As promised, the Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council has filed suit against the city of Seattle in King County Superior Court, challenging its plan to redevelop the former Fort Lawton Army Reserve Base for housing. Earlier this month we reported the group was raising money to retain an attorney.
The Planning Council alleges that in designating the reserve base for housing, the city did not follow state — or its own — environmental regulations. They also allege that the city’s plan conflicts with the Discovery Park master plan.
The city’s proposal calls for a new mixed-income neighborhood, with up to 216 units of housing on the 34-acre site. An estimated 144 to 161 single-family houses and duplex townhomes would be built, as well as a 55-unit apartment building. Eighty-five units would be set aside for homeless families and single seniors. Six self-help home ownership units would be developed by Habitat for Humanity.
The city’s law department is reviewing the case and did not comment on the lawsuit.
The redevelopment plan was passed last month by the council and submitted Monday to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
