Council in Seattle endorses expansion blueprint, alterations to zoning regulations
Seattle City Council Approves 20-Year Housing and Growth Plan
The Seattle City Council has approved a comprehensive 20-year plan for accommodating growth in the city, aiming to build 120,000 new homes and more than 150,000 new jobs. This ambitious plan, developed and enacted by the Seattle city government, includes changes to the city's zoning laws and affordable housing fund requirements.
One of the key features of the plan is the establishment of new 'news centers' throughout the city. Some 'news centers', like Madrona, have been shrunk, while others, like those near Wedgwood, have not.
Councilmember Maritza Rivera pushed for more tree preservation requirements in the plan. The plan does include measures for tree retention in development projects, but not all of Rivera's ambitions were met.
The plan also authorizes up to six units per lot in residential neighborhoods, depending on location and price. However, some amendments aimed at adding bulk on each lot were voted against due to concerns about triggering more extensive mandatory environmental review.
Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck proposed a suite of amendments, including adding eight new 'news centers', allowing more food establishments in residential areas, and eliminating parking mandates citywide. The approved bills now need approval from the council members again at a full council meeting, with the final vote not expected until October or November due to additional environmental review.
Hundreds of commenters expressed their opinions in public hearings, with some urging more focus on tree protection and neighborhood character, while others pushed for the maximum amount of housing.
The plan also includes incentives for building so-called 'stacked flat' buildings. Additionally, the council approved a Rinck amendment to roll back some parking requirements, in anticipation of state requirements coming into effect in 2027.
The council has also approved a resolution outlining items to continue studying, including around trees, the causes of displacement, and possible future 'news centers'. The Seattle City Council, led by city planners and officials within the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections and the Office of Planning and Community Development, will continue to work on these issues in the coming years.
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