The Seattle City Council is currently considering the “One Seattle Plan” (OSP) put forward by Mayor Harrell’s office.  This plan is in response to WA House Bill 1110 which requires significant up-zoning changes in the residential neighborhoods of cities with populations of 75,000 or more.  In practice, HB 1110 will allow 4-6 housing units on current residential lots; the State projects that this rezoning change will create the capacity of an additional 80,000 housing units in Seattle over the next 20 years.  The mayor’s plan goes much further than required by HB 1110 by creating zoning for 30 “Neighborhood Centers” all over Seattle including one situated in Wedgwood.  The plan also up-zones many arterials including 35th Ave. N.E. and reduces HB 1110 residential off street parking allowances by 50%.

The “Neighborhood Centers” will be zoned for very high-density multi-family housing (4-6 stories) with parking, at best, mandated at 0.5 spaces per unit. The proposed “Wedgwood Neighborhood Center” will stretch from N.E. 70th St. to N.E. 77th St.  At its widest point the “Center” will extend from 33rd Ave. N.E. to 38th Ave. N.E.  Please note, the proposed “Wedgwood Neighborhood Center” is SEPARATE AND IN ADDITION to the building planned for the block where the Wedgwood Broiler is located.

Under this plan, 35th Ave. N.E., will be designated a "Frequent Transit Route" which allows it to be up-zoned to permit 5 story multi-family housing on its current residential stretches.  This up-zoning will extend from N.E. 55th St. to N.E. 125th St., with some breaks in the up-zoning along this route.

WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF A “NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER” IN WEDGWOOD, THE DESIGNATION OF 35TH AVE. N.E. AS A "FREQUENT TRANSIT ROUTE" AND THE SUBSEQUENT  5 STORY UP-ZONING ON 35TH Ave. N.E.?

*The construction of large 4-5 story multifamily housing units on current quiet residential streets within the borders of the "Wedgwood Neighborhood Center."

*The construction of large, up to 5 story multifamily housing units, on the residential stretches of 35th Ave. N.E. from N.E. 55th St to N.E. 125th St.

*Traffic gridlock on 35th Ave. N.E. and on our narrow residential streets.

*Massive parking spillovers onto the blocks within the “Center” and beyond its boundaries, and on blocks close to 35th Ave. N.E. extending from N.E. 55th St. to N.E. 125th St.

*Unbearable strains on our aging infrastructure: streets, sidewalks and utilities.

*Sharp degradation to our tree canopy, which provides shade, water filtration, wildlife habitat, greenhouse gas absorption, erosion control and soil health.  Developers will be allowed to chop down mature trees and replace them with saplings.

*Reduced light and privacy for single family homes located in the “Center’s” footprint.

*Nonstop construction for years on end in Wedgwood and along 35th Ave. N.E.

*The destruction of Wedgwood’s neighborhood character.  People have chosen to live in Wedgwood because of its post-war charm, beautiful old- growth evergreens and quiet and serene atmosphere.  The proposed changes may very well decrease property values.

THIS PETITION URGES:

*Removal of the designation of Wedgwood as a “Neighborhood Center.”

*Rejection of the designation of 35th Ave. N.E. as a "Frequent Transit Route"  and proposed 5 story up-zoning on the residential stretches of 35th Ave. N.E. from N.E. 55th St. to N.E. 125th St.

*Acceptance of HB 1110’s off street parking allowances which are: a maximum of 1 space per unit on lots < 6000sf and 2 spaces per unit on lots > 6,000sf.

*Scaling back the OSP to allow the zoning changes mandated by HB 1110 time to play out in Seattle as they may be completely sufficient to greatly expand our housing supply.  According to Summit Properties NW, a local real estate company, Seattle’s housing stock grew by more than 13,000 new homes in the last 18 months. Please note, this is WITHOUT “Neighborhood Centers” and arterial up-zoning.  If this rate of growth continues, Seattle will add an estimated 173,000 housing units over the next 20 years, which is the timeline of the OSP.  This goes beyond even the State’s estimate of housing growth capacity (80,000 units) over the same time period.  The “Social Housing” initiative that was recently  approved by voters will also add additional housing stock. All of this new housing may lead to more affordable housing prices over time.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

*Sign this petition, leave a Key Concern (below) and share this petition with your neighbors and other interested parties.

*Review the “One Seattle Comprehensive Plan” online.  In particular, look at District 4’s proposed “Neighborhood Centers”.  (Google: One Seattle Plan Zoning Maps District 4, Go to: Zoning Map, Click on D4). Also on the Zoning Map page, scroll down to “Explore the Map” (in a blue box) and click.  This will bring you to an interactive map of Seattle, where you can find 35th Ave. N.E.

*Email or call our elected officials with your thoughts and concerns:

 Maritza Rivera, District 4, Council Representative.  Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov  206-684-8804

  Seattle City Council.  Seattlecitycouncil@seattle.gov  

Feel free to use the arguments stated above to let Ms. Rivera and the Seattle City Council know your feelings about the proposed “Wedgwood Neighborhood Center,"  the designation of 35th Ave. N.E. as a "Frequent Transit Route,  the 5 story up-zoning planned for 35th Ave. N.E., the off-street parking allowances and whether to scale back the OSP.  And of course, please share any and all of your thoughts on the “One Seattle Plan."

*Attend Seattle City Council public hearings on the OSP.  The date of the next public hearing is June 23rd.

The City Council voted in late May for interim legislation to implement HB 1110.  Going forward, the Council will pass permanent legislation to enact HB 1110 and then turn its attention to "Neighborhood Centers" and up-zoning of select arterials. 

THANK YOU for your time and consideration.

Petition written by Rita Hayes, Seattle native and Wedgwood resident since 1984.