Seattle City Council

The Seattle City Council is considering interim legislation to implement HB 1110 (to create “missing” middle housing by the state’s June 30 deadline), but they are not currently considering permanent legislation or rezoning.

Dates (dates are fluid and subject to change):

May 19: City Council Public Hearing on amendments to Interim Legislation to Enact HB 1110:

·       9:30 am – remote testimony (limited to 1 minute)

·       4:00 pm – in person testimony (limited to 1 minute)

May 21: City Council’s Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan votes on HB 1110 interim legislation.

May 27: City Council votes on HB 1110 interim legislation.

May 20: Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) scheduled to release revised zoning maps. Rezoning will be considered in the coming months.

May: Mayor transmits permanent legislation to City Council.

June to September 2025: Council deliberations and public hearing on proposed Comprehensive Plan.

October 2025: Comprehensive Plan finalized.

Developments:

On May 7, amendments were introduced to the interim legislation.  Councilmember Kettle introduced the only neighborhood specific amendment (Amendment 4) in which he requested to “retain the front yard requirement in the current code for Neighborhood Residential (NR) zones for any lots abutting the landmarked portions of Queen Anne Boulevard rather than updating the front yard requirement of ten feet as proposed.” This retains front yard easements at 20 feet currently. Advance to the 24-minute mark on this video to hear CM Kettle’s compelling description of the importance of the amendment he introduced.  https://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x176052

However, the zoning along this stretch is still proposed to change to LR3 (not NR, as we think is necessary to protect the Blvd).  We need to remain diligent and actively advocate for NR designation.

What You Can Do:

·       Let Councilmember Kettle know you appreciate his introduction of Amendment 4 and stress the importance of maintaining NR designation on 10th Ave W (north of W McGraw Street) so that the QA Blvd is protected.

·       Consider being a part of remote or in person testimony at the public hearing on May 19th. Key messages:

1.      Support Amendment 4 to retain the front yard requirement of 20 feet and reinforce the need to retain NR designation to save trees and historic grandeur of the QA Blvd on north QA for all to enjoy. Emphasize we support this in the context of protecting all of the QA Blvd.

2.      The Friends of Queen Anne is a group advocating for QA wide, and city-wide changes in proposed density. They have done extensive research and believe that the interim legislation being considered by the city is far in excess to what is required in HB 1110.  Read their analysis in following web link, and consider getting involved with their efforts.  https://www.change.org/p/change-one-seattle-interim-ordinance-to-implement-hb1110-and-grow-housing-responsibly

Contact Nancy Giunto if you have questions or advice, 206-321-2360 (cell) or n.giunto@gmail.com.