We told you earlier this week about an event today looking ahead to the city’s proposal to “update” neighborhood plans. Didn’t realize quite how dramatically the process might change till reading this P-I account posted tonight. (Aside – not all West Seattle areas have “neighborhood plans” from the ’90s process that resulted in the ones that exist today; five do, as you can see from this map.)
This is not directly on topic but I have to say that I’m increasingly disappointed with WS “planning”. My biggest qualms are that little is being done to make WS more pedestrian friendly, and public transport is still pretty rough in West Seattle (granted it leaves a lot to be desired in Seattle in general, but that’s another rant).
Apart from a bunch of concerns that you hear typical complaints over (parking/townhouses that look the same, etc.) I would like to see planning efforts address two things. First, retail development has really focused in the junction. This is very much understandable, but it seems like areas like Morgan junction and south of there have little attention paid to them. Second, development of businesses should focus at least partially on businesses that tend to encourage pedestrian activity. An insurance agency (for example) does not, but a grocery store, restaurant, coffee shop, or other retail-focused businesses will do so.
An area that is pedestrian friendly is much more livable and enjoyable. I think a lot could be done to retool West Seattle so it develops into a long stretch that is very pedestrian friendly rather than having development focus in the junction and in other small clusters.
The difference between the two options should be obvious.
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