UPDATE: Permit stalled — SDCI returned the application for corrections on June 3rd. No decision has been issued. Read the latest developments
Save the Russell House

Updates

News and developments in the preservation effort

Recent Timeline

Jun 3, 2026
Application stalled — SDCI requires another round of corrections; no decision issued
Apr 21, 2026
Online public meeting held on the proposed subdivision
Mar 26, 2026
Revised NOA posted (still says demolition); new comment period opens — comments remain open through the public meeting
Mar 24, 2026
SDCI Cycle 2 corrections: public meeting scheduled; entire site confirmed as Landmark
Feb 25, 2026
Applicant re-files with 2-lot proposal; "house is to remain"
Feb 4, 2026
SDCI Cycle 1 review finds contradictory application; requires clarification
Feb 4, 2026
Extended comment period ends — over 300 comments received, all opposing
Jan 27, 2026
SDCI zoning markup tells applicant to remove demolition language; confirms COA required
Jan 8, 2026
Public notice mailed to neighbors
Dec 24, 2025
Subdivision and demolition permit application filed (3043097-LU)

Holding Pattern: Application Stalled in Corrections

August 2026

The online public meeting on the proposed subdivision was held on April 21st, giving neighbors the chance to speak directly to SDCI about the project. Thank you to everyone who registered, attended, and commented — your voices are part of the official record.

Where Things Stand

Since the meeting, the project has gone quiet. SDCI's review continued after April 21st, and as of June 3, 2026 the application's official status is "Corrections Required" — SDCI has returned the application to the applicant with yet another round of corrections that must be addressed before the review can move forward.

What This Means

No land use decision has been published, and no permit has been issued. The ball is in the applicant's court.

SDCI's own correction letters have repeatedly confirmed that the entire site is a designated Seattle Landmark, and that site changes will require approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board.

You can see the current status anytime on SDCI's project page for 3043097-LU.

We're Still Watching

A stalled application is not a withdrawn one. The applicant can respond to the corrections at any time, and the review would resume. We are monitoring the permit record and will post here — and email the update list — the moment anything changes. If you haven't already, sign up for updates so you're ready if the project moves again.

Revised Application Filed, Landmark Protections Hold

March 2026

Since the SDCI correction letter in early February asked the applicant to clarify contradictory plans, the project manager has re-filed with a revised proposal.

Revised 2-Lot Proposal (February 25, 2026)

On February 25th, the project manager re-filed, this time proposing to parcel off 5,038 square feet (approximately one-third) of the property that does not encompass the Dr. Annie Russell House.

The new plans say "house is to remain" on Parcel A, with the current address 5721 8th Ave NE. The second parcel (B) would have the new address of 5717 8th Ave NE.

This is down from the original 3-lot proposal that included demolition of the landmark.

SDCI Confirms Landmark Applies to Entire Site (March 17, 2026)

On March 17th, SDCI posted a correction letter to this revised proposal. Most corrections are for drainage and sewer easement accounting. However, they also included a critical statement about the landmark designation:

From SDCI (March 17, 2026)

"Please note: The entire site within this short plat (Parcels A and B) is designated as a Landmark.

Future changes to the site, including alterations to existing structure(s), new construction, grading, the establishment of vehicle access, etc. will likely require approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board.

Please ensure that approval is obtained for any proposed site changes prior to approval of this short plat."

What This Means

The new parcel at 5717 8th Ave NE will still be subject to the Historical Landmark ordinance. This does not necessarily protect the property from all future development, but it does mean that subdividing the land is not a viable loophole to circumvent landmark protections in Seattle.

We find these correction letters very promising in terms of preserving the site. We will remain vigilant and post updates as they become available.

Revised NOA & Cycle 2 Corrections (March 24–26, 2026)

On March 24th, SDCI completed a Cycle 2 corrections letter authored by Land Use Planner Greg Johnson. Then on March 26th, SDCI issued a Notice of Revised Application.

Notice of Revised Application Still Says Demolition

The Notice of Revised Application (dated March 26) still states that the "existing building is to be demolished." It also lists a Water Availability Certificate as a needed permit but does not list the need for a landmarks Certificate of Approval.

This is concerning given SDCI's own correction letters acknowledging the entire site is a designated Landmark.

Comments Are Still Open

The comment period on the revised application remains open through the April 21st public meeting. You can still submit a comment on permit 3043097-LU.

Online Public Meeting Scheduled for April 21st

Due to the large number of public comments, SDCI has scheduled an online public meeting for April 21st per SMC 23.76.015. See the official public meeting notice (PDF).

You must register for the Webex meeting ahead of time to receive the invitation to attend. The link to sign up to comment is separate and will open at 3:00 PM on April 21st.

The corrections letter reiterates that "the entire site within this short plat application is designated as a Landmark" and that changes will likely require approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board.

Other Corrections

The Cycle 2 corrections letter also includes a repeat correction noting that the site appears to share vehicle access with an adjacent lot. The applicant must identify existing access easements and any easements proposed with this short plat application. This remains unresolved from the Cycle 1 review.

The public meeting was held as scheduled on April 21st — see the August 2026 update above for where things stand now.

Progress in the Preservation Effort

February 2026

After neighbors received notice on January 8th of a permit application to subdivide and demolish the Dr. Annie Russell House, the community rallied together in an unprecedented show of support for preservation.

You Did It!

Over 300 people submitted public comments in support of preservation. The city extended the comment period by a week to February 4th, 2026.

Since that extension, 88+ additional comments were submitted - all in favor of preservation.

City Departments Now Aligned

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) and the Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB) have confirmed the landmark protections. Both departments are aligned on what the owner can and cannot do with the property.

From SDCI (January 27, 2026)

From the Zoning Markup Summary by Sung H. Lee, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. View document

"Based on our phone conversation on January 14, 2026, you indicated that you are not intending to demolish the existing historic landmark structure, the Dr. Annie Russell House located at 5721 8th Ave NE.

Please remove the note stating 'Two-story house w/ basement (to be removed)' from all plan sheets.

If you are intending to demolish or relocate the existing historic landmark structure (Dr. Annie Russell House, 5721 8th Ave NE), such a proposal would require a Department of Neighborhoods (DON) Certificate of Approval (C of A) from the Landmarks Preservation Board."

Additionally: "The proposal does not comply with the above-referenced code sections and may require a reduction in the number of proposed lots."

Key point: Under Ordinance 123074, the parcel itself is a designated landmark feature. This means the property can never be subdivided without approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board.

SDCI Land Use Review Completed

On February 4, 2026, SDCI completed its Cycle 1 Land Use review of the permit application. The review, conducted by Land Use Planner Greg Johnson, revealed significant problems with the application.

Contradictory Application

SDCI found that the submitted plans contain two contradictory proposals: a 3-lot layout showing demolition of the landmark, and a 2-lot layout that preserves the dwelling. The applicant has been required to clarify their intent and submit a single, consistent plan set.

This confirms what we suspected - the applicant has not committed to a clear path forward, and SDCI will not accept the application as-is.

Public Meeting Likely → Now Confirmed!

Due to the large number of public comments received, SDCI indicated a public meeting was likely per SMC 23.76.015. This has since been confirmed for April 21st — a direct result of the community's response.

In the Media

Cascade of History podcast

Eugenia Woo from Historic Seattle and team member Matthew Smith were interviewed on Cascade of History, hosted by Feliks Banel.

They discussed the threat, how it violates the protection ordinance, and the inspiring history of the house itself.

Listen to the interview (starts at ~25 minutes) →

What's Next?

While SDCI ruled in favor of preservation, we have reason to believe this will not be the end of the threat.

It is our understanding that the owner did a walkthrough with Erin Doherty from the Landmarks Preservation Board when he first obtained ownership, and that the LPB made the ordinance requirements clear at that time.

The fact that this application was filed - apparently without contacting the LPB or noting the landmark status - gives us pause. We will continue to monitor activity and call the community to action when needed.

How You Can Help

  • Stay vigilant - Sign up for updates to be notified of any new developments
  • If you see something, say something - Let us know if you have any helpful information
  • Know a land use attorney? - We are looking for a land use attorney who works in favor of preservation. Contact us if you have a recommendation.

Thank You!

This happened because the community came together to speak out for the preservation of a designated Seattle Landmark. We could not have done this without every one of you, and your passion for keeping our city's history intact!