WCC February Newsletter

🚨 URGENT: Phase 2 Zoning Maps Released

On January 29, the City released Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan, titled “Centers and Corridors,”.  Zoning proposals for “Neighborhood Centers” and “Frequent Transit Corridors.”

The verdict: The City has largely ignored the extensive community feedback to develop a zoning plan that is compatible with lower scale neighborhoods like Wallingford and Tangletown provided over the last year. The Phase 2 proposal is nearly a carbon copy of the massive upzoning first seen in October 2024 as part of Phase 1. The Phase 2 maps just released fail to incorporate requested comments and measures to scale back and blend new zoning codes with existing streetscapes or ensure compatibility with our neighborhood’s character.

Significant changes are proposed for Wallingford and Tangletown in Phase 2 with a focus of rezoning for 30 new neighborhood centers and along “frequent transit” corridors citywide.This legislation will drastically overhaul residential zoning, ending single-family zoning and shifting towards much denser multi-family living, even on very small lots.

A timeline for the City Council’s Phase 2 review legislative process is not yet available.

What is Proposed

The new Phase 2 maps propose upzoning many single-family and residential lots to LR3 (Lowrise 3). This allows for 5-story apartment buildings (50 feet tall) with unlimited density—a drastic shift from our current residential zoning.

Key Areas Impacted:

  • Wallingford Ave & N 40th St (Routes 31/32): The 5-story (LR3) zone is proposed to stretch from I-5 along N 40th St to Wallingford Ave N, continuing south to N 35th St and across to Stone Way.
  • Tangletown: The business core is slated for NC-55 (55 feet), with surrounding single-family blocks south to 54th St upzoned to LR3 (5-story).
  • Meridian Ave N (Route 62): The corridor of homes and small rentals from N 50th St to N 56th St is proposed for LR3 (5-story).

⚠️ View the Official City Maps & Documents

Community Feedback and Concerns:

Between October, 2024 and the present, there have been 20 Select Committee meetings, 4 Public Hearings, and multiple other opportunities for the City Council and the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) to adjust the Phase 1 proposal for better compatibility with the existing streetscapes.

On February 12, 2025, the WCC hosted a highly attended monthly meeting that included OPCD’s Director Rico Quinindongo and Michael Hubner, as well as an observer, D4 representative Maritza Rivera. During this meeting, many residents provided in-person feedback, expressing concerns that the proposed rezones for Wallingford and Tangletown bus routes were out of scale with the neighborhood’s existing homes, apartments, and businesses.

Specifically, comments about the oversized map that included an excessive number of blocks around the Tangletown business core—justified only by an infrequent, minor bus route—were ignored. Residents also voiced concerns that the extreme upzone proposals would drive displacement and increase property taxes. This in-person neighborhood feedback, however, appears to have been dismissed, judging from the Phase 2 maps.

📅 VITAL MEETING: Wallingford Community Council

We need a packed room to respond to this proposal.

Wednesday, February 4

  • Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Location: Good Shepherd Center, Room 202

This is our opportunity to organize. We will review the maps in detail and discuss how to get the City’s attention to incorporate messages and feedback that we provide in the coming Phase 2 months of the Comprehensive plan.

Agenda Item: Deep Dive on OPCD Phase 2 Re-Zoning Impact

  • Examine the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) map tool to understand the specific, lot-by-lot effects of the Phase 2 maps.
  • OPCD Phase 2 overview site
  • Discussion of Resolution 32183 adopted as part of the Comp Plan final passage of CB 120, which includes neighborhood maps proposed during the amendment process. These maps have been deferred for further environmental study and will be addressed as unfinished business.
  • Review Phase 1 Adoption
    • Phase 1 included the Comprehensive Plan policies (CB 120985) for shaping growth and the permanent compliance legislation (CB 120993) to implement rules for HB1110 Middle Housing within Neighborhood residential zones. 
    • The City Council adopted Phase 1 on December 16, 2025, and it took effect on January 21, 2026. The legislation also includes Resolution 32183, which defers consideration of an additional Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Neighborhood Center Maps for a future date. More details here 

Agenda Item: Advocacy Strategy and Action

  • Call to Action: Residents are strongly encouraged to participate in spreading the word through flyer distribution to increase advocacy.
  • Engagement: Stay informed by tracking the Select Committee’s actions on Phase 2.
  • Participation: Get involved by attending open houses (by district) and public hearings.
  • Outreach: Communicate with City Council and OPCD representatives via phone and email.
  • Neighborhood Focus: It is critical for the community to come together to consider the comprehensive, big-picture impacts, especially on our neighborhood arterials.

Agenda Item: WCC Board Business – 2026 Project Priorities

The Wallingford Community Council (WCC) is moving forward on the following key projects for 2026:

  • Phase 2 Re-Zoning: Tracking developments, advocacy, and community outreach.
  • Waterway 20 Grant
  • Gasworks Park Concert Mitigation: Continuing the 2024 collaboration with Gasworks Park Administrators to mitigate the impacts of the 4-5 largest amplified commercial summer music concerts.

✅ Community Updates & Wins

Waterway 20 Grant Secured

While we fight for zoning, we are also protecting our shorelines. The WCC has secured a two-year grant (2026–2028) from the Washington State Department of Ecology to address soil contamination at Waterway 20. The committee will hire consultants and host two info sessions this year.

  • Funding: Funds will be used to address soil contamination at Waterway 20.
  • Action: We will hire consultants to analyze soil conditions and develop mitigation methodologies.
  • Updates: The committee, chaired by Ted Hunter, will host two information sessions this year to share findings.

Gas Works Park Oversight

Our committee is working to mitigate the impact of large commercial events (10k+ crowds) on the surrounding neighborhood. After two years of negotiations, we are making progress on noise compliance and parking enforcement.

  • Volunteer Need: If you live near Gas Works Park, we need 2-3 volunteers to help monitor events this summer.

🗓️ Save the Date: 2026 Meeting Schedule

Mark your calendars for the first Wednesday of the month:

  • Feb 4 (This Week!)
  • March 4
  • April 1
  • May 6 (Tentative – Annual Board Election)
  • June 10 (Note: 2nd Wednesday)

📢 Call for Volunteers

The Wallingford Community Council (WCC) encourages residents to become more involved in neighborhood advocacy. This includes:

  • Following Legislation and Advocating: Participating in public hearings and assisting with the distribution of flyers to inform the community about the latest zoning proposals. 

Current Open Volunteer Roles:

  • Secretary: A volunteer is urgently needed to keep accurate minutes of the WCC’s monthly meetings until the board election in May.
  • WCC Gasworks Park Committee (2-3 Volunteers): We are looking for 2-3 people to help for a few hours this summer, especially those who live near Gasworks Park. Superintendent of Parks Diaz has praised the WCC’s work and expressed a desire to continue our partnership this summer.
  • Legislative Liaison: A volunteer is desirable to report on bills during the state legislative session (which runs through mid-March in 2026). This is important because Seattle taxpayers are often losing local control on legislation related to housing, transit, and encampments (e.g., HB1110, which mandated 4-6 units per lot).

How to Get Involved:

  • Volunteer: Contact pres@Wallingfordcc.org to express your interest in a role.
  • Membership: Annual memberships run from January-December. You can find membership information at Wallingfordcc.org.

📂 Resource Guide: Key Contacts

The transition to Mayor Katie Wilson in early January has resulted in many Department Head and City Council changes. We hope the comprehensive key resource guide from our last meeting notice will help facilitate your ability to connect with decision-makers at the city, state, and county levels.

The City Council is planning to form a Full Council Select Committee soon to review the proposed Phase 2 legislation. This new Comprehensive Plan Phase 2 Select Committee will establish a meeting schedule for the full Council, providing opportunities for community engagement with the city.

City of Seattle

  • Mayor: Katie Wilson contact website
  • City Council (D4 – Wallingford): Maritza Rivera | Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov 
  • City Council (D6 – Tangletown/North): Dan Strauss | Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov 
  • City Council (At-Large): Alexis Mercedes Rinck & Dionne Foster
  • Council@seattle.gov to email all council at once
  • Michael Hubner Long range Planning Manager   michael.hubner@seattle.gov 

Washington State (43rd District)

King County (District 4)

  • Councilmember Jorge Baron: jorge.baron@kingcounty.gov