Another ruling: Appeal rejected, Genesee Hill school plan affirmed

One month after we reported on an appeal hearing set for aspects of the Genesee Hill Elementary School project, the decision has just been made public: The appeal has been rejected. Appellants included a half-dozen area residents and school-district watchdog Chris Jackins, challenging/questioning project components including the zoning exception for the school’s height, where the bulk of its building will be placed on the site, plans for on-street school-bus loading, and the amount of on-site off-street parking. We were not able to cover the appeal hearing held downtown eight days ago, but its points and the Hearing Examiner’s findings are recapped in the decision document – see it here. Next, we’ll be checking with Seattle Public Schools regarding their timetable for starting work on the new school.

10 Replies to "Another ruling: Appeal rejected, Genesee Hill school plan affirmed"

  • Bonnie August 13, 2014 (4:00 pm)

    Great news! What about AH?

    • WSB August 13, 2014 (4:04 pm)

      That hearing was just this past Monday, I have already checked the file (a few minutes ago), no decision yet. The rulings lately have tended to come back in about a week – the GH ruling was timestamped just an hour before I found it online – but I’ll be checking AH a couple times daily until it’s in. – TR

  • Larry The Dairy Man August 13, 2014 (4:07 pm)

    Put away your pitch forks and grab your shovels! Let’s get this thing built!

  • Bonnie August 13, 2014 (4:25 pm)

    Thanks Tracy!

  • Julie August 13, 2014 (7:33 pm)

    When was the last time an appeal against the school district was upheld?

  • brandon August 14, 2014 (11:09 am)

    Julie, do you have a point to make?

    • WSB August 14, 2014 (11:24 am)

      It’s an interesting question. Wish I had an easy way of finding the answer. Melissa from saveseattleschools.blogspot.com would likely know. Keep in mind that in appeals heard by the city, the burden of proof is on the appellant – instead of the original decisionmaker having to defend themselves, the appellant has to make the case why the decision (etc.) was wrong – TR

  • Julie August 15, 2014 (12:38 pm)

    brandon, no; I’m not trying to make a point, merely asking a question that I am curious about, since I had not read of one recently. As Tracy points out, even if no appeal against the district were ever upheld, it may be simply that no appellant has made a compelling case. It would be interesting to see, if appeals HAVE been upheld, what kind of case was judged to merit upholding.

  • Darren August 18, 2014 (5:44 pm)

    Any news on AH yet?

    • WSB August 18, 2014 (7:21 pm)

      No; I am checking the file multiple times a day, and as of this moment nothing. Will publish something as soon as we hear something, and please let us know if you hear something BEFORE you see us publish something! – Tracy

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