West Seattle development notes: 5 proposals, old and new

| Development | West Seattle news

Some development proposals that might interest you, particularly if you live nearby:

35th AND GRAHAM: This big, long-vacant High Point parcel has had development proposals fall through before – most smartingly for many community members, a once-intended mixed-use development with a grocery store – and now it appears there’s another proposal: 9 single-family houses and 18 duplexes. Online files indicate the project will seek Administrative Design Review, and that it involves Lennar Homes, which is also the residential developer for the much-scrutinized 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW apartment/Whole Foods proposal. The site plan filed this month does not appear to include a strip directly fronting 35th, though. We have a message out to the Seattle Housing Authority seeking more information about this project’s status.

6917 CALIFORNIA SW: We first reported almost two weeks ago on the proposal for a 30-unit, no-offstreet-parking apartment building here (and other adjacent development), including a “lot boundary adjustment.” A sign is up for the apartment proposal because the application has now been formally filed, which opens the comment period.

4522 DELRIDGE WAY SW: A new application to the city seeks permits for four single-family homes at 4522 Delridge Way SW.

ALSO IN NORTH DELRIDGE: The ND Neighborhood Council mailing list had first word of a proposal at 4150 Delridge Way SW, which on this page mentions one 6-unit “rowhouse” building, but on the “site plan” associated with the project shows two 6-unit buildings.

Speaking of rowhouses:

5457 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: Today’s Land Use Information Bulletin includes an announcement of approval of the five-unit rowhouse planned on the Fauntleroy/Findlay site that currently holds an century-old house (our first mention of this proposal was back in June). The deadline for appeals is November 12th. Read the full decision here.

HOW TO COMMENT ON ANY PROJECT: For any of the above – or any other that’s in progress – this DPD page explains how to comment (that includes appeals).

vanessa October 28, 2013 (4:20 pm)

I guess the recession is over for land barons and greedy developers. (if there ever was one for them…)
This is kind of nuts. Needless to say, the traffic is bad and will only get worse. And yes we can’t all walk, bike and bus to all the places we need to go.
It’s like Groundhog Day, reading the blog lately. Our wonderful West Seattle Blog has it own division of the WSDB. (Development Blog)

skeeter October 28, 2013 (4:30 pm)

So sad that High Point won’t get the retail that we bought in for. Once the homes are built there’s no “going back.” The dream of walkable retail ends. Sigh.

Lori October 28, 2013 (5:27 pm)

I think we need to push for a small cafe and a few spaces for small local businesses in Highpoint. It was in the plan and it’s what we are here for.

cjboffoli October 28, 2013 (6:34 pm)

Greater density that is within or close to West Seattle’s urban villages means that an increasing number of people will be living in a place where they have a CHOICE to bike, walk and take transit to local businesses as opposed to having no choice but to drive. Coupled with the new infusion of commerce these residents will bring to local businesses, I continue to see denser growth in our part of the city as a net positive.

heather October 28, 2013 (7:54 pm)

I think High Point should push for some retail. It will benefit the community. The site is perfectly placed for that and it’s a wonderfully diverse community that could really showcase that with retail/restaurant/cafe/multi generational family establishments.

andy brzozowicz October 28, 2013 (10:05 pm)

Seattle housing authority had a retail request for that site. But in the wisdom of brian Sullivan and the rest of the high point development team they decided not grant the retailer the ability to get deliveries after. 10 pm. Maybe they should on the other retail activities that go on in the parks after 10

skeeter October 29, 2013 (8:14 am)

I wish SHA had held out a little longer to try to get some retail. This is really, really lousy news.

DTK October 29, 2013 (9:07 am)

Will we have a CHOICE when it comes to getting over the bridge in less than two hours? Will we have a CHOICE when crime skyrockets and urban blight begins? Will we have a CHOICE when our property values plummet because of shortsightedness and naive imaginations? I see denser growth in West Seattle akin to the flesh eating disease MRSA. It started with a little spot of development and has now exploded into a lifestyle threatening scourge of overpopulation.

Jeffrey October 29, 2013 (9:35 am)

Who now has no choice but to drive?

What EXACTLY is stopping people from using transit, walking, or bicycling to/from wherever it is they need to go?

Density is not the solution you antiquarian thinkers believe it is.

Remember, the math is never wrong until humans insert assumptions based on their beliefs rather than empirical evidence.

Janna Wachter October 29, 2013 (9:52 am)

prc@seattle.gov
This is the email to write and comment to the review board. Be sure to include the address of the site commenting on -I put 35th and Graham SW for my comment- and your full name and address. Good luck!
Janna Wachter
resident of Highpoint and secretary for
Redwood Condominiums Highpoint

WSB October 29, 2013 (10:28 am)

Janna, thanks. If you click through to the city link (every blue word/phrase on WSB is a link that goes somewhere relevant – hand-coded), the official address of record for this project is 3400 SW Graham. In case that helps. – TR

cjboffoli October 29, 2013 (10:24 am)

Jeffrey: You might consult with someone who lives in the Arroyos and ask them how practical it is for them to walk to Cafe Ladro in Morgan Junction for a cup of coffee.
.
I bought a house in the more densely-populated Alaska Junction and within five minutes I can walk to parks, cafes, restaurants, a butcher shop, a record store, three supermarkets, bakeries, my CPA’s office, barbershops, dentists, retail stores, banks, dry cleaners, etc. Density works for me. I can access a significant percentage of the goods and services I need without having to add my car to the roads. And it worked pretty well when I lived in NYC with 27,000 people per square mile, the majority of which didn’t own cars. If anything is antiquated it is the 1950’s dream of having enough space for everyone to drive and park a car.

robespierre October 29, 2013 (12:03 pm)

I live just down the street from the empty parcel (although I’m not technically part of the High Point development) and would welcome some mixed-use and retail development in the area.

natinstl October 29, 2013 (3:06 pm)

Who now has no choice but to drive? THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO ENJOY MORE THAN JUST WEST SEATTLE AND DOWNTOWN.

What EXACTLY is stopping people from using transit, walking, or bicycling to/from wherever it is they need to go? DID THEY START BUS SERVICE TO MT. RAINIER, OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

The only time I go downtown is to go to work and I do it by bus, but the main reason I live here is to enjoy all of Washington and that’s the same reason many people will never get rid of their cars. This is a vast state with a lot to offer beyond what is at our front door.