What might West Seattle look like in 2035? Grab the steering wheel @ upcoming meeting – or speak up by e-mail, social media, postal mail …

(Above, 1962 view looking west over Luna Park and beyond, from the Seattle Municipal Archives. Below, April 2013 aerial view looking south from Duwamish Head, by Long Bach Nguyen)

The seeds of our current growth and zoning, whether you like the way things are going or not, were sown many years ago – going back in the 1990s, during a big civic process. Maybe you weren’t here to get involved. Maybe you never heard about it. Here’s your chance to change that for the next 20 years. Right now – somewhat drowned out by a lot of other noise – another big process has been under way for a while, aimed at coming up with a road map to last through 2035. Even if you’ve missed earlier discussions, here comes another chance. West Seattle will be the site of one of five meetings coming up to talk about the next revision of the Comprehensive Plan. The announcement, just out of our inbox:

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will hold five community meetings this fall to solicit public comment on the Draft City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan. Titled ‘Seattle 2035,’ the Draft Plan was released for public comment on July 8, 2015. The updated Comprehensive Plan will be our roadmap for Seattle’s next 20 years.

The meetings will include open house displays and a presentation to provide a broad overview of the Draft Plan, highlight major changes and get feedback on proposed village expansion areas, especially areas near meeting locations. Since some of Seattle 2035’s policies about affordable housing will be implemented as part of the City’s proposed Housing and Affordability and Livability Agenda, there will be information and opportunity for feedback at the meetings.

The Draft Plan is informed by the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that was released in May 2015. The Draft Plan includes goals and policies to help achieve our vision for Seattle’s future. Seattle is expected to grow by 120,000 residents and 115,000 jobs in the coming 20 years. The Draft Plan also includes a new Future Land Use Map, showing a pattern of growth that supports the City’s vision.

The City of Seattle is seeking public feedback on the Draft Plan as we continue to evaluate goals and policies to build a safe, livable, vibrant, and affordable city for all. City staff has already received hundreds of public comments on the DEIS and on the overall direction of the Draft Plan document.

DPD is extending the public comment period through Friday, November 20th. The Online Community Conversation will remain live through this period. Here’s how to join the conversation about Seattle’s future and provide comments:

1. Attend a community meeting in October or November

2. Read the Draft Plan Summary and check out the Draft Plan.

3. Join the Seattle 2035 Online Community Conversation and discuss the potential pros and cons of proposed policies with other Seattleites

4. Follow Seattle 2035 on Facebook and Twitter

5. Send comments by November 20, 2015:

a. Email comments to 2035@seattle.gov

b. Mail comments to the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development, Attn: Seattle 2035, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, PO Box 34019, Seattle WA 98124-4019.

Feedback received on the Draft Comprehensive Plan will help inform the Mayor’s Recommended Plan, which will be released in early 2016.

(Five open houses are listed in the full announcement – following is the only one in West Seattle)

November 12, 6 pm to 8 pm (presentation at 6:30 pm)
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW Oregon St.

JayDee September 29, 2015 (5:44 pm)

I know it is not tbt, but I cannot help but comment on the 1962 aerial. You can see that the primary approaches to the lower bridge were Avalon and Admiral. The Admiral fly-over seems to have been switched to the Avalon on-ramp and another under bridge approach built since (but this was the low-bridge approach then). The Fauntleroy approach is missing, but it appears it was under construction. I was 1-year old in ’62 and nowhere near here but perhaps one of the wise ones of long memory can comment.

John September 29, 2015 (6:08 pm)

Comparing the then and now photos of West Seattle always surprises me of how it had been clear cut.
And how much more forestation exists now.

Diane September 29, 2015 (7:47 pm)

interesting to see that my apt building in the 1962 pic is one of the tallest structures, top right, only 5 yrs old then; and weird how the landscape appears so flat; is there a way to get a clearer version of this pic?

Ttt September 29, 2015 (8:09 pm)

Thanks for this link and the info.

For all wanting to give your opinion there is a survey in the link they provided in the story where you can voice your opinion and see the opinions of others.

John September 29, 2015 (8:43 pm)

I would love to see the historic photo’s perspective recaptured by Mr. Nguyen.
Any chance?

CC north admiral September 29, 2015 (10:25 pm)

Nearly 200 pages. And when you search “west seattle” you get one. single. reference.
You see it on all the maps and it clearly plays into the city’s plans, but they don’t name West Seattle. It’s kind of oddly breathtaking how Ballard, Cap Hill, etc., etc. all get clear attention, and we never really register.
Low priority transit; low priority pedestrian; low priority truck.
My tax bill indicates we’re as significant a part of this city as other places. But we continue to be treated as the feeder team for the ‘real’ city.
Taxes pay for all of us, but … so many of us don’t seem to benefit. It’s becoming annoying.

AJP September 29, 2015 (10:39 pm)

I want my old West Seattle back! When we had fewer of these green trees mucking up the place! And family farms! All these newly built houses right next to each other and people moving in from California. Who do they think they are? Everything was in black and white, we didn’t have color, we didn’t need color! And we didn’t need a huge eyesore of a bridge taking up my view! Bah!