day : 09/03/2024 9 results

Urban Villages = out. Neighborhood Centers = in. Here’s what we found while browsing West Seattle references in the draft ‘One Seattle Plan’

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

First thing you should know about the draft “One Seattle Plan” announced this week – aka an update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, meant to guide growth and change for the next 20 years: The city hopes you’ll tell them what you think of it, and there’s a West Seattle meeting (April 3 at Chief Sealth International High School) set up for that, among other ways.

If you think this sounds a bit deja vu, yes, the current plan was supposed to last through 2035. (It was going through a feedback phase, including this West Seattle event, exactly 10 years ago.) And that wasn’t the first one – the city’s had a Comprehensive Plan since 1994.

The new one spells out the latest city philosophy on a wide range of areas affecting you and your citymates – housing, transportation, parks, climate among them, each one addressed in a section of the plan called an “element.” Most notably, it relabels some areas of the city, when suggesting how and where increased housing density and other types of growth should happen. For example, the once-reviled term “urban village” would be retired. (It dates back to that first Comprehensive Plan in 1994.) The plan update would rename current UVs as Urban Centers. In West Seattle, there are four: Admiral, Morgan Junction, West Seattle Junction, and Westwood-Highland Park. The growth philosophy there would be a lot like it has been in recent years; those areas have absorbed much of it.

Next on the map is an entirely new concept/label, Neighborhood Centers. The map below shows blue circles representing six for West Seattle – followed by the list (with a city caveat that these are NOT necessarily the official names for the “centers”):

35th Ave SW & Barton – 35th Ave SW & SW Barton St

Andover Junction – Delridge Way SW & SW Dakota St

Brandon Junction – Delridge Way SW & SW Brandon St

California & Findlay – California Ave SW and SW Findlay St

Endolyne – 45th Ave SW & SW Barton St

Gatewood – 35th Ave SW & SW Holden St

(Since Barton doesn’t go through to 45th, we believe they mean the Wildwood vicinity.) Here’s what the draft plan says about Neighborhood Centers:

*Zoning in Neighborhood Centers should generally allow buildings of 3 to 6 stories, especially 5- and 6-story residential buildings to encourage the development of apartments and condominiums.

Much of the rest of West Seattle would be designated Urban Neighborhoods. Here’s how the draft plan sets that up:

Many neighborhoods outside [current] Urban Centers and Villages have few housing options beyond detached homes. As documented in detail in the Housing element and Housing Appendix, zoning that exclusively allows low-density detached housing is rooted in a history of racial and class exclusion marked by policies and real estate practices such as redlining and racial covenants. With the prices of these homes rising dramatically, especially in the last 10 years, these neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach for most people, perpetuating patterns of racial and economic exclusion and contributing to market pressures that cause displacement and gentrification.

Meanwhile, many Seattle residents seek housing options and neighborhood choices that our current growth strategy does not provide. Housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, small, stacked flats, cottage housing, courtyard apartments, and other low-scale residential types, all examples of what is frequently referred to as “middle housing,” are not allowed in most areas currently. Middle housing can provide comparatively affordable family-sized housing, options for homeownership, and opportunities to reside in neighborhoods with key amenities, such as large parks and schools. The updated growth strategy includes expanded middle housing options in all neighborhoods. These changes are consistent with new state requirements which will expand housing choices in cities across the region and state.

Urban Neighborhoods wouldn’t be housing-only, as many of these areas are now. Here’s the specific proposed description:

Urban Neighborhoods are places outside centers that are appropriate for primarily residential development. While lacking the larger business districts located in centers, Urban Neighborhoods still provide opportunities for mixed-use and commercial development along major streets along with at-home businesses, corner stores, and small institutions located throughout to support small business and institutions and let people walk, bike, and roll to everyday needs.

(The city would) allow a mix of lower-scale housing types such as detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, sixplexes, and cottage housing throughout Urban Neighborhoods. Allow moderate-scale housing of 4 to 6 stories in areas currently zoned for such housing and along arterials where zoned densities may be increased to provide more housing options near frequent transit.

The plan notes that increased housing density is important for reasons including that the number of jobs in Seattle rose 38 percent from 2010 to 2020, while the housing supply grew by 19 percent.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen vehicles – white Plymouth minivan with special plates, black Hyundai SUV

Reader reports about stolen vehicles:

PLYMOUTH MINIVAN: The photos and report were sent by William:

Stolen over Friday night or early Saturday is a white 1992 Plymouth Grand Voyage mini-van from in front of our house near Admiral and 62nd Ave SW. We were moving someone into a senior home, so it was unfortunately loaded with items. I know this will likely be emptied of contents and then abandoned – sad enough. Sadder yet though is that this was one of dad’s prize possessions, and it is stolen on the weekend we are moving him. If nothing else, we certainly want to have his Retired Army license plates back !

If seen, please call 911. Plates: AR 07246 Police report #24-66045

HYUNDAI SUV: This report is from Christina – it’s near the scene of this morning’s 3:30 am hit-run crash, so we have a followup question seeking more details about her neighbor’s car and whether it might be related to that, but while we await a reply, here’s her report:

My car was stolen early this morning or last night at the Strata Apartments on California Ave near Fauntleroy. My neighbor’s Hyundai was also stolen and she found out it was totaled when the drivers crashed into a business off of Fauntleroy. A witness said they saw the drivers jump into a black SUV after, which we believe could have been my car. I would appreciate if you could have people on the lookout for my car, which is a black Hyundai Tucson with tinted black windows and a California license plate (#7ZEB142).

In case you wondered too: Dark smoke to the south

From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Jamie sent the photo, wondering about the plume of dark smoke visible in the south, as seen from the Genesee Hill vicinity. We found a callout indicating that South King County firefighters are responding to a residential fire in the 2100 block of SW 162nd in Burien [map].

SUMMER CAMP: Nonprofit’s nature camps return!

March 9, 2024 4:18 pm
|    Comments Off on SUMMER CAMP: Nonprofit’s nature camps return!
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

As winter’s end draws near, summer planning speeds up. The regional nonprofit Birds Connect Seattle is offering its nature camps again this year, with locations including Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), and registration is open now – here’s the announcement we received:

Birds Connect Seattle started Nature Camp in 1982, and for more than 40 years we’ve built a reputation for quality environmental learning, emphasizing experiential outdoor activities that instill an appreciation for nature. Small group instruction with experienced naturalists inspires children to become explorers and stewards of nature.

This summer, we will have camp sessions for 1st-5th grades at Seahurst Park [Burien] from June 24 – August 2, and Explorer West Middle School from August 5-23. Campers will spend the week learning about local urban nature, around various themes: oceans, birds, bugs, art, and more!

Registrations are open now. Learn more here.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two early morning hit-and-runs

Two hit-run crashes early this morning:

CALIFORNIA/GRAHAM: Thanks to Steve for the aftermath photo:

According to emergency-radio archives, that car was damaged by the driver of another car that hit a tree south of California/Graham around 3:30 am. Initially SFD sent a “rescue extrication” dispatch but it was quickly cancelled when responders learned the other car was empty and its driver had fled the scene. That car (not shown as it apparently was towed away after the crash) was described as a suspected stolen vehicle, with Georgia plates and trashed ignition. According to radio exchanges, the driver who caused the crash might have been racing someone.

17TH/ROXBURY: The report and photo were texted this afternoon:

On 3/9/2024 @ 12:35 am I was driving westbound on SW Roxbury when I had a green light through 17th Avenue SW. As I entered the intersection a white ~ 2000 – 2004 Dodge Ram 4×4 pickup truck ran the red light and entered the intersection. He hit the right/front of my car. My speed into the intersection was 25mph and he looked to be going about 30 mph. The impact pushed me into the oncoming east-bound lane. The driver fled the scene immediately and left west-bound to the next cross-street and made a left heading south. I followed him about 1 block but he was traveling at a very high rate of speed. My vehicle is VERY badly damaged and I was less than 1 mile from home, so I drove there and called 911. I reported the collision to both Seattle Police dispatch and King County dispatch operators. I was told that witnesses on-scene also reported the collision to 911. My significant other drove me back to the hit-and-run scene and I retrieved a broken metal side step in the street from the truck that hit me. There were no police, fire units, or witnesses at the scene. The photo is the broken metal side step from the white Dodge Ram. It looked to be a “king cab” model and looked like it had a black roll bar. It will have driver’s side door/body damage with a broken-off step. There should be an identical step on the passenger side. The truck’s damage will include red paint. If anyone sees this vehicle or knows the owner, please call 911.

UPDATE: Power outage at Jefferson Square

March 9, 2024 1:10 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Power outage at Jefferson Square
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

1:10 PM: Thanks for the tips. Power is out at Jefferson Square, as confirmed by the Seattle City Light outage map, which says 110 customers are affected. (One business, residence, etc. = one customer.) The map says “equipment failure” is to blame. We don’t know which businesses are affected so be forewarned if you were planning to head that way.

1:36 PM: The map indicates the outage is over.

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Learning about what’s planned for part of Fauntleroy Creek

Under the canopy on the northwest corner of 45th and Wildwood is where you’ll find a Seattle Public Utilities team until 1 pm, there to answer questions and receive comments about the revived plan for a nearby underground stretch of Fauntleroy Creek.

The project will replace an old, failing culvert beneath 45th SW with a new, “dramatically wider” one – 14 feet wide. Project team member Tracey Belding said the goal is to try to replicate the creek conditions for the fish (since Fauntleroy Creek is a salmon stream), rather than just expecting them to swim into a pipe. The project includes some above-ground features for humans, too – converting a dingy paved parking pocket into an overlook:

Belding said the design for the culvert replacement is at the 60 percent stage, but design completion is still more than a year away, so this is a good time for feedback. If you can’t get to today’s pop-up, you can answer an online survey by going here. There’s a second culvert-replacement project looming in the future too, beneath public and private property near Fauntleroy Church, but Belding says there’s no timetable right now for when that will start.

UPDATE: West Seattle recycle/reuse/shred dropoff events draws hundreds

10:01 SM: Big early turnout at the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) for this year’s recycle/reuse/shredding event, scheduled to continue until noon. Waiting cars have been lined up past the college’s south entrance, but once you get into the lot, it’s fast-moving with multiple stations depending on what you brought. Check our calendar listing to see what they are and aren’t accepting.

11:57 AM: As noted in comments, and in email we just received, the event is over – capacity maxed out.

Partners included the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, West Seattle Junction Association, Seattle Public Utilities, Waste Management, and individual companies/organizations that actually collect and handle the materials.

The next free dropoff recycling event in West Seattle is the twice-annual Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, April 27. Here’s the list of what they’ll be accepting. If you’re wondering about other ways to recycle/dispose of items – try the “Where Does It Go?” lookup.

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 27 notes, including ‘spring forward’ time change

(WSB photo: Daffodil season!)

Welcome to the second weekend of March! Here’s what’s in our Event Calendar listings for today/tonight:

FREE! FIT4MOM CLASSES: 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:15 am classes free as part of an “open house” weekend (2707 California SW) – go here to register.

FREE! GROUP RUN: Start your Saturday with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run! All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.

FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please register.

REUSE/RECYCLE/SHRED: Round it up, drop it off! Free event 9 am-noon at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) north lot – see our calendar listing for what will and won’t be accepted.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Second weekend of cookie booths at various locations. Search here for your nearest locations and times.

FAUNTLEROY CREEK CULVERT INFO: The city has restarted planning for replacing two of the culverts that carry Fauntleroy Creek underground, and will have reps out in the neighborhood 10 am-1 pm today to talk about the first planned project, as previewed here. Meet them at 45th/Wildwood to see where they’re at and share your thoughts.

SSC GARDEN CENTER: Scheduled to be open 10 am-2 pm today: “The Garden Center at South Seattle College provides Landscape Horticulture students the opportunity to increase their knowledge of plants while gaining real-world retail experience. Plants available for sale are selected, propagated, grown and presented by students. Additional plants are brought in from local growers.” (6000 16th Ave SW, north lot)

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.

FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.

FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

SOUL COLLAGE & SOUND BATH: 1-6 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center Studio (3618 SW Alaska).

G. LOVE AT EASY STREET: Signing and meet-and-greet, 2 pm at Easy Street Records. (4559 California SW)

‘KING X: THE MEETING,’ 2 PERFORMANCES: Acts on Stage Theater in White Center (10806 12th SW) presents a play about the “explosive, impassioned confrontation that never happened.” 3 pm and 7 pm; the ticket link’s in our calendar listing.

GOOD SOCIETY TURNS 4: Trivia at 3 pm at The Good Society (2701 California SW), plus Lovely and Dapper Desserts on site 3-7 pm, as part of fourth-anniversary celebration.

LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: Listen to the new album by Tierra Whack one week early! 5 pm at Easy Street Records. (4559 California SW)

MOVIEMAKERS’ SCREENING & FUNDRAISER: They’re working on “Bloodbath in Palookaville.” You’re interested in a memorable evening out. Go see and support their work at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), 6:30 pm.

LIVE AT C & P: 7-9 pm, Cyd Smith and LaVon Hardison at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW). No cover, all ages.

LIVE AT THE EAGLES: The Ambaum Dukes play country music at the West Seattle Eagles aerie (4426 California SW), 7-11 pm.

ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Me VS Myself, Arms Like Cables, PRETTY AWKWARD “drag extravaganza” at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm

BEATS: Saturday night DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, Soul Focus FM. (4547 California SW, alley side)

KARAOKE: Saturday night, sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm, with Michael Van Fleet.

‘SPRING FORWARD’: 2 am Sunday, clocks move an hour ahead to start Daylight Saving Time.

Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, walk, run, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!