DEVELOPMENT: Approvals for two California SW projects south of The Junction

| Development | West Seattle news

Two land-use approvals from the city:

5616 CALIFORNIA SW: The administrative (staff, not board) design review for the project on this site south of C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is complete, opening an appeal period. The decision is here; how to appeal (deadline February 18th), here. 8 townhouses are planned, in 3 buildings, with 5 offstreet-parking spaces. The design decision says the exceptional tree on the site is staying.

3032398-LU notofdec

5242 CALIFORNIA SW: This approval refers only to the 9-townhouse plan for the north section of the site that holds this long-vacated strip mall, but is a finalization of the Design Review Board approval that also included 9 townhouses on the south site. The deadline for appealing this decision (this notice explains how) is February 13th.

Kathy February 3, 2020 (1:40 pm)

Disappointed that the latest design for 5242 California just reduced the number of parking spaces that had been included in the original design and which had been reviewed by neighbors.

WSB February 3, 2020 (2:27 pm)

Well, hard to tell how that will shake out until we know the fate of the other part of the site (I’m still looking through files). When the two sites went together to Design Review, it was described as “a 3-story, 9-unit townhouse structure. Parking for 11 vehicles to be proposed. (and) a 3-story, 9-unit townhouse building. Parking for 7 vehicles proposed.” – total one space for each of the 18 units. I’m checking on the adjacent sites (ex-Papa John’s and ex-Thaitan) to see if those yield any clues, too.

Steve February 3, 2020 (2:44 pm)

I wish the 5242 California site was planned to be a ~30 unit multiuse apartment/condo building with retail/restaurants on the ground floor. I feel like townhomes are an unwelcoming, impenetrable wall that only those who live there can enter. It would be more welcoming to have shops where people walking by could enter. However, my understanding is the state’s laws make condos difficult to build due to liability. This leads to skinny multi-level townhomes as opposed to condos where you could age in place on a single floor without having to worry about going up and down stairs all day.

heartless February 3, 2020 (4:26 pm)

I agree about the ground level retail. In terms of recent(ish) development I really like what they’ve done at that place on the southeast corner of California and Charlestown–some small, neat stores beneath make a really nice street presence. (Although I think technically they are townhouses, just live/work subsets.) But then I grew up in San Francisco, where flats above and stores below were more of the norm, so maybe I’m just nostalgic.
- sw February 3, 2020 (4:40 pm)
  
  The ones further North by The Swinery are like this too. I like the cohesive aesthetic of that block, it looks planned and purposeful for the neighborhood rather than just a series of boxes plunked down. Density is okay if developers take the time (and minimize profits a wee bit) to build to the surroundings and needs of the area.
- KM February 3, 2020 (5:51 pm)
  
  I absolutely love that development on California/Charlestown that has Public Goods, Olympia Coffee, etc. Storefront presence, setback entrances for the units, it’s so well done. Couldn’t tell you who developed it, but it’s my favorite new building in the neighborhood in the past decade. I would have loved to get a unit there!
  
  Also, my old place in SF also had ground floor retail. I get nostalgic about being able to walk down the street and get basically everything I need within a few blocks. I miss that city.

Oldster February 3, 2020 (3:57 pm)

State laws were made tougher because of so much SHODDY work done by builders. Leaky condos were an epidemic. It’s not that they can’t be built it’s just that the builders don’t want to take the time and effort to build right the 1st time. Back in the ’80’s the legislature tried to get tougher standards for buiders. The master builders association fought it. They said if buiders were forced to stand behind their work it would put them out of business!!!!!

Kram February 3, 2020 (8:02 pm)

So very wrong. If it makes money it will be built. If it doesn’t or the liability is too high, it won’t. Pretty simple. If you think more condos are not being built because contractors don’t want to ‘do things right’ you are smoking the good stuff my friend. There is so much more to why condos are not being built. Just do an internet search and specifically look at Minneapolis and Denver, as well as Seattle.

Deb February 3, 2020 (5:43 pm)

FWIW – The development at California and Charleston was first proposed as a big box retail project. It eventually morphed into townhomes and was publicly reviewed by the SW Design Review Board who pushed for active live-work units fronting California Ave SW, along with a coffee shop somewhere in the project. I’ve been heartened to see how this project has turned out, with great retail spaces and building amenities.

Cbj February 3, 2020 (10:33 pm)

We miss the clam chowder at charleston cafe

CRM February 4, 2020 (6:44 am)

CBJ …..Pike Place Chowder has the chowder you miss. Plus many other delicious options. Don’t want to go downtown? They ship!Still winning Chowder cook offs around the country.

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