FOLLOWUP: City Council OKs church’s rezone for townhouse project, but without waiving Mandatory Housing Affordability requirement

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(Proposed project site – WSB photo from last month)

FIRST REPORT, 3:35 PM: This afternoon at City Hall, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of land owned by the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene to Lowrise 1 from its current Single Family 5000, requested by the church so it can build and sell six townhouses to raise money for renovating its old building (5911 42nd SW). However, the council did not grant the church’s request to waive a requirement that it either devote part of the project to “affordable housing” or pay a fee, estimated at $200,000, to the city to fund affordable housing elsewhere.

This is the same Mandatory Housing Affordability requirement that is to be implemented with upzoning around the city, proposed as part of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, but even though that is not in effect citywide yet, and this project has been in the pipeline for four years, a council decision last year called for applying MHA. Only the council had the power to waive it, and they declined; local Councilmember Lisa Herbold said that while the argument was that the church had agreed to set aside open space as part of the site, that wasn’t a reason to waive it. (In a side note, she had to read a disclosure statement before voting today, because she had responded to a social-media criticism after last week’s committee vote, from which she abstained, saying she wanted to read the Morgan Community Association‘s letter supporting a waiver before she voted.) We have a request for comment out to the church, to ask if they will proceed with the project despite the decision to not waive MHA.

ADDED 7:17 PM: We’ve heard back from the church’s pastor emeritus Terry Mattson, who’s been a spokesperson for the church during the years the project’s been in the works. He says it’s on:

West Seattle Church of the Nazarene was extremely pleased to see the Seattle City Council unanimously approve our project today. This decision ensures we’ll be able to make the necessary repairs to our church to continue to serve our members and neighbors. Although it would have been an ideal scenario to have the MHA fees waived, we want to assure the community we will be proceeding as planned and that you’ll still have access to the open space and the trees will be preserved.

We look forward to the development in the months ahead and will keep all of you up to date on progress. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to visit us any Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. We’d be happy to chat. We especially want to thank the Morgan Junction Community Association, Deb & Cindi Barker, our partners Paar Development and Neiman Tabor Architects and our council representative for West Seattle Lisa Herbold for her support in helping carry this through the PLUS committee.

We can’t wait for you to experience the upgrades to our park and facilities with us.

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UPDATE: ‘Polar Express’ tickets all taken

December 4, 2017 2:29 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Admiral Theater | Holidays | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT 2:29 PM MONDAY: Want to see “The Polar Express” for free this Saturday? Alice Kuder and some of her colleagues at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor) are sponsoring a free showing at 10 am Saturday (December 9th) at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater. This is the third year that they have organized this for their clients and the families of Sunshine Kids cancer patients, but they would love to have a full house, Alice tells us, and so about 40 tickets remain, so they’re offering those free tickets to YOU – “first-come, first served) – 4 maximum per family or group.”

To request tickets, contact Alice: alice@alicekuder.com or voice/text at 206-708-9800.

She and the other sponsors will provide free cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee at the screening (and the Admiral’s concession stand will be open too). If you go, consider also bringing a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Alice will let us know when the tickets are gone, and we’ll update this announcement then.

MONDAY LATE-NIGHT UPDATE: Tickets all taken!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More package-theft alerts, plus a prowler

December 4, 2017 1:29 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

The newest reader reports we’ve received:

PACKAGES TAKEN – WATCH FOR POSSIBLY DITCHED DISHES: Anne works at home so has not had a problem before, but while out for about an hour and a half last week, had two packages apparently delivered and taken: “I know it’s a long shot, these thieves took two boxes of pieces of my mom’s 1950s everyday dish set — something very sentimentally valuable to me but not anything I think random thieves can hawk or sell. So just in case someone happens to find the contents, [at right] is a picture of the pattern. One box had several of these plates, and one had some tea cups and saucers, which just have the little flourish decoration. If you happen to find these, and I know it’s unlikely, could you please drop me a note at AHin206work – at – gmail.com. Thanks, neighbors, I know we have to work together.” (Anne also wanted you to know, she has since discovered that Alki Mail and Dispatch will accept your package for $4.)

PACKAGE THIEF: The video and report are from Derek in South Delridge:

I wanted to report a package theft to remind neighbors to be alert this time of year. I’m at 18th and Henderson. Amazon delivered a package around 8:30 (Friday) night and at 12:48 AM my camera recorded the theft. Like an idiot I didn’t use the Amazon Locker at 7-11 or Safeway, so I should have seen this coming!

CAR PROWLER: The video and report are from Charlie:

We live above Luna Park across from the housing development. A few months ago my wife’s car was vandalized in our carport, so we installed a video floodlight. At 1am a prowler casually walked up to our cars, checked if they were locked, then moved along, presumably to our neighbors. If anyone in our neighborhood had any theft last night this person may be responsible.

‘ANYONE MISSING THIS CAR?’ So asked the person who texted this photo:

The texter says it’s on SW Barton near 20th SW. We asked if they had called the police. No reply yet.

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DAY 7: Mayor seeking new police chief, new Seattle City Light CEO

December 4, 2017 12:32 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

12:32 PM: Even before the official announcement event at City Hall last hour, Mayor Jenny Durkan had revealed (as we noted on Twitter) that she would be looking for a new Chief of Police. Now we know she’s also looking for a new CEO/general manager for Seattle City Light.

From the announcement (which you can read in full here):

WHO’S GOING: SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole‘s last day, after 3 1/2 years, is December 31st. Deputy Chief Carmen Best will be interim chief as of January 1st. (As we reported last week, we spoke with O’Toole at the new mayor’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center event, and she said she was planning to talk with Durkan this week “about the department’s future.”) … City Light CEO/GM Larry Weis has resigned after less than two years; chief compliance officer Jim Baggs will run the utility in the interim.

WHO’S NOT GOING: The mayor says Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and Emergency Management director Barb Graff are staying. … Durkan also said she has asked Seattle Public Utilities CEO/general manager Mami Hara to stay.

No other cabinet mentions – staying OR going – so far.

ABOUT THE POLICE CHIEF SEARCH: The mayor announced a committee will search for O’Toole’s successor, with four co-chairs: Former mayor/City Council president Tim Burgess (who also is a former SPD detective), former King County Sheriff Sue Rahr, ACLU executive Jeffery Robinson, and Chief Seattle Club executive director Colleen Echohawk. (See their bios here.) The mayor promises the chief search will include “an extensive community outreach process during early 2018.”

6:12 PM: Here’s the chief’s full statement.

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FOLLOWUP: Third day of West Seattle Trader Joe’s closure because of crash-caused power outage

December 4, 2017 10:12 am

| 30 COMMENTS

| Triangle | Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle Trader Joe's

The West Seattle Trader Joe’s is still closed right now, third day since a power outage caused by a flipped-car crash early Saturday, as first reported here that morning. We have new information from Seattle City Light, after a conversation with spokesperson Scott Thomsen. He explains that the crash damaged not only SCL’s “pad-mounted transformer” – in the spot shown in our photo above, on the northeast corner of 39th SW and Fauntleroy Way – but also “some equipment that belongs to the customer” (Trader Joe’s). Thomsen says SCL completed its work, including replacing the transformer, by 7 pm Saturday. The delay since then is because the electrician working on TJ’s equipment has not yet finished fixing it; once they have, Thomsen says, they are ready to reconnect the power. Side note, answering some questions that had come up in the comment discussion: The damaged transformer did NOT contain PCBs: “The transformer that was hit was one of our new ones, containing certified FR3 vegetable oil. No PCBs. We cleaned up the oil that did leak.” We also sent an inquiry to Trader Joe’s this morning and have not yet heard back; if and when we do, we’ll add the information to this story. Meantime, SPD was investigating the crash as a possible case of DUI; Angela caught the crash aftermath on video:

The driver (who SPD says is a 26-year-old man) was taken to the hospital by private ambulance, which indicates his injuries weren’t major.

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HOLIDAY GENEROSITY: Give early and often to donation drives!

December 4, 2017 9:00 am

| Comments Off on HOLIDAY GENEROSITY: Give early and often to donation drives!

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Though we’re three weeks away from Christmas, it’s never too early to give to holiday-season donation drives, many of which involve a lot of coordination to get the gifts to recipients in time.

At the Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency office (WSB sponsor), we photographed Dave with Kristy Hoppenrath by the bins where they’re collecting coats, shoes, and other winter clothing for the West Seattle Helpline. The annual drive’s been going on for more than a month now and they’re taking deliveries over to the Helpline weekly. You’re invited to drop off donations 9 am-5 pm weekdays at 3435 California SW, or if you can’t get there, call 206-932-1878 about arranging a pickup.

OTHER DONATION DRIVES: We’re continuing to add them to the West Seattle Holiday Guide as we get them. Some have early deadlines – this Saturday, for example, is the deadline for the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) Giving Trees, and for the Bartell Drugs Toy ‘n’ Joy Drive. If you are collecting holiday gifts for local nonprofit(s), it’s not too late to let us know so we can add the info – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch

December 4, 2017 7:02 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

7:02 AM: Some fog in spots, and that’s about all we have of note for the outbound commute from here so far this morning.

8:24 AM: Still quiet.

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WEST SEATTLE POWER OUTAGE: More out in south Arbor Heights/Arroyos

December 4, 2017 6:55 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks for the messages about the power outage in the south Arbor Heights/Arroyos area; Comcast is reported to be out, too. Seattle City Light‘s map shows the outage as an extension of the one that started yesterday, though now it’s listed as 127 customers, about 30 more than when last we checked Sunday night. If you’re out and not shown on the map, be sure to let City Light know (206-684-3000).

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2030 light rail, 2017 action: Sound Transit’s latest West Seattle moves

December 3, 2017 8:36 pm

| 32 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Light rail to and from West Seattle is still 13 years away. But the process of making it happen is accelerating.

Two signs of that: Sound Transit‘s “partnering agreement” with the city will be discussed by councilmembers this week. And for the second time in two weeks, ST sent a team to West Seattle for a community-group briefing.

First, the “partnering agreement.” It’s on the agenda for the Tuesday meeting of the Sustainability and Transportation Committee (2 pm, Council Chambers at City Hall, 600 4th Ave.). As the slide deck atop this story shows, it covers the entire West Seattle to Ballard extension plan (while WS is scheduled to open in 2030, Ballard is planned for 2035).

Components of the agreement would involve streamlining permits, as has been mentioned at previous discussions of the plan for the 4.7-mile extension into West Seattle. You can read the full 46-page agreement here or below:

The agreement addresses matters beyond the transit line itself – such as redevelopment, on page 8:

The Parties will work together to identify and evaluate opportunities for transit-oriented development (“TOD”) in station areas, including direct integration of transit facilities with development done by others. The Parties further agree to consider strategies for advancing equitable development outcomes in their planning activities, including but not limited to opportunities for development of affordable housing on publicly-owned land

Among other things, the agreement also asks the city to designate a single point of contact for the project; the Sound Transit point of contact is Cathal Ridge, the Central Corridor Project Manager who led both recent West Seattle briefings, including the one at last Thursday’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting. We were at both; here’s what happened that night:

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SPORTS: West Seattle High School Football celebrates 3 all-division players and the return of a tradition

December 3, 2017 6:58 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to the reader who shared the report and photos:

West Seattle High School’s 1st Team All-Metro Sound Division Football Selections

Senior Anthony Coats, senior Alex Pastrana, and junior Oliver Carlson have been selected to the First Team All-Metro Sound Division Football Team. Anthony (above right) was named 1st Team Quarterback, Alex (above center) was named 1st Team Offensive Guard and 2nd Team Defensive Tackle, and Oliver (above left) was named 1st Team Wide Receiver. Congratulations to these boys for their leadership and achievements on the field that have been recognized by the coaches throughout the league. It was a tough season for the young and inexperienced Wildcats but the team never quit, battled, and worked hard all season long for new coach Marcis Fennell.

The team also had its year end football banquet Friday night, which was an incredible event held at The Hall at Fauntleroy. During the celebration of the student athletes’ season Coach Fennell and the West Seattle Alumni Monogram Club surprised this year’s qualified lettermen with brand-new Letterman jackets, bringing back a tradition that has been absent for 20 years.

The boys were excited, stunned and extremely appreciative of this awesome gesture. You could see the pride these boys have in WSHS and could feel their excitement about representing their community in their new jackets.

It was a fun and rewarding evening for all involved that has set the standard moving forward for WS Football. A special thank you to Coach Marcis and all his assistant coaches for their hard work and dedication to WSHS. Go Westside!

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response off West Seattle

December 3, 2017 4:21 pm

| Comments Off on UPDATE: Water-rescue response off West Seattle

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Thanks to Carolyn Newman for the photo of SFD units standing by in Seacrest area)

4:21 PM: A big Seattle Fire response is on the way via land and sea to check out a report of an overturned boat of some kind with two people in the water. SFD units are going both to an area off the 5900 block of Beach Drive SW, and to the Seacrest area. So far, per scanner, they’re not seeing anyone in distress.

4:27 PM: They’re still checking out possible objects off shore. So far, two were described as “logs with birds on (them).”

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand – fireboat seen from Lowman Beach)

4:39 PM: Still nothing/no one found, though police/fire boats continue searching just to be certain, and SFD units are still standing by at Don Armeni/Seacrest in case anyone is found. They’re dismissing most of the units.

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HAPPENING NOW: Happy 100th birthday to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center/Cooper School

December 3, 2017 3:20 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle news

3:20 PM: The party is on! You are invited to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to celebrate its centennial – performances and treats, plus a chance to tour the building, including the artist studios on the top floors:

Youngstown’s hallways feature lockers reminiscent of the building’s past as Frank B. Cooper School:

As noted in our story earlier this week previewing today’s celebration, the school building was mothballed years before the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association formed in the mid-1990s, and then DNDA bought it from Seattle Public Schools and turned it into Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

The party is about looking ahead as well as looking back. In our photo above are DNDA’s current executive director David Bestock, left, with Nature Consortium – now part of DNDA – founder Nancy Whitlock and current leader Yeggy Michael. Go visit Youngstown this afternoon (until 5 pm) and see who you meet! More photos to come.

ADDED 4 PM: Thanks to Clay Eals for the photo of Cooper School graduates gathered at the party:

The building closed as a school in 1989. What is now the Thelma Dewitty Theater, named for the Cooper School teacher who made history as the first African-American to teach in Seattle Public Schools, was its cafeteria, and is full of cool people for today’s event:

Back upstairs, artist Iole Alessandrini of the Civita Institute welcomed visitors to her studio home:

DNDA’s director of housing and environmental programs, Willard Brown, is at Youngstown for the party:

If you don’t make it to Youngstown today – just take one look at its calendar to see how much is going on just about any day of the week!

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WEST SEATTLE POWER OUTAGES: Trader Joe’s closed for a second day; 96 without electricity in Arroyos area

December 3, 2017 12:44 pm

| 31 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle Trader Joe's

Two power outages making news today:

TRADER JOE’S STILL CLOSED: It’s now going on 36 hours since Trader Joe’s in The Triangle lost power after a rollover crash involving an allegedly DUI driver. We first reported the closure Saturday morning, hours after noting the 2 am crash. No official word on what’s taking so long – Seattle City Light and environmental-services crews were visible at the site yesterday but not so far today. The restoration estimate is now Monday evening.

Meantime, in the southwesternmost end of West Seattle:

96 OUT IN/NEAR ARROYOS: Just before 9 am, according to the City Light outage map, 96 homes lost power in the Arroyos area – see the screengrab above. The current restoration estimate is 7 pm, but the cause is not yet listed.

8:14 PM: Both outages continue. The Arroyos outage is attributed now to “equipment failure.” For Trader Joe’s, one source says it’s expected to be closed again tomorrow, awaiting a part. We’ll be following up with the company and the utility in the morning.

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HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair 2017

December 3, 2017 11:59 am

| Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair 2017

| Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

Until 2:30 pm, the West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair welcomes you to experience education as well as generosity during its second and final session. From Judy Pickens:

The second annual West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair got under way Saturday evening at Fauntleroy Church with 19 local, national, and international nonprofits represented. In addition to explaining what they do, each is welcoming donations in the name of family members, neighbors, teachers, and others this holiday season.

Alina Guyon is selling African crafts and soliciting donations to pay school fees for refugee children in Uganda. It’s the same agency for which she built a library and stocked it in July with books donated by West Seattle residents.

Rhiannon Wolfe-Jones, special education assistant at West Seattle Elementary, is at the fair to build a scholarship fund to enable low-income students at the school to attend Islandwood nature camp.

The fair continues until 2:30 pm in Fellowship Hall at the church (9140 California Ave. SW).

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West Seattle Sunday: Youngstown 100, holiday happenings, Alternative Giving Fair continues, and more…

December 3, 2017 8:20 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Youngstown 100, holiday happenings, Alternative Giving Fair continues, and more…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Happy Sunday! Two sets of highlights – first, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (where you will also find light shows, tree lots, and other seasonal info):

SANTA PHOTOS: Santa is at CAPERS in The Junction, 9 am-noon. CAPERS shared this photo of the first young visitor this weekend:

Donations benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)

WESTSIDE HOLIDAY BOOK FAIR 10 am-3 pm at Westside Unitarian Congregation. New and used books, free treats. (7141 California SW)

SEATTLE SAMPLING ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR: “We have (4) studios in West Seattle hosting 13 local artists. We are showing today 10 am -5 pm. Event details, artist gallery and map are here.”

WREATH SALES: Pathfinder K-8 handmade wreaths, sold in The Junction during the Farmers Market 10 am-2 pm. All proceeds go to supporting outdoor education. (California/Alaska)

ALTERNATIVE GIVING FAIR CONTINUES: 11:30 am-2:30 pm Sunday, in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church: “Make a difference through a different way of giving at the second annual West Seattle Alternative Giving Fair. A total of 19 proven non-profits are expected to be there, explaining what they do and welcoming donations in lieu of giving more stuff for Christmas, birthdays, and other occasions.” Here’s the list. (9140 California SW)

HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Community School of West Seattle Holiday Bazaar, noon-4 pm:

Come join us for some holiday shopping, nibbles and crafting! Our vendors will be selling baked goods, messages in a bottle, baby slings, handmade children’s clothes, hot pads, magic bottles, tiny critters, screen printed shirts, mandala art prints, blown glass, knitted mushrooms, hand sewn creatures, knitted ornaments, finger-less gloves, and macrame.

(9450 22nd Ave SW)

CAROLING: 12:30-1:30 pm, as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays: “Join the caroling at Walk-All-Ways during the Farmers Market. The Hope Lutheran School Glee Club will be bringing you good Christmas cheer.” (California/Alaska)

‘CAST PARTY’ MATINEE: 3 pm, it’s the first matinee of ArtsWest’s Holiday Cast Party. Hosted by Mathew Wright. (4711 California SW)

And from our year-round Event Calendar:

BASKETBALL: The Seattle Jam wheelchair-basketball tournament concludes at the West Seattle High School gym, 8 am-2 pm. Admission is free! (3000 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round in The Junction – see what’s fresh! 10 am-2 pm. (California between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

YOUNGSTOWN 100: 2-5 pm, today’s the centennial celebration of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (formerly Youngstown School and then Frank B. Cooper School). Performances, treats, and looking to the future while honoring the past. Our special report from earlier this week includes some backstory. All welcome; no admission charge, though donations are welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

TOWN HALL AT WESTSIDE SCHOOL: Tickets are sold out, but in case you wonder what’s happening at Westside School (WSB sponsor) in Arbor Heights 2-4 pm today, here’s our preview. (10404 34th SW)

Something for our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Send the info as early as possible to editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: West Seattle ‘log house’ on the move to its new home

December 2, 2017 11:33 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

11:33 PM: Exactly one year after first word it might be saved … nine months after word it WOULD be saved … a century-plus-old “log house” is on the move. As we’ve shown you, it’s been trimmed down and jacked up in recent weeks, and now in the hours ahead, starting right after midnight, the house rescuers of Nickel Bros will be moving it north, mostly on California SW, from SW Findlay to its new east Admiral location. We’ll be updating along the way.

11:52 PM: Monitoring & escorting vehicles continue arriving. Also, Jeff McCord, the SW Seattle Historical Society executive director who had previously been with Nickel Bros, is here. He says they estimate the move will take 4 hours.

12:10 AM: Jeff (in hard hat, above)tells us the departure onto California will be closer to 12:30.

On Calif now! pic.twitter.com/3IYXs3RId6

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2017

12:35 AM: And it’s off!

NB on California.

And north of Oregon pic.twitter.com/vEJ4LPinXY

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2017

1 AM: This is moving fairly fast. Already through The Junction – our video is from California/Oregon.

Passing Andover. pic.twitter.com/QdeUjhBR7A

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 3, 2017

1:10 AM: Now approaching Charlestown. (Our video above is from just south of there, at Andover.)

1:15 AM: We’ve gone a few blocks ahead to wait at Hanford, where our understanding is that the house will make the turn eastward here.

1:35 AM: Proceeding very very slowly up this last block before Hanford.

1:51 AM: Now at Hanford, and doing some delicate maneuvering to get in position to head directly east onto the street, past St. John the Baptist.

1:56 AM: Up the hill it goes, off the California SW straightaway and into residential streets.

2:35 AM: Two hours since the departure from California/Findlay. Very slow going on Hanford because of trees in the planting strips …

Crew members are pushing them back to make room for the house’s full width.

2:57 AM: The house made it past that section and is now moving more quickly east on Hanford, Meantime, thanks to Derek for this aerial view of the house moving past Manning on California earlier:

One of the officers escorting the house tells us it will be backing into its final turn one more block from here.

3:09 AM: This last bit of movement will be an art more than a spectacle, so we’re pulling out and will come back after dawn to see the house on its new site.

11:51 AM: The house still has to be placed into its new spot off Fairmount north of Hanford – we went by a little while ago and it’s still attached to the Nickel Bros truck that carried it there overnight. That section of Fairmount is blocked off with “road closed” signage in the meantime.