The Seattle City Council, led by District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth, is set to address crucial topics related to the city’s growth on Thursday morning. The session will focus on establishing boundaries for new Neighborhood Centers, areas designated for more equitable growth distribution across Seattle.
This meeting marks a significant moment following the council’s passage of an interim bill aimed at complying with Washington state’s new Middle Housing laws. These laws are designed to expand zoning regulations, allowing for a greater variety of housing types in various parts of the city as Seattle works on its 20-year growth plan.
In what can be seen as a response to significant opposition from affluent neighborhoods, city planners have made adjustments to their proposals. According to a presentation prepared for Thursday’s session, planners have reduced the borders of nine out of the thirty intended Neighborhood Centers.
The interim legislation was essential for laying the groundwork for the comprehensive plan and updates to Neighborhood Residential zoning in light of legal challenges that have slowed the planning process, which has faced delays for over a year. Operationalizing Mayor Bruce Harrell’s original 20-year plan proposal has been particularly challenging, with the timeline pushed back substantially.
CHS reported on the ongoing efforts to amend the comprehensive growth plan, including legal actions from neighborhood groups seeking to reverse the city Hearing Examiner’s dismissal of appeals against the growth proposal. The pushback against the planned growth strategy has centered around the proposed creation of thirty new Neighborhood Centers.
The Neighborhood Centers include areas like D3’s Madison Park, Madison Valley, Montlake, and Madrona. The intended designation allows for residential and mixed-use structures, with heights reaching up to six stories in central areas and four to five stories on the outskirts.
The adjustments to neighborhood boundaries are critical as the council moves towards permanent legislation that will encompass the new Neighborhood Centers, the rezone proposals for both new and expanded Regional and Urban Centers, and considerations for select arterial rezones along frequent transit routes.
In addition to the Neighborhood Centers’ reductions, proposals for expanding five existing Urban Centers—Morgan Junction, Admiral, Queen Anne, and Pinehurst—are also on the table. Furthermore, an expansion of the Uptown Regional Center is suggested, where a mix of moderate to high-density housing, as well as potential high-rise developments, will be permitted.
Under the current planning framework, Ballard is slated to be classified as a Regional Center. This will also include adjustments to Uptown and the First Hill/Capitol Hill/Squire Park areas, increasing their designated growth capacity.
Meanwhile, the plan introduces 26 proposed Urban Centers that will be influenced by proximity to light rail stations. These areas are expected to accommodate moderate-density housing, ranging between three to eight stories, with permissions for taller structures near light rail access points or areas rich in amenities.
As Seattle stands on the cusp of finalizing this comprehensive growth proposal, years of planning, public discussions, and extensive debate will culminate in Thursday’s meeting. It remains to be seen how these compromises will reshape the city as officials work towards a balanced and equitable growth strategy.
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