal of the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) as related to the environmental review of Seattle Children's proposed Major Institution Master Plan. The order concluded that 1) the Hearing Examiner has no jurisdiction to determine whether or not the Planning and Development Director erred in preparing a Revised Final Environmental Impact Statement instead of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to assess the land use and housing information she previously determined was missing in the original Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and 2) in the absence of changes in Children's proposed Major Institution Master Plan, the Hearing Examiner lacks authority to ask the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to reconvene to comment on the Revised Final Environmental Impact Statement. The LCC filed a motion for reconsideration of this ruling, asserting that the Hearing Examiner committed an error of law in dismissing these appeal issues. On July 22, the Hearing Examiner denied LCC's motion for reconsideration, based on Hearing Examiner Rule 3.20

The combined EIS adequacy and Master Plan hearings held on July 14 and 15 are now closed. The Examiner has two remaining matters pending before her: a final decision on the adequacy of the Revised Final Environmental Impact Statement; and her recommendation to the City Council on the merits of Children's proposed Major Institution Master Plan. Her decision and recommendation on these matters is expected by mid-August.

Revised Analysis, Recommendation and Determination of the Director of the Department of Planning and Development

The Director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has issued a recommendation on Seattle Children’s Hospital proposed Master Plan, and an environmental determination based on the Final EIS for the project. Read the DPD Land Use Bulletin.

The Seattle Hearing Examiner will hold a public hearing to consider the application of Seattle Children’s Hospital for approval of its Major Institution Master Plan. The public hearing will be held on July 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Office of the Hearing Examiner. The Office of the Hearing Examiner provides barrier free access.

Written comments will be accepted until the close of the hearing scheduled on July 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Comments should be sent to:

Hearing Examiner
700 Fifth Avenue
Suite 4000
PO Box 94729
Seattle, WA 98124-4729

Copies of the Master Plan application, environmental documents, and the Director’s recommendation are available at the DPD Public Resource Center, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000 of the Seattle Municipal Tower, (206) 684-8467. The Public Resource Center is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Questions about the Master Plan or the Director’s recommendation may be directed to Scott Ringgold, Land Use Planner, (206) 233-3856.

Findings and Decision of the Hearing Examiner – April 2009
In the matter of the Laurelhurst Community Club’s appeal of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

Seattle Children’s Hospital has received the Findings and Decision of the Hearing Examiner for the City of Seattle in the matter of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) appeal of the Laurelhurst Community Club regarding our proposed Master Plan.

While the Hearing Examiner found that the FEIS was sufficient in most areas including height, bulk, scale and transportation, Examiner Tanner sent the proposal back to the City’s Director of Planning and Development for reconsideration regarding two issues. These issues include: 1) impacts of demolishing 136 condominiums at Laurelon Terrace in terms of unit size and appraised value, and 2) additional information to resolve the differences between the proposed Master Plan and the City’s comprehensive land use planning policies.

We appreciate the Hearing Examiner’s thoughtful analysis and look forward to working with the City to provide information which enables the City Council to review our Master Plan and FEIS in a timely manner.

CAC Final Report and Recommendations – February 2009

This report is produced pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code Section 23.69, and contains the findings and recommendations of the Major Institutions Master Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Seattle Children’s Hospital Master Planning Process.

Final DPD Director’s Report – January 2009

This report is the Director's analysis and recommendation to the City Council on the Seattle Children’s Hospital Final Major Institution Master Plan (Master Plan). The report considers the recommendations of the Children’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), the environmental analysis and comments in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the applicable portions of the adopted policies and regulations of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Title 23, Land Use Policies and Codes. The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is the SEPA lead agency.

Final Master Plan – November 2008

In accordance with Seattle Municipal Code, Seattle Children’s submitted the Final Master Plan (FMP) to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and the City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) on November 10, 2008. The Final Master Plan was reviewed by the CAC at the Committee's November 12, 2008 meeting.

If you have questions about the FMP, please contact Desiree Leigh, Director of Regional Government Affairs and Community Relations at desiree.leigh@seattlechildrens.org.

Questions about the CAC process should be submitted to CAC staff person Steve Sheppard at steve.sheppard@seattle.gov.

Draft Master Plan – June 2008

In accordance with Seattle Municipal Code, Children's presented a Draft Master Plan (DMP) to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at the Committee's June 10, 2008 meeting.

If you have questions about the DMP, please contact Desiree Leigh, Director of Regional Government Affairs and Community Relations at desiree.leigh@seattlechildrens.org.

Questions about the CAC process should be submitted to CAC staff person Steve Sheppard at steve.sheppard@seattle.gov.

DPD comments on the Preliminary Draft Master Plan - February 2008

View the letter from Diane Sugimura, Department of Planning and Development Director commenting on Children's Preliminary Draft Master Plan.

Preliminary Draft Master Plan – January 2008

In accordance with Seattle Municipal Code, Children's submitted a Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at the Committee's January 8, 2008 meeting. The purpose of the PDMP is to provide CAC members, SDOT, and DPD with an opportunity to provide comments for inclusion in Children's Draft Master Plan.

If you have questions about the PDMP, please contact Desiree Leigh, Director of Regional Government Affairs and Community Relations at desiree.leigh@seattlechildrens.org.

Questions about the CAC process should be submitted to CAC staff person Steve Sheppard at steve.sheppard@seattle.gov.

Additional Concept Plan Alternatives – September 2007

In response to the Department of Planning and Development's (DPD) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping report, dated September 24, Children's has developed three additional alternatives for development on the hospital campus and removed the campus-only alternative, submitted in the July 2007 Concept Plan, from further consideration. Children's submitted a letter regarding the proposed alternatives to the DPD on October 29 and presented a PowerPoint at the October 30 Citizens Advisory Committee meeting. In the PowerPoint there are 5 proposed alternatives with three slides per alternative as well as comparative cross-sections and elevations.

Concept Plan – July 2007

View Children's concept plan that was submitted as part of the master plan application to the City of Seattle in July 2007.