Design Review tonight: The Kenney, Admiral Safeway decisions

| Development | The Kenney | West Seattle news

First Southwest Design Review Board meeting in three months tonight – if there are no projects to review, they don’t meet – and it was a 3 1/2-hour doubleheader. Toplines while we work on the longer story: The Kenney‘s redevelopment (see the presentation here) advances out of “early design guidance” after four meetings, which means one more meeting ahead for what could be a final review; most of Admiral Safeway‘s redevelopment (see the presentation here) needs to come back for at least one more look – main objection is that the California side of the store doesn’t have openings/entrances/features with which to engage – but the board gave thumbs-up to the request for final approval for the smaller retail building on the site, which Safeway wants to build fast so it can house the pharmacy while the rest of the store is closed during construction. More to come in the morning! (From left in photo: Kenney CEO Kevin McFeely, Design Review Board members Myer Harrell and Joe Hurley, city planner Michael Dorcy) P.S. One reminder: Friday (10/23) is the deadline for comment on the “alley vacation” that is part of the Admiral Safeway proposal, requiring a separate type of approval. Here’s our original story about the proposal and the call for comments (with info on how to send yours).

plannerNadmiral October 23, 2009 (10:38 am)

I completely agree with the Design Review Board about engaging people that may be walking/driving on California. Retail shops along the east side of California would do well and help make the area more walkable. That stretch of California – especially at night – isn’t a pleasant stretch to walk through. There is nothing really to see. It could be better lit at night, too.

Concerned neighbor October 24, 2009 (4:21 pm)

Hello folks,
I totally disagree with the Thursday night DRB opinion that the Kenney design plan is heading in the right direction. Are you kidding! Come on neighbors, there may be only one DRB meeting left. I for one will do everything possible to thwart the proposed plan for total L5 rezone.

Thursday night, architectural plans presented are designed by a company that needs the business and are in their best interest.
The plans totally misrepresent our neighborhood. Page 1 of the proposed plans: my home is placed in an orange area meant to represent a “Multi Family L3 zone”. Not even close boys.

Another variable to think about: where is the complete environmental impact study? Anyone care about the fallout from the Kenney into Lincoln Park and the Sound? Both are steps away from a facility which will more than double its living capacity.

WSB-when will you post a follow up to the meeting?

WSB October 24, 2009 (6:07 pm)

CN, I’m writing the long version tonight. Friday got out of control with breaking news and a longer-than-expected court hearing, so I apologize for the delay, but I want to include numerous screen grabs from the docs on both projects to illustrate, and that’s taking a few hours. Thanks for asking – TR

Outraged neighbor October 25, 2009 (12:39 pm)

Neighbors-
Please do not sit idly by and let yourself get bullied into this ‘improvement’ of the Kenney! Apathy gets you no where! The plans have so many flaws, so many mistakes for the obvious benefit of the planners, it’s becoming a crime. I have contacted an attorney to evaluate what we can do to stop this travesty or least make them revise their mistakes to give an accurate depiction of what they plan to do to OUR neighborhood.
Do not sit passively by and let this travesty take place. Stand up and be heard. And to those on the east side of Fauntleroy, with the proposed plans, you can say goodbye to any view you have!
Outraged Neighbor

interested in admiral October 29, 2009 (10:01 am)

I can’t find a recap on what happened at the meeting regarding the Safeway project on 10/22. If there is a write-up, how can I find it? Is this project ever even going to happen?

WSB October 29, 2009 (10:14 am)

They seem pretty serious about it. I hesitate to give promises again because other news keeps getting in the way but the detailed recap is in the works now and if there is no breaking news between now and about 1 pm I may finally be able to finish it – will put the url here when we do – TR

Concerned Neighbor October 29, 2009 (1:26 pm)

Follow up would be nice, not many neightbors attended the meeting.

Hello all, Please consider this:
The plan dictates a pleasant front, wonderful entrance, foo-foo plantings and lovely portico on the public-Fauntleroy but at what cost.
The west side independant living on 47th AVE SW at four/five stories becomes the “Great Wall of West Seattle”. It will provide PERMANENT ugly views for the single family home-residents on Myrtle and 47th……We won’t get to drive by and ooh and ahh, we will have to live with it everyday and deal with 5-10 years of deconstruction/construction and lower property value. Good luck if any of us have to relocate and sell our home during this proposed mess.

Concerned Neighbor October 29, 2009 (1:35 pm)

Apologies to plannerNadmiral comment. I though you were discussing the Kenney project. My thoughts still apply to those concerned about the Kenney project.

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