By CHERYL KLINKER

The North District Neighborhood Stewardship Committee invites the public to work with us on developing design guidelines for the Lake City Hub Urban Village and surrounding areas along Lake City Way (SR-522) throughout their planning area extending from NE 95th to NE 145th.

The North District Neighborhood Stewardship Committee is little known, but works in the background within the community to ensure implementation of the Plan for the Neighborhoods of the Lake City Community, adopted in 1999. Residents from various neighborhoods within the planning area as well as Lake City business owners comprise its membership.

Community-specific design guidelines reinforce the neighborhood plan and help influence the quality, function and appearance of future development. When adopted, they will augment the existing Citywide Design Guidelines. It is hoped these guidelines will increase awareness of goals to improve the character of Lake City as articulated by local residents and businesses in the neighborhood plan. It is also hoped they will increase involvement in the design review process and neighborhood stewardship.

The process for developing these neighborhood-specific guidelines, which includes hiring a consultant, is funded with a neighborhood matching grant. The North District Neighborhood Stewardship Committee was awarded this grant in August. Volunteer hours attending meetings, helping with mailings, organizing a community involvement event and donated services are needed to match funds received from the City of Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods. Volunteer hours are valued at $12 per hour and professional resources are valued at $20 per hour. We invite you to help the North District Neighborhood Stewardship Committee shape and "grow" Lake City for the future.

Cheryl Klinker is chair of the North District Neighborhoods Stewardship Committee. For more information about the group, call her at 367-4635. (