While SeaTac has been trying to transition away from surface airport parking lots, the city may approve a new 1,000-stall lot on unused cemetery land.
A request from Master Park to rezone six acres on the north end of Washington Memorial Park Bonney Watson from cemetery park use to business commercial use is on the final docket of SeaTac's Comprehensive Plan Amendments. The SeaTac City Council is scheduled to vote on the amendments on Nov. 24.
The land would revert back to Washington Memorial in 25 years, developer Roger McCracken told lawmakers Oct. 27.
Cemetery officials are not planning to use the land in the near future and have agreed to a long-term lease, according to McCracken.
"It is a good use of fallow land," McCracken said. "It will open up other parcels for other uses."
McCracken said demand for long-term parking near Sea-Tac International Airport will grow.
He estimated the lot would generate $650,000 a year in property tax revenues.
However, competitor Doris Cassan of Dollar Development said approval of the request would be favoritism.
The council voted last month to possibly condemn the Dollar surface lot at International Boulevard and South 176th Street. Doris Cassan opened the car rental/parking operation 42 years ago.
SeaTac officials said they want the property for a public parking garage for a planned city center/entertainment district adjoining the airport light-rail station. The station is set to open next month.
SeaTac staffers said James and Doris Cassan's earlier proposal to build a multi-use development on the site, including a parking garage and hotel, was inadequate.
On Oct. 24, Doris Cassan noted both patrons of the new Master Park site and the Port of Seattle's rental car facility would use South 160th Street. She suggested the city complete a traffic survey before approving the rezone.
Added Cassan, "I also understand at the same time Council was devising plans to condemn our property, another operator was approved to open more surface parking on the northwest portion of the existing cemetery."
"Do you find this hypocritical, amusing, dishonest, disingenuous or maybe something about what donations may buy?"
