ALKI ROWHOUSE CONTROVERSY

The proposed "Alki 11" rowhouse project in my Alki Beach community has raised a lot of concerns. Neighbors object to this project for many reasons: it is way out of scale for the street; it will add to parking problems here which are already epic; it will be a major step backward environmentally; the developer appears to be using a legal loophole to get around the fact that the project does not meet the definition of a rowhouse development; it will more than quadruple the number of cars associated with that property -- you get the picture. We aren't happy.

But the good news is that the Seattle Department of Planning and Development has agreed to give us a public hearing to present our point of view. We are starting to compile information and prepare our comments for that meeting.

My main concern with this project has to do with the environment. In the process of my research, I've learned A LOT. I'll never be able to cover it all in the short amount of time alloted to speakers at public meetings, so I am going to post various pieces of information here.

I also want to open this space up as a place for people who have concerns about other aspects of this project (traffic, parking, zoning, etc.) to submit information, lists of useful links, videos, guest posts, etc. My hope is that we can create a resource for other West Seattle residents who are dealing with similar issues. If you have something to contribute, please send me an email. 

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Posts


Will the Alki 11 Rowhouses Cause Flooding?

We Have a Meeting Date!

Over One MILLION Gallons of Waste Water - Where's It All Going to Go?

How Much Sewage Will the Proposed Alki 11 Rowhouses Generate?

Here's Where Things Get Serious - the Environmental Impacts of the Alki 11 Rowhouses

Calculating the Amount of Stormwater Runoff the Alki 11 Will Produce

How the Proposed Alki 11 Fails to Meet City Parking Requirements

How To Access Permit and Property Records for Seattle Development Projects

How Many Parking Spaces Are Developers Required to Provide in the Alki Neighborhood?

What Would the Alki 11 Rowhouses Look Like?

Adversity Builds Community

Video


 The opening portion of this YouTube video was shot underwater off Alki Beach in October 2012. It shows a huge plume of polluted stormwater flowing directly into Puget Sound. To see just the footage diver Laura James shot that day, along with details about the equipment used and timing of the shoot, check out this Vimeo video.





It's a good idea to do a sewer camera check, even if you are buying a newly constructed home.


How many people actually park in their autocourt garages? Turns out nearly all of them park on the street.


Links

King 5 Report: West Seattle parking jungle

SW Seattle CSO Status - this is a real time map of CSOs (combined sewer overflows) in our neighborhood, showing whether or not they are discharging. Large inflows of stormwater during rainy months can cause them to overflow, sending wastewater and stormwater into the Sound. Look for the time stamp in the upper left hand corner to see when information was last updated.

Sightline Daily - News and Views for a Sustainable Northwest

The Skinny on WA's New Stormwater Permits (#1) - how the state's largest cities will manage polluted runoff.

The Skinny on WA's New Stormwater Permits (#2) - new rules for nearly 100 cities (including Seattle) on managing polluted runoff.

Seattle Municipal Code Parking Requirements

City of Seattle Stormwater Manual - Stormwater Flow Control and Water Treatment Requirements

Seattle DPD Tip 515 - Green Parking Lots

One Lot. One home. Lots of information about zoning, developer tricks, what neighbors can do.

Coverage in the West Seattle Blog


West Seattle development followup: Rowhouse-project neighbors will get their meeting

Alki neighbors' petition for 'rowhouse' hearing
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