October 6, 2008

Letter to the Editor: We need more well designed multifamily housing in Seattle

(Re: “Does Seattle have too much single-family zoning?” DJC Sept. 29) The lust for large affordable housing has persuaded developers to push the limits of urban sprawl. Land is reduced to dirt, cheap houses are built fast and lenders/real estate agents are eager to sell the product. This unsustainable development will decrease as we become more aware of the repercussions.

The alternative?

Well if it's not single-family... hmmm the opposite of single-family must be more than one family. Ah... multifamily.

Irene, I would love to take the Phinney Ridge neighbors on a tour of urban sprawl development which has ravaged all cities bordering Seattle. Large open natural habitats clear cut to dirt and replaced with larger than necessary affordable homes with tiny lawns and small, trite landscaping. The majority of use that landscaping will receive is when it is manicured by gas-powered lawn mowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers.

Multifamily development does not need to be tasteless or out of place. Thoughtful design will drive acceptance by the public. I have seen a couple new design firms tackle the challenge of affordable multifamily development with great success, and even come away with awards for their designs. PB Elemental is one such design firm that comes to mind. Quality planning and thoughtful design will make multifamily development at the very least acceptable for the masses and affordable at the same time.

It is evident the status quo is not working well. Look at what it has created: more traffic, decreased green space, more pollution, poor construction quality, inflated housing costs, increased taxes, strip malls, large energy consumption... sorry I'll stop, but just to let you know I could keep going.

The upside? All I can think of is personal gains, not public ones.

Curt Lankester

Seattle

The Daily Journal of Commerce welcomes your comments.

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Previous columns:

• Opinion: Does Seattle have too much single-family zoning?, 09-29-2008
• Opinion: Land use laws should reflect today's reality, 09-15-2008
• Opinion: There's no magic formula to get affordable housing, 08-11-2008
• Letter to the Editor: Large users have options in keeping steel costs down, 08-04-2008
• Opinion: Rail on I-90 bridge must be considered, 06-30-2008
• Opinion: Should we change the Multifamily Tax Exemption?, 06-26-2008
• Opinion: Forget about rail on our floating bridges, 06-23-2008
• Letter to the Editor: 'Surface option' is only real waterfront solution, 05-12-2008