West Seattle development: ~40 apartments planned at 4439 41st SW

| Development | West Seattle news

Another apartment project has surfaced in The Junction. We noticed the site, 4439 41st SW (map), last year, when eight townhouses were in the works (here’s that now-superseded proposal). Now, updated online records describe a different project making its way through the city Department of Planning and Development — a three-stories-plus-basement, ~40-apartment, 5-parking-space building, to replace a century-old home on an 8,600-square-foot lot. The land-use application was just filed Monday, so the formal notice will likely be in the Thursday Land Use Information Bulletin, but the project already has drawn public comments, some centering on its proximity to Hope Lutheran Church/School across the alley to its west, and the major increase in density around the church’s site – it’s kitty-corner from the proposed 50-unit 4505 42nd SW, north of the opening-soon 90-unit Oregon 42 apartments, and east of the proposed 80-unit Junction Flats apartments.

Brian March 4, 2014 (1:26 pm)

40 units with 5 parking spaces… with the church right next to this development, I predict Sundays will be a disaster.

Brian March 4, 2014 (1:44 pm)

After glancing at the other two developments near this one, it looks like the city plans to allow for close to 200 additional rental units but only plans to install 73 parking spots for those units.

This wouldn’t bother me if the county had concrete and sustainable plans to support and expand metro service in WS but we can all see how that’s going.

Scott March 4, 2014 (2:09 pm)

There is no way people should be allowed to develop unless there is parking for all the units. 40 units with 5 spots is not going to work.

Bee March 4, 2014 (2:17 pm)

In seeing these coming through, we are wondering how many projects there are going or proposed now for our West Seattle? Seems like there is a lot going on. Is there a link that shows all of them at one spot?

WSB March 4, 2014 (2:44 pm)

Bee, there is none. I have a roughed-out one that I’ve been trying to finish for a long time. Really close! You can look on the map on the DPD home page but every dot could mean something as simple as someone fixing their deck, or could be a scrapped project.

iggy March 4, 2014 (2:54 pm)

We’ve pretty much stopped complaining about the crowding on the RR. The new normal. I generally take it now in the mid-day 10-2 timeframe, and it hasn’t been too bad. However, last week I left downtown at around 3:00, and it was standing room only at 3rd and Seneca, and we did not pick anyone up at 2nd and Columbia. Our driver radioed it in to Metro, and told us “for what good that does.” She told the poor folks shivering at the stop that another bus was “on the way,” which she told us meant, “there is a bus just leaving Wall Street.” My friend and I commented on how does metro think all the new dwellers in West Seattle will fit on the RR. I realize I am giving anecdotal story, which could have been a not-normal-event, but I’m putting it out here just in case it helps the planners.

East Coast Cynic March 4, 2014 (3:00 pm)

The silver lining to all this oncoming development is that we will be (or very well should be) a strong candidate for light rail if we’re not already. The knock on us has been sprawl and a lack of density. If the foreseeable density future isn’t enough for sound transit/metro, I don’t know what would be.

schwaggy March 4, 2014 (3:03 pm)

Are you kidding me??? We’re going to need a signal light at every arterial on Oregon between California and Fauntleroy just so residents can turn on to Oregon. This is really out of hand.

Wally March 4, 2014 (3:07 pm)

So glad I moved last winter. Parking was brutal on 44th and 44th already- all these people will need to push out further into the residential areas.

NW March 4, 2014 (3:37 pm)

Where is the organization of an advocacy pro West Seattle citizens with the know how and muscle to get a group going who can seriously challenge these developers and their practice the developers and the bureaucracy I know little to nothing about it myself but willing to join a group who can begin and hopefully get projects like these back up to the drawing board so to speak. Come on people your out there!

Al March 4, 2014 (3:49 pm)

Write folks in office. Its out of hand. 2 timez today semi drivers on the alaska and cali job site ran the red lights. The driver could care less.

enough March 4, 2014 (4:19 pm)

The rub on mass transit when it goes in to WS is that even more people will move here because there IS mass transit. Can’t win. WS has jumped the shark (several years ago)..

Scott March 4, 2014 (6:08 pm)

Proposed Building Update #3015444
Thank you to those who have already emailed letters of concern regarding the proposed building that would potentially be built right on our alley across from the playground. We have found out a bit more information and because of the way this project is zoned, the correct person to contact with concerns is Bruce Rips of the Department of Planning and Development. Here is his contact information: email address – Bruce.Rips@seattle.gov phone – (206) 615-1392.
Here is the link to the website where letters of concern are posted and where you can find out more information on this project:
http://web6.seattle.gov/dpd/edms/

Emails, letters, and phone calls can be submitted until March 19, and Bruce Rips has indicated that he is interested in hearing how this project would impact us as a school and church. Please keep those letters coming, even if it is something short. We appreciate it.

WSB March 4, 2014 (6:28 pm)

Scott, I’m guessing that’s a message from Hope? We haven’t heard from them directly – I just happened onto the project change in the daily check of data.seattle.gov – and followed the files. – TR

Sue March 4, 2014 (6:35 pm)

Brian, I would agree – my sister used to live near a church back east, and on Sundays you had to know what time the services were so that you could be scouting for a spot in the few minutes between when one mass let out and the people arrived for the next one.

West Seattle Seattle March 4, 2014 (7:29 pm)

This increased density without the lack of infrastructure shows absolutely no common sense.

Just a guess, the folks who develop and approve these buildings live nowhere near them, so they do not have to deal with the fallout.

T March 4, 2014 (9:05 pm)

Bye Bye old WS, it’s been nice knowing you.

buckwheat March 4, 2014 (10:12 pm)

Well once again more crap being thrown up in West Seattle. This is why it will be vital when the time comes to elect our district city council person that will actually do something for West Seattle. This is nuts and is not sustainable…

DTK March 5, 2014 (6:41 am)

Nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there.

WestofJunction March 5, 2014 (6:53 am)

Why don’t we make the developers pay funds for transit? I’ve lived in places where developers have to pay for utility expansion – Since parking spaces generate little revenue compared to an apartment – the developers win by pretending to be “green” and pass the costs on to us. Why can’t the city require a fee per unit? Or attach a mothly/annual fee to the project owner to subsidize transit?

A March 5, 2014 (6:56 am)

We’re moving. I’ve had enough of West Seattle. And coupled with Seattle schools….good-bye.

Scott March 5, 2014 (8:32 am)

Yes, that was from Hope.

Seriously Concerned March 5, 2014 (8:52 am)

Yes WestofJunction! Super idea! You all make great points. Not to mention that there are THREE schools and churhes in that 2 block radius. Please, please write to Bruce Rips (email above) to send him your thoughts-no matter how short-they are important and crucial to helping us keep our community safe, stable, and sustainable.

Cole March 5, 2014 (9:24 am)

Seriously? This is so problematic on many levels and if you have ever had to deal with the drop off and pick up process at Hope Lutheran School you know those little streets are not built for that type of traffic. How did this plan ever make it this far?

sgs March 5, 2014 (10:32 am)

I’m writing to Rips now. Four major developments in essentially a 2 block radius between 41st and 43rd? I live between Alaska and Oregon and am feeling squished!! An “squished” is not an anti-development term.

RR March 5, 2014 (11:01 am)

I am writing Rips too. I think this is a good project.

sgs March 5, 2014 (11:33 am)

RR, can you expand briefly why you think this is a good project – addressing how it relates as well to the developments surrounding it? Really, I would like to understand. Squished.

natinstl March 5, 2014 (1:02 pm)

While I agree that developers should have to take on some of the cost to add to transit it really only solves the issue during commuting hours. As much as the car haters want everyone to get rid of their car it will never happen here. We live in Seattle, not NYC. People here want to enjoy everything around Seattle like kayaking, skiing, camping, hiking, boating, etc… and you can’t get out and enjoy those things around the state without a car. I’m from NY and when you move to the city you choose that city lifestyle, people that live in the NW want to utilize all it affords.

MotoMike March 5, 2014 (1:22 pm)

Evidently, nobody wants these developments to continue and yet no one has the ability to stop them.

It’s not just West Seattle, it’s happening all over Seattle because the zoning knob is still stuck on ‘High Density”. The idea to have developments pay for mitigating transit is a start.

It would take a complete re-vamp of zoning or a city-wide moratorium on multi-housing developments to stop these boxes from popping up everywhere.

Or West Seattle could secede from the rotten apple as once planned. http://articles.latimes.com/1996-06-03/news/mn-11405_1_west-seattle

That might improve the permitting madness at least out here.

RR March 5, 2014 (4:07 pm)

@sgs the majority of voters want our growth centered around existing urban hubs. Our new mayor also supports it. The city council supports it. It is only a smaller vocal minority on this blog that doesn’t support it. There is something like 10,000 (maybe more) readers daily on this blog…and you are lucky to get more than 20 or 30 people who comment and oppose the growth. If the majority of voters truly didn’t support what is happening then things would change. But at this time it ain’t gonna happen.

Eaglelover March 5, 2014 (6:52 pm)

Soooo….. In today’s world very few actually show up in a meeting but 100’s sign a petition for a no parking space apartment in Morgan junction? Again, sustainable growth with some restrictions and some want a project to go up with a place so congested for parking or so after all these projects are done? This doesn’t smell like democracy….in REALITY we moved here for quality of life. Someone from NY eloquently stated they moved here to be by the mountains and water while folks in NYC moved IN knowing that they are car less and have a great infrastructure to support this lifestyle. Tell me the math in all of this?
EL

RR March 5, 2014 (7:41 pm)

Your math is simply wrong. A few hundred people signing a petition is no big deal. There are nearly 100,000 people in West Seattle. And is it possible that your view of quality of life is different than others? Nothing wrong with that. Maybe others like the action and vibrancy of living in a big city with lots of people. I guess unfortunately for some on this blog your outnumbered by people who simply like what’s going on.

A March 5, 2014 (9:31 pm)

RR you are clearly new to the area and probably living in one of these new apartment buildings. You are part of the problem. 12 years here and used to love but that is a thing of the past. We are moving soon.

RR March 5, 2014 (10:09 pm)

@A things tend to change over time. I am glad you are being proactive and have the means to be making the move out of West Seattle. There are lots of great small towns not too far away. Northbend comes to mind. Fall City is great too.

BornInWestSeattle March 6, 2014 (8:20 am)

@RR you are surely joking…if you were to take the time to actually talk with people who live in your community rather than make pronouncements you’ll find that the majority of residents dislike what is happening. The building and development community is well funded and organized – as they should be considering how much money they are making. There are few places in the United States where one home can be purchased for $550K, demolished, and then replaced by two houses selling for $749K each in the name of “density for affordable housing.” Unfortunately West Seattle is one of them.

RR March 6, 2014 (9:43 am)

@Born I don’t recall saying anything about affordable housing. People tend to hear the things they want to hear when they are not getting their way. I can relate to that. I’ve been there before. However I do believe it is better for people to live closer to the city and not continue the sprawl further and further into important agricultural areas. I think it is better for the world when people don’t have to drive their car 60 miles into downtown Seattle for work. Anyway I think it is perfectly ok for me to have my opinions and for you to have yours. No joke.

BornInWestSeattle March 6, 2014 (12:26 pm)

The significant agricultural areas around Seattle were over run by industrial and commercial development years ago. The businesses in both the Kent Valley and the Skagit Valley cover some of the richest soil in the world. In any case, we agree there is room in the world for differences of opinion. I wondered when you suggested a North Bend or Fall City – both long commutes and a “sprawl” – as an alternative to another who disagreed with you.

RR March 6, 2014 (2:17 pm)

That person said they were moving because they no longer liked West Seattle. I would never suggest to anyone to leave.

Rational Thought March 22, 2014 (1:23 pm)

Even if there is a good excuse for allowing the building of this monstrosity in the first place, there is absolutely, positively no excuse for not requiring at least 1 parking stall – of normal size not the mini-Cooper-sized parking allowed in these horrible townhouses – for each unit. There’s been lots of discussion about the building and public transportation but what has the City said about why it is acceptable to only provide 5 parking spaces in total? NOTHING. Because there is no excuse.

As for assertions that only a few people are opposed to this monstrosity, that is ridiculous. I don’t know a single WS resident who is supportive of this continued destruction of West Seattle nor do my friends and acquaintances know of anyone who is supportive. While that is just anecdotal, it is representative of most people in WS, but they do not have time to protest and send emails that result in nothing since the City and its planners do not give a damn about the opinions of any of us. The City Council cares only about its campaign donors – like developers and those who approve these buildings are just punching the clock and are uninterested in doing anything that would require pushback against developers. It’s easier to do their bidding and go home.

sam-c March 24, 2014 (11:54 am)

the pizza man, plumber, moving trucks, and delivery vans (with your new mattress) will double park. that works, right? I mean, with 40 units, that shouldn’t happen too frequently…..

Sorry, comment time is over.