Inclusionary Zoning

How Housing Markets Aren’t Like Musical Chairs

That The Urbanist disagrees with Sightline Institute about Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program is hardly news. I'll try not to beat a dead horse....
The M Tower, the first highrise out of the gates after the U District was rezoned in 2017, rises in the background of this shot of The Ave at NE 50th St. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

We Can Rezone The Ave While Preserving Its Historic Character

Too often, our city has spent years delaying policy with infighting, time that we could spend on collaborative efforts to address our growing housing...

PLUZ Talks Amendments To Downtown And South Lake Union Rezone

Later this month, the Seattle City Council will take up a vote on the Downtown and South Lake Union rezones, which would help further...

City Council Passes Central Area Rezones

On Monday, the Seattle City Council had a full agenda of rezones cross the dais. These included three separate district rezones in the Central...

U District Rezone Amendments Target Capacity, Storefronts, Affordable Housing, And More

A handful of amendments could find their way into the University District rezone and urban design proposal awaiting approval from the Seattle City Council....

Seattle Takes A Conservative Legal Approach To Inclusionary Zoning

Editor’s Note: This article is largely informed by a comprehensive look at the legality of inclusionary zoning by Josephine Ennis which can be found...
Single Family homes.

The Path To Eliminating Single-Family Zoning In Seattle

During every election cycle The Urbanist asks candidates about their support for changing  current single-family zones. This year, every candidate for council except for...
Mercer Island's light rail station, in the median of I-90, being constructed. Parking lots and low density development is visible on the periphery

Mercer Island Plans to Densify Town Center… With a Big Catch

In response to state law, Mercer Island is poised to upzone some of the blocks closest to transit. But new affordability mandates may negate the move.