Stop if you've heard this before. Its a story that plays out every day throughout the city. Neighborhoods change. Old houses get torn down and are replaced with newer projects that almost by definition lack the character or charm of its predecessor.
A current example: the stately white house at 224 14th Avenue East - which, despite a yard and exterior that clearly need serious attention, exudes a great deal of character - is on the road to demolition. In its place will likely be a multi-family residential complex, the specific design for which has yet to be determined.
The property is zoned L3, which allows for three-story low-rise apartments or townhouses. The L3 zoning also allows for one residential unit per 800 square feet of land.
The house's distinctive design certainly provides a striking visual impression. Three stories high, the 1904 building would not look out of place in the antebellum South, with large, sweeping balconies and a stately presence. It's divided into four apartments (one is unoccupied) and has roughly 3,000 feet of usable floor space on a 7,700 square-foot lot.
But perhaps the most striking feature are the two large sugar maple trees in the front of the property. These trees are at the heart of many neighbors' concerns. While tree protection notices were placed around them several months ago, many nearby residents fear the trees might be torn down simply to facilitate the developer's wishes. Safe to say the neighborhood is unhappy about the idea
In response to the prospect of tree removal, fliers have recently been distributed in and around 14th Avenue East. One neighborhood resident suggested the first wave of fliers had been confiscated by the developers and was pleased when another set appeared on Monday, March 21. The flier called on neighbors to "help stop the destruction of the beautiful trees and home" and encouraged people to contact the city and the developer to "put the pressure on."
The project is being developed by the Mercer Island-based The Dwelling Company. The company's Web site says the firm "is a real estate development firm dedicated to innovative home design and the creation of dynamic, diverse residential communities in prime locations. We specialize in customer-focused planning and site-sensitive communities which offer a wide range of housing options."
The company, which formed in 2001, is also developing two properties near 225 14th Avenue East. At 1100 E. Howell St. across from Cal Anderson Park, a project to build nine townhomes will start going up on a recently cleared lot. At 1500 E. Howell St., an eight-unit duplex project nears completion.
The Dwelling Company's Andrew Miller, reached at his office on the morning of Tuesday, March 22, refused to comment on any details regarding the company's project or the possible removal of the trees. Nor would he provide any comment on the neighborhood's concerns, saying only that it was the company's policy not to talk to the press.
NEIGHBORHOOD REACTION
Alexandra Klein is one of many concerned residents. She's lived next door to the house for the last eight years. Klein said that she and most of her neighbors appreciate the notion of density on Capitol Hill - it's part of what drew her to the area in the first place.
Beyond the possible loss of the trees, she's worried about the kind of building that would replace the old house.
"Capitol Hill is one of the last real neighborhoods in the city," she said. "People who live here are aware of that and want to protect it. If we wanted it to look like anyplace else we'd move near a Staples or Petco. We're rapidly losing the flavor of the Hill."
And she's more than a little concerned about the trees, and not just the two trees along 14th Avenue East: "The trees are part of what makes this part of the Hill feel special. I'm concerned about every tree on their property."
Vince Houmes lives two buildings away. The vice president of his condo association, he, too, is deeply concerned about the future of the trees. He understands that saving the house may be a futile hope.
"I think all of us would like to see the trees kept," he said. "I'd certainly like to know more of what the developer has in mind. Everyone would regret it if the old house is torn down, but it might be well past the point of restoration. I don't think there's an expectation that it can be saved."
Ilana Rubin, who owns Dance Underground on 15th Avenue East, is more concerned about the building itself.
"I am upset," she said. "This is a historic building, and there are not many like it. I don't understand why a developer would want to tear it down when there are other houses nearby that are in worse shape and are unoccupied. It needs to be renovated, sure. But we're losing the historic look of Capitol Hill, and all we end up with are these boxy, generic condos."
"Simply put, this would be a huge loss for the community," said Catherine Costello, who lives two blocks away on 16th Avenue East.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION
Bill Ames, the urban forester from the Seattle Department of Transportation who placed the protection notices on the trees several months ago, said he has received many comments about the tree in the last few weeks.
Ames first examined the trees more than four years ago when development of the property was first raised. Looking at the trees again toward the end of 2004 he found that the southern most tree had deteriorated. He found major decay and dead wood; he suspected the tree's future is uncertain.
With that in mind, Ames put in a request with the Department of Planning and Development that the developer be required to hire an independent arborist to evaluate the trees. That request was approved last week; the developer must have this work done before moving forward on the permit process.
Ames said any future decision he makes on the trees will be based on what the arboreal consultant reports.
Ames added that he understood the neighborhood was very concerned about the future of the trees. And he had heard suspicions that he was being compelled by the developer to allow the removal of one or both of the trees. It's a notion he refutes.
"I can certainly understand how people might feel that way - the developer would probably love to have the trees removed. But their interests are not what I'm thinking about. The northern tree is healthy. If the southern tree is still healthy enough, if it can be pruned in a way that ensures its survival and does not become a safety hazard, then it, too, will stay. Our department's history is filled with saving trees, and we pride ourselves on the trees we save," he said.
Passionate feelings for the trees are not confined to the residents on or near 14th Avenue East. Carlos Alberto Mayer, who lives on Broadway, noticed a flier by chance. A student at Seattle Central Community College, he said the thought of having the trees removed made him more than a little angry.
"We need to save these trees," he said. "I'll stand in front of the truck that tries to take them down. And I'm sure I can get support from environmental student groups. I'm ready to chain myself to these trees if necessary."
Doug Schwartz is the editor of the Capitol Hill Times. He can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com or 461-1308.[[In-content Ad]]
