What It Will Take to Close the Illegal Growth Loophole in 2022
Note: This article was revised on 10/29/21 to reflect Futurewise's decision to rename the "vesting loophole" as the "illegal growth loophole" to more clearly...
Five Things to Watch at Sound Transit Under CEO Dow Constantine
Expectations are high for longtime board member Dow Constantine's new job as Sound Transit CEO. Here's what The Urbanist's newsroom has at top-of-mind in the months ahead.
Much DADU About Nothing
Since the release of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) Committee recommendations, there has been much speculation on what diversifying the single-family zones...
Issaquah TDR Deal Recommended For Denial, Perhaps For The Better
On January 18th, the Issaquah Land & Shore Committee recommended denial for a major modification request to the Issaquah Highlands development agreement, citing lack...
Missing Middle Bill Dies in House, but Statewide Backyard Cottage Reform Remains in Play
Oregon passed statewide missing middle housing reform in 2019, as did California in 2021. Hopes were high that Washington State would follow suit in...
Latest IPCC Climate Report Underscores Need for Collaborative Action Among Urbanists
The latest reports from the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment are out and their findings on cities are simply...
City Council Continues MHA-R Deliberations, Entertains 11 Amendments To Legislation
If you've been following Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability process since the beginning, then you know that, so far, the City has adopted a framework for...
Wilburton Rezone Can Facilitate Over 5,000 New Homes in Bellevue – If Done Right
Later this year, Bellevue City Council will complete a years-long process to rezone the Wilburton neighborhood east of I-405. Historically a commercial and office...