Land Use

Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan Needs to Meet Higher Expectations

Every eight years the City of Seattle has a chance to make progressive changes to how we grow ranging from jobs, amenities, mobility and...

‘Tech Trash’ versus NIMBYs: Final MHA Hearing Lays Bare Seattle’s Generational Divide

The final public hearing on citywide implementation of Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) was long and contentious. Hundreds of speakers waited for hours to present...

Kenmore and Kirkland Reform Accessory Dwelling Regulations, Snohomish County Could Be Next

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reform has been taking off across the Puget Sound region. Seattle, Tacoma, and Burien all approved sweeping changes to ADUs...

It’s Time to Overhaul Design Review

Fifteen housing advocates applied for 15 open seats on Seattle's design review boards this winter. A public records request revealed that all 15 were...
An aerial shot of cookie cutter houses in a subdivision.

Zoning Reform Alone Does Not Change Most Anti-Density Laws

A primer on the four horsemen of sprawl - zoning, subdivision, covenants, and mortgages. There is good news coming out of legislatures and city councils....
Yonder Cider's street-side garage bar in Greenwood. (Yonder Cider)

Garage Businesses Are Keys to Covid Recovery

After a year of pandemic lockdowns, it’s hard to think of anything that we can’t do in our homes. Work, baking, exercise, school, hedgehog...

Map(s) of The Day: Historic Seattle Zoning

The Seattle City Clerk's website keeps an expansive online repository of historic zoning maps. I seem to always find myself perusing the 1923 maps in...

Everything You Need to Know About Lynnwood Link

Lynnwood Link has finally arrived! Here's everything to know about the launch and the urban transformation happening along the light rail extension.