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_{^{Updated: August 22, 2024}}

For more information on this specific proposal email publicspace@seattle.gov.

Request a Permit Decision Review

After the public comment period has ended, SDOT will decide to approve, modify, or deny the application. Anyone may request a review or reconsideration of a permit decision that was made. This must be sent as a written request to the  Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation within 10 calendar days of our decision date (SMC 15.04.112). The request must identify the decision for which review or reconsideration is requested, the grounds for objecting to the decision based on City standards, and the specific remedy being proposed. The Director will designate a review officer who will make a recommendation to the Director. The Director’s decision on review or reconsideration is final. 

A request for review or reconsideration should be submitted to:

Director of Transportation
Seattle Department of Transportation
700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800 
PO Box 34996
Seattle, WA 98124-4996

OR 

Email: dot_directors_office@seattle.gov

More Info: Public Comment – Transportation

History

Prior to the street cafe operation at this location since 2021, Triangle Park was a community plaza that was open to the general public and served the Madison Park community as a popular gathering place.

According to the bygone Madison Park Blogger, Triangle Park had “for over thirty years been a bright and cheerful community meeting point.”

In recent history, following the ending of the SDOT Safe Start COVID-era outdoor dining program at the end of 2023, this street cafe has been operating at this location without permitting, admittedly without oversight from SDOT due to “mis-communication within our enforcement team” according to Isaac Conlen, a SDOT public space management supervisor.

While previously permitted with a fence free Cafe adjacent to their building and also a Plaza Cafe with a overhead structure, the business initially installed two plaza structures without a permit. Then they applied for a permit, and they were approved for less area than they had already installed in the plaza.

In Feb. 2023, SDOT staff notified inspectors the business was still using the entire area for table service while only being permitted to use a portion of this public space area. No formal enforcement action was taken, despite public complaints from members of the community.

View the timeline history of SDOT violations and reports:

• 09/13/2021: Street Use Violation (SUCA-00370-21-VI001)
  • Violation Details: Unpermitted cafe with weather protection structure constructed without a permit in a public plaza
  • SMC Violation:Chapter 15.16 (HE) Sidewalk Cafes
• 12/10/2021: – Street Use Violation (SUCA-00370-21-VI002)
  • Violation Details: Unpermitted cafe with weather protection structure constructed without a permit in a public plaza
  • SMC Violation:Chapter 15.16 (HE) Sidewalk Cafes
• 2/22/2023: Service Request (SR 23-00039837)
  • “They installed the plaza structures without a permit first. Then they applied for a permit, and they were approved for less area than they had already installed in the plaza” (Greta Hartstrom, Permit Review Lead, Street Use Public Space Management)
• 2/28/2023: SDOT Street Use Case (SUCA-00103-23)
  • Description: Unpermitted use of ROW for table service- ‘How to Cook A Wolf’
  • “They are permitted to use a portion of this area, but I have noticed they are still using the entire area for table service” (Audra Brecher, Public Space Management Lead, Street Use Division)
• 04/16/2024 – Street Use Violation (SUCA-00255-24-VI001)
  • Violation Details: Unresponsive to required corrections for cafe with structure permit application
  • SMC Violation: Chapter 15.04 (HE) Use and Occupation Permits
• 05/09/2024 – Street Use Violation (SUCA-00255-24-VI002)
  • Violation Details: Unresponsive to required corrections for cafe with structure permit application
  • SMC Violation: Chapter 15.04 (HE) Use and Occupation Permits

Find full details Seattle Services Portal: https://services.seattle.gov/Portal/Cap/CapHome.aspx?module=DPDGeneral&TabName=DPDGeneral