Inclusionary Zoning

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.
A photo showing an aerial view of Seattle looking north from the Space needle, housing, roads, and Greenlake are all visible.

The Benefits of Auctioning Off Development Rights

In an era of tight city budgets, legal limits on taxing authority, and expensive problems, it is time for Seattle to get creative. We...

Mayor Murray Proposes Mandatory Affordable Housing Legislation For Residential Development

Standing along side affordable housing advocates yesterday, Mayor Ed Murray unveiled his latest legislative proposal to tackle rising housing costs that are pushing lower...

Changes To Chinatown-International District Rezone Proposal Under Consideration

A package of rezones are headed to the Chinatown-International District area in a few short weeks. The rezones promise to unlock Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA)...

Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability Program Is on Course So Far

Last week the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program celebrated two years of being in effect in all multifamily areas of the city. The data...

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...

What’s In a Name: Ending Exclusionary Zoning

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda is taking heat from both sides after introducing legislation recognizing Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods in a bid to lay the groundwork to...

Zoning Changes Proposed Along 23rd Avenue, Cultural Heart Of The Central District

The Seattle City Council got its first glimpse this week at proposed rezones for three urban village nodes on 23rd Avenue in the Central...