Good neighbors?

[DavidF]

Where have our manners gone? Since I started building our new townhomes, I have been inundated with my neighbors(near and far)comments about what I am building. We have finished the project, and have moved in. Yesterday, a couple walking their dog told me how horrendous my new house is, to them. When did we start thinking that it is OK to say such negative things to our neighbors?

Even before I started developing the property, my neighbor on the North side put a sign up in front of my property that said “Greed”. I was shocked when I found this out, months after he did this, and went over and asked him if he did it. He seemed a bit sheepish, but was not overly apologetic. I am still shocked at his lack of manners, his apparent sense of entitlement, and his seemingly lack of being sorry. What happened to welcoming new people into our communities, not judging our neighbors before we get to know them, and treating others the way we want to be treated?

I realize that I am one of the people that is “changing” West Seattle, yet do these people really know who we are? We are a hard working family, and we are very active in our community. My daughter is a fourth-generation West Seattleite. We are not newcomers.

I ask that we all look hard at our judgements about others, and treat others the way we want to be treated.

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[Bonnie]

Well, people are just plain rude. There is a house being built down the street from us (is that you??) where they were written about in the WS Herald about greed, etc. We walked to that house just last night (down the alley just 1 block north of me) and noticed his next door neighbor put No Trespassing signs up all over his front and back yard! That’s real neighborly.

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[WSB]

Almost a year ago, we reported here on WSB about a photo sent by an area resident after a banner mentioning “greed” was hung on a then-unfinished home in Fauntlee Hills. Much discussion ensued, along with coverage elsewhere. Don’t think it was a townhouse but by any chance was this it? The comments included one from someone who identified himself as one of the owners, but his name wasn’t David.

Building beef

–TR

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[Magpie]

Though I don’t agree with being rude to new neighbors, maybe the neighbors think your house is so ugly that it is rude in its own right? I think that there have been a lot of really horrendous townhouses popping up with no consideration of the neighborhood around them.

I can’t speak for your particular home as I have no idea where it is or if it is remotely esthetically pleasing, but I am hoping that you did consider the character of the existing neighborhood in your design. I also can’t speak to the greed sign..not something that I would hope to see.

I used to live right off of Oregon and I could see what direction the neighborhood was going, I chose to move farther in off main arterials…then they started subdividing off the the alleys and I was really glad I moved. Not everyone has the luxury of doing that, though. I recognize that the buyers find this type of home affordable. (though I have seen some of these at more than 500k, here in West Seattle)

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[Bonnie]

This is the house down the street from my house. (the link from last year) I don’t know them personally but I do have a friend who is friends with the owners and tells me they are very nice people.

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[DavidF]

My home is located at 26th and Brandon. As to the character if the neighborhood, if I built a crappy looking house, with peeling paint, no overhangs, trash in my yard, non-operating cars in the yard/right-of-way, boats with torn blue tarps over them, and the ever present chain link fences, then I would fit in quite well.

I am excited to be an active participant in my neighborhood, and my community. I continue to be shocked by the lack of manners and negative judgements directed towards me regarding what I build. I find this attitude happens in many of the areas in West Seattle, where I work.

I may not like what car someone else drives, what color their house is, what their spouse looks like, the clothes they wear, etc…, but I do know to keep my mouth shut about these judgements, and put a smile on my face when I interact with others.

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[Kayleigh]

So David, it’s okay if people make negative judgements about others (as your last post seems to indicate that you do) so long as you put on a pretend smile and pretend to be nice?

(By the way, I have no problem with the townhomes.)

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[barb]

Kayleigh, your post pretty much described this forum

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[JanS]

Barb,,,I try to avoid the more “controversial” things on here..but, respectfully, your comment seems to me that you are doing what you’re complaining about. You don’t know me…you haven’t come to any meet-ups that I’ve been at, or helped with our community volunteer group. So, in essence, you don’t know me..or the other people on here, but you seem nice…but have negative thoughts about us? hmmm.

We had a great time in White Center today. Mac, the owner of the Triangle Pub was very gracious in welcoming us. The food was good, the beer was good, the company even better. And we had 2 new faces, too. Great to finally meet GenHillOne, and RS and her bf.

And then we had a nice stroll down to Full Tilt where we all had icecream and ran into a few more people..Celeste 17, Heinz57, and (let’s see if I can remember – um..DonnaMK? not sure if that’s right.

We are a diverse community. I’m truly sorry this has happened to David. Ahouse is just a house..but it’s his home. My feeling is that if one thinks the outward look is ugly, it has nothing to do with the inside….sort of that judging a book by it’s cover thing.Maybe one day we can add the names Barb and David to the list of people who have met. I may not live on your block, but on this peninsula, we’re all neighbors.

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[mellaw6565]

David – I haven’t seen your place, but the fact that you developed yet another townhome structure in this area makes me lean on the side of those who cry “greed”. You’re not making this area any better by building such structures – instead you have increased your own personal wealth. Call it what it is – plain and simple.

The tearing down of single family homes and conversion of affordable apartments is destroying the “neighborly” feel of W. Seattle and making it a playground for the “haves” as the “have-nots” are chased out somewhere else.

My faith would be restored if your units were available to low income folks (either through purchase or rental), but the “judgments” that you make about others that you stated in your post above sounds like you wouldn’t be open to those that are different from you, especially from a socio-economic status or ethnic standpoint if they don’t dress or look up to your “standards”.

So I don’t have any problem with you individually being a “neighbor” but I don’t want the developers or their townhome monstrosities in my neighborhood and will fight them every chance I get. Density makes it difficult to know all your neighbors, especially when there may be 20 neighbors on either side of your house and you’re choking from lack of sunlight and fresh air as their townhomes tower over your single family home.

So David – if you continue as a developer, then you’re going to have to be tough and expect that your structures are not considered by many to be “neighborly”. Did you ever talk to the neighbor with the signs before you built your multi-person structure? Would it have made a difference to you if he/she had some complaints beforehand? Did you consider the impact on those that live around there or did you just assume that a huge structure would start to “gentrify” the neighborhood and chase out those who may need somewhere reasonably priced to live?

West Seattle is losing it’s character as developers come in, and every neighbor I talk to absolutely hates these townhome structures being built on every corner. Face it David – as a developer do you really care about the neighbors or do you just do what you do for your own wallet and then expect others to accept it?

I’m sure personally you’re a nice guy, but from a business standpoint a developer is a developer – once you’re done building you expect everyone to put up and shut up. Easier said than done when “single” family neighbors increase 10 fold on one lot. I’d put up “no trespassing” signs too!

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[TammiWS]

I’m sorry people in our community are being so judgemental without actually meeting him. Sheesh, hes trying to build a business, providing homes for people, contributing to the community and in many ways probably removing many of the eyesores in W. Seattle.

While I enjoy the ‘small town’ feel of this area, I also dont want to live in a 1940-era town. There is nothing wrong with some development. Those who probably put up the signs are the same who would freak if a single tree gets cut down and think ANY development is too much.

I find it funny but will these same people who are anti-development NOT shop at QFC or Whole Foods when they are finished? Will nobody go into the office supply store when it’s done?

This is a type of snobbery I just dont get?!?!?

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[TammiWS]

That said, my hope would be a developer would consider parking, density, sewage, etc. But remember City Council okayed all of this….Its complex but doesnt mean this developer is the ‘bad guy’….

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[mellaw6565]

Tammi – if you don’t want to live in a “1940-era” town then move downtown where condo and apartment living is appropriate. And how do you know he’s providing homes for people in the community? The people that already live here can’t afford these developers’ high prices. I don’t see his structure contributing to our existing community at all and certainly does not add to the feeling of being “neighborly”, which was the topic of his OP.

And no – I won’t go to Whole Foods – it’s an overpriced market and certainly their prices are out of reach for many who live in W. Seattle. And as for the QFC and office store – they aren’t putting those inbetween two houses on your property line. What would you say if they did? Bet you wouldn’t be defending those developers then!

It’s the developers who are snobs and don’t care about the real people who already live here who need and want affordable housing. And it’s only “snobbery” that labels others’ homes as “eyesores”. Again – you’re using your values and judging others. How sad! What is one person’s “eyesore” is another’s building block for their “castle”. They just may not be able to “develop” their property on your budget or in your time frame. That doesn’t necessarily make them any less desirable neighbors.

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[Bonnie]

Why does everybody on this forum become so negative?

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[barb]

Jan, this is what I’m talking about. This guy is being judged poorly by people who haven’t met him. You are right, I don’t know you, I just know some of the comments that have been made on this forum. As long as you hear what you want to hear then all is right.

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[mellaw6565]

I’m not being negative Bonnie – why is it that someone cannot disagree with the poster without being labeled negative? I disagree with his OP that building townhomes in single family areas is a “neighborly” act. I haven’t called him names personally or indicated that he personally is bad in any way. But don’t expect for me as a homeowner in this area to lie down quietly because some developer is WHINING that his neighbors don’t like his townhome monstrosity!!

Free speech can be painful to those who think that their s*** doesn’t stink and that no one has the right to disagree with their actions or words. I’m sure David is big enough to tolerate the criticisms of his professional behavior. If he’s not, then he should find another line of work to something less controversial.

And Tammi – I don’t put any stock in our City Council. They are not known for their stellar decision making when it comes to the low income and middle income folks that live here. They only kowtow to the rich and the privileged – that includes developer. Have you ever tried to get anything past the City Council as an individual homeowner? Good luck – you don’t have enough money to make them blink.

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[Kayleigh]

David’s original post translated in my head that he looked down on his neighbors and was offended that they made a small gesture of revenge, because it’s OK to look down on people so long as you are nice to their faces.

That’s why I asked, hoping my interpretation is wrong.

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[mellaw6565]

I agree Kayleigh – I got the same sense from his OP – like “Gee look what I’ve done and this is the thanks I get”. Pleeeeeez……

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[Magpie]

I’m not against developement. I’m against ugly developement that appears to be for profit only with no consideration for the rest of the neighborhood. I’ll use that tall, rectangular building on 45th behind the junction on Alaska..that’s ugly and was just thrown up. The Osborn looks nice from the outside…some of the townhouses around the area are nice. There is a big difference in my mind about business development in business zoned areas and micropermitting of ugly townhomes.

The Whole Foods project will probably be much nicer than the current building. Maybe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think that if the goal is profit with no consideration for the character of the neighborhood, that is a shame and I can understand why people get upset…

Sounds like this is a different case and David actually was improving the neighborhood with his townhome

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[TammiWS]

If you want to blame someone blame the City Council- not the developer. They had to approve this – these developers dont just pull out a backhoe and start digging.

I have lived in and around this area for 15 or more years. I am far from a snob and as a matter of fact couldnt even afford my own home today if I tried to buy it – built in 1913. ALL housing is going up in W. Seattle – not only those homes being built today.

I live next to two men on each side of my home who have lived in their homes for 40+ years. Both have junky cars in their yards yet both are decent men who I’m friendly with – far from being a snob or expecting them to ‘develop their property’ on my budget. Trust me, my budget isnt that large!

If you are advocating affordable housing does that mean you advocate rent controlled housing in West Seattle?

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[mellaw6565]

I agree with your distinction Magpie re: business zoning vs. micropermitting, which is exactly my point. I haven’t seen David’s place but again, it is another example of micropermitting and there is nothing that is benefitting those that already live there. If you think a townhome increases the neighbors’ property values – think again!! Many people I know will not buy a house next to a townhome precisely because of the density of people, and the fact that it is so sterile vs. living inbetween single family homes.

Again, people are assuming that David improved his neighborhood. Maybe so, but the question is for whom?

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[mellaw6565]

Tammi – the answer to that is yes – I am a fan of rent control only because rents and housing prices are WAY OUT OF CONTROL in this area. We are lucky that we haven’t “crashed” yet as other areas of the country. And foreclosures are up because people desperately try to get a roof over their head and end up biting up more than they can chew because it is all that is available.

Maybe some rent control would help stabilize prices so that we can include and provide for all members or our society, not just the ones that can afford it in this speculative market.

P.S. – I’m a landlord of a single family dwelling and purposefully keep my rent low so that I can provide for others that need affordable housing. Wish more landlords and developers would do the same.

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[DavidF]

mallew6565: please re-read my original post. This is a home I built for my family. I don’t consider my questions as whining, just simple questions about the lack of manners that some show towards others:) Monstrosity? Exactly what I am questioning.

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[barb]

Since you haven’t seen this place how can you not assume that the neighborhood was improved? I think it’s strange that a lot of people are assuming that David is this awful, selfish person. I agree with the need for affordable homes, how do we know that this isn’t going to be that? I got the impression from the OP that he couldn’t believe people would be so rude as to put signs in front of his property and make comments about the aesthetics of the property.

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[mellaw6565]

David – I did re-read it. You said “Since I started building our new townhomes”. You didn’t build a home just for your family, but for many others on the same lot. Please……. don’t start changing your words now.

Obviously, your “monstrosity” of a townhome is not a benign structure since your OP says “I have been inundated with my neighbors(near and far)comments about what I am building”. Sounds like many others consider it that too…..

Sorry David, but you reap what you sow.

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