FOLLOWUP: Zoning exceptions for new Alki Elementary? Extra time to comment

(Rendering by Mahlum, from the info packet for proposed zoning ‘departures’)

If you’re interested in commenting on the nine zoning exceptions – “departures” – proposed for the Alki Elementary rebuild, you have extra time. The city has extended the comment deadline to November 4th. The proposed departures are:

1) Greater-than-allowed building height
2) Reduced vehicular parking quantity
3) Bus loading and unloading
4) New curb cut to service area without vehicular parking
5) Increased curb-cut width
6) Increased curb-cut flare
7) Reduced bicycle parking (long-term) quantity
8) Amended bicycle parking performance standards
9) Signage/changing-image sign

For details on the project and the proposed departures, go here. Here’s how to comment:

Nelson Pesigan
E-mail: Nelson.Pesigan@seattle.gov
Mailing Address:
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649

Construction is expected to start next year and last for two years, during which time Alki Elementary will be temporarily housed at the former Schmitz Park Elementary, which is currently temporary home to West Seattle Elementary, while an addition is being built at its permanent campus.

Don Brubeck October 25, 2022 (2:01 pm)

Alki School needs renovation, but the school district is going beyond real needs, trying to cram too much onto the smallest site of any Seattle elementary school. Why enlarge it for 77% more students in an area with steadily declining enrollment? The planned 57-foot-height is as tall as a five story apartment building. It would more than double the height of the existing building. Car parking will be reduced to zero. Bike parking will be far less than code minimum. But the district claims no impact on traffic, parking, or safety. The project should be re-designed to right-size it for the students, staff and neighborhood it serves.

Melissa Westbrook November 4, 2022 (9:23 am)

I have a theory on why SPS is expanding three different elementaries in the face of dropping enrollment. I think they might be getting ready to become a charter authorizer and share schools with charter schools in order to bring in new revenue.

Sorry, comment time is over.