Agreement Could Pave Way For Seattle Children's Expansion

Seattle Children's Hospital has reached an agreement with its neighbors, the Laurelhurst Community Club, that could pave the way for the hospital's expansion.

The Laurelhurst Community Club objected to the project, saying it was too big and Children's threatened to move if its plans were blocked. The settlement was presented Wednesday morning to the City Council to being the process of approval.

"The agreement allows us to build the beds we need - growing from our current 250 beds to 600 total - while further aligning our needs and those of the community," said Dr. Thomas N. Hansen, CEO at Seattle Children’s.

Some points made in the agreement: - Development square footage reduction: Children’s proposal to add 1.5 million square feet of development is reduced by 275,000 square feet.

- No expansion of Children’s campus across Sand Point Way: Children’s Hartmann property, located across Sand Point Way, is removed from the Major Institution Master Plan. It may be re-developed separately under more limited non-institutional zoning. Children’s is still committed to implementing community benefits for Hartmann such as retaining the Sequoia grove, providing landscaping screen, and building a pedestrian/bicycle access to the Burke-Gilman trail.

- Fifty-year restriction on campus expansion into residential areas: For a period of 50 years, Children’s agrees not to expand its boundaries into specified residential areas to the south, east, and north.

- Height limits: No more than 20 percent of the campus land area will be over 90 feet in height and no more than 10 percent will be over 125 feet in height in the new major institution boundary area. No structure will be above 140 feet in height.