You’ll remember several weeks ago how strident I became when I found out that Councilmember Sally Bagshaw was proposing a tower spacing scheme downtown that would make building more housing in that neighborhood more difficult. Tower spacing is a regulation that prevents the construction of multiple high-rise towers on the same block supposedly to preserve light and air for people walking on the sidewalk. This scheme also protects views, something very important to the wealthy people living in the Escala building who hired former Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck (who was land use chair when current tower building rules were passed) as their lobbyist and who Councilmember Bagshaw calls her “expert” on the issue. Councilmember Bagshaw also raised several thousand dollars at the ritzy Escala building before making her proposal.

Well, one of the projects, Altitude Hotel and Residences, attracting so much attention from the Escala and their Councilmember is going through design review. The last couple meetings have attracted a mob of Escala residents who hectored and lectured the board throughout the meeting. Hopefully the board will do the right thing and move the project forward quickly. We sent in this letter of support yesterday. One thing I didn’t point out is that under the proposed Grand Bargain, Councilmember Bagshaw’s proposal would rob local housing non-profits of significant subsidies since fewer projects would pay mandatory fees proposed under the bargain. Yet one more reason we hope the Mayor will ignore her letter asking for tower spacing.

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December 2, 2015

To Members of the Downtown Design Review Board,

Smart Growth Seattle is a non-profit organization that supports more housing supply, choice, and opportunity in all neighborhoods in Seattle. We support project #3108037, the Altitude Hotel & Residences.

Recently the City, including the Mayor and City Council, declared a housing affordability crisis, convened stakeholders, and proposed a set of recommendations specifically designed to increase the supply of housing at all levels of affordability throughout the city. While the Altitude project will not offer affordable housing as defined by the City’s process, the additional units mean more choice for people who otherwise would compete for existing lower priced housing.

This project will provide 230 units of housing where currently there is none, will widen the sidewalk in places from 11’ to 18,’ create multiple new food and beverage spaces, and offer 12 artist work lofts all within the existing zoning conditions, using a contextually appropriate design.

The Altitude is a thoughtfully designed building that is pulled away from other existing neighbors on the block. And not only that, their architects have proposed a design that a will attract and retain great eateries while creating a spacious thoroughfare for pedestrians.

You’re hearing from wealthy neighbors at the Escala who are worried about their views. That’s understandable. However, this city needs more housing, and the value of that need exceeds the value of meeting the demands of existing neighbors to build nothing. These residents are using the design review process to thwart new development that will provide benefits to the wider community through additional tax revenue, street activation, and, most importantly, additional housing options to help Seattle accommodate growth downtown.

Please move quickly to approve the Altitude project so that construction can begin as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Roger Valdez,
Director
Smart Growth Seattle