Category Archives: Uncategorized

June WCC Newsletter: Zoning Updates, Waterways, Board Elections

Hello Neighbors,

Summer’s here, and hopefully you’re taking advantage of the glorious June weather and spending time outdoors!

Thank you for your continued support through membership renewals, meeting attendance, the May Election, and Waterway events. Since November, we’ve tracked zoning legislation in our newsletters. Our focus has been educating residents on the city’s zoning proposals, including zoning categories, maps, and differences between the state’s zoning mandate (HB1110) “ Middle Housing” and the Mayor’s Plan (30 neighborhood centers with proposed up zones along “frequent transit” arterials).

Zoning & Land Use – Updates

How will you weigh in with the Council on plans for future growth in Wallingford and the city as a whole this summer?

This summer, the City Council is prioritizing major decisions on future growth, particularly in Wallingford and citywide. A significant focus is on passing CB120993, legislation to comply with the state mandate (HB1110) allowing 4-6 units per lot on all 5,000 square foot lots across all neighborhoods. This will substantially increase housing capacity and density.

Between June and September, the Council will review, debate, and legislate the Comprehensive Plan CB120985, featuring new policies and Future Land Use Maps. This includes rezoning and converting all single-family lots to multi-family, completing Phase 1 of this process. The Full Council and select Committee Meetings will primarily focus on HB1110 and the Comprehensive Plan legislation, aiming for a final vote in September.

The Council will have a two-week break from August 16-30, then shift to budget work in October-November. They will resume Phase II of the Comprehensive Plan in December-January. The path forward is clear due to the dismissal of six EIS appeals in April, allowing the Council to concentrate on these key housing initiatives.

Mark your calendar for Monday June 23, the ONLY public hearing for HB1110 CB120993. 
Session I 9:30 remote, 
Session II 3:00 pm in person
Agenda Information
Public Comment Forms

Key Meeting This Friday, June 13th at 9:30 AM: An important meeting is scheduled featuring OPCD discussing the Mayor’s office proposal for CB120993. This proposal aims to enact permanent legislation for state compliance with HB1110. A recording will be available on seattlechannel.org for those who cannot attend live. The revised HB1110 will satisfy state regulations, permitting 4-6 units per lot, but it also introduces numerous additions not found in the initial state model. These supplementary components have lacked public clarity. Therefore, attending or viewing the June 13th meeting is essential to understand OPCD’s presentation to the council and gain specific details regarding these changes and additions.

Below is an updated full schedule for the May- September Select Committee Meetings. Any past meetings are recorded on seattlechannel.org filed under Select Committee Comprehensive Plans.  The Comprehensive Plan website has an overview, meeting timelines, and information how to sign up for public hearings. 

May: 

June:

  • Thursday, June 5 at 9:30: OPCD introduced to council their HB1110 permanent proposal for development standards (setbacks, height, FAR) over and above state requirements including both NR(neighborhood residential) zones and Lowrise zones. Michael Hubner, Comp Plan lead, showed slides on a previous Comp Plan presentation as a refresher. June 5 agenda with Comp Plan legislation and proposed center boundary maps.
  • Friday June 13 at 9:30:  Continued discussion of changes to NR, RSL (elimination) and LR zones (formerly single family) decisions to comply with the state mandate and add or change or amend.
  • Monday, June 23: Public Hearing: Public Comment & Registration, Agenda. We recommend you write, call or participate at this Public Hearing. See the City Council contact list below.

July-September: A focus on the Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan plan policies with Future Land Use Maps for ALL the types of centers ( regional, urban and neighborhood centers) boundaries

July: 

  • Friday, July 11 2pm: The council is set to finalize the boundaries for new neighborhood centers, a key component of the Mayor’s Plan. This includes the establishment of future land use map boundaries for urban and regional centers, alongside 30 newly designated neighborhood centers.
  • A contentious element of the Mayor’s plan is its “one size fits all” aspect.  There is significant debate surrounding this.  Will its scope remain unchanged? Will it be reduced? Will it be broadened? Or will it be eliminated entirely?  The ultimate result is yet to be determined.

August:

  • Monday, August 4, 9:30: Phase 1 Amendments to Comp Plan
  • August 16-30: No zoning meetings. Two week full council break.

A public hearing date for the Comprehensive Plan is currently unannounced. (Stay tuned for updates.)

September: 

  • Wednesday September 17th, 2:00 pm: TBD
  • Thursday September 18th, 9:30 am: TBD
  • Friday, September 19th, 2:00 pm: TBD, The Final Vote on Comp Plan is subject to change

October- November:

  • Council Meetings will be limited to Budget (No zoning meetings)

December-January 2026:

  • Phase II Zoning meetings for Council will then restart in December/January 2026

The Mayor’s Phase II Zoning proposal will soon unveil maps illustrating which arterial roads are slated for upzoning as part of the “frequent transit” initiative. This plan aims to increase density by permitting building heights of up to five stories or fifty feet along citywide streetscapes. In contrast, it also proposes a maximum height of thirty feet or three stories in areas previously designated for single-family housing near these arterials. However, the plan has faced criticism, particularly regarding the implementation of a uniform approach of Lowrise 3/five-story/fifty-foot heights.

In Wallingford, bus routes 31 and 32 are targeted to trigger 5-story upzones for lots next to arterials. This includes 40th Street (from I-5 to Wallingford, below 40th to Wallingford, and 35th to Stoneway). Additionally, the 62 bus route could potentially trigger 5-story upzones on Meridian Avenue from 50th to 56th Streets.

Background: In April, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzed capacity for 80,000 to 120,000 new housing units. Subsequently, the Mayor’s Plan suggested 330,000 units, which included establishing 30 new and expanded neighborhood centers and increasing zoning along arterials with frequent transit. This upzoning would permit buildings up to 5 stories or 50 feet, replacing the previous 3-story or 30-foot limit in areas formerly designated for single-family homes. Furthermore, House Bill 1110 is expected to boost city-wide housing potential and density by allowing 4-6 units per lot, potentially offering sufficient capacity for 10-20 years, a scenario already examined by the EIS independently.

References for Council Contacts on Summer Legislation 

  • Email City Council Members: council@seattle.gov 
  • OneSeattlePlan.zoning@seattle.gov 

Or contact them directly:

  • Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov
  • Joy Hollingsworth D3 Chair Select Committee Joy.Hollingsworth@seattle.gov 206 684 8803
  • Dan Strauss D6 Vice Chair N. of 50th Wallingford/Tangletown Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov 206 684 8806
  • Maritza Rivera D4 N.E Seattle Wallingford Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov 206 684 8804
  • Sara Nelson At Large Sara.Nelson@seattle.gov 206 684 8809
  • Alexis Mercedez Rinck At Large AlexisMercedez.Rink@seattle.gov 206 684 8808
  • Robert Kettle D7 Robert.Kettle@seattle.gov 206 684 8807
  • Cathy Moore D5 Cathy.Moore@seattle.gov 206 684 8805
  • Rob Saka D1 Rob.Saka@seattle.gov 206 684 8801 
  • Mark Soloman D2  Mark.Soloman@seattle.gov 

Wallingford Calls to Action can be accessed  with this link:
https://www.wallingfordcc.org/category/calls-to-action/

Wallingford Community Council (WCCC) Annual Meeting and Officer Elections 

The WCC held its Annual Meeting and Officer Elections on May 14, 2025, at 7 PM at Good Shepherd.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all board volunteers for their continued service, dedication, and commitment to the WCC for the 2025-2026 term.

Bonnie Williams – President)  
Jen Ring Perez – Vice President (New but a returning past president, thank you!)
Ted Hunter – Secretary
Mark JoHahnson – Treasurer (2 year term)
Margaret Holt – Board Member-At Large
Mary Hodder – Board Member-At Large
Matt Hallett – Board Member-At Large
Miranda Berner – Past President

Standing Committee Chairpersons:
Ted Hunter – Shorelines
Bonnie Williams – Land Use (With board assistance on zoning proposals)
Miranda Berner – Volunteer Coordinator 

Waterway Walk May 31 hosted by WCC

The annual Waterway Walk, held on May 31st, invites neighbors to discover public access points to Lake Union. This year’s event, led by Shorelines Committee Chair Ted Hunter, was fortunate to be rain-free. Planners Miranda Berner and Margaret Holt also participated, joining attendees in exploring these access locations firsthand.

Council member Dan Strauss hosts a Town Hall Wednesday, June 18th 

Wallingford has two district representatives. Dan Strauss above 50th and Maritza Rivera D4 below 50th.

Dan Strauss will host a District 6 town hall on Wednesday, June 18, offering residents the opportunity to connect directly and discuss neighborhood priorities, city initiatives, and community concerns.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Magnolia Branch of the Seattle Public Library, located at 2801 34th Ave. W.

Community members are encouraged to attend and bring their questions or feedback on topics affecting District 6, which includes Ballard, Fremont, Green Lake, and surrounding neighborhoods. You can rsvp here. Please send questions ahead of time and sign up.

Thank you and have a great June & July!

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making Wallingford a thriving community. 

Warm regards,
The Wallingford Community Council

May WCC – “Land Use & Zoning” – News, Updates & Events

The Wallingford Community Council has been reporting monthly via newsletters and meetings on the progress of major land use changes impacting our neighborhood. We continue to actively monitor the state’s HB1110 “Middle Housing” legislation, which increases allowable density to 4-6 units on formerly single-family lots.

This is a special post to focus on this one “Land Use” topic. 

Why This Matters: The HB1110 legislation will significantly increase allowable building heights, lot coverage, and housing density citywide, including Wallingford’s traditional single-family areas. MHA fees, changes to Lowrise 1, 2, 3 and affordable housing provisions, and environmental impacts remain critical areas of concern.

Update on the city’s “Select Committee” review of HB1110 Interim Legislation (Council Bill 120969)

Initial opposition to the Mayor’s rezone proposals led to six appeals being filed against the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in February 2025, which paused the review of the neighborhood map rezones and use March through  May meetings to finalize HB1110 by June. The City’s Hearing Examiner dismissed the six appeals this April on technicalities.

Upcoming “Select Committee” Meetings & Public Hearing on May 19th:

  • May 7, 2:00 PM: Discussion of Council member proposed amendments on HB1110
  • Monday, May 19, 9:30 AM Session I, 4:00 PM – City Hall, 600 4th Avenue
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2:00 PM: Select Committee Votes to finalize details of HB1110 development standards
  • Tuesday, May 27, 2:00 PM: Full Council Vote on HB1110 interim legislation 120969

Recent “Select Committee” Meetings:

  • March 19: Introduction to HB1110 requirements
  • March 28: Debate on Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) fees — the Mayor’s office proposed no MHA fees for developers in Neighborhood Residential zones.
  • April 16: Presentation on proposed development standards for setbacks, heights, and Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
  • April 30: Urban Forestry Commission presentation ( Mayor’s Office) 

Looking Ahead: What’s Next 

After the passage of Interim Legislation 120969, the Council will begin summer 2025:

  • Replace Interim Legislation with Permanent HB1110 Final Legislation (Phase 1)
  • Review and update Comprehensive Plan policies, growth strategies, and Future Land Use Maps
  • Address zoning map  changes in Neighborhood Centers, Urban Centers, and transit corridors (Phase 2)

Want to Share Your Voice with the City Council? 

We encourage you to continue to write, call, or sign up to make comments remotely at any Select Committee meeting in the next few months.

Or contact them directly:

Stay engaged! The next several months will be critical for shaping Wallingford’s future. We encourage residents to get involved! Please visit wallingfordcc.org/contact to send us your information. We will follow up with ways to get involved.

The next several months will be critical for shaping Wallingford’s future. We encourage residents to get involved! Please visit wallingfordcc.org/contact to send us your information. We will follow up with ways to get involved.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making Wallingford a thriving community. 

April WCC Meeting 7-9 pm: Zoning Proposals, FEIS Appeals, Q&A, Memberships

Dear Wallingford Neighbors,
Spring is here, and with it comes renewed opportunities for civic engagement and neighborhood advocacy. We’d like to invite you to stay informed and get involved as Seattle continues its planning process for housing and zoning changes that will shape Wallingford for years to come. Below are key updates and Save the Dates for our upcoming WCC general meeting and May Board Election meeting.
SAVE THE DATE: The Next WCC Meeting is April 2, from 7-9 PMWallingford Community Council – General Meeting 
Date: Wednesday. April 2, 2025 
Time: 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Location: Good Shepherd Center Room 202 at 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North (Free parking on site)

Join us for an informative session on the state-mandated HB1110, the “Middle Housing” legislation. We’ll delve into its direct impact on Wallingford and its surrounding neighborhoods. The meeting will feature a presentation and an open Q&A session, where we’ll explore the legislation’s requirements for the city to permit 4-6 units on previously single-family lots outside the urban village in NR or neighborhood residential zones.

The city has a June deadline to comply in passing the HB1110 state-mandated legislation. We will present some key slides from the Select Committee/City Council’s March 19 and 28 presentations. We will highlight information property owners need to know.

We will have  Wallingford Maps to check to see if your formerly single-family lot outside the urban village is designated NR and where HB1110 will be applied. 

There are three categories of NR zoning:
* NR3 = 5,000 square foot lots
* NR2 = 7,200 square foot lots
* NR1 = 9,600 square foot lots.

RSL Residential Small lot designations west of Stoneway are being replaced by Lowrise 1 zones for several blocks.

WHAT’S NEW

“Select Committee” shifts focus from the 2044 Comprehensive Plan ( Mayor’s rezone plans) to the State’s HB1110 legislation through late May

The recent filing of the six appeals challenging the validity of the FEIS ( Final Environmental Impact Study) forced City Council to postpone working on the Comprehensive Plan policies and Mayor Harrel’s plan on citywide rezones until the appeals are resolved in hearings before the city’s hearing examiner from April 28 to late May. The Wallingford CC did not file an appeal. 

Here is the link to look at details of the appeals challenging the FEIS by appeal sponsors: https://web6.seattle.gov/Examiner/casesearch?fid=0&sval=w-25 

All Select Committee meeting times listed are during the day so if you miss watching live use the link www.seattlechannel.org to find the recording of any Select Committee meeting listed below.

Pre-register to be able to make public comments either in person or remotely by signing up here.

Revised Select Committee Schedule:
* Wednesday, March 19 2:00 pm HB1110 meeting state requirements. Link to recorded meeting: https://www.seattlechannel.org/mayor-and-council/city-council/select-committee-on-the-comprehensive-plan
* Friday, March 28 9:30 am: Proposed interim legislation and Mayor’s office on HB1110 (no public comment today)
* Wednesday, April 16th 2:00 pm: HB 1110 an interim legislation
* Wednesday, April 30th – 2:00 pm: Discussion of key issues
* Wednesday, May 7th – 2:00 pm: Possible amendments 
* TBA date for May public hearing on HB1110 and interim legislation
* Wednesday, May 21st – 2:00 pm: Committee vote on legislation
* (Tentative date) May 27th – 2:00 pm: Council vote on legislation 

All the meetings will be located in City Council Chambers 600 4th Avenue Seattle, 98104. 

We encourage you to continue to write, call, or sign up to make comments remotely at any Select Committee meeting in the next few months. 

Email all city council: at council@seattle.gov or contact them directly by phone with your concerns.
* Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov
* OneSeattlePlan.zoning@seattle.gov
* Joy Hollingsworth D3 Chair Select Committee Joy.Hollingsworth@seattle.gov 206 684 8803
* Dan Strauss D6 Vice Chair N. of 50th Wallingford/Tangletown Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov 206 684 8806
* Maritza Rivera D4 N.E Seattle Wallingford Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov 206 684 8804
* Sara Nelson At Large Sara.Nelson@seattle.gov 206 684 8809
* Alexis Mercedez Rinck At Large AlexisMercedez.Rink@seattle.gov 206 684 8808
* Robert Kettle D7 Robert.Kettle@seattle.gov 206 684 8807
* Cathy Moore D5 Cathy.Moore@seattle.gov 206 684 8805
* Rob Saka D1 Rob.Saka@seattle.gov 206 684 8801
* Mark Soloman D2  Mark.Soloman@seattle.gov 

OTHER RESOURCES
* June to Sept – The Timeline for the council to resume review of Comp Plan legislation/Mayor’s Plan and release of revised zoning maps is postponed through at least the end of May
* Zoning Proposal Maps: https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/
* OPCD Project Documents / Mayor’s Recommended Growth Strategy (2024). This contains the Draft Plan and other key related documents. The FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Study) was just released on Jan 30, 2025. FEIS ( Final Environmental Impact Study. This document released in late January is 1,300 pages. If you are interested in downloading it, here is the link: https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govde
Join or renew your Wallingford Community Council Membership for 2025 online at wallingfordcc.org

SAVE THE DATE
Wallingford Community Council Annual Membership Meeting for Election of Board
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM (Member check-in for voting eligibility will be at 6:30 PM
Location: Chapel (The top floor of the Good Shepherd at 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North)
Featured Speaker: Jorge Baron D4 representative on the King County Regional Council. (About Jorge Baron)

If you would like to be considered for nomination to a board member position, please send a message describing your interest and past level of involvement with the neighborhood and WCC to communications@wallingfordcc.org by April 20. Elected officers are President, Vice President, Secretary, and three board members “at large”. The current Treasurer is serving one more year of a two-year term.

Here is a chance to show your support of the work of the Wallingford Community Council and their advocacy for the neighborhood by joining or renewing your WCC membership online today at wallingfordcc.org. You must reside in Wallingford, own a property, or manage a business within the boundary of the neighborhood to be a member to vote in May for the board renew by April 30.

Annual dues are as follows: 
* Family Membership: $25.00
* Individual Membership: $15.00
* Senior Member: $10.00
* Business: $100

Your annual membership fee runs from January to December each year.

The Wallingford Community Council meetings and newsletters from September to the present have kept you informed about important issues. Topics have included the transportation levy, the relationship between property taxes and rezoning, and citywide rezoning plans, specifically for Wallingford.

Join or Renew Today!
RECAP: February 12 Wallingford CC meeting
Residents were able to be heard and many voiced concerns and recommendations about rezone proposals for Wallingford directly to Maritza Rivera D4 City Council person, Michael Hubner Long Range Planning Manager Comp Plan and Rico Quinindongo Director OPCD. It was a full house and a great opportunity to provide feedback on rezoning proposals. 
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making Wallingford a thriving community. 

Mar 5 WCC Meeting 7-9 pm: Zoning Proposals, FEIS Appeals, Q&A, Memberships

The Wallingford Community Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 5th, from 7-9 pm. The meeting will cover updates on City Council Zoning Proposals and Select Committee February meetings. It will also detail the six appeals filed to challenge the FEIS’s validity. There will be a Q&A session on the city’s Wallingford rezone maps, a reminder to join or renew Wallingford Community Council memberships for 2025, and information about volunteer opportunities.

The City Council’s Select Committee is currently paused, awaiting the outcome of six appeals challenging the Final Environmental Impact Study (FEIS), which was released on January 29, 2025. The appeals were filed within the 14-day window in mid-February and will be heard by the City’s Hearing Examiner.

The Select Committee/City Council must resolve these appeals before voting on legislation within the One Seattle Zoning Plan, including the HB1110 state plan, the Mayor’s Plan, and the Comprehensive Plan. Although the Council may continue Select Committee discussions, the appeals likely prevent them from voting on legislation as previously scheduled.
March, April, and May Select Committee meetings are awaiting rescheduled dates.  The Wallingford Community Council did not join any appeal on the FEIS.
SAVE THE DATE: The Next WCC Meeting is Wednesday, March 5, from 7-9 PMWallingford Community Council Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Room 202, Good Shepherd Center (4659 Sunnyside Ave. N.)

The FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Study) was just released on Jan 30, 2025. There was only a two-week appeal period. This document is 1300 pages if you are interested in downloading it, here is the link: https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
  
Here is the link to look at details of the appeals challenging the FEIS by appeal sponsors: https://web6.seattle.gov/Examiner/casesearch?fid=0&sval=w-25

We recommend reading the talking points about the impacts of rezoning for upcoming Select Committee meetings and public hearings on the Comprehensive Plan 2044 Wallingford Community Council’s “One Seattle Plan-Call to Action”. https://www.wallingfordcc.org/2024/12/14/call-to-action-the-city-needs-to-hear-from-you-on-one-seattle-plan/
 
Join or renew your Wallingford Community Council Membership for 2025 online at wallingfordcc.orgJoin or renew your Wallingford Community Council membership for 2025 online today! Your annual membership fee supports our primary fundraising efforts and helps sustain our operations throughout the year (January- December). As a member, you’ll stay informed about current issues, meet new friends, and give back to your neighborhood. You’ll also receive our emailed newsletter and have the opportunity to participate in Wallingford Council initiatives that shape our neighborhood’s future on a local, citywide, and statewide level.

This year, we’re focusing on outreach and educational information about the city’s rezone plans. Our all-volunteer board members work on concerns voiced by neighborhood residents and businesses. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to vote in the mid-May Annual Election Meeting for 2025-26 board officers – you must join by April 25th to be eligible.

Annual dues are as follows: Family Membership $25.00, Individual Membership $15.00, Senior Member $10.00, Business $100.00.

Key Criteria: You must be an active part of Wallingford to join as a voting member. (You have to either reside, own a property, or manage a business, in Wallingford).You must join or renew by April 25 to vote in the mid-May election.Join or Renew Today!
Volunteer to be a “Friend of Wallingford Council” to offer occasional helping hands If you would like to help us out during a demanding year of challenges with rezoning proposals for Wallingford, please give your contact information to any of the board members to be a “Friend of Wallingford Council”. This means we would contact you for occasional tasks such as distributing informational flyers about special meetings, graphics, or extra hands at meetings or special events, such as greeting people at the door. Give us your contact information at the next WCC meeting or sign up to volunteer online!
Gasworks Park Project Needs Volunteer with Excel or Numbers SkillsIn 2024, the city permitted special private weekend music concerts/events at Gasworks Park, accommodating up to 10,000 people per event. These events are expected to continue in 2025.  We need help creating a calendar or graph of permitted events to ensure sponsors meet contractual obligations for allowed usages (e.g., displaying permits) and that the public retains access to Gasworks during peak weeks of public demands for park access.

If you have a few hours and Excel or Numbers skills to help with this project, please email hodder@gmail.com.
 
Key Topic for 2025: The City Council/Select Committee now focuses on the Public Process for the Comp Plan 2044 and Re-zoning Legislation. The City Council’s Select Committee, consisting of all nine City Council members, began discussions on January 6th regarding the 2044 Comprehensive Plan and the One Seattle Plan. The Council is responsible for making final decisions on the Comp Plan legislation, the HB1110 Middle Housing state mandate (passed in 2023), and the Mayor’s additional rezone map proposals.

Select Committee meeting dates and times for public participation in Phase 1 legislation (through May 2025) are subject to change due to appeals filed on the FEIS. The state deadline for the city to adopt HB1110 legislation is June. 

All Select Committee meetings can be seen live at the time of the meeting or recordings are made available on the Seattle Channel shortly after the meeting ends. (Link: https://www.seattlechannel.org/mayor-and-council/city-council/select-committee-on-the-comprehensive-plan)Jan. 6 “Comprehensive Plan Overview”Jan. 15: “Growth Strategy Overview & Phase 1 Zoning Preview”Jan. 29: “Select Committee key Topic ‘Displacement’”Feb. 5 “Public Hearing on rezone plans” 5 hours of neighborhood commentsFeb. 19 “Special meeting from City Departments on Infrastructure Needs”Refer here for the full City Council Select Committee Schedule.

Only two more Public Hearings are planned through May!

Please review the Wallingford Community Council’s “One Seattle Plan-Call to Action” page for more details and talking points. 

The Select Committee meeting schedule below is now subject to change due to the appeals filed on the FEIS

Comprehensive Plan reference for March, April, and May meetings:https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OPCD/SeattlePlan/OneSeattleComprehensivePlan.pdfWednesday, March 5th – “Comp Plan Issue ID Part I”Wednesday March 12 Comp Plan Amendments due sponsored by a council personWednesday, March 19th – “Comp Plan Issue ID Part II”April 2,16,( April 30 Public Hearing Comp Plan and Zoning)May 16 Public Hearing, May 22,23May 29th – Final Vote on Phase I – Meeting the state requirements for HB1110June to Sept – “Phase 2 zoning legislation”Other Resources: Zoning Proposal Maps: https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/ OPCD Project Documents / Mayor’s Recommended Growth Strategy (2024). This contains the Draft Plan and other key related documents. Essential WCC November / December – Meeting Information on One Seattle Plan and Rezone Maps Attached and Major Impacts explaining the 5 story plan on Bus Arterials for Wallingford 

On October 16, 2024, the city released online maps with the locations of “NR” (Neighborhood Residential) zones where formerly single-family lots outside urban villages will be converted to denser multi-family 5,000 square foot lots allowing 4-6 units per lot as required in the state-mandated legislation HB1110. Four units are now allowed in all designated NR zones, but six units are allowed ¼ mile from major transit (rapid ride or light rail). 

OPCD provided opportunities to comment on online maps using social media and held open houses for each city council district, distributed paper maps for neighborhoods, and closed public comment in December 2024. 

At our meetings, we demonstrated how you can use the online maps to show current and proposed zoning for individual properties by address. We also distributed maps showing proposed rezone locations and differences in the lowrise and NR zones, including heights, setbacks, and far, lot coverage for each of the zone changes.

WCC’s November presentation explained the details of the Mayor’s plan which is additional and separate from the state plan. The Mayor’s rezone proposals include expansions of 30 Neighborhood Centers and conversions of thousands of single-family lots to multi-family surrounding the 30 Neighborhood Centers citywide increasing bulk, height, and scale. In addition, the Mayor’s proposal proposes to rezone single-family lots facing arterials city-wide on the bus routes for “frequent transit” from “single-family lowrise” to 5 stories. The public comments received on the rezone maps through December 20 will be compiled and shared this coming spring 2025.

The Comp Plan housing growth target from April 2024 set a target of 80,000 to 120,000 housing units. The FEIS ( Final Environmental Impact Study) just released studied the 80k to 120k impacts for that housing growth target. The Mayor’s plan released on Oct. 16, 2024, surpasses the Comp Plan housing growth target by increasing housing unit growth to 330,000 housing units. 

The public comments during the Select Committee hearings for the next several months will be considered before the second set of rezone maps are prepared by OPCD and released in May 2025. The vote on revised maps will follow. Michael Hubner, Director for the Comp Plan said “he guarantees there will be changes on the revisions of rezone maps.

Major Wallingford Impacts

Ask the city to reduce heights in the Mayor’s frequent transit plan from “Lowrise 3” 5-story/50-foot buildings to more compatible heights of “NR” (4-6 units per lot 30 height) or “Lowrise 1” (30 feet) along arterials in Wallingford of routes 62, 31, 32.Let us consider the residents who want to stay in their neighborhoods and the potential displacement here. Many blocks of the formerly single-family zoned lots located along these bus routes in Wallingford have naturally affordable older homes. Many homes are family-sized rentals, including duplexes, triplexes, small apartments, and businesses. 

The Mayor’s plan is proposing city-wide upzoning on all “frequent transit “arterial facing streets encouraging demolitions, not rehabilitation. These proposed high unit capacity zone proposals at LR3 allow 5-story/50-foot buildings to offer more built-in profitability for developers and will likely accelerate demolitions. This can displace and force out occupants of all ages, races, and incomes who reside in these homes facing arterials citywide. Rezoning for greater unit capacity and jumping to the highest residential zones can increase land values and property taxes for homeowners, renters, businesses, and those on fixed incomes who simply can not keep up with these increases. Assessors base property values on market sales on “highest and best use”. That means you can have property tax increased on the rezoned potential capacity of your lot even though you choose not to redevelop it.

The 5-story city-wide plan for rezones citywide along “frequent transit” bus routes….Lack of nuances of various neighborhood street considerationsOver-reliance on the city’s online website and absence of  direct outreach by the city to neighborhoodsLack of consideration of context and existing heightsCreate corridor and canyon effects, reduce access to light and airShadow neighboring homes, devaluing investments in solar panelsCreate a loss of trees with an increase in lot coverage from 35% to 50%. Decrease front setbacks for larger tree retention and plantingCreate a scarcity of amenities like parks, libraries, and grocery stores for increased populations.Lack of mitigations for traffic, parking congestion Overall, a very weak plan for truly affordable housing Loss of older “naturally affordable “ small duplexes, triplexes, small apartmentsDisplacement of those who cannot keep up with higher property taxes as a result of rezones
A win/win can be achieved with either an NR designation (Hb 1110 4-6 units per 5,000 sq. foot lot) or a Lowrise One zoning designation both blending in with existing heights of 30-foot maximum in the context of older neighborhoods instead of such a height jump to 50 feet to large 5 story buildings on the bus route arterials described below. NR zones 4-6 units per lot or Lowrise one zones increase unit housing capacity and density at heights, but are more compatible with the existing context of these blocks.

Ask the council about revisiting and implementing impact fees for parks, fire, schools and roads instead of more levies which could help reduce property taxes.  Many other municipalities outside of Seattle collect impact fees for infrastructure.

Ask for reduced heights from LR3 /5 story /50 feet zoning proposed to NR or LR One /3 story/ 30 feet zoning for residents of these specific streets impacts for arterials on Wallingford bus routes 62, 31,32.Route 62 proposes to upzone properties to Lowrise LR3/5 stories, 50-foot buildings along Meridian north/south from 50th- 56th Routes 31 & 32 propose to upzone properties to LR 3 5 stories, 50-foot buildings along 40th east/west from UW to WallingfordRoutes 31 & 32 arrive at the 40th and Wallingford intersection then travel south on Wallingford to 35th Routes 31 & 32 at 35th and Wallingford intersection the bus travels west/east to Fremont Ave



(Click here for larger versions of the Wallingford Impacted Areas as seen above) 
 
Email all city council: at council@seattle.gov or contact them directly by phone with your concerns.