The self-storage project proposed for 3310 Harbor SW – first reported here last March – is moving ahead. That’s what the Alki Community Council heard at this month’s meeting, from an executive of the company pursuing it, West Coast Self-Storage.

They’ll be seeking a street vacation for part of what would be 29th SW (map), and they’re still putting together the documentation for that, so they don’t expect to be having formal hearings with the city before fall.

The company says West Seattle is underserved in terms of storage space, and that this industrial-zoned site is a place to provide some. The proposal is now envisioned for the area that currently holds a warehouse building and the now-vacated GT Towing lot.

It would be four stories, up to 45 feet high, a closed, heated building with at least 20 parking spaces inside, accommodating vehicles as big as U-Haul-type trucks. It won’t be 24-hour access – more like 7 am-9 pm, with an office open during standard business hours – and it will include video and other electronic security.

Their main purpose in bringing this to the Alki CC was to get some early feedback. Two general concerns were voiced at the meeting – how it would affect traffic on the route to and from the beach during spring and summer, and whether it would create sidewalk congestion incompatible with the bike trail that goes by right in front of the site. Some attendees mentioned the area already has problems with bicycle riders and pedestrians having to deal with the cars and trucks that park in the area and use the warehouse.

Others asked whether there was any chance the space could someday be turned into residential use, but the company said it’s not an ideal location for reasons including the nearby railroad traffic.

Also touched on at the meeting, abbreviated so those interested could get to the Design Review meeting for the Perch project (WSB coverage here):

RV ‘SAFE LOT’ PLAN: With Alki among the areas where unauthorized pockets of RV camping have continued, the city’s plan for two lots – in Highland Park and Ballard – was of interest, but little information had emerged since it had been announced just two days earlier. Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith, in attendance at the meeting, pointed to the discussion at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council on Wednesday night (WSB coverage here) and said police didn’t have additional information yet either. He did say that the precinct liaison deputy city attorney is involved in discussions about how the lots will be managed, from a legal point of view.

ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA MAINTENANCE: ACC is working on dates for the next round (the council has managed the maintenance fund since 2009).

The Alki Community Council usually meets on third Thursdays, 7 pm, at Alki UCC.