Plans and Policy

A view of the eastern half of South Lake Union with Capitol Hill and First Hill apartment towers in the background.

Homebuilders Warn Seattle’s Planned MFTE Changes Threaten to Kill Affordability Program

The Harrell Administration has proposed changes to the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) that housing advocates warn could cause the affordable housing program to “collapse entirely.”

Harrell Swipes Affordable Housing Dollars to Backfill Budget, Reduce Service Cuts

Under the budget for the next two years proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell, around half of the JumpStart funding originally earmarked for affordable housing and other investments would instead fund Harrell Administration priorities.

Seattle’s Downtown Activation Plan Remains Stuck in Low Gear

A year into announcing its ambitious Downtown Activation Plan, the Harrell Administration is touting successes. But so far those are primarily spot improvements, with many big initiatives in limbo or on hold.

Lake Forest Park Ballot Measure Would Increase Park Access and Fund Safer Streets

While Shoreline's park bond measure did not make it to the November ballot, neighboring Lake Forest Park's ballot contains a measure to increase funding...

Public Hearing On Seattle 2035 Recommended Plan

The major update to Seattle's comprehensive plan has been an extensive outreach and formulation process spanning more than three years. Later this month, the...
Someone on a bike using Lake Washington Boulevard

Lake Washington Blvd Taskforce Comes to Impasse on Future of Parkway

For over 50 years, Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker Beach and Seward Park has been the site of Seattle's oldest open streets festival,...
Eleven people hold a ribbon outside a housing project.

Op-Ed: Boost Seattle’s Growth Plan to Solve the Housing Crisis

The path forward is clear: a revised and ambitious Comprehensive Plan that should reform zoning rules and housing policies to allow more homes of all shapes and sizes; and incentivize affordable housing and homeownership.

Wallingford RPZ Proposal Moves Forward With Two New Zones

In Wallingford, several restricted parking zones (RPZs) are already in force. For the better part of a year, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)...