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Plans and Policy

Growth Plan Falls Short of Seattle’s Needs, Planning Commission Says

The Seattle Planning Commission has given the proposed One Seattle Comprehensive Plan a once-over. The reviews are not good.
Space Needle shrouded in wildfire smoke from Oregon and California in late summer 2020.

Op-Ed: Harrell’s Anemic Growth Plan Is Not ‘Space Needle Thinking’

The mayor's comprehensive plan proposal failed to deliver real solutions on housing abundance, affordability, and climate. It promises only modest zoning changes at the margins and 100,000 additional homes over 20 years.

Land Use Chair Tammy Morales Takes Aim at Proposed Seattle Growth Plan

In the first chance to discuss the Harrell administration's planned growth strategy, Morales was leagues ahead of her colleagues in articulating changes she wanted to see made, such as higher growth targets and more multifamily zoning, before earning her vote of approval.
Bruce Harrell wears a suit and stands at a podium with a group of people standing behind him.

Seattle Leaders Eye JumpStart Housing Funds to Close $230 Million Budget Hole

Mayor Harrell and the city council are contemplating budget cuts and raiding JumpStart payroll tax revenue to address a $230 million budget deficit. But nonprofit leaders are warning of the impact of reducing affordable housing funding.

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.
Twin four-story apartments with cherry trees in front.

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.

‘South Downtown Hub’ Outreach Ponders Chinatown Connectivity Without New Station

On Wednesday, Sound Transit hosted an outreach event at Union Station aimed at building consensus and easing tensions in Chinatown. Organizer Brien Chow spoke out to argue the Fourth Avenue station option was being sidelined and shortcomings of the agency's North and South of CID preferred alternative were being papered over.

Sound Transit Board Pledges Stronger Commitment to ‘Regionalism’

The idea of how the Sound Transit board can reset with a greater emphasis on making decisions through a regional lens was one of the primary topics at this week's Sound Transit board retreat.