MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Anyone enjoying a slice of Seattle’s suburbia may be in for a shock

Jun 24, 2016, 8:11 AM | Updated: Dec 19, 2017, 5:30 pm

A housing advocate says Seattle residents need to accept their changing neighborhoods and to embrac...

(File, MyNorthwest)

(File, MyNorthwest)

Anyone in Seattle who purchased their home with the dream of always living in the comforts of suburbia but the convenience of a city could be in for a shock. If there is growing support for density over aesthetics, more homeowners may find themselves staring at the side of an apartment building instead of their neighbor’s white picket fence.

Housing advocate Laura Bernstein told Seattle’s Morning News of KIRO Radio that is already happening and homeowners are starting to show their frustration.

Take Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood, for example, where Bernstein says she sees “the most” angry residents about the changes going on.

Sawant: Seattle housing crisis ‘not a question of ideology’ but of ‘reality’

“They thought they would have a slice of suburbia but would be able to take the bus to work every day,” she said. “They feel tricked or betrayed … or they’re angry at themselves.”

But if city leaders want to make ever-growing Seattle more affordable, people need to change their mindset and embrace density over single-family homes, she says.

“New housing is alarming to people,” she said. “I think people moved there and their real estate agents promised they would be like that forever.”

Bernstein argues that won’t always be true if people also want things such as light rail. Sound Transit isn’t about to build a light rail station in an area with only single-family housing, she says.

By being supportive of density in some areas will take pressure off others, she says.

Bernstein, who just returned from YIMBY (Yes in My Back Yard) conference in Colorado, argues that density is better for the environment as well. KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross points out that one of the areas with the smallest carbon footprint per person is actually Manhattan.

Dave says it’s ironic that while people in Queen Anne push for affordable housing, they refuse to allow changes to their neighborhood. If someone is in favor of light rail, for example, they need to support more density, he said. That includes more apartments and other residential options.

“Anyone who talks about a solution without including any of those things really doesn’t mean it, is that a fair summary?”

“Correct,” Bernstein said.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

4 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

8 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

9 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

11 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

11 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

13 hours ago

Anyone enjoying a slice of Seattle’s suburbia may be in for a shock