West Seattle development: 9030 35th SW done with Design Review

| Development | West Seattle news

(Rendering from newest design “packet” for 9030 35th SW)

Southwest Design Review Board members thought it might have been one of their shortest meetings ever, as they gave their final blessing to the four-story, 40-apartment mixed-use project planned for 9030 35th SW. The review at the Sisson Building/Senior Center on Thursday night lasted 45 minutes; no one showed up for public comment.

The board agreed that the project team had addressed the issues that came up in the previous review last May. As shown in the new project “packet,” the architects added a green roof and upgraded the plans for exterior materials; the exterior remained an area of concern for board members, recommending high-grade concrete and siding material. The dark brown/gray color scheme was superior to the one shown in the spring, they agreed, and they warned the project team against oversized signage. After the aforementioned 45 minutes, board members voted unanimously in favor of final design approval. If you have comments/concerns about the project, its assigned city planner is still the person to send them to – bruce.rips@seattle.gov – until the final permits are issued some weeks/months down the line.

anonyme November 7, 2016 (7:42 am)

The review board’s concern over the exterior finishes appears justified. Structures like this are deteriorating all over Seattle, looking dilapidated even though they are only a few years old.

Second concern: this drawing shows NO landscaping, nor are the existing, mature street trees represented. Is this going to be a typical slash and burn construction? If so, I will be lodging a complaint. The street trees must be preserved.

John November 7, 2016 (9:15 am)

anonyme,

I hope you can site an example of structures like this with premature deterioration.

Most building exterior finishes that failed were a decade ago and a result of dryvit EIFS type systems improperly installed. It took lawsuits and great expense to resolve those problems, but I am not aware of any ongoing new construction issues.

You will be pleased to hear that all street trees are protected by the code. Usually you see some sort of fencing or barrier set up by contractors to protect street trees. The fines are extremely high for damaging or even trimming street trees without a permit.

The “typical slash and burn construction” you claim is without merit and your post illustrates a lack of knowledge of our codes.

Over There November 7, 2016 (9:13 am)

Have I seen this building before. Nah, just looks like every other building in Seattle.

anonyme November 7, 2016 (4:42 pm)

John, I do not claim to be intimately familiar with ALL construction codes. Your defensive stance seems to indicate that you are in the construction trade, so you must also be familiar with the numerous exceptions granted on construction projects. The lack of any vegetation in the drawing remains a concern.

I am, however, familiar with laws protecting street trees – laws which are very seldom enforced. Nor does throwing up a section of chain link against a tree or a few feet from it protect it from damage and eventual death due to construction.

Your claim illustrates not a lack of code knowledge, but of reality.

Sorry, comment time is over.