Category Archives: Calls to Action

WCC June 3 Meeting Reminder — Comp Plan Update & Two Bills to Watch

📝 A Note from the President

Hello, Wallingford! I’m honored to have been elected President of the Council for the 2026–2027 term. I’m grateful to Bonnie Williams for her years of capable leadership, and I look forward to building on her work — advancing our initiatives, expanding our voice at City Hall, and deepening community ties for everyone who lives here, between the lake and the lake, from the freeway to the speedway.

Please join us on Wednesday, June 3 to meet the new board, and to get the latest on the Comprehensive Plan Phase 2 “Centers and Corridors” rezoning proposals. With the final Public Hearing set for July 23, the window to make your voice heard is closing — come learn how to use it.

— Alexis Chartouni, President

📅 Reminder: WCC Monthly Meeting — Wednesday, June 3

Wednesday, June 3 · 7:00 PM
Room 202, Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N)
Topic: Phase 2 “Corridors and Centers” map update, ahead of the July 23 Public Hearing.

🏙️ Comp Plan Phase 2: Where Things Stand

The City Council is finishing its review of the Phase 2 “Centers and Corridors” rezone maps. The proposals — first released as online maps in October 2024 — would change zoning for thousands of individual lots citywide, including many along Wallingford’s frequent-transit corridors (the #31/#32 and #62 bus routes) and within the new Tangletown Neighborhood Center. The June 3 meeting will cover the latest from the Council’s May 14 committee session (the May 28 session was canceled) and how to weigh in before the hearing.

Public Hearing: Thursday, July 23 · 9:30 AM (morning & afternoon sessions)
Committee review: Thursday, July 30 · 9:30 AM
Possible final Council vote: Wednesday, August 5

Full background is in our May 2026 newsletter. Check your property’s proposed zoning on the One Seattle Plan zoning map. Council contacts and how to comment: seattle.gov comprehensive plan.

⚠️ Two Bills to Watch — Limited Time to Comment

Two related zoning bills are moving quickly, with little time for public input:

CB 121196 — “Housing Opportunities.” Would allow significant building-height increases and spot rezones in several areas, including Fremont/Stone Way, Belltown, Downtown, the U District, Madison-Miller, and Rainier Beach. The Land Use & Sustainability Committee voted on May 20 to advance it to the full Council, with a vote expected June 2.

CB 121215 — rescission of SEPA appeal rights to the City Hearing Examiner. Would exempt the environmental reviews (EIS) tied to Comprehensive Plans, Comp Plan amendments, area-wide rezones, and zoning-code amendments from appeals to the City Hearing Examiner — removing the public’s main formal way to challenge an inadequate environmental impact study. A Land Use Committee public hearing is set for Tuesday, July 1, with chances to comment on June 3 and June 17 (9:30 AM, Land Use Committee).

Make your voice heard. Email your councilmember — for Wallingford, District 4’s Maritza Rivera (maritza.rivera@seattle.gov); for Tangletown and South Green Lake, District 6’s Dan Strauss (dan.strauss@seattle.gov) — along with Land Use Chair Eddie Lin (Eddie.Lin@seattle.gov) and Mayor Wilson (mayor@seattle.gov) to oppose removing the public’s right to appeal environmental reviews (CB 121215).

🗓️ Save the Date: Annual Waterway Walk — Sunday, June 14

Sunday, June 14 · 2:00 PM
Meet at the Wallingford Steps (south end of Wallingford Ave N, across from Gas Works Park)
~1-hour tour of the waterways along the north shore of Lake Union. Optional happy hour after at Ivar’s Salmon House.

💧 Waterway 20 Update

On Tuesday, May 26, WCC held Waterway 20 Community Meeting #2 at Ivar’s Salmon House, continuing the push to reopen Waterway 20 to public access on Lake Union. Slides from the April 8 and May 26 meetings are on our Shoreline & Environment page. Questions or want to get involved? Contact Shoreline Committee Chair Ted Hunter (shorelines@wallingfordcc.org).

🌿 Join or Renew Your Membership

Membership keeps WCC independent and effective. Join or renew at wallingfordcc.org.

See you Wednesday, June 3 at 7 PM, Room 202, Good Shepherd Center.

TODAY: Help Reopen Waterway 20 — Community Meeting at Ivar’s Salmon House (4 PM)

💧 TODAY: Waterway 20 Community Meeting — 4 PM at Ivar’s Salmon House

The WCC is hosting the 2nd community meeting on reopening public access to Waterway 20 on Lake Union’s north shore. We need your input!

📅 Tuesday, May 26, 2026 · 4:00 – 5:30 PM
📍 Ivar’s Salmon House · 401 NE Northlake Way, Seattle

On the west side of Gas Works Park, a public waterway has been closed for decades — that’s about to change! This Lake Union access point is in the final stages of environmental cleanup, but Waterway 20 cannot be reopened without public input.

Whether you kayak, paddle, sail, or just want more public green space and recreational access to Lake Union — your voice matters. Come learn about the cleanup progress, share your ideas for the future of this waterfront space, and help shape what comes next.

📂 Resources

WCC Shorelines & Waterways Page — full background, maps, and committee info
April 8 Community Presentation — slides from the first meeting
Take the Waterway 20 Survey — share your ideas for public access
WA Ecology Site Updates — environmental cleanup status

* Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Shoreline & Waterways Committee Chair: Ted Hunter
Questions? communications@wallingfordcc.org

Help Shape the Future of Waterway 20 — Take the Community Survey

Your input matters! The Wallingford Community Council is working with the State of Washington to expand public access to Lake Union at Waterway 20, just west of Gas Works Park. We want to hear from you about how this space should serve the community.

Take a few minutes to fill out the Waterway 20 Community Survey and help shape the future of our waterfront. Whether you kayak, paddle board, walk the shoreline, or just want more green space — we want to hear from you.

Take the Survey Now

Want to learn more about Wallingford’s shoreline initiatives and how we got here? Visit our Shorelines page for background on Waterway 20, the history of Lake Union’s public waterways, and how to get involved with the Shoreline Committee.

This Wednesday: Waterway 20 Kickoff at Gasworks Brewing — Help Reopen Lake Union Access

⚠️ Date Correction: An earlier version of this announcement listed the wrong day. The Waterway 20 kickoff is Wednesday, April 8 — not Thursday, April 9. We apologize for the confusion!

💧 This Wednesday — Waterway 20 Kickoff!

Hi Neighbors,

There’s a stretch of Lake Union shoreline on the west side of Gas Works Park in Wallingford that’s been closed to the public for decades — fenced off and awaiting environmental cleanup — that most people don’t even know about. That’s about to change!

The Wallingford Community Council has been awarded a 2-year grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to bring the community into the investigation and cleanup of Waterway 20 — and to chart a path toward reopening public access to this priceless public waterfront.

Join us for the kickoff meeting to learn where things stand now, what’s planned for next steps, and how you can shape the outcome of this site.

📅 Wednesday, April 8, 2026

🕖 7:00 – 8:30 PM

📍 Gasworks Brewing
2441 N Northlake Way (Waterway 17)

This is the first of two public meetings this year. Your voice is needed as a part of the grant — literally! Come be heard. The future of Lake Union is calling you!

See you Wednesday!
— Wallingford Community Council, Shorelines Committee

We Want Housing That Works for Families — City Council Needs to Hear From You

Growing Our Neighborhoods — and Getting It Right

What proposed zoning near Neighborhood Centers & Transit Corridors could mean for Wallingford & Tangletown

Seattle is growing, and neighbors broadly agree: we need more housing.

But the decisions being made now will shape what kind of housing gets built — and whether Seattle continues to support family‑sized homes alongside studios and one‑bedroom apartments.

Why family‑sized housing must be part of the plan

Many neighbors support adding housing, including increased density near transit and shops. What’s missing from current proposals is a clear commitment to encouraging family‑sized housing — both rental and ownership.

No requirements or incentives for family‑sized homes in proposed Lowrise 3 (LR3) zoning
LR3 zoning most often results in studios and one‑bedroom units, because these maximize financial return under unlimited density
When zoning strongly favors small units and removes limits on unit count, larger homes with multiple bedrooms are less likely to be built

Seattle invests heavily in schools, parks, libraries, and neighborhood amenities. Residents want zoning choices that align with those investments by making room for households with children and multi‑generational families — not just smaller households.

What’s already been approved — Phase 1

On December 16, 2025, Seattle City Council passed CB 120993, permanently implementing Washington State’s HB 1110 Middle Housing law as Phase 1 of the One Seattle Plan.

This already added substantial housing capacity across Neighborhood Residential (NR) zones (formerly “single‑family”):

4–6 homes on most residential lots
Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, cottage housing, and stacked flats
Increased flexibility near major transit
Subdivision options that allow ownership or shared land ownership

Seattle already has citywide opportunities for modest‑scale, family‑oriented housing growth.

What’s being decided now — Phase 2

City Council is now considering Phase 2 zoning legislation (March 19 – June 18, 2026) focused on:

Neighborhood Centers (30 citywide)
Frequent transit corridors
Expanded Lowrise and Neighborhood Commercial zoning

Two public hearings:

Monday, April 6
Thursday, May 29

Why Wallingford & Tangletown neighbors are concerned

Wallingford transit corridors

Along frequent bus routes 31, 32, and 62, proposals would rezone over 30 blocks of current Neighborhood Residential streets currently zoned NR — those facing Meridian Ave N, N 40th Street, Wallingford Ave N, and N 35th Street — from NR to Lowrise 3 (LR3) zoning.

These blocks currently support 1–2 story homes, duplexes, small 2–3 story apartments, courtyard‑scale housing, and sixplexes. Under proposed LR3 zoning, these same lots could be redeveloped with:

5‑story apartment buildings
No limit on number of units
80% lot coverage
5‑foot front setbacks

The concern is that existing family‑sized homes and apartments could be replaced with predominantly studio and one‑bedroom units, without encouraging 3-4 bedroom units, reducing opportunities for families to live along these corridors.

Tangletown Neighborhood Center

In Tangletown, Phase 2 proposals would:

Eliminate all Neighborhood Residential zoning within the proposed Neighborhood Center
Rezone roughly 400 residential lots from NR to LR3
Allow 5‑story buildings adjacent to 1–2 story homes
Remove unit caps and significantly reduce shared outdoor space

The result could be the loss of existing family‑sized housing without creating comparable family‑friendly replacements.

This isn’t about saying “no” to growth

It’s about aligning growth with community needs. Residents across Wallingford and Tangletown support more housing near shops and transit, reducing sprawl and car dependence, and welcoming new residents citywide.

What they’re asking for is intentional zoning that supports both smaller households and families, rather than zoning that strongly encourages studios and one‑bedroom apartments by allowing unlimited units per lot to maximize building yield.

Is there a middle path? Yes.

Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning offers a balanced approach — designed to add housing while supporting everyday neighborhood life:

Encourages stacked flats and family‑sized homes
Allows 3–4 story buildings (height cap at 3 stories, with a stacked‑flat exception up to 42 feet / approx. 4 stories)
Maintains front setbacks and 50% lot coverage for daylight, trees, gardens, and social space
Includes unit caps, making family‑sized homes more feasible
Supports growth while keeping neighborhoods welcoming and livable

Community members support retaining NR zoning in Neighborhood Centers like Tangletown and along neighborhood‑scale transit corridors where buildings are currently 1–3 stories. This approach allows Seattle to add homes without losing family‑friendly housing choices.

Why speak up

These decisions are being made now. Hearing from residents who support housing growth thoughtfully helps the City Council make better choices.

A short email, phone call, or public comment makes a difference!

How to make your voice heard

1. Show up

Attend the Monday, April 6 City Council meeting at City Hall and sign up to speak.

Online public comment sign-up begins at 8:30 AM
In-person public comment starts at 2 PM and typically runs past 6:30 PM
Arrive as early as you can to get in line for public comment

2. Email and call your councilmember

Emails matter — as do phone calls. Share your street and your story. We recommend CC’ing all of City Council and the Mayor.

District / Seat	Name	Email	Phone
District 4 — Wallingford	Maritza Rivera	Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov	(206) 684‑8804
District 6 — Tangletown	Dan Strauss	Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov	(206) 684‑8806
Citywide Position 8	Alexis Mercedes Rinck	AlexisMercedes.Rinck@seattle.gov	(206) 684‑8808
Citywide Position 9	Dionne Foster	dionne.foster@seattle.gov	(206) 684‑8809
All Council Members		council@seattle.gov

Mayor Katie Wilson: Contact form | (206) 684‑4000

3. Share this message with your neighbors

Post this on your block’s message board. Forward it. Hand it to a neighbor.

Suggested message to send to elected officials

Feel free to personalize this — even a few sentences in your own words make a stronger impact than a form letter.

Subject: Support Family‑Friendly Housing in Neighborhood Centers & Corridors

Dear Councilmember [Last Name],

I am a resident of Wallingford, and I’m writing about the proposed zoning changes in Neighborhood Centers and along corridors like Meridian Avenue N, N 40th Street, Wallingford Avenue N, and N 35th Street.

I support building more housing in Seattle, including near neighborhood‑serving business districts. The question is what kind of housing gets built, where, and at what scale — especially now that state law already creates substantial opportunities for new homes citywide. I want our neighborhoods to remain welcoming to both current residents and the next generation of families.

Family‑sized homes, including family‑sized rental homes, are increasingly hard to find in Seattle. Without intentional zoning, families can be priced out — even though access to Seattle’s schools, parks, and neighborhood amenities is a major reason families want to live here.

I’m concerned that the proposed expansion of Lowrise 3 (LR3) zoning extends beyond Neighborhood Center cores into surrounding residential streets, while not requiring or encouraging family‑sized homes, meaningful front setbacks, or gradual height transitions. LR3 zoning allows 5‑story buildings, up to 80% lot coverage, 5‑foot front setbacks, and no limits on units per lot — which strongly incentivizes studios and one‑bedroom units, and results in open space being pushed to private rooftop decks instead of shared, street‑level green space.

I encourage the Council to consider a more balanced approach by prioritizing Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning in and around Neighborhood Centers and along neighborhood‑scale corridors. NR zoning already allows 4–6 homes per lot, encourages stacked flats and family‑sized units, and preserves setbacks for daylight, trees, and shared outdoor space.

Seattle can add housing and remain a place where families can live, grow, and stay. Thank you for considering this perspective.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or Neighborhood]