"Micro-housing" offers people small, affordable places to live in the heart of the big city.
In one Seattle neighborhood people say the tiny homes could infringe on their way of life.
Some in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood are asking the city to re-consider a project that would turn the spot where one home sits into a building with 39 tiny units.
It’s similar to a rooming house and offers people affordable units that are usually between 100 and 200 square feet in size.
A developer has filed permits to put the building near the intersection of Franklin Avenue E and East Louisa Street.
Neighbors admit there are already a number of houses and apartments in the area, but they say the proposed 4-story building could tax resources.
“Parking's going to be a disaster” Stephen Hackner explains.
Hackner says parking is already tight along Franklin Avenue and this development would not include space for parking.
Although it’s a different builder and developer, the tiny apartments could resemble units that some Capitol Hill residents are already living in.
Natsumi Endo says she likes her “aPodment” “it’s comfortable and cheap; location is nice,” she said.
Several neighbors said they have no problem with “micro housing” but they don’t believe it belongs in their area.
“It’s not the right thing to do for this home,” Hackner said.
Eastlake neighbors are also frustrated that the city code does not warrant neighborhood review for the project.
Because the neighborhood has already been zoned for apartments and the project meets city codes, it will likely move forward.
Neighbors have asked for the city to formally review the proposal but legally there is not much else they can do.
