What the heck is going on with Hidden Beach? A primer.
Below is a primer on the Hidden Beach encroachments (or if you’re lazy, watch this 30 second video).
HIDDEN BEACH IS A PUBLIC STREET-END
Hidden Beach is officially East Harrison Street End. A neighbor in his 80s who grew up in the area (and still lives in the same house) recalls using the beach as a kid. Hidden Beach has been a public access point for at least 80 years, but probably for much longer.
WHAT IS A STREET END?
There are 148 Seattle street ends under the Shoreline Street Ends Program. Public street ends occur where public streets meet the shore.
FOHB, FOSE, SDOT … HUH?
FOHB (Friends of Hidden Beach) is a volunteer group that takes care of the East Harrison Street End (aka ‘Hidden Beach’). FOHB is focused on one of 148 street ends.
FOSE (Friends of Street Ends) was formed over 20 years ago. FOSE is an umbrella non-profit that works to improve shoreline access to all 148 Seattle street ends.
SDOT (Seattle Department of Transportation) is part of city government. It takes care of Seattle sidewalks, streets, signage, and public spaces, including the Seattle Street Ends program.
HOW MANY ENCROACHMENTS ARE THERE AT HIDDEN BEACH?
Four (maybe five). The north homeowner has two encroachments on public land — unpermitted trees planted along the NE corner, and the driveway access on the NW corner (the fence is temporary, but contains the driveway). The south homeowner also has two encroachments: the concrete driveway, and the tree hedge and irrigation system — both were installed without permits but have since been permitted. The fifth encroachment may be the rocks and plantings installed at the NW corner.
HAVE THERE ALWAYS BEEN PRIVATE DRIVES ON PUBLIC LAND AT HIDDEN BEACH?
Prior to the new construction of the south property and the current extensive remodel of the north property, there were more modest permeable gravel drives over public land that allowed access to the previous property owners.
In the last decade there was an opportunity to correct this situation when properties exchanged hands and during the extensive remodel of the north property and the new construction of the south property. The new property owners (see Resolution 29370) should have removed their encroachments and accessed their property via their own land.
HOW DID THINGS GO OFF THE RAILS?
The City was unaware of the unpermitted pouring of the south property driveway, planting of trees, and installation of an irrigation system on public land. By the time it was pointed out by neighbors, the work was complete. The City and the property owner entered into protracted legal negotiations that resulted in the City issuing a permit for the encroachments. The south property owner now pays $42,000/year for the concrete driveway, a tree hedge, and sprinklers on public land.
It is not clear why SDCI approved the plans for the north homeowner, knowing the plans did not correct the encroachment. It may have been that there was an existing exception with gravel access. The fence at Hidden Beach today is allowed under a temporary permit. That fence will come down when the permit ceases to be renewed by SDOT. It will then be up to SDOT to approve the final permit for the encroachment on public land for the north homeowner’s driveway access.
WHY DID SDOT NOT REPLY TO OUR PETITION?
We don’t know, but it’s likely that the decision had been made to renew the north homeowner’s fence permit. Our petition was signed by 136 people. Our central arguments: it’s public land, the fenced area was underutilized, the public good outweighs private construction — material can be stored on private property, or with the assistance of a street permit.
DO WE HAVE A LAWYER?
Not currently. We’d prefer that SDOT bring the north and south homeowners into compliance with Seattle City Ordinances and Resolutions which govern Seattle Street Ends.
WHAT’S THIS ABOUT AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN?
We have submitted an application to SDOT for site improvements (read about it here). This is our best way of pushing the encroachments back. Our proposal generously allows for private encroachments on public land—but smaller encroachments with permeable materials.
GET JESSIE, EMAIL DANNY WESTNEAT, CALL BRUCE HARRELL!
There are 148 Seattle Street Ends. Hidden Beach is one, but it’s also a very special street end. FOHB is made up of community members, swimmers, beach-goers, walkers, and paddle boarders. We have reached out to the press with limited luck.
WHAT CAN I DO?
The main thing: spread the word. Post this video on your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Donate to the restoration plan (this will happen!). If you know the north or south homeowners, go talk to them. Let them know that we’d like our public property back. When you choose to buy property adjacent to a public park it comes with the “public” part.
You do not need to call Danny Westneat—he is well aware, he is a neighbor and a friend, he has bigger other to fry.
