Housing Leaders Call Out Seattle’s Bare Minimum Growth Proposal
Builders, lawmakers, and housing advocates warn the 'One Seattle' growth strategy is "nothingburger" that will come up short on affordability, livability, and complying with state law. Fourplexes would be too constrained to deliver sufficient housing.
In Trees Vs. Parking War, Washington Just Gave Trees a Leg Up
A bill pushed by Bothell Rep. Davina Duerr and approved by the Washington legislature this week would prioritize trees when retention policies come into conflict with local parking mandates.
Seattle Releases Comprehensive Plan Less Ambitious Than Bellevue
While Bellevue is projecting 225,000 additional residents by 2045, Seattle is anticipating a more modest 200,000 for its comprehensive planning purposes. In its new draft plan, Seattle adds fourplex zoning across most, but not all of the city, plus 24 "Neighborhood Centers" and one new urban center with more intensive zoning changes.
More than Zoning Reform: Home in Tacoma and the Prospect of Real Change
Zoning has created urban forms that are expensive, exclusionary, and unsafe — Tacoma’s attempt to reform zoning stands to create more livable and complete neighborhoods by tackling the many secondary effects of zoning.
Morales’ Equitable Housing Incentive Bill Faces Pushback Over Trees, Scale
Councilmember Tammy Morales' "Connected Communities" pilot program faced a gauntlet of questions and concerns from her new colleagues. Tree activists fretted over depleting canopy. Nonetheless, Morales hopes to pass the bill in March.
What’s in the Transit-Oriented Development Bill the WA House Just Passed
Last week, the Washington House passed HB 2160, which has the potential to open up significant areas around transit for new homes. Hurdles remain to win passage in the Senate, including objections to the bill's requirement that 10% of new units be affordable.
Tacoma’s Grand Rezoning Plan Comes into View
If implemented, the new framework would make many of the types of buildings that already exist in abundance in Tacoma neighborhoods like Stadium and Proctor legal again to build across the city, with costly parking requirements in place reduced around current and planned transit.
Bellevue’s Safe Lot for Unhoused to Open After Long Delay
Bellevue has moved one step closer towards having its first "safe parking" facility open for residents experiencing homelessness. The program will use city-owned property to provide bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, and case management services for unhoused residents living in their vehicles.