West Seattle development: 1st ‘microhousing’ project on California SW

First one we’ve happened onto, anyway: An apartment project proposed for 5949 California SW (map), north of Morgan Junction, is described as a “boarding house,” one of the phrases used in city documentation for what’s becoming more widely known as “microhousing.” Its initial paperwork listed five levels (one basement, 4 above ground) and five residential units – but, as noted in City Council discussions recently, there has been a city loophole in which microhousing was allowed through the system despite equating the number of common kitchens to the number of units, instead of just declaring the total number of rentable units. That loophole is on its way out, and revised paperwork for this “five-unit” project shows it will include 38 “sleeping rooms.” Here’s the city webpage for the project; it hasn’t turned up on the Land Use Information Bulletin yet, so we’re not sure yet about the deadline for comments, but will check tomorrow.

5 Replies to "West Seattle development: 1st 'microhousing' project on California SW"

  • Diane May 6, 2013 (10:58 pm)

    wow, so ironic; I just came home from city council public hearing on micro-housing; tons of public comment; more to come…..

  • Diane May 6, 2013 (11:02 pm)

    oh, interesting; Jim Potter was one of the guys on the panel tonight

    • WSB May 6, 2013 (11:16 pm)

      Just happened onto this in a back-end city database – too many things were happening for me to check out tonight’s event but we’ll continue to watch where the push for regulation goes.

  • Diane May 6, 2013 (11:32 pm)

    there were many video cameras; and pretty sure you can see it on seattlechannel; the “neighbors perspective” presentation was fantastic; the developer presentation was sad sad sad; Jim Potter said very little

  • Dave May 7, 2013 (10:06 am)

    If you look at the parcel information, there is already an apartment/condo newly built right behind this.
    Seems a bit dense to me!

Sorry, comment time is over.