day : 02/02/2015 9 results

Another new rule regarding microhousing units is about to go before the City Council. With two micro buildings open here, two more under construction, and one in the pipeline, you might find it of interest.

BACKSTORY: Right now, if a microhousing building is eligible for the city’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption tax-break program, the maximum rent and income eligibility numbers are the same as for studio units in non-microhousing buildings. A proposed rule change going before a council committee this week would lower those numbers for microhousing – now formally known as SEDUs (small efficiency dwelling units) –

The MFTE program, explained in full here, currently involves more than 140 of all types around the city. Participating property owners must rent out at least 20 percent of their units at a city-set affordability level, and in exchange, they don’t have to pay property tax on the residential portions of their buildings for 12 years (they DO keep paying the tax on the land and on any non-residential parts of the structure, such as retail space).

The current list of participants of all types, citywide, includes both completed West Seattle microhousing buildings, Footprint Avalon I (3266 SW Avalon Way) and Footprint Delridge (4548 Delridge Way SW). (The exemption is only available in certain areas.)

WHAT WOULD CHANGE: It’s explained in a memo to the council – here’s an excerpt:

What prompted the need for this legislation?

* In 2014, the Council passed an ordinance establishing SEDUs as a new unit type, distinct from other unit types. Because existing Code does not set affordability requirements specifically for SEDUs in MFTE, the MFTE program would regard a SEDU as a studio, restricted at 65% of AMI. This translates to a maximum monthly housing cost of $1,004 and a maximum annual income for a one-person household of $40,170. However, typical SEDU market-rate rents are anticipated to be less than not only market-rate rents but also the restricted, affordable-rate rents for studios.

What would be the result of the lower affordability threshold in terms of affordable rent and annual income limits?

* The proposed legislation would reduce the maximum rent threshold for income-restricted SEDUs in MFTE projects to a level affordable to individuals earning 40% of AMI [area median income], resulting in a maximum monthly housing cost of $772 and a maximum annual income for a one-person household of $30,900.

Again, this wouldn’t cover ALL units in a microhousing building participating in the tax-break program – just the 20 percent required for eligibility. In some areas, this might not mean much of a change – doing a spot check online, for example, we note Footprint Avalon I is advertising rents $800-$899 right now.

Two more microhousing/SEDU buildings are under construction in West Seattle right now, 3268 SW Avalon and 5949 California SW, with another one planned at 3050 SW Avalon. Both of the latter have been approved for participation in the MFTE program, according to this report to the City Council last spring (which also includes data such as how much tax was *not* collected because of the exemption – scroll all the way down the document). The proposed changes will be discussed when the council’s Committee on Housing Affordability, Human Services, and Economic Resiliency, chaired by Councilmember Sally Clark, meets at 9:30 am this Thursday (February 5th) at City Hall.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Roxbury Safeway robber sought

February 2, 2015 8:09 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)
8:09 PM: If you’re in the Westwood/White Center areas, you might be seeing a big police presence, and here’s why: Seattle Police are joining King County Sheriff’s Deputies right now in the search for a man wanted for robbing the Roxbury Safeway, according to a dispatch monitored via scanner. We don’t know details of the robbery but the description broadcast to officers was: Black man, 25-30, black hair, 5’6″, blue scarf, dark jacket, blue jeans. We’ll add anything more we find out.

9:04 PM: No word of an arrest yet; store employees said they couldn’t comment on what happened. But we talked at the scene with King County Sheriff’s Deputy BJ Myers, who said the robber held up a checker inside the store and is believed to have acted alone; the search continues.

9:54 AM TUESDAY: Just checked with KCSO’s Sgt. DB Gates. No arrests so far; she also confirms that no weapons were involved, and no one was hurt. No injuries, no arrests, and no weapons. Early reports confirm what a commenter mentioned, that “it appears the suspect grabbed cash from the till when the drawer was opened.” And she says “some evidence was found” during the ensuing search, which included a K-9 team.

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Be a hero! Run/walk in the White Center 5K to help 3 nonprofits

February 2, 2015 5:49 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

(2014 WC5K photo by Patrick Sand)
Run or walk five kilometers to help three local nonprofits! Signups are under way for this year’s White Center 5K. From the official announcement:

The White Center Community Development Association (CDA) is partnering with the YES Foundation of White Center and the White Center Food Bank to host the third annual White Center 5K Walk & Run. This community event will take place on March 28, 2014, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at White Center Heights Park. Like the previous year, this will be another Superhero Run and all participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroes.

The 5K has an official start time of 9:00 am, with registration beginning at 8:00 am. Following the completion of the race there will be an award ceremony to recognize the fastest runners in each age group. The cost of participation is $25 for people aged 11 through 18, $30 for people between the ages of 11 and 54, $25 for those aged 55 and up, and free for children 10 years of age and younger. All proceeds from the event will benefit the White Center CDA, the YES Foundation of White Center, and the White Center Food Bank.

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Arbor Heights appeal hearing #3 ranges from trees to transportation

February 2, 2015 2:53 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Mid-January photo of Arbor Heights site, courtesy Mike R.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The hearing’s over, and now a written decision is awaited in the third appeal filed against the Arbor Heights Elementary rebuild project.

Testimony heard this afternoon before city Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner on the 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown included one new wrinkle: A question about traffic effects to potentially be compounded by the charter school proposed at 35th/Roxbury, a plan that just surfaced a month ago, which is why it was not a factor at the time of the two appeals decided last year (May 2014 WSB coverage here; August 2014 WSB coverage here).

APPELLANTS’ CASE: District watchdog Chris Jackins presented the appeal case, though he is not the lone appellant; several nearby residents are listed too.

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Tomorrow night: Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole in West Seattle

February 2, 2015 2:42 pm

| Comments Off on Tomorrow night: Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole in West Seattle

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

We’ve included reminders in almost every West Seattle Crime Watch report since the original announcement two weeks ago, but in case you’ve missed them – Tomorrow’s the night that Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole comes to West Seattle for her first community conversation. It’s co-sponsored by the Southwest Precinct Advisory Committee, and the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network, which published this reminder earlier today. 6:30 pm Tuesday in the precinct meeting room (off its public parking lot along Webster, just west of Delridge). No presentation – just your questions and her answers, promise organizers.

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West Seattle development notes, from Admiral Way to Seola Beach

February 2, 2015 11:20 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Development | West Seattle news

From our latest check of the city Department of Planning and Development files:

THREE HOUSES ON ADMIRAL WAY HILL: An undeveloped 12,350-square-foot parcel between the east side of Admiral Way and the west side of 31st SW, north of the bridge, is proposed for three 3-story houses. The proposal is on file with the address 3116 SW Admiral Way.

SW HOLDEN SUBDIVISION: While the 18-house subdivision between Holden and Webster has already received key approvals, three parcels still have to be split into 18 for the individual houses that are planned, and the comment period has opened for that application – here’s the official notice from today’s Land Use Information Bulletin.

CHANGE OF USE: Also from today’s LUIB, comments are open on a proposal to change the use of a house at 9248 25th SW to a “community center.” The notice doesn’t specify what that means, but in a document in the online files, the applicants list religious uses as their plans for the building. The notice includes information on how to comment.

DEMOLITION PLANS: A 61-year-old house at 11825 Seola Beach Drive would be demolished as part of a new-construction approval that also was announced in today’s LUIB; also, at 8443 12th SW, a house is proposed to be demolished, with at least one new one to be built (there’s also a lot-split proposal at the address).

LOT-SPLIT: Early-stage application to split one parcel at 3617 SW Holden into two.

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West Seattle Monday: See what’s up for today/tonight

February 2, 2015 9:40 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Salmonberry blossom at Lincoln Park – photo by Mark Ahlness, shared via the WSB Flickr group)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SANISLO ELEMENTARY TOURS TODAY & TONIGHT: You’re welcome to tour the school 10-11 am or tonight at 6:30 pm, reservations not required. (1812 SW Myrtle)

FREE TAX HELP: Trained volunteers will be on hand to help you with your taxes – first-come, first-served – 3-7 pm at Delridge Branch Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm, bring child(ren) of all ages to High Point Branch Library for stories and rhymes. Free; no registration required. (35th/Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: As previewed here on Sunday, Hi-Yu members will review and vote on community proposals for this year’s button design – the theme is “Sound Respect.” All are welcome, 7 pm in the lower-level meeting room at Admiral Congregational Church. (California/Hill)

SEE INTO THE FUTURE! Just browse our calendar – tomorrow and beyond. (Use the handy drop-down at upper right to just choose the categories of events that interest you.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: February’s first Monday

February 2, 2015 6:07 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! No alerts for today, but one transit-related note – if you use the streetcar downtown, fare changes are in the works, with a public meeting tonight and other ways to comment – all the info’s here.

6:51 AM: Just got a call reporting a stalled vehicle on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, left lane. Meantime, fairly heavy rain.

7:04 AM: No further updates; traffic appears to be moving fairly normally, on the high-rise too.

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New month, new phase for Murray CSO Control tank project

February 2, 2015 12:57 am

| Comments Off on New month, new phase for Murray CSO Control tank project

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

February brings a new phase of work at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project across from Lowman Beach Park. The county’s announcement:

King County contractors recently finished the base of the underground storage tank, completing the last large concrete pour for the project. Crews are now preparing for smaller concrete pours to construct the outer wall of the tank.

Concrete pours for the outer wall are weather dependent and will occur on Thursdays in February and March. In order to keep the project on schedule, the contractor will be working on some Saturdays. Work hours on Saturdays are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Up to 20 trucks a day will deliver concrete to the site on pour days— about as many trucks as were previously on site each hour for the tank-base pours. Pours will occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Work will continue past 6 p.m. if necessary to complete the pour. One concrete pump truck on the east side of the 7000 block of Beach Dr. SW will pump concrete into the hole. Local and emergency access to Beach Drive SW and Lincoln Park Way SW will be maintained at all times. Expect traffic delays and congestion on pour days.

The county will have flaggers assisting with traffic. Questions/concerns? The project’s 24-hour hotline is 206-205-9186.

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