Last night, KING 5 aired that report with the latest on the Beach Drive mudslide/wet-road mess – a lawsuit filed by more than two dozen property owners. Today, we’re following up (as are other TV stations, which is what choppers were doing over the area this past hour, thanks for the calls and notes!). We’ve reported on the dispute before – here and here – involving the mudslides in the 6000 block of Beach Drive. The neighbors had warned in January (as noted in this WSB report) that they might hire legal counsel, because they were upset the city didn’t seem to be doing enough to address the situation, even with legal action (reported here) against upslope property owner Peter Saladino, whose 2007-built project they blame for much of the trouble.
Now they have, according to the court documents – which you can read here – 28 property owners filed a claim with the city for damages, and, saying it went nowhere after two months, followed it up with a lawsuit filed two weeks ago against the city and Saladino. The suit alleges, among other things, “Each of Plaintiffs’ residential properties has been adversely affected by the ongoing instability of the slope between Atlas Place SW and Beach Drive SW,” and that “Defendants have caused or perpetuated a trespass by allowing mud, debris and water to invade and damage the Plaintiffs’ properties.” They’re seeking unspecified damages, though according to KING’s report, they’re hoping to work out a deal with the city rather than taking the case to trial (which wouldn’t happen before next year). Their pre-lawsuit efforts included speaking to the City Council Transportation Committee (chaired by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen) last January (coverage here).
| 15 COMMENTS