DEVELOPMENT: West Seattle Junction mixed-use project gets land-use OK, but will it be built?

| Development | West Seattle news

(Rendering from November 2019 Design Review packet, by Caron Architecture)

Today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin includes word of a final land-use approval for 4508 California SW, a mixed-use project described as “a 7-story building with 38 apartment units, 20 small efficiency dwelling units, lodging and retail,” with 14 offstreet parking spaces. Much has changed since we covered the project’s final Design Review meeting six months ago – a pandemic and a closed, possibly unfixable bridge. So before publishing word of the approval (here’s the decision), we called the site’s owner/developer, longtime West Seattle entrepreneur Leon Capelouto, to ask if the project is still on. He noted that “the process” started a relatively long time ago (we first reported on it in March 2018) and they’re certainly going to go ahead and get the permits, but it could be “a long time” before construction. So – provided they survive the COVID-19 economic trouble – the three restaurants in the project’s future space (Lee’s Asian, Kamei, Naked Crepe) won’t be moving any time soon. Meantime, as part of the official process, today’s notice triggers a two-week appeal period (the notice explains how).

anonyme May 7, 2020 (11:06 am)

Mostly good news. I’d be lost without Lee’s, have really missed them these last few months. Does anyone know if they’re doing take-out?

WSB May 7, 2020 (11:09 am)

Not unless they reopened since last time we looked a couple days ago …

Mark Schletty May 7, 2020 (11:13 am)

This project should not be allowed. With our current bridge situation, no project that is more dense than a one-for-one replacement should be allowed. West Seattle desperately needs a moratorium on any project, other than one-for-one replacement, until we get our bridge back. Starting now.

WSJ May 7, 2020 (12:24 pm)

And when the bridge is fixed or replaced, you’ll come up with another reason to oppose it. With long lead times and a negligible impact (a few dozen people in a neighborhood of 80k) Your argument is hollow and dishonest.
AMD May 7, 2020 (1:40 pm)

This makes no sense. Housing doesn’t clog alternate routes, cars do. I could understand a ban on new car sales in the area (I wouldn’t support it, but at least there’s logic there), or something related to transportation, but saying “you can’t live here because traffic” is asinine. New construction takes years to complete so people wouldn’t be moving into this development until after the bridge was addressed (not to mention not everyone is a downtown commuter to begin with). Thank god our city leaders are smart enough to see through the anti-housing agendas behind “suggestions” like this. Honestly, Mark, West Seattle survived YOUR arrival, it will survive the arrival your your new neighbors too.
- Mark Schletty May 7, 2020 (2:29 pm)
  
  My position is not anti-housing. It is only not to replace existing housing units with more units than the current number for a temporary amount of time. I welcome new neighbors. Any rational person should be able to see that the rapid over densification of West Seattle has overwhelmed the infrastructure’s ability to adequately handle it. To simply claim that it is cars that cause the problem ignores the reality that most people moving here have cars, and need to use them. And, your current neighbors who do need cars are already going to suffer greatly, ( jump with joy, Jort) without adding more high density housing before the bridge is back. One-for-one replacement requirements are rational, not asinine, when current temporary conditions warrant them. That is the case here now.
  - AMD May 7, 2020 (2:45 pm)
    
    No everyone who wants to live here drives, or commutes downtown if they do, or commutes at rush hour. Jobs DO exist in West Seattle and points south, and many jobs exist outside the normal 9-5 hours. I really don’t understand why you don’t want housing to exist for people who do not need the bridge. You’re cutting them off by insisting on an end to new construction here. New construction which WON’T BE DONE FOR YEARS, when the bridge is open again. You can tell yourself all you want that your position isn’t anti-housing, but everything else you’re saying is exactly that. Insisting on a moratorium for ALL new housing, housing that won’t even be affected by the bridge closure because its estimated completion date is past the estimated completion date of the bridge repair, is the definition of anti-housing.
    - Mark Schletty May 7, 2020 (3:31 pm)
      
      Do you know what one-for-one housing units replacement means? It means if you buy a property withe 12 units on it you can replace it with 12 new units. Not hardly a ban on ALL new housing. Only a temporary ban on needlessly increasing density at this time. And, I suspect, if you think we are going to have a useable bridge in 2 years, you are sorely mistaken. But, please go ahead with your pro-developer rhetoric all you want. It’s not very well disguised.
    - HappyCamper May 7, 2020 (5:17 pm)
      
      One for one doesn’t pencil out financially and doesn’t make sense as the population of West Seattle, King County or the world will not remain flat in our lifetimes.
    - Joe Z May 7, 2020 (3:36 pm)
      
      Umm…wouldn’t the simple solution to limit cars be to place a moratorium on new parking spaces? So development still allowed but no off-street parking. Just following the logic here.
John W May 7, 2020 (3:22 pm)

WSB comments can always count on Mr. Schletty to oppose any type of development. He has consistently voiced anti development and opposition to new housing during a housing crisis. He makes no concession to a changing West Seattle. If only Mr. Schletty would endeavor to embrace the West Seattle of now and make realistic suggestions of solutions?

Anne May 7, 2020 (11:14 am)

Know new building in WS is going to continue-but really-can’t we do without trucks, cranes,etc.coming into WS -until after bridge issue has been addressed? Would all the above mentioned vehicles be allowed on the lower bridge?

WSB May 7, 2020 (11:36 am)

The current low bridge rules do NOT include construction trucks –
*major freight
*transit
*emergency
- NQ May 7, 2020 (12:49 pm)
  
  And hence a disincentive for subcontractors to participate in WS-based projects, I would imagine.
  - NH May 7, 2020 (3:19 pm)
    
    Total disincentive. I live on an upzoned block. 4 lots on this street were in feasibility for development, all sales fell through within a couple weeks or so of the bridge closing. Unlikely much development will be going forward, as least for awhile.
  - Joe Z May 7, 2020 (3:38 pm)
    
    This is already playing out. Contractors outside of West Seattle didn’t want to bid on our renovation project.
AMD May 7, 2020 (1:41 pm)

Construction vehicles would be traveling the reverse of commuter traffic, unless they were west side or south end companies. Either way, they’re not competing for space on the road where it’s maxed out at the times it’s maxed out.

West Seattle Hipster May 7, 2020 (11:44 am)

Lee’s is the best Chinese food in WS, hope they are around a long time.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy May 7, 2020 (2:56 pm)

Do you have any advice on what to order from Lee’s? The two things I tried were very very sweet. I might be biased as I used to live in a majority Chinese city for a long minute – the restaurants sometimes didn’t have English menus and were definitely not ‘americanized’. That said I _do_ like Americanized Chinese too. For some reason this place didn’t work for me. Any tips on what to order? I got ‘x’ spiced beef or chicken if I vaguely recall correctly on my first visit. I don’t remember what i got on my second visit.
- WSJ May 7, 2020 (3:15 pm)
  
  If you like curry the Singapore noodles are very good.
- Calires May 7, 2020 (9:47 pm)
  
  Tofu and eggplant is good and not sweet. The veggie lo mein is also good. I don’t eat meat but another member of my household likes the cashew chicken.

Flo B May 7, 2020 (12:10 pm)

WSB. I’ve seen a LOT of construction/business use the low bridge. Maybe they do fall under the “freight” guidelines?? The times I’ve seen SPD enforcing they only have private cars/trucks pulled over.

skeeter May 7, 2020 (4:55 pm)

No post is complete until we’ve heard from Jort in the
comments. Jort’s observations are essential if we are to understand any
issues related to transportation, safety, density, sustainability, climate
change, etc.

anonyme May 7, 2020 (5:37 pm)

Mad Sci Guy, my faves are the Chow Fun and Honey Walnut Chicken. I wouldn’t describe either one as sweet. For non-Chinese items, their Kan Gai is pretty good. I lived briefly on Beverly St. in Toronto’s Chinatown, walking distance to the legendary Sai Woo, so I get what you mean about “Americanized” Chinese food. But another reason I’m loyal to them is that they treat older people with respect.

Conjunction Junction May 8, 2020 (9:00 am)

Nine Flavor Beef (Deep fried) and we’ve started getting the garlic green beans. That’s all I really want for Mother’s Day, somebody please implore them to reopen!! We have been trying lots of new restaurants and taking out from old favorites, and had some great successes, but I just want some Lee’s…..(oh and Marination)

22blades May 8, 2020 (5:45 am)

14 parking stalls for 38 units? Unrealistic outcome: this is a bit of social engineering gone wrong, especially in an era of transit service cuts.

Denise May 8, 2020 (9:57 am)

Another beautiful building being built in West Seattle

Keith May 8, 2020 (9:16 pm)

Seven Flavor Beef is a must at Lee’s. Don’t be tempted by Nine Flavor Beef, it is two flavors too many! Haha. Also a fan of Singapore Noodles, Chow Fun, and Honey Walnut Prawns. I’m hopeful that this building is delayed, and I hope Lee’s and Kamei re-open soon! Did Naked Crepe ever open??

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