Followup: Delridge-dilapidation tour promises turn to legislation

That photo’s from last April, when City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Tim Burgess joined North Delridge neighbors in a tour organized by then-ND Neighborhood Council chair Mike Dady, looking at some of the problem properties around the area – some abandoned, some with criminal/suspicious activity and landlords who seemed to be turning a blind eye, some just plain falling apart (WSB coverage here). Afterward, Clark, Burgess and city department heads who joined the tour talked about possible legislation and rule changes to ease neighbors, law enforcers and others’ powerlessness in getting something done – and now, some of those proposals are closer to reality. This afternoon at 1:30 pm, the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee chaired by Burgess plans a hearing on the “chronic nuisance properties” bill beefing up penalties for landlords (see it here); then tomorrow at 9 am, the Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee chaired by Clark will take up the “Derelict Housing” bill (see it here), which would allow demolition of some properties even before a new plan is on the table for their sites. Both meetings are at City Hall downtown, open to the public, and will be televised on Seattle Channel (online at seattlechannel.org, or cable 21). 1:51 PM UPDATE: The Public Safety Committee hearing is under way now, with public comment from people including a West Seattle woman who says her neighborhood is a “war zone” because of problems a nearby landlord refuses to address.

3 Replies to "Followup: Delridge-dilapidation tour promises turn to legislation"

  • Sally Clark November 18, 2009 (11:40 am)

    Thanks for tracking this, WSB. PLUNC just approved the derelict housing legislation. It will go to the Full Council Dec. 6. The North Delridge tour was a great motivator. It gave us great examples of where the policy change could make a difference. Thanks!

  • WSB November 18, 2009 (11:42 am)

    Thanks for the update, CM Clark – I’m at a school board member’s community chat right now (before their big vote tonight) and couldn’t watch the stream – TR

  • Mike D. November 18, 2009 (1:44 pm)

    Thank you WSB, Council Member’s Clark and Burgess for helping to move this issue forward. Thank you also to West Seattleite xxxxx xxxxx for taking the time out of their day on Tuesday to provide testimony to the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee.

Sorry, comment time is over.