Court: Fort plan must get review

The state Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling Monday, saying the city of Seattle's plan to redevelop the Fort Lawton base with more than 200 housing units must undergo a state environmental review before moving forward.

The court heard arguments this month from the city and the Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council about whether the development should be subjected to review under the state Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).

Gwendolyn Payton, the neighborhood council's attorney, argued that the plan to build a mixed-use subdivision threatens a colony of great blue herons and other wildlife and habitats at the 29-acre site next to Discovery Park.

On Monday, Payton said the city wanted to bypass SEPA "because, in my opinion, it's very clear ... that there's no way (the plan) could have passed environmental muster."

The city can file a motion for reconsideration with the Court of Appeals in 20 days or take the matter to the state Supreme Court.

Kathy Mulady, spokeswoman for the City Attorney's Office, said there's been no decision on potential next steps.

Fort Lawton was flagged for closure in 2005, and in 2008 the city signed off a plan to redevelop it with 108 to 125 market-rate units, 85 units for the homeless and six Habitat for Humanity units.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com