Property Tax, Zoning & Levies with King County Tax Assessor on 9/25

Stay Engaged: Property Taxes, City Council Candidates, and Key Neighborhood News

We have several important updates and events coming up that we want to share with you, including a live discussion on property taxes with the King County Tax Assessor, a Seattle City Council candidate forum, and key information on the upcoming Transportation Levy.

These meetings are valuable opportunities to engage with issues that will directly impact our neighborhood and city. Please mark your calendars and join us in shaping the future of Wallingford!

1) NEXT WEEK: September WCC Meeting on Wed, 9/25 – Property Tax Impacts Discussion

  • Agenda: The WCC is hosting a live discussion on property taxes with King County Tax Assessor, John Wilson. Learn about how changes in state and city zoning, as well as new levies, might impact your property taxes. Ask questions and engage directly with King County.

2) SAVE THE DATE: “Seattle City Council Candidate Forum”  Tuesday, Sept. 24th with the Fremont Neighborhood Council.

  • Agenda: The Fremont Neighborhood Council President, Tim Kitchen, is inviting WCC members to their Candidate Forum.
  • Speakers: The Forum will host candidates Tanya Woo and Alexis Mercedes Rick who are running for the Seattle City Council at large position 8 on the November ballot. 
  • Actions: Compare and contrast our future city council members in person.
  • Meeting Info:
    • Tuesday, September 24 at the Fremont Doric Lodge 619 N. 36th at 7 pm. (No reservation is necessary.
    • The meeting will also be live-streamed on Fremont Neighborhood Council’s Facebook page.

3) SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 17th WCC Meeting – Transportation Levy Discussion 

  • In November, Seattle voters will decide on the biggest transportation levy in the city’s history, impacting property owners. Learn more about how this levy might affect your taxes and services.
    • “Property owners would pay a rate of .65 cents for every 1,000 of assessed value.” This is the biggest levy ask of residents in the history of Seattle. The owner of a median-priced home assessed at $804,000 would pay an estimated $520.00 a year or about $230.00 more than they pay now through 2032. 
  • Meeting Info:
    •  Thursday, October 17 from 7-9 pm at the Senior Center Good Shepherd (4649 Sunnyside Ave N)
  • Reference Links:

4)  NEWS: The 20-year vision for Seattle, called the Comprehensive Plan (One Seattle Plan 2044) proposed by the Office of Planning and Development (OPCD), is scheduled for public comment. 

  • On October 16, 2024, The OPCD will release the online draft zoning maps reflecting zoning changes to formerly single-family properties city-wide. The maps will apply the zoning changes mandated by the state legislation (House Bill) HB1110. HB1110 increases the number of units allowed from the existing 3 units maximum to 4-6 units per lot depending on proximity ¼ mile from light rail, rapid ride, and major transit.
  • More information on HB1110 Middle Housing Bill Concepts:  https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OPCD/SeattlePlan/OneSeattlePlanNeighborhoodResidentialConceptsDRAFT2024.pdf
  • October 16-November 20, 2024: Public engagement and comment period
  • December 2024: Release Final Environmental Impact Statement and transmit Mayor’s One Seattle Comprehensive Plan for Council consideration and adoption in 2025.
  • The City Council will consider the Mayor’s proposal in a Select Committee consisting of all nine city council members.
  • The following was released last spring for both the One Seattle Plan and the DRAFT Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan/project-documents
  • The Wallingford Community Council will continue to provide information and references  to links online as the city releases the maps in October and the Final Environmental Impact Statement in December. 

5)  SAVE THE DATE: Follow up meeting in October with the Seattle Public Schools regarding the proposed siting of a practice field in Wallingford for area schools.

  • On Thursday, 9/19, there was an initial meeting at Lincoln High School to gather community input on the consideration of potentially modifying and using area parks as practice fields for Lincoln and Hamilton Schools. This was an active discussion on the suggestion for Wallingford Playfield as the option with the least amount of obstacles. Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will update their project pages with more information and replies to unanswered questions about this proposal and other potential options. https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/capital-projects-and-planning/school-construction/projects/lincoln-field/ 

  • – Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will hold a follow-up meeting to continue the conversations in October, 2024. (the WCC previously understood this event would be held on October 24th via their in-person meeting on 9/19, but we are so far unable to confirm this date with SPS).
    • – We will post more information about this meeting when available.

In the meantime, additional  concerns, opinions and other comments can be submitted via their online feedback form in advance of the October meeting. https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/capital-projects-and-planning/school-construction/projects/feedback/

Help Shape the Future of Wallingford Playfield: Join the Community Discussion

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is considering Wallingford Playfield as a potential location for a new synthetic turf field to serve Lincoln High School and Hamilton International Middle School. The field would also accommodate local youth sports clubs and community events.SPS is seeking community feedback and invites residents to a meeting on Thursday, September 19, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln High School, with a virtual option available. Community input will help ensure the best outcome for both students and neighbors. More details are available here: https://seattleschools.org/lincoln-field.

EVENT: Wallingford Community Meeting on Proposed Athletics Field
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 2024; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Lincoln High School, 4400 Interlake Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98103

Online via Teams (link to be posted September 18 at: https://seattleschools.org/lincoln-field)

AGENDA:
– Why Lincoln High School students need a field
– What options are being considered for field location
– Proposed changes to Lower Woodland #7 track
– Open Q&A session with attendees

Questions in advance? Use the Seattle Public Schools’ “Let’s Talk” online feedback form. https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/capital-projects-and-planning/school-construction/projects/feedback/ 

Wallingford Community Council In-Person Meeting Schedule

Save the dates!
– Wednesday, Sept. 25 7-9pm
– Thursday, October 17 7-9pm
NEW LOCATION – Senior Center!
The Good Shepherd Senior Center 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North (lower level) will be our temporary location for the Sept. and Oct. meetings due to retrofitting of main building.  
Also, we have had to change days from usual first Wednesday of the month for WCC meetings to days when there is meeting space availability at the Senior Center.
Thank you for your understanding until the retrofit is complete.
 
 1) September 25 Wednesday 7-9 pm Senior Center Good Shepherd
Agenda: Speaker Mr. John Wilson King County Tax Assessor
What factors such as state and city zoning changes and levies impact your property taxes? New information on how properties are assessed?
https://www.kingcounty.gov/en/dept/assessor/buildings-and-property/property-taxes/tax-relief

2) October 17 Thursday 7-9 pm Senior Center Good Shepherd
Agenda: Transportation Levy Ballot issue vote coming in November
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/seattle-council-adds-one-last-surprise-to-1-55b-transportation-levy/
The 930 million dollar transportation levy in place will expire this year. Mayor Harrell and the council put a 1.55 billion dollar levy on the ballot which will raise property taxes. “Property owners would pay a rate of .65 cents for every 1,000 of assessed value. “ This is the biggest levy ask of residents in the history of Seattle. “The owner of a median priced home assessed at $804,000 would pay an estimated $520 a year or about $230 more than they pay now through 2032. How will you vote? Learn more.

3) Introductions of the Board from the May Election meeting
Approval of the minutes from May
President – Bonnie Williams
Vice president – Kristin Misner-Gutierrez
Treasurer – Mark Johahnson
Secretary – Ted Hunter
At Large – Mary Hodder
At Large – Margaret Holt
At Large – Matt Hallett
The Wallingford Community Council and neighborhood is grateful to former President Miranda Berner who has been a truly exceptional leader. Salute!
There were no meetings in June, July or August.
 
4) Public Hearing Wed.  Sept. 4 at 2pm Land Use Committee
CB120823 Omnibus Bill
Congregate Housing: will change code to allow congregate housing (sleeping space and shared kitchens) in Lowrise, Midrise multifamily zones and Neighborhood Commercial C1,C2 and NC1 and NC2.  This applies to all residential zones within ¼ mile of high capacity transit that are re-zoned for 6 units using state rezone bill HB1110 effective Jan. 2025.  The changes are intended to put Seattle in compliance with Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1998, passed in Washington State 2024 legislative session.  Click here for more info.

Trees: request City Council to amend to increase tree canopy in low-income neighborhoods, and more.  Click here for the Call-to-Action and more information.

5) Open House to learn about steps to minimize odors at North Transfer Station
Tuesday, Sept. 17 5:30pm-6:30pm 1350 N. 34th Street Conference room
RSVP by visiting the project website Space is limited first come first serve basis   www.seattle.gov/utilities/NorthTransferStation
 
6) Support Historic Wallingford Fundraiser Sunday, Sept. 15 4:30-6:30 pm
Do not miss the fun! Get your tickets online at Historic Wallingford.org. for $45.00. The theme is a revisit to a Roaring Twenties Speakeasy with Cocktails, Canapes, a silent auction and jazz music held at Murphy’s Pub 1928 N. 45th. https://www.historicwallingford.org/speakeasy/###

Annual Meeting and Officer Elections – May 8th, 2024

Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 7:00 PM

In-Person at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd Center
4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

  • Member check-in at 6:30pm, in the Chapel, followed by Board elections.  Must attend in-person to vote.  (To vote for the 2024-2025 Board, one must be an official member as of April 23, 2024.)
  • 7:00pm: Welcome and Officer Elections
  • 7:15 – 8:00-ish pm: City Councilmember Tanya Woo, Position 8 – Citywide. Join us as we hear from CM Woo. Includes Q&A.
  • 8:00-ish pm: closing remarks by outgoing President, Miranda Berner
  • 8:30pm: adjourn

WCC Board: Run, or recruit, or both  🙂
April 26, 2024:
Hi All,
Over the years, many of you have volunteered with and/or attended Wallingford Community Council Meetings.  Maybe it was a few years ago, maybe it was 15, 20, or 30+ years ago.  Maybe it was the Brooks building or the Transfer Station.  Maybe it was the Wallingford Steps or the Band Stand in Meridian Park. Perhaps it was an SDOT proposal or the MHA Upzones.  Or one of the community conversations the WCC hosted with the SPD on race and policing.  Maybe you came to hear from various City Council Members and other elected officials and ask them your questions. Perhaps you joined in to get educated on how to safely pick up sharps and drug-related garbage.  Maybe it was the Tenants Rights event, or a waterway walk, or a garbage pickup walk, or a beautify Wallingford project.  Perhaps it was something else.  Whatever it was, I thank you for participating.
 
There are many of you throughout Wallingford who have been active on and off for as long as you have lived in the neighborhood.  Thank you for that!  Perhaps, you are ready, once again, to get involved.  We are in search of new board members for the new WCC year.  A couple of us are stepping down from the Board on May 8th, including myself, leaving several vacancies that need to be filled.  This board is a working board, made up of volunteers from within the community.  Please consider either running, or recruiting, or both.
 
If you or someone you know is interested in serving at the Board level, please send any “emails” of interest to me, at pres@wallingfordcc.org, on or before May 6th.
 
Thank you and Happy Friday, 
Miranda Berner /Wallingford Community Council, President
—
P.S.
To get an idea of what the WCC stands for, I recommend reviewing the website.  It’s a great resource for getting an idea of the WCC, its decades of history, and where the membership tends to lean on certain topics.
 
As an FYI, here is what I see as of now, as the big items of interest: the Draft Comp Plan and its corresponding Draft EIS, Trees, and crime.  The WCC also continues to work with DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) and the City to restore public access to Lake Union at Waterway 20.  There are many smaller and/or less involved activities the WCC does, as well.  It all comes down to volunteer interest and bandwidth.  🙂

NOTE: one does not need to be an official member to serve on the Board, but there is an expectation that all Board members officially join.  🙂

Comp Plan Explained! 7PM, April 18, 2024

Join us, as we learn about the “2044 One Seattle Comprehensive Draft Plan” directly from Seattle city planners, at this special meeting sponsored by the WCC.

When: Thursday, April 18, 7pm-8:30 pm

Where: Wallingford Senior Center, located in the basement of the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North.

Who:

  • City of Seattle Office of Planning and Development guest speakers
    • Jim Holmes Senior EIS (Environmental Impact Study) Manager
    • Michael Hubner One Seattle Plan Long Range Planning Manager
  • Moderated by the WCC

Information and Q&A: The experts will give an overview of growth plans, goals and policy recommendations, expanding housing options, updating Seattle’s residential zones and re-classifications of urban villages to urban centers. They will also take questions. Also, learn the details of how the city will apply mandatory rules of House Bill 1110 passed by the state in 2023. HB1110 overrides previous single family zoned lots and now allows 4-6 units per lot based on proximity to transit.

Why: The city ends the opportunity for public comment May 6, at 5 pm. These policies, goals and growth strategies will impact the future of our city and neighborhoods for the next 20 years. Later in 2024, comments from all stakeholders will be reviewed and an FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Study) and final Comp Plan 2044 will be released and reviewed before City Council votes on it. Bring your written questions for the planners, if you desire.

For More Information on the Comp Plan, including how to submit comments, click here.

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