If you haven't been to the new Seattle District 6 Facebook Page (which discusses the Ballard-area district for City Council elections), you'll see there's quite a debate brewing on the subject of affordable housing and whether more density will help stave off higher prices. What do you think? Join the group and give your thoughts.
As usual, this week has seen a few more applications and decisions on land use permits. Lot-splitting is the norm, but there are a couple of bigger projects this time around. First off, a new condo building ...
Applications
2018 NW 57th St
Construction is slated to begin in early 2014 on a new seven-story, 20-unit boutique condo building called Solo Lofts. This will be right next to the new Greenfire Campus and the Ballard Branch Library and, like its two neighbors, developers are aiming to make the building "super green," with a BuiltGreen 4-star rating. Ten parking spots will be supplied.
According to Redfin, who is marketing the new building, Solo Lofts units will range from 500 to 1,200 square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows and polished concrete floors. The ceilings are more than nine feet for regular units and 18 feet for two penthouse units. A shared rooftop green space will offer sweeping views for all owners.
Pre-sales are slated for January, 2014, with prices starting in the mid $200,000s.
2216 NW 63rd St
An application is in to split this 5,000 sq. ft. lot into two parts. The new parcel sizes will by about 2,500 sq. ft. each. Currently it is a single family residence.
Decisions
1417 NW 54th St
A decision came in to allow a four-story, 46,500 sq. ft. structure for custom and craft work to be built (view the decision here). The project also includes about 950 sq. ft. of restaurant on the bottom and surface parking for 42 vehicles.
The lot is currently vacant. There used to be an office building, but it has since been demolished.
According to DPD's SEPA review, long-term impacts of the building will include: Increased surface water runoff due to greater site coverage by impervious surfaces; increased bulk and scale on the site; increased traffic in the area and increased demand for parking; increased demand for public services and utilities; loss of plant and animal habitat; and increased light and glare.
Basically, the impacts normally associated with a project of this type. According to DPD, compliance with applicable codes and ordinances will reduce or eliminate most adverse long-term impacts to the environment. Thus, the building was given a Determination of Non-Significance.
2242 NW 62nd St
The proposal to split one lot that was about 5,000 sq. ft. into two smaller lots -- 2,200 sq. ft. and 2,800 sq. ft. -- has been approved. This is currently a single-family residence.
1548 NW 63rd St
An application has been approved to subdivide one development site into three unit lots. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Another permit is already in to put a duplex in on the site.
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