West Seattle development: High Point, Junction projects headed back to Design Review

Two West Seattle apartment projects are headed back to the Southwest Design Review Board:

6058 35TH SW: Just added to the schedule, a 6:30 pm September 17th hearing for this mixed-use building at High Point’s last prime vacant corner, 35th/Graham. The project’s current official description:

4-story structure containing 89 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of office space, and 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space located at ground level. Surface parking for 98 vehicles to be provided.

This is a second round of Early Design Guidance – the first round on June 25th resulted in the board telling the project team to try again. (The official report on that is still not available, though.)

4528 44TH SW: The latest Land Use Information Bulletin includes official notice of the 6:30 pm September 3rd hearing for this microhousing building in The Junction, proposed as “a 6-story apartment building with approximately 60 small efficiency dwelling units and no vehicle parking”, replacing a 63-year-old, 2-story, 8-unit apartment building. Since the project passed Early Design Guidance back in March (WSB coverage here; official city report here), it’s gained citywide attention because of the lawsuit its developers filed against the city, and the existing building’s tenants, to try to avoid paying the tenants relocation compensation. As we reported last month, the city has moved to dismiss the suit, on grounds no attempt has been made to get the property owners to pay that compensation, so, in the city’s view, there’s nothing to sue over. The hearing on that motion is scheduled for September 2nd, one day before the design-review meeting.

LAintheJunction August 14, 2015 (9:06 pm)

Where will the meeting for the 4528 44th Ave SW project be on Sept 3? I followed the link to the old story too but still don’t see a place, so sorry if it’s someplace obvious and I’m just missing it. Thanks!

Diane August 14, 2015 (9:57 pm)

the design review meetings are usually all at the WS Senior Center in recent years; but good point, for anyone new to DRB; location is upstairs in the big room of the Senior Center

Wasteland August 14, 2015 (10:56 pm)

We absolutely must not stop until all affordably-priced housing units in West Seattle are demolished and replaced by much smaller, much more expensive units. If you are currently living in one of these affordable units, you are welcome to relocate to an accessory dwelling unit in someone’s backyard or purchase a share of their basement.

ChefJoe August 14, 2015 (10:56 pm)

LAintheJunction,
looks like West Seattle Sr Center on Oregon. You had to follow the link at the top of the post and then click “View Design Review Calendar” and possibly narrow down to SW district/date.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/aboutus/news/events/DesignReview/Detail/default.aspx?id=5559

WSB August 15, 2015 (2:17 am)

Yes, apologies, I didn’t intend to be offline this long. All Design Review meetings these days are at the Senior Center (Oregon/California).

Diane August 15, 2015 (12:27 pm)

Wasteland; true, plus; ADU’s, DADU’s, MIL’s are disappearing also as affordable rentals to long time local renters; removed from local rental market and going for triple/quadruple rent to tourists via Airbnb; we also need legislation in Seattle to stop Airbnb displacement of renters; city hall is in complete denial that this is even happening; there are hundreds of Airbnb rentals in West Seattle alone; a good portion was previously affordable housing for locals

Kathleen August 17, 2015 (11:28 am)

I am always a little surprised by the anger misdirected at AirBnB hosts. It makes no sense that these rentals would be “affordable” rentals if they were not on AirBnB. They would go for market rate which from what I can tell is not affordable for many. Also, as an AirBnB host I can tell you it’s helping us keep our housing affordable. Obviously this is not an option for everyone but if local legislation allowed it to be for more people than it would certainly help. Also, the vast majority of Airbnb rentals are rooms in people’s houses-)not what most long-term renters desire. Lastly, it’s odd to me AirBnB would be seen as the drain on affordable housing instead of large-scale developers (who also get tax breaks) or the demand of the market itself.

Diane August 17, 2015 (12:20 pm)

not true; take a look at Airbnb Seattle; mostly full apartments

wsg August 18, 2015 (6:15 am)

Thanks Kathleen. Enjoy comments from not the same usual commenters…..
Intesting perspective- Hadn’t thought about it that way, but think you have a point.

Sorry, comment time is over.