Open Record Public Hearing Scheduled for January 24, 2024

Update
December 13, 2023 - The City issued a Notice of Public Hearing to inform the public that the Hearing Examiner will conduct an Open Record Public Hearing at 9:00AM on January 24, 2024, for SUB19-002. If necessary, the open record public hearing will continue to 9:00AM on January 25, 2024. This notice was issued December 13, 2023 through (1) a special edition of the Weekly Permit Bulletin; (2) publication in the Mercer Island Reporter; (3) a posting at the proposed project site; and (4) mailing to property owners within 300’ of the boundaries of the proposed project site.

Background
In 2019, the City received an application for a preliminary long plat approval, SUB19-002, to subdivide the 2.88-acre property located at 2825 West Mercer Way (King County parcel number 217450-2425), into 14 lots with associated infrastructure to support single-family residences. This property is zoned R 8.4, which permits single family development with a minimum lot size of 8,400 square feet.

Since the subdivision application was submitted in 2019, the process has included the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) in 2020, demolition of the old East Seattle School building in 2021, easement eliminations, and other technical considerations.

The applicant, in response to the public comments received during the SEPA appeal period, which ended April 5, 2023; no appeals filed, submitted minor revisions for the proposed development by adding an internal shared driveway to serve lots 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, and 14, added a shared driveway for lots 1 and 2, and provided a passive open space easement along West Mercer Way, SE 28th Street, and SE 30th Street which is proposed to be planted with native vegetation.

With these minor revisions completed by the applicant and submitted to the City, the proposal is ready to proceed to the Hearing Examiner for an open public record hearing on January 24, 2024 and a subsequent decision on the subdivision application issued. The hearing may continue to January 25, 2024 if necessary.

Next Steps
Should SUB19-002 be approved by the Hearing Examiner, the applicant may proceed with the site development permit application process to create 14 lots and the associated infrastructure, including grading, installation of utilities, and building streets and driveways. Building permit applications are required before construction can begin on each of the homes.