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City officials coming to Capitol Hill to talk aPodments — UPDATE

Monday, opponents of aPodments on Capitol Hill are looking forward to their opportunity to bend the ears of Seattle City Council member Richard Conlin and DPD head Diane Sugimura. They’ll probably tell the city officials about the loss of buildings like this one at the corner of 13th Ave E and E Mercer in exchange for multi-story boarding house-style apartments that squeeze through zoning loopholes without the additional oversight other types of large multifamily projects endure.

We’ve documented those loopholes, mapped the projects underway around the Hill and taken you inside the small studios. We’ve introduced you to the community groups pushing back — and the developers who are pushing the trend forward. The Capitol Hill Community Council has come out in support of a moratorium until review requirements are strengthened. Conlin has said the City Council isn’t ready to take action. The conversation at Monday’s December session of the East District Council will likely include more of the same.

Despite the community groups and neighbors frustrated by the projects, planning and density advocates continue to voice support for allowing more nimble development of the boarding-house style projects. This Sightline Institute essay calls the projects “dormitories for grown-ups”

 The leading Cascadian example is the aPodment, a product of Calhoun Properties of Seattle. These units are rooming houses updated. Individual rooms are smaller than parking places — typically less than 150 square feet. Each is lightly furnished and has a microwave and a mini-fridge plus a petite bathroom. Off-street parking is minimal, and it’s rented separately, but the buildings have shared kitchens and laundry facilities. In 2011 and 2012, rent was commonly around $500 a month, including internet and all utilities. At under $17 a night, aPodments rent for roughly double what San Francisco rooming houses cost a century ago, adjusted for inflation, and aPodments have private bathrooms and partial kitchens.

The men behind Calhoun, Gary Mulhair and his son Dirk, are moving forward with another project that will replace the old home at Mercer and 13th. Along with partners, they purchased the property from the Salvation Army last February for $832,000. The demolition paperwork has started but no permits have been issued yet. If the project moves forward like the rest, by late 2013 or 2014, the site will be home to a 56-unit aPodment building.

Here’s an announcement about Monday’s meeting from the Reasonable Density Seattle group.

Hello Neighbors.

A reminder…

Monday, December 10 starting at 5:45pm.

The shelter house is located in the park north of Pine St and adjacent to the playing fields. 

This is an important meeting if you are concerned about the proliferation of apodment type building projects in Seattle. Councilman Richard Conlin and Department of Planning and Development Director Diane Sugimura will be addressing the meeting and taking questions. 

I believe this meeting is a first of its kind so please attend if you have concerns about these projects. Demonstrate that concern, show support and solidarity and learn more about this issue. A lot of effort has gone into creating this opportunity, the more concerned residents we can muster the more seriously City Council will take our concerns.

Tell or better, bring your friends and neighbors. Feel free to forward this email to others that may be interested.

Cal Anderson Park’s Shelter House is located at 1635 11th Avenue.

http://www.calandersonpark.com/map.cfm

Thank you, we hope you can make it. 

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Carl Winter

Reasonable Density Seattle

reasonabledensityseattle.com

 

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Andrew Taylor
Andrew Taylor
11 years ago

I attended the meeting of the Capitol Hill Community Council which passed the moratorium resolution, and heard of their desire to talk to the City about micro-housing issues.
The District Council, which I chair, seemed a good neutral ground to enable the neighborhood groups to meet with Richard Conlin and Diane Sugimura, both of whom worked with the Miller neighborhood on zoning issues back in Neighborhood Planning days (1998 – 2000).

I will be ready to deploy my newly acquired gavel to keep the meeting civil ( http://tinyurl.com/ba7urau).

Please arrive at the Shelter House by 5:45, so that we can maximize our time with our guests, who’ll be there from 6 till 7

And please stay for the rest of the meeting, learn about your District Council, and help us plan similarly exciting meetings for the New Year. (oh, and there will be seasonal goodies as well).
Andrew Taylor, Chair, East District Council.

Catherine Hillenbrand
11 years ago

Andrew, are they there from 5 till 6, or 6 till 7?

Andrew Taylor
Andrew Taylor
11 years ago

Fixed: guests from 6 till 7.
Thanks

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

It is a total travesty that the beautiful home at this location is planned to be torn down for an apodment!! This is a completely residential area, and the home is a classic…..an apodment will stick out like a sore thumb, and of course it will not have any design review, or any parking. Shame on Gary Mulhair and his son! And shame on the City/DPD/City Council which allows this to happen.

I hope the meeting next Monday will serve as a springboard for the community to fight this particular plan. I’ll be there.

Dustin M
11 years ago

“This is a completely residential area, and the home is a classic…..an apodment will stick out like a sore thumb”

The site is completely surrounded by large apartment buildings. In fact it is right next to a 12+ story building. There is no way that it will stick out.

I really hate when people just spout out arguments without doing any research.

ProstSeattle
ProstSeattle
11 years ago

…and its use will be residential, as well.

spouter
11 years ago

Dustin,

Talk about spouting.

Two swore thumbs side-by-side is not an improvement.

Ellie
11 years ago

It will be in between two rather large buildings and next to another large complex. While I agree it is sad to see such an interesting home be destroyed instead of turned into something beautiful, this won’t be necessarily out of character for the immediate area.

Sam
Sam
11 years ago

Get ready for our new living standards. We are imitating India and China, piling rooms on top of each other, living like rats. To many people that’s one problem we face.

scaredofPoorPeople
11 years ago

Yeah, those darn people that can’t afford to buy single family homes…keep them out!!!! (do you realize how unjust opinions like these are?)

CapHiller
11 years ago

To scaredofPoorPeople:

It’s a nice idea to appeal to social equity to have these style of buildings, but it’s not as though developers are building low-rent buildings out of the goodness of their hearts.

The reason these developers are building apodments is purely economic, so let’s not blur the issue by turning it into a “Do we want low-income people or not?” debate.

The facts are that the developers are able to derive more money from property by tearing down existing housing and building denser apodment-style housing in its place. The primary purpose of this housing is to make money for large business interests involved in the project, not to be attractive or livable or build a sense of community cohesion.

Yes, low-income people deserve a good place to live just like anyone else. But these shoddily-built apodments aren’t built with their quality of life, or anyone else’s, in mind. I think it’s important to remember that.

Gracie
11 years ago

I’m still trying to wrap my mind around paying approximately $550-$600/mo for 150 sq. ft. or up to $850-900/mo for 250 sq. ft. for “affordable” housing. Jimony. Why not get a room-mate and move into a place wherein you can turn around without breaking something — and you are able to have pets, in many cases. This entire apodment scheme, while it may be ideal for students, simply does not strike me as affordable housing for anything but short-term, transient situations

If you have any doubts about the price ranges I have quoted, go ahead and pull up “apodments” in your search engine and the primary developer (Calhoun Properties, if memory serves me correctly) has a half-dozen buildings listed. Whatever floats your boat, I suppose, and I guess it would certainly discourage those with hoarding tendencies!

RoommatesUgh
11 years ago

I think the big draw for a lot of people is avoiding all the problems that come with roommates. I’ve refused to have any since college, and I’m very thankful for that decision because of all the problems my friends with roommates consistently have.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

Dustin, you are just plain wrong about this site. It is not “completely surrounded” by large buildings….only on the south. To the east is a parking lot, and two of the other three corners at 13th/Mercer have low-rise structures on them. However, an apodment there will stick out regardless, because it will be yet another ugly, cheaply-built building. But I guess you would prefer that over the classically beautiful home that is there now. And to those who say that more low-income housing is needed in this area, let me point out that the tall apartment building to the south is a Seattle Housing Authority building, with dirt-cheap rents, and a little further south is a Seattle Senior Housing building.

mollybolt
11 years ago

the particular developement @ 23rd & John was the 1st as far as I know and it has been full of mostly (Mostly not entirely) Hookers, Pimps & drug dealers – seriously. Illegal activity is high there because the landlord is only after $$n& will gladly operate on a cash only basis & ask no questions & takes a “see no evil” attitude. They don’t actually live there either so they really don’t care, they just use the “aPodments” for the cheap rent & easy anonymity . . .its a truly freightening place now. Yay we need more of this on the Hill. I miss my neighborhood . . .

Kid
Kid
11 years ago

THANK YOU for telling it like it T-I-is! Common sense dictates that although initially, the landlords/developers/owners will endeavor to screen applicants so that they can build even more of these tiny “rooms,” this screening process will go by the wayside once too many of these things are built. The legitimate demand and need for these type of adult dorms/boardinghouse rooms will not keep pace with the actual production. THEN we will see these places rented out to anybody and everybody who can come up with the first months’ rent — forget what sort of nefarious activities they are into.

There is also another consideration: What happens if these apodment buildings proliferate beyond actual need (already an actuality) and they are taken over by the City/State/Federal government (HUD)? Since they are so small and are intended to be temporary housing anyway, will they become rehab houses or halfway houses for recent parolees?

No, no, no . . . these places are simply an open invitation for crime and those who want to perpetrate it. I love Capitol Hill and I want to maintain a decent place to live and keep my neighborhood safe.

Pianoman
11 years ago

“The Apodment” – In this remake, Fran’s brother-in-law Karl (Johnny Seven) tries to confront Baxter (Jack Lemmon) at his new Capitol Hill home, but he can’t squeeze past the front door.

Kid
Kid
11 years ago

Now THAT’S funny. Unfortunately, many a truth is said in jest.

Juno
11 years ago

I wish they could design a building that incorporates the house instead of demolishing it.

Kid
Kid
11 years ago

This blog article is going to fall off of the first page but I hope that CHS Blog will publish a new article regarding the Apodment meeting held last night because it drew quite a crowd and I think I speak for a lot of others who attended in that our concerns (those who were able to be heard and voice them) were disregarded and blown off. I left feeling very frustrated.

I did learn an altogether horrific fact regarding the manner in which these Apodments have been able to slip through the cracks code-wise. Each FLOOR (of anywhere from 7-8 tiny rooms) is counted as ONE apartment as long as there is a shared kitchen per floor. So, when these places are classified as Boardinghouses, that is precisely what they are because each tiny closet-sized dorm room is classified as a BEDROOM on that floor. That is how these enterprising developers have been able to get away (thusfar) with placing these projects on previously-zoned single family dwelling spaces and avoid the cumbersome additional permitting process.

These Apodments are a disaster just waiting to happen.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

Unfortunately, Juno, you’re dreaming. The greedy developers who are building apodments do not give one damn about beautiful old homes in our neighborhood. They only care about profits, and squeezing as many units as possible into a new building…and that means this old house will be surely demolished. At the meeting last night with Richard Conlin and Diane Sugimura (DPD), it was very apparent that they are not planning any changes and certainly not a moratorium, so it will be “business as usual” for apodment development.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

I was really disappointed that Justin/CHS did not attend this important meeting, and at least so far has not reported on it. This is a vital issue for our neighborhood and it’s really surprising that CHS was nowhere to be seen.

jseattle
jseattle
11 years ago

Cool your jets, Calhoun. CHS was there and we will be reporting on it. You can see a brief update above. From my discussion with our reporter, it doesn’t sound like we’ll have much to report beyond the frustration from neighbors and groups asking for the city to act on this situation. We’ve reported more and more in depth on this than anybody.

Poor people welcome
11 years ago

Once again, Calhoun has nothing to add, so he resorts to hyperbole and name calling.

Did you share with Conlin and Sugimura your belief that free, convenient, on-street parking is a right in Capitol Hill? Did they laugh you out of the room?

Thank goodness we have responsible, informed public officials like Conlin who understand urban planning and the importance of adding more housing options to neighborhoods where density is warranted.

Thank you Richard and Diane for standing up to selfish, ignorant neighbors like Calhoun, who will do or say anything in order preserve what they consider to be their “rights” and keep anyone who isn’t exactly like them out of our neighborhood.

Calhoun, you really should be ashamed of yourself.

Margaret K
11 years ago

I wonder what folks think about follow up. I cannot remember whether Councilmember Conlin and Ms Sugimuro suggested any way to follow up on the concerns. When a meeting at City Hall was proposed they didn’t want a large attendance (I can see why). It seemed they wanted us to provide more evidence of problems with apodments. One issue is what they look like on the outside- would it help to have more pictures with specific comments? And how and when would this be presented?
Also, if Diane says DPD is working on a definition of apodments, it certainly is taking a long time. Can we learn who or what committee specifically is doing this? I wonder about accountability for what they both acknowledged as problems.

pragmatic
pragmatic
11 years ago

hookers, pimps, and drug dealers. Making prude people feel insecure since 1520 B.C.E.
Do you really expect intelligent human beings to take your comments seriously?

pragmatic
pragmatic
11 years ago

Calhoun, that comment grants you (and your cause) three minus points.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

OK, sorry Justin….I’m guilty of impatience…look forward to more reporting on this important issue.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

I am most definitely not ashamed. The room last night was filled with 100+ (mostly) Capitol Hill residents who feel exactly as I do about apodments. If you had bothered to come to the meeting, you would have witnessed the anger that many people feel. You are in a very small minority in thinking that apodments are wonderful.

And FYI, the parking issue was not brought up, by me or anyone else. Also, please point our where I did any “name-calling”? Seems to me that you are the one guilty of this. Why the personal vendetta? Do you always resort to personal attacks when someone disagrees with you?

Wake up people
11 years ago

Read these books – Behind the Green Mask, and Agenda 21. This looks like Seattle is aheading towards Agenda 21.

Poor people welcome
11 years ago

Oh gee, I’m so sorry Calhoun for hurting your feelings. Is this better?

“Unfortunately, Calhoun, you’re dreaming. The greedy neighbors who are fighting apodments do not give one damn about housing affordability in our neighborhood. They only care about preserving their own on-street parking, and keeping people that they consider “undesirable” out of their neighborhood…and that means they will surely fight any progressive land use policies for Capitol Hill. At the meeting last night with Richard Conlin and Diane Sugimura (DPD), it was very apparent that they are familiar with the large body of research into the advantages of progressive land use policies, so it will be “business as usual” for apodment development.”

And Calhoun, how do you know that I wasn’t there? How do you know that I didn’t witness the absolutely disgusting display by the “gang of four” who made it very clear that they want to keeps the “transients” and “those types of people” out of our neighborhood? Is that the type of name calling that you prefer? Your cause and your tactics are revolting. While you may have felt in the majority last night, I guarantee you that you are very much in the minority if you were to poll decent, intelligent people.

Poor people still welcome

Sorry for the double post above Calhoun. Not trying to sock puppet. First comment didn’t post right away, and I wanted to make sure you understood how disgusted some of your neighbors were by “the majority” last night.

X.g.
11 years ago

RoommatesUgh, you really, really, really seem to miss the bigger point. There was a time not long ago (5-10 years) when you didn’t NEED to live with a roommate. As the wealthy consolidate the world’s capital (its resources, food production, fuel, REAL ESTATE/land, etc.) it is THEY who control what it all costs. Beyond fixed materials, building costs and values are abstracts.

So, the developers pay off and brainwash the politicians (including Conlin, McGinn, etc.), they build garbage (cheaper than building real stuff and lame city codes and boards actually allow them to do so) and charge ever higher rents and selling prices. Who’s to stop them? US, that’s who. We should throw/vote out Conlin, McGinn and all the others who allow prices to soar for no reason beyond greed and political laziness.

RoommatesUgh, clue in and help us to fight this crap WHILE DEMANDING that Seattle/Olympia (WA STATE) enact codes that prohibit predatory development via rent control, re-defining of affordable housing and prohibition of a proliferation of overpriced crappy “pods”. Instead of lots of pods, developers should focus on building lots of UNDER $1,000/one bedrooms.

Having a roommate should be a choice, not something driven to by hardship. Housing the poor is one thing but forcing lower-middle income folks to live in parking spaces is an insulting absurdity. We should all be outraged that our City Council is failing us so badly.

calhoun
calhoun
11 years ago

If you were at that meeting Monday night….which I very much doubt, as you would then not have needed to ask if I brought up the parking issue (I didn’t, because it is only a relatively minor part of the problem with apodments)…then it’s too bad you didn’t have the courage of your convictions to speak out in favor of apodments. I guess you prefer to troll internet blog sites instead…

Other than one person who advocated for inclusive housing, everyone else who spoke and/or asked a question was strongly opposed to apodments, and the crowd reaction was such that it was clear that almost everyone agreed with this point of view. If you are right that the majority opinion is supportive of apodments, why weren’t there at least a few people expressing that opinion at the meeting?

Gracie
11 years ago

I read the book and wish that the author would come to Seattle to speak because judging from what we are encountering with the frenzied building that is going on of late, she could enlighten a lot of people whom I am afraid, are going to wake up too late (after these buildings are built is too late, folks).

I can’t help but feel as though the developers responsible for all of these aPodment projects are taking advantage of the altruistic nature of the Capitol Hill populace by selling this idea as affordable housing. More like future ghetto hotels. These are not nice places to live and they certainly are not intended to be lived in for any length of time by inhabitants.

Gracie
11 years ago

Ack! Clarification of my previous post: I read “Behind the Green Mask” and wish the author would come to Seattle to speak. Did the same author write “Agenda 21” because she certainly covered that subject in the Mask book.

wake up people
11 years ago

this is interesting because the author of Behind the Green Mask is Rosa Koire ( a San Francisco Liberal) and the author of Agenda 21 is Glenn Beck and Harriet Parke (I assume you all know him). So this is not a left/right issue. Its an American issue.

Gracie
11 years ago

To Wake Up People: Thank you for taking the time to reply and clarify. Good call re it not being a right or left issue (Rosa Koire and her partner, Kay Tokerud, are both involved in a tremendous attempt to enlighten ALL people, regardless of their political affiliation. In fact, she has a web-site (Democrats Against Agenda 21) that is as fascinating as it is informative. Thanks again.