Plans and Policy

Pronto! Emerald City Cycle Share Revealed

We've been anticipating the launch for the Puget Sound Bike Share (PSBS) for quite some time now, and we still have a while to...

Sway Public Policy, Open Comment Periods July 17th – 23rd

This is The Urbanist's first crack at summarizing open public comment period. Each week we'll provide a list of ongoing policy that is open...
A photo of West Seattle near the bridge and Harbor Island with a rendering of an apartment building superimposed on top.

Housing Notes: 16-Story Tower Proposed in Kirkland and 114 Middle-Income Homes in West Seattle

The Puget Sound Regional Council adopted a Regional Housing Strategy which could have a big impact on housing growth -- if cities and counties...
Someone riding a lime bike across a bike lane in Capitol Hill with a bus behind them

As Development Slows, Seattle Eyes Transportation Impact Fee Projects

The Seattle City Council is closer than ever to tapping a new source of revenue for transportation projects, with councilmembers from opposite sides of...
A five story building with yellow insulation before siding is added.

Editorial: Seattle Should Not Pass Transportation Impact Fees

Facing a housing slowdown, foisting more costs onto new homes to fund a hodgepodge of transportation projects is a terrible idea. The four members of...

What A Micro-Housing Stakeholder Group Can Achieve

Background Micro-housing (often referred to as apodments) are small units, which are usually less than 300 square feet in size. They tend to be occupied...
The City of Olympia created this Missing Middle graphic which hints rowhouses are in their vision.

Embracing the Middle: Olympia’s Struggle for Housing Diversity Wages On

Early this year, Minneapolis made headlines when it decided to eliminate restrictive single-family zoning laws citywide. Others followed. Oregon passed a measure that requires...

Puget Sound Leaders Debate a Pivot Away from Highway Expansion

A small change around regional grant funding criteria could prove a bellwether for transportation policy in Puget Sound. Everywhere from Lynnwood to Puyallup, from Auburn...