WEST SEATTLE DEVELOPMENT: SW Design Review Board to consider 4 projects totaling 460 units at next 3 meetings

| Development | West Seattle news

No summer slowdown for the Southwest Design Review Board. At its three upcoming meetings, which span the next month, it will consider four projects totaling 460 units as well as some commercial space:

THIS THURSDAY – 3078 SW AVALON WAY, 9049 20TH SW: The July 6th doubleheader for the board starts at 6:30 pm with a site that’s been in play off and on for years, 3078 SW Avalon Way (map; rendering above). As the design packet for this meeting explains, an appeal decision in 2014 sent this back to the board. It’s currently described as “a 7-story structure … 102 residential units (with offstreet) parking for 59 vehicles.” … Thursday night’s second review, at 8 pm, is the board’s first look at 9049 20th SW (map), described as:

… a 2-story addition to existing structure for 27 apartment units (22 apartments and 5 small efficiency dwelling units). Two stories to be demolished. Existing office space and storage to remain.

Parking would be provided in the garage at neighboring BlueStone Apartments. This is an Early Design Guidance meeting, so it’s focused on “massing” (height, shape, placement on the site), as reflected in the design packet.

JULY 20 – 4722 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: As we first reported in May, the entire July 20th time slot (6:30 pm-9:30 pm) will be devoted to the new proposal for 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW (map), which previously had been under consideration as a standalone CVS drugstore until that was quietly scrapped last year. Now, under different developers, this is the two-building plan:

… a 7-story building containing 233 residential units, 17 live-work units, and 10,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. Parking to be provided for 250 vehicles within the structure. Existing structure to be demolished. (And) a four-story building containing one live-work unit and 49 residential units.

The design packet isn’t available yet.

AUGUST 3 – 8854 DELRIDGE WAY SW: Last August, we told you about an early-stage mixed-use proposal for this burned-out ex-auto-shop site (map). Its first Design Review Board appearance is now set for 6:30 pm August 3rd. It’s now described as “a four-story apartment building containing 31 units above retail space. Parking for 15 vehicles to be provided.”

All of the above meetings will be upstairs at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, 4217 SW Oregon, and all include opportunities for public comment.

dcn July 3, 2017 (1:15 pm)

I hope that as the South Delridge/Westwood area fills in, that Westwood Village gets some rejuvenation too. The space that was the old Hollywood Video has been empty for almost 7 years (the Panda Express never arrived). Some good non-fast food options would be nice too. I’ve heard from former tenants that the rent their was extraordinarily high, making it hard to sustain a business there. I’ve also heard that mall owners have little incentive to lower rents to increase occupancy, since vacancies can be written off.

dcn July 3, 2017 (1:33 pm)

I hope that as the South Delridge/Westwood area fills in, that Westwood
Village gets some rejuvenation too. The space that was the old Hollywood
Video has been empty for almost 7 years (the Panda Express never
arrived). Some good non-fast food options would be nice too. I’ve heard
from former tenants that the rent their was extraordinarily high, making
it hard to sustain a business there. I’ve also heard that mall owners
have little incentive to lower rents to increase occupancy, since
vacancies can be written off.

East Coast Cynic July 3, 2017 (1:50 pm)

High rents in Westwood Village coupled with high crime could potentially scare away commercial renters and turn WV into a slice of the rust belt. All you’ll have left is QFC for groceries and McDonalds for fast food fixes and social networking.

JRR July 3, 2017 (4:33 pm)

Sounds like it’ll be good for we neighbors to continue to organize. The next Westwood Roxhill Arbor Heights Community Council meeting is Aug. 1 at 6:15 at Southwest Library.

98126res July 3, 2017 (8:26 pm)

so many new apt units in seattle… will it ever slow down?? does anyone in a city dept or a watchdog keep track of how many apt units are indeed rented and occupied vs sitting empty and nobody cares, they keep building more? maybe some of this bldg boom is not what it seems.

Also John July 5, 2017 (11:12 am)

@98126RES….I laughed at your question. Of course they don’t keep track. Why should they? The City see’s $$$ signs with all this new construction.

Concerned Citizen July 4, 2017 (10:43 am)

Has anyone seen a review board sign? There is no room for off street parking in this surrounding area! (20th SW & Barton) With the Blue Stone Apartments traffic and parking through that area is crowded. They are trying to pushing this through. Stop It!!

WSB July 4, 2017 (11:11 am)

The official notice of the meeting hasn’t been published yet, but those usually don’t come out until a few weeks before, so we watch the Design Review Board website for the first word they’ve been scheduled. – TR

Captin July 4, 2017 (5:46 pm)

Im having dinner right now with a friend and single mom with two kids (amongst others). She is buried in REDUCED rent at $1900 (market is $3000) a month for a small 2 BR. We need more apartments, especially 2BR.

We need supply. Things like rent control will not work because it will destroy the reason to build and make a profit thereby limiting supply.

They should upzone Queen Anne, Leschi and everyone else; they should not be immune. If we are truly an inclusive city they city should grow together. But we need to grow.

Also John July 5, 2017 (11:14 am)

@Captin….. I agree! If the City wants to rezone areas of Seattle, why not simply rezone all of Seattle by making ever single family lot available for six units/lot.
- Captin July 5, 2017 (11:52 am)
  
  I personally wouldnt go as far as “all” but I think along major arterials and in urban villages makes sense to maximize transportation efficiency, walk ability, etc. Even arterials in Magnolia!
  
  I think the single family “idea” should be preserved. There’s nothing like a quiet little neighborhood, they are special. But if your house is 2 blocks off of 22nd and Market youre smack dab in the middle of the action and where increased density makes sense! Same thing with the Junction and many other areas.

Also John July 5, 2017 (11:10 am)

I’m glad to see ‘off street parking’ listed for the two new units near my home. We already have lost all on-street parking. It appears either the City or the developer has noticed this too.

Sorry, comment time is over.