Author: Sally J. Clark (Sally J. Clark)

As the land use committee chair, what could make me happier than the cover of the latest Scientific American? “Better, greener, smarter” – said the cover text – “CITIES: We have seen the future and it is urban.” The issue covers a lot of ground over several articles with a recurring theme: urban density is [...]

Seattle and Portland pundits engage in regular sparring over which city is “better.” This always seems weird to me because it’s like comparing fir trees to oaks. Our cities have different histories, do different things. One’s not better than the other.  Now I’m going to contradict what I just said. Portland plans better than we [...]

Since the State Legislature adjourned in May I and others have been trying to figure out who won and lost when it comes to medical marijuana.  My conclusion is that just about everyone lost when the legislature and governor called an end to the 2011 session without a coherent approach to regulating access to medical [...]

Former Seattle Planning Director Ray Gastil is enjoying life as a consultant on urban planning and, lately, as the guest editor of the latest edition of ARCADE. The quarterly magazine on design and the built environment is produced by the Northwest Architectural League with a great standing staff and a guest editor for special editions. [...]

Seattle Met recently highlighted a couple of new food truck hubs coming to Capitol Hill and Downtown.  Both come on the heels of Council and the Mayor approving new rules for more creative – and tasty – uses of empty lots.  Property owners with stalled development sites can invite in food trucks, art installations, open [...]

Some people scoff a bit at Councilmember Nick Licata’s practice of starting Housing, Human Services, Health & Culture Committee meetings with poetry and, more recently, film clips. Critics see it as fluff, not the real work of a legislative body. I like it, though. The city is more than memos, briefings, policy and budgets. The [...]

Yes, people are hurting as they seek to survive the slow, job-weak recovery from recession.  However, do not steal and do not steal copper from a live transformer. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2011 CONTACT: Scott Thomsen, Phone: 206-615-0978 BOLD THIEVES RISK DEATH TO STEAL COPPER FROM ENERGIZED TRANSFORMER Vandals Cut Down Utility Pole with [...]

Sometimes I look at knotty neighborhood development questions and think, “If only we could bring a bunch of really smart people around the table and ask them what we could do.” Sometimes it happens! I had the opportunity to see the future of the Mount Baker Light Rail Station Area as envisioned by five teams [...]

Growing up my mom would take my sister and me to see Dr. Whittemore for regular check-ups.  The office he started is still there on N.W. Lovejoy Street in Portland. He could hear the pneumonia in my chest over the phone in the night when I was five. I was a lucky kid. Looking back [...]