Satterlee House case goes to court next week

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Back in March and April, we brought you a series of reports about the city Hearing Examiner‘s consideration of an appeal filed by William Conner, owner of the city landmark Satterlee House on Beach Drive, challenging the city Landmarks Board‘s denial of his request to build three homes (averaging 3,000 square feet) on the house’s expansive front lawn. (The board has to review and approve changes proposed to official city landmarks.) After the Hearing Examiner ruled in April against his appeal, Conner filed a challenge in May in King County Superior Court. That case is finally coming before a judge, and we received word today that oral arguments are scheduled Monday afternoon. At the heart of the case is not whether Conner can build on the site, but what he can build on the site; he is asking the judge to rule that he has the right to go ahead with the original proposal. Meantime, online listings indicate the house remains on the market, listed for more than $2 million; listing agent AC Braddock had told us in May that Conner had approved one of the major repairs which he’d testified were needed, jacking up the house to fix major settling; the permit for that work was issued in July.

3 Replies to "Satterlee House case goes to court next week"

  • Forest October 10, 2008 (8:05 pm)

    I always wonder how much time and money it has been costing the lot owner all these years to privately cut and maintain that truly massive lawn. Most people, understandably so, would probably have just said the heck with maintaining it while waiting through the endless development delays.

  • pelicans October 11, 2008 (1:20 am)

    Don’t know if this is accurate, but I heard over the summer from an acquaintance who is a building inspector that there are major repairs necessary to the foundation of the house. Something to do with an underground creek or stream under it.

    That open expanse of lawn is beautiful-the word sweeping comes to mind every time I see it. I’m grateful to the owner for going to the trouble of mowing it.

  • GenHillOne October 11, 2008 (8:18 am)

    Yea, pelicans, the house has been settling for years and needs some pretty extensive repair; I think that even came up in a previous WSB article. I’m grateful for the lawn maintenance as well – guess I better do mine today…

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