By Gwen Davis

Developers proposed a 3-story, 20,000 square foot plus medical services office, the Clearview Eye and Laser Clinic for 7520 35th Ave. S.W.

Our previous coverage including massing study graphics is here.

On July 10, the Southwest Design Review Board discussed the matter.

Here are the takeaways:

1. The proposed clinic would have 1,500 square feet of retail on the street with 32 parking spaces provided. The existing structures, a single family home and pizza restaurant would be demolished. The total square footage of the building is 20,500 to 21,500. The Eye Clinic approximate total square footage would be 13,000.

2. The board invited the applicant to describe the urban form and architectural character of the project vicinity, and the opportunities and constraints of the project site. The Powerpiont presentation also included a conceptual site plan and alternative architectural concept diagrams. The architect company is PB Architects Inc.

3. The plan is still in the early stages of planning, and slides included many backup and alternative scenarios in case the preliminary plans didn't pan out. Board members had comments about entry ways, use of the alley, parking lot screens and drop off spaces.

Meeting summary:

The meeting began after the DPD made their intro comments.

"This will be their permanent home," said Peter Bocek, the architect representing the client and giving the presentation. "This is not a speculative project. It's more of a personal project." The applicants are connected to the area, and have strong ties to West Seattle, he said.

The presentation included pictures of the existing site and surrounding views. Close ups and far-away views were displayed. Images of ideal plans were also part of the presentation.

Bocek said there were challenges to the plan. "The site opportunities is a mix of single-family and commercial use." The parking design "works," he said, along with acknowledging that some initial plans might not make the cut.

After the 20 minute presentation, the board made their comments.

"Today we got feedback from folks," said Laird Bennion of the board.

Bennion brought up concerns regarding the feasibility of the alley proposal. Todd Bronk of the board asked about the applicants and how they were connected to the plan. He also asked about entry to the building, and how to accurately desipher the presentation.

Bronk asked about access to the building on 35th.

Matt Zinski of the board said the green space and open space facilitates a certain mindset and asked if they were thinking about that in the design. He also asked about screening on the parking lot.

Bennion asked how customized the building needs to be, being an eye clinic. There wouldn't be windows, for example. He also said that somewhere down the line there would need to be more development, and how would the proposed building tolerate that.

The board then when into their deliberations.

The proposal submitted by the developers calls for maintaining the existing curb cut and suggests the following:

130 patients per day plus a staff of 20
4 daily deliveries by truck
King County Access bus twice a day several times a week

The facility requires easy access for patient transfer by emergency vehicles. They note that the majority of patients are over 65 and many have vision issues. The proposal says a traffic study is being prepared that will present the case for maintaining the existing curb cut off of 35th Ave. S.W. A Boundary Line Adjustment on the north property line will have to occur for all the alternatives presented in the EDG document.

Design review packets are available at http://seattle.gov/dpd/planning/design_review_program/overview/default…