The issue that rose to prominence in the last mayoral election over the refusal to approve the "alley vacation" for the project containing Whole Foods on Fauntleroy Way S.W. is the subject of a public hearing on March 11. The project, now called The Whittaker is slated to break ground this year. The vacation of the alley will mean the project could consolidate parcels and proceed. At the public hearing, comment will be taken and the issue will be considered by the Transportation Committee of the Seattle City Council, chaired by West Seattle's Tom Rasmussen.

The text of the public notice:

This is to provide notice of the petition (contained in Clerk File 312783) by West Seattle Project X, LLC, developers of the Whittaker Project, to vacate (to acquire the public right-of-way) a portion of the alley in Block 3, Norris Addition to West Seattle in the West Seattle Junction Hub Urban Village area of Seattle. The alley is in the block bounded by SW Alaska Street, Fauntleroy Way SW, SW Edmunds St and 40th Ave SW. The vacation is proposed to consolidate parcels for a mixed use development project.

Right-of-way description proposed for vacation:

The portion of the alley in Block 3, Norris Addition to West Seattle, according to the plat recorded in Volume 14, page 93, Records of King County, Washington, lying north of a line extended between the southern boundary lines of Lot 16 and Lot 39 of said Block; including the portion of the alley accepted by Ordinance 99299.

OR in the alternative, to vacate any portion of the above-described property.

The petition will be considered by the Transportation Committee of the Seattle City Council in the Council Chambers, Second Floor, City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue (main entrance at 601 Fifth Avenue) on

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.

At this meeting, more detailed information about the vacation will be presented. The attached map indicating the right-of-way described in the petition has been posted on the site of the proposed vacation.

HOW TO COMMENT:

Public Testimony: The Transportation Committee will take public testimony at the Public Hearing.

Letters: Letters concerning this petition should be addressed to Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Legislative Department, PO Box 34025, Seattle, Washington 98124-4025.

Email: Contact Committee Chair Tom Rasmussen’s office at tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov.

Questions: For further information, contact Beverly Barnett, Seattle Department of Transportation, PO Box 34996, Seattle, Washington 98124-4996, 206 684-7564 or beverly.barnett@seattle.gov. Please cc Beverly on comment letters and emails.

The Council’s Chambers and offices are physically accessible; print and communications access provided on request. Call 206 684-8888 (TDD: 206 233-0025) for further information.