59th/Stevens meeting tonight: Neighbors face planners

That’s Alki resident Steve Cuddy, explaining to city planning reps tonight why a fence in front of the proposed 5-unit development at 59th/Stevens (city project page here) would dangerously limit visibility for people crossing 59th to Alki Playfield or Elementary. Neighbors gathered at the Admiral library branch for a meeting called because they gathered signatures to demand one.

We’ve told you before about the controversy over this development, most recently when it was discussed at last week’s Alki Community Council meeting (WSB coverage here). The lot is about 7500 square feet, with one single-family home on it now, and a plan to tear that down to make way for two houses plus a three-unit townhouse building:

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Most neighbors say they’re not opposed to development at the site, but they have concerns about this plan. In addition to the visibility concerns discussed by Cuddy in the video clip above, they are worried about the shadows they say the 3-story buildings will cast on Alki Playfield and Playground, and they believe those shadows might be a violation of city codes. (See the codes by scrolling to section Q here; also, here’s a gallery of diagrams and photos collected by neighbors at this site, including photos showing how narrow the street can be; neighbor Laura Chassagne says it’s in effect a one-way street at many times of the day.) The alley to the west also is a concern (same one where we showed you then-newly installed speed-limit signs in January), with beach cruisers often using it as a shortcut, and fears that added housing units will mean added clutter with trash, recycling, and yard-waste containers. Another area resident, Steve Turpin, expressed further concerns about whether the existing house, built in 1925, has been assessed for possible toxics concerns when it’s torn down, given its proximity to the playground, playfield, and school. City planners will review this input before ruling on the proposal — you can send them comments by clicking the link next to “Public Involvement” atop this page. (Also worth noting again, the house and land, currently owned by West Seattle-based Cobb Construction, is back on the market.)

3 Replies to "59th/Stevens meeting tonight: Neighbors face planners"

  • CandrewB May 23, 2008 (5:39 am)

    How unique! Very innovative! Love the design!

  • ann May 23, 2008 (6:09 am)

    I only have a problem with wanting to put 5 homes where 4 are legal. As far as the shadows, am I the only one who thinks shadows at the playground are a good thing? It gets hot under the sun in the summer.

  • Alki May 23, 2008 (2:21 pm)

    This lot is big, but I can’t believe it’s big This new plan doesn’t fit with the neighborhood that I’d like to see in our backyard. I live one block from this house and hang out at that park all the time. I think it would be unfortunate for our neighborhood if this plan passed. That’s what happens when construction companies instead of regular people try to buy land and turn it around with no regard for the neighborhood… just regard for a large profit. Great job for standing up for our neighborhood, you guys!

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