CITY REZONING PLAN: 1 week to comment. 3 things to know – new city meeting, Morgan Q&A, Fauntleroy ‘call to action’

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Three notes tonight, with one week to go until the December 20th deadline for comments on the city’s rezoning proposals (on which we first reported two months ago):

CITY’S ONLINE ‘INFO SESSION’: An online informational meeting last night had some technical trouble, so the city has scheduled one last “virtual info session” about the rezoning plan for Tuesday (December 17), 5:30-7:30 pm. Here’s the link.

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETING: Last night’s Morgan Community Association-organized meeting at High Point Library filled the meeting room there with more than 50 people. No presentation, but the meeting did include two Q&A sections, with MoCA president Deb Barker answering most questions. While the rest of the meeting just involved people milling around city infosheets on the walls (you can look up Morgan or other neighborhoods’ proposed changes here), we did record both sections of Q&A:

The zoning changes by neighborhood for City Council District 1 – which includes West Seattle – can be seen here.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S CALL TO ACTION: Another West Seattle neighborhood group, the Fauntleroy Community Association, has launched a last-minute letter-writing campaign in opposition to some of the proposed rezoning. They contend that the changes “would harm our neighborhood.” Their campaign includes two templates for potential letters to the city – one with prewritten statements of concern, the other in which you can voice your own concerns about the plan. Or, scroll down the city’s main page to see how to comment, whatever you think about the proposals.

Felix Grounds December 13, 2024 (8:38 pm)

How weird, still no “growth strategy ” in NE Seattle.FBH!

anonyme December 14, 2024 (9:29 am)

Grotesque. The language surrounding trees is double-talk; the standards described are IMPOSSIBLE given the new lot coverage allowances. If you read carefully, “open space” includes roof decks and paved patios, so ground-level space for trees is all but eliminated. We should be working on making fewer humans, not destroying the planet to accommodate more of them.

Hunk December 14, 2024 (11:31 am)

The alternative to urban density is suburban sprawl, which is more harmful to the environment (and to humans) by every possible metric.
- anonyme December 16, 2024 (10:18 am)
  
  Actually, there are MUCH better alternatives which include true urban density, as in our emptying downtown areas. West Seattle is not truly urban. There are many downtown office buildings which can (and should) be converted to living spaces. This would avoid further loss of trees and green space, and is a very practical solution to multiple problems. I don’t exactly understand the claim that suburban sprawl is harmful to humans, but regardless, we have to stop putting humans at the center of the equation. There are many other species that have as much right to live as we do.
Josh December 23, 2024 (10:41 am)

Disgusting comment.

Steak December 14, 2024 (12:19 pm)

This single family homeowner, in one of the super nice west Seattle neighbors that will be impacted by this, plans to email my support. I’m young enough to remember what it was like just starting out in an expensive metro area and how hard it was to find livable rent, even with a masters degree in engineering and a good professional job. We need more housing, it’s an emergency, and boomer NIMBYs need to stop being so self serving and starting thinking about the well-being of ALL their neighbors.

k December 14, 2024 (12:49 pm)

Wow, I expected that letter to have a little more finesse, but there’s literally only one bullet point that isn’t self-serving on behalf of the homeowners already there, or doesn’t have an existing solution that is currently being planned. Look, guys, I know change is hard, but once upon a time YOUR house and YOUR family weren’t here either. There was a time when there was not infrastructure for YOUR generation either. West Seattle, the creek, and the birds survived your arrival and you will survive the arrival of your new neighbors as well. You and your family benefitted from new development, it’s time to let other families enjoy that boost as well.

Alex December 14, 2024 (6:08 pm)

The plan calls for hundreds of homes in Fauntleroy to be replaced with 5 story apartment buildings. Is that the type of development you think appropriate for YOUR generation?
- k December 14, 2024 (8:13 pm)
  
  Yes.
  - JustSarah December 14, 2024 (9:21 pm)
    
    Agreed, and I’m a Fauntleroy resident. Someone either from the FCA or in support of this initiative dropped a flyer/3-page letter on this “issue” into my mailbox today at 2:55 PM. I’m pretty annoyed at having my mailbox accessed for a cause I absolutely disagree with. I’ll be printing up flyers in favor of increased housing in the next few days, and posting or legally mailing. As a reminder, the FCA has previously opposed this same plans in published newsletters with pieces in opposition to this plan claiming it would cause vitamin D deficiencies, make parking hard, and reduce “nest eggs” aka home values. I personally have never depended on home value as part of retirement, because I believe housing should be affordable to all, so am ok with property values going down if it means more people are housed.
- Alkistu December 15, 2024 (7:49 am)
  
  You make it sound as if the “hundreds” of homes would be suddenly replaced and displace the home owner. As homes are being offered on the market place the developers would be able to use the rezoning to build higher density housing. The developers however need to contribute to the open space plan and alternative transportation projects. Getting the Sound to River bike lanes in from Fauntleroy ferry to West Marginal for instance or last mile planning to the Alaska Jct. ST3 light rail. They need to contribute to offset the extra commute traffic.
- AK December 16, 2024 (10:23 am)
  
  No!
- walkerws December 16, 2024 (10:34 am)
  
  Yes, that type of development is absolutely appropriate and needed.
- Josh December 23, 2024 (10:45 am)
  
  Yes, absolutely.I want my parents to move here and I want my children to be able to afford to live here. It’s not going to happen unless we build. Stop trying to destroy families for the sake of your home equity.

Carolyn W. December 14, 2024 (5:25 pm)

PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL to Mayor Bruce Harrell + all Seattle City Council Members saying...Dear Mayor Bruce Harrell & Council Member Rob Saka
(District 1),RE: One Seattle PlanI am a resident of the Fauntleroy community (living in
District 1) and have reviewed the One Seattle Plan. The proposed plan includes
zoning, permitting and land use changes that would radically change the quality
and character of our much-loved corner of West Seattle/Lincoln Park.I am opposed to the plan for the following reasons:·
A five-story multi-family structure on a
single-family lot with no green space, trees or parking is not acceptable for
current or future residents. NO WAY!·
Seattle’s tree canopy has already been
diminished and the plan covers no new requirements to grow the canopy. ·
Fauntleroy Creek watershed is a critical
environmentally sensitive area with a recently restored salmon habitat and
riparian corridor. ·
Increased hard surfaces and decreased tree
canopy will further contribute to runoff into salmon streams and storm sewers. ·
Seattle’s infrastructure (water, sewer, and
electric) is aging and there is no stated plan to update it to accommodate new
growth. ·
Fauntleroy has had traffic and parking problems
for many years due to the nearby ferry terminal. RPZ 3 parking restrictions are
in place in the Endolyne neighborhood but are not enforced. The changes
proposed in the plan will only make these issues worse. ·
Residents of single-family homes will see
property values decline as more multifamily structures are built. ·
The unique character of the Fauntleroy
neighborhood will be damaged forever if the One Seattle Plan is implemented
here.

Fauntleroy/Lincoln Park and the Endolyne Neighborhood
Center must be EXEMPT
from the One Seattle Plan. Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov Rob.Saka@seattle.govtammy.morales@seattle.govJoy.Hollingsworth@seattle.govMaritza.Rivera@seattle.govCathy.Moore@seattle.govdan.strauss@seattle.govRobert.Kettle@seattle.govAlexisMercedes.Rinck@seattle.gov

Sara.Nelson@seattle.gov

JustSarah December 14, 2024 (9:23 pm)

Were you one of the crew dropping these letters into mailboxes in Fauntleroy today? I very much disagree and will be composing and sharing my own message in support of the changes. We can absolutely support the growth in Fauntleroy.

Also, if you want to fix the Fauntleroy ferry issues–WSF wants to build a new dock and terminal that would reduce draw on the Fauntleroy side… But FCA leadership continues to fight the improvements. I would love a larger dock to reduce the number of cars stacked up on Fauntleroy. The ferry line is a big safety concern for my family. Unfortunately, FCA board members continue to fight dock changes.
Mike December 15, 2024 (6:10 am)

Individual neighborhoods cannot declare themselves exempt from the new plan. It’s based on a state law which was passed with support from your own representatives. Designed to increase the supply of housing. Sorry Endolyne neighborhood, but you’re not so unique that rules don’t apply to you
- k December 15, 2024 (8:42 am)
  
  The really petty part of me wants the city to grant the request for an “exemption from the One Seattle Plan”, knowing that plan includes investments in infrastructure, street and sidewalk improvements, and a lot of other things that have nothing to do with housing density. Endolyne can keep being the special neighborhood without multi-family housing, and can also be the special neighborhood that creates parking by swallowing cars in potholes due to lack of maintenance and repair. I’m suspicious the residents who are against the new housing still want all of the benefits and services that the city has to offer, and just want to opt out of anything that makes them share said benefits.
- AF12 December 15, 2024 (8:48 am)
  
  We will likely have supply of $800K to $1000K+townhomes. There will be no as people on this blog. try to indicate, affordable housing! The only blanket up zoning will do is that it gives the local government an excuse to increase property taxes. To provide affordable housing we need apartments in appropriate locations, such as main roads and arteries. Not expensive townhouses cramped next to each other next to narrow streets with a little on street parking!
  - Chub December 15, 2024 (11:27 am)
    
    Fauntleroy has rapid ride bus, ferry, and a lovely big park. Perfect place for more neighbors. Why should only rich people get to live by parks, whole those in apartments must be by the arterials.
  - k December 15, 2024 (12:51 pm)
    
    Check out the assessor’s website some time. They have great info on how property taxes are calculated. Did you know that building more housing actually lowers the tax rate? And that there are statutory limits on how much municipalities can raise taxes each year without voter approval? Your thoughts on how new buildings relate to tax income lead me to believe you should probably check that out. https://youtu.be/vnvFc-ZaVxU
  - Cogburn December 19, 2024 (2:29 pm)
    
    Developers of the WS Junction opted for the payout to not include affordable units in virtually every project of the last HALA developments. WS lost affordable housing.

Kyle December 15, 2024 (6:54 am)

No hub on Alki? No increase in transit for people to visit this wealthy enclave? Where are the urbanists when you need them. With all the new no parking signs and lack of transit we don’t visit anymore. Already too expensive to buy there too.

P.Parker December 15, 2024 (3:42 pm)

Thanks, Kyle.

We appreciate your decision to not visit Alki.
- Kyle December 15, 2024 (8:11 pm)
  
  Sounds about right from the least welcoming neighborhood in West Seattle.
Al King December 15, 2024 (4:37 pm)

Kyle. Wealthy enclave??? Where did you come up with that? News to me. My bank account/income sure isn’t overflowing with money.
- Kyle December 15, 2024 (8:11 pm)
  
  I baes it off the $1.045M average home value for the Alki neighborhood that won’t see the scale of new density as other spots in West Seattle
  - Coastal Engineer December 16, 2024 (6:51 am)
    
    Kyle the Alki area isn’t worth the investment. With sea level rise, that whole area will be under water during high tides in a few decades.
  - Al King December 16, 2024 (6:56 am)
    
    Well ok, please provide every other neighborhood in the city’s average value. Betting Alki doesn’t stick out as a “wealthy enclave”. Dad grew up in Admiral district-his parents moved there in 1903. I grew up on Genesee Hill and now live on Alki. I’ve NEVER heard anybody call Alki (or any other WS neighborhood) a “wealthy enclave” Note: I have NEVER fit the description of “wealthy”
    - k December 16, 2024 (9:01 am)
      
      Not here to pick a fight (or enter the one that already seems to exist), but folks in Seattle outside of Alki and Admiral DO view Alki as a wealthy area. It’s not uncommon for people who live in an area to have a different perception of themselves than people less familiar with the neighborhood do. For example, people who live in White Center will usually tell you their neighborhood feels vibrant, fun, and safe. I’m sure the average person you ask in Admiral would be surprised to hear that. Just remember that perception may not be reality, but it does shape policy, so it’s important to understand those perceptions are real, and continue to make sure facts are at the forefront of the conversation.
    - Kyle December 16, 2024 (11:33 am)
      
      Al,I’m glad you and your dad could afford a house here 20 and 40 years ago. Did it cost $1M+ adjusted for inflation back then? You might not be wealthy, but no one but the wealthy can buy in your neighborhood now and that will continue because of decisions to keep housing density low in Alki.
  - deo December 19, 2024 (8:39 pm)
    
    $1M house means large property taxes, and location means that he’s bound to have a car, which also costs taxes and maintenance. I don’t see it a place where people can save up and become wealthy.

Sorry, comment time is over.