Slog Feb 20, 2018 1:13 PM

Condo Owner Fights New Building Because It Will Block “Insane” Views

by Heidi Groover

Comments

1
Oh no! Condomergency!! You wait here, try to keep breathing, and I'll call the whaaambulance.
treacle on February 20, 2018 at 1:45 PM · Report this
2
That balcony is perfect for screaming "White Privilege Entitlement" to those below who don't deserve such an insane view.
Popelick Monster on February 20, 2018 at 1:54 PM · Report this
3
And since the sun does shine out her ass, why doesn't she just tell the other building owners to move their darn structures out of the way of her view?
Popelick Monster on February 20, 2018 at 1:57 PM · Report this
4
You're always in the way of someone that was there before you.

Also, I'm not aware of any West Coast cities with view rights, so your beef is either with the seller for non-disclosure or your own lack of due diligence; or, it's just one of those things.
Dougsf on February 20, 2018 at 2:18 PM · Report this
5
@4 View easements are not uncommon, and are enforceable.

Example: https://www.windermere.com/listing/56438…

hbb on February 20, 2018 at 2:47 PM · Report this
6
people who put this much value on the view from their house must not actually go enjoy the outdoors very often
The CHZA on February 20, 2018 at 3:10 PM · Report this
7
This is like my new neighbors who moved here last year objecting to new buildings being built. Which, sadly, they are.
Will in Seattle on February 20, 2018 at 3:22 PM · Report this
8
Glad the rezone went through. Geez.
dex3703 on February 20, 2018 at 4:37 PM · Report this
9
There’s no guarantee of a view, just like there’s no guarantee of solar exposure (which is a thing nowadays)

My ridiculously wealthy West Seattle friend bought the house downhill from him and put a height restriction on the lot so he wouldn’t lose his view, then turned around and sold it for a profit. The guy uphill of him did the same thing to him. That’s how rich people do things.
Catalina Vel-DuRay on February 20, 2018 at 4:55 PM · Report this
10
I checked Google Earth before buying my place to see if I would still have much of a view if things built up. They did and I mostly still do. If view buying is part of your consideration ( you are lucky) you should do some market research. Spoiler alert don’t assume traffic will stay the same either.
Zander on February 20, 2018 at 5:04 PM · Report this
11
this is taken from webster's definition of "first world problems".
giantmeteor2016 on February 20, 2018 at 8:09 PM · Report this
12
Is this the same Londi Lindell who is the City Administrator of North Bend? I'm sure she has intimate knowledge of how the squeaky wheel gets the grease in matters of city government. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-new…
Hutch on February 20, 2018 at 8:44 PM · Report this
13
"The change would allow the new building and result in about $1.1 million or eight units of affordable housing units through the city’s new mandatory housing affordability program."
Um...an affordable unit built by a nonprofit costs $300,000, so this yields 3.6 units, a far cry from 8. Please check your math, and your sources. (Any tax money promised by the city as "leverage" has already been committed.)
Sarajane46th on February 20, 2018 at 9:24 PM · Report this
14
"The change would allow the new building and result in about $1.1 million or eight units of affordable housing units through the city’s new mandatory housing affordability program."
Um...an affordable unit built by a nonprofit costs about $300,000, so this yields 3.6 units, a far cry from 8. Please check your math, and your sources. (Any tax money promised by the city as "leverage" has already been committed.)
Sarajane46th on February 20, 2018 at 9:25 PM · Report this
15
@4 - I could be wrong, but I think view easements in Seattle are generally between parcels in the same development or covenant—written into the CC&Rs or, say, if a lot owner sub-divides and wants to keep their house taller than whatever gets built on the portion they sold. Does the the city itself have restrictions in place to protect injured parties from down the street?
Dougsf on February 21, 2018 at 8:31 AM · Report this
16
@12 Nice sleuthing.
ScrawnyKayaker on February 21, 2018 at 12:09 PM · Report this
17
Why do people refuse to believe that real estate is as risky as any Vegas casino? There are NO sure things in the stock market, real estate, or in fact, Life.

My sympathy for this women and her concos = 0.
Purrls on February 21, 2018 at 12:28 PM · Report this
18
No one owns a condo. You buy a unit in a condo.

If she didn't buy a view easement, she has no standing to contest the new construction.
pUnqfUrs on February 21, 2018 at 4:23 PM · Report this