Joslin Building

In late 2017, FCA was contacted by Tacoma Way LLC, the owners of the Joslin Building. The Joslin building (9250 45th Ave SW) sits on the small triangular shaped lot between Marine View Drive and Wildwood and faces 45th Ave. SW. The owners were planning on replacing the two story building with apartment pods on the upper floors and some type of retail or restaurant on the main floor. The building could potentially be 5 stories and parking would be pushed to the streets. FCA formed a small group of neighbors to monitor the proposal. At that time, zoning limited the number of stories to three and there was discussion at the Seattle City Council that developers could build without providing off street parking as long as transit was close. The neighborhood was concerned that the potential number of stories was not in keeping with the height of nearby buildings and that the nearby streets could not support an estimated fifty or ore more cars. The Project (3029937) was reviewed by the City and numerous requirements were issued to move forward. The site is a difficult build in that it is too small for below ground parking and current code would increase setbacks. At one point, the back in parking on Marine View Drive was recommended to be replaced with parallel parking resulting in further loss of parking. FCA conducted a parking study and customers of the nearby merchants indicated they generally drove and parking was already difficult to find. In 2018, the City passed sweeping changes in parking rules however similar to the Alki Overlay, off street parking was required for commercial, residential split lot and multifamily development within 1,320 feet of the Fauntleroy Dock (SMC 23.54.015 footnote 4 of Table B) and we believe the Joslin Building is within that parameter. As of February 2021, city records indicate the project is pending. It is likely this project would require public review before proceeding.