Followup: Citizen-requested meeting on Alki ‘rowhouses’ Wednesday

| Development | West Seattle news

The date is now set for a public meeting focusing on a proposed development project in Alki that would not have been the subject of a meeting if area residents hadn’t requested one. We first reported in April on neighbors gathering signatures to convince the city to schedule a meeting about 11 residential “rowhouse” units proposed at 2414 55th SW; then in May, we published a followup with word that the city agreed to host a meeting. Now, neighbor Marie McKinsey says the meeting is set for 6:30 pm this coming Wednesday, July 17th, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, “to give residents an opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the rowhouse project proposed … Comments can be written, oral or both. All will become part of the public record on this project.” McKinsey’s been researching the situation and writing about it online; she even maps out an alternative for the site. Everyone’s welcome at the Wednesday meeting, by the way; Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.

Parker July 15, 2013 (12:09 am)

The development of this overcrowded high density structure will negatively impact our environment. It will increase cars and reduce parking on our streets. It significantly removes green and garden space on three lots, two streets, which impacts residents and natural habitat. It will reduce air flow and natural light. It will increase storm water run off, which is the #1 source of pullution into the Puget Sound. The shallow setback from the sidewalk and increased density of this project is a safety concern for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and emergency personnel near the busy Alki Beach. Residents want more environmental consideration with development.

Lisa July 15, 2013 (8:41 am)

This proposed development is really out of scale and not well thought through.

It puts 11 housing units where there were 3! Most have just one parking space.

It is a few houses off Alki beach, where there is already no parking. Plus it is just really huge and comes right up to the sidewalk. It is very imposing – its not just the typical townhome design. It is a big block-y monstrosity!

Check out the pictures of what the developer has in mind: http://www.whereiamnow.net/2013/05/what-will-alki-11-rowhouses-look-like.html. The Wickstrom street view is even more startling than the 55th Avenue S. View when you think how narrow and crowded Wickstrom street already is.

I think that this is an important meeting to attend, even though attending a meeting like this is not how many of us want to spend our summer evenings. :-)

If you cant attend you can write up your comments (in the form of a letter I think) and have a neighbor bring them.

Be heard.

Lisa July 15, 2013 (8:51 am)

This proposed development is really out of scale and not well thought through.

It puts 11 housing units where there were 3! Most have just one parking space.

Check out the pictures of what the developer has in mind: http://www.whereiamnow.net/2013/05/what-will-alki-11-rowhouses-look-like.html.

The Wickstrom street view is even more startling than the 55th Avenue S. View when you think how narrow and crowded Wickstrom street already is.

I think that this is an important meeting to attend, even though attending a meeting like this is not how many of us want to spend our summer evenings. :-)

If you cant attend you can write up your comments (in the form of a letter I think) and have a neighbor bring them.

Be heard.

Parker July 15, 2013 (9:38 am)

The City needs to improve the design, environmental and safety standards of row houses and similar developments. Dramatically removing green and garden space so that the City to make more $$ in property taxes negatively impacts our environment and natural habitat. It is dangerous for our wellbeing, quality of life, and future generations. We have already lost an Eagle and Blue Heron in our once tranquil beach neighborhood. Residential streets have turned into parking lots from the increased density and inadequate parking on these projects. The loss of sight distance from these encroaching developments is dangerous for children, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. It creates a hazard for residents and visitors going to and from the busy Alki roadway, adjacent sidewalks and recreational beach.

Guy Olson July 15, 2013 (1:04 pm)

Plus that pink house has free parking.

Marie M July 15, 2013 (1:22 pm)

Stormwater is the #1 cause of pollution in Puget Sound. In the past, stormwater has been contained on this site with permeable parking spaces and downspouts emptying into yards. This rowhouse project will generate almost 5500 gallons of stormwater (the equivalent of 110 bathtubs full) for every inch of rainfall. Stormwater will go into the combined sewer via a connection that does NOT MEET city requirements. Here’s how this can lead to flooding http://www.whereiamnow.net/2013/06/will-alki-11-rowhouses-cause-flooding.html Furthermore, if more developments like this are allowed to go forward, here’s how projects like this will contribute to raw sewage outflows into Puget Sound. http://www.whereiamnow.net/2013/06/over-one-million-gallons-of-waste-water.html

wetone July 15, 2013 (5:03 pm)

Watch out you may get the developer mad and he might change his mind on putting in 11 rowhouse units and put in some micro apts. With his square footage on the lots the city would probably let him put 100+ rooms in with little parking. Got to remember on 55th with the zoning there 4 units on 5000 sqft is pretty normal. I just wish the city would make them require 2 parking spots per unit as anyone that buys in that area will have cars and street parking is over filled now.

JRR July 15, 2013 (5:58 pm)

Finally, a rowhouse project that actually looks like rowhouses (in the rendering at least). These are even not terrible, architecturally speaking, which is difficult to find in this city of amateur designers.

Marie M July 16, 2013 (3:45 pm)

The neighbors don’t have a problem with the architecture – most think it looks good. Our problem is with the many negative environmental impacts the project will have on our neighborhood.

jlws83 July 17, 2013 (12:48 pm)

I hope and long for the day when the City of Seattle will stop allowing developers to rob value from the existing homes in the communities they build in. Over sized structures rob value from property owners, deplete natural light, eliminate privacy, making it difficult for surrounding neighbors to sell their homes.
I realize the importance of density, however, a return to more responsible neighborhood planning must be implemented before we are stuck with a city that is no longer as livable as it is now.

CB July 18, 2013 (2:02 pm)

Re: Wetone’s comment about parking. Not having parking spaces is actually a great way to discourage cars and encourage transit. Now, if only we had decent non-rush hour transit options in Alki!

Sorry, comment time is over.