Crown Hill Cemetery is an ancient and holy place that has a profound meaning to families, descendants, and the general community of Seattle. Towards the end of 2024, the residents were informed about a land-use proposal that was to permit residential development of some of the cemetery grounds.  Although the city reports show that the development is planned on areas that are not yet occupied by graves, most of the community members have expressed serious issues concerning the overall effect of the development on the cemetery land taking, the long-term preservation, legal access, the environment, protection of trees, and the cultural and historical preservation of the site.

The community swiftly organized in response. During the public comment period, 364 public comments were made to the City of Seattle—an unprecedented level of civic involvement that reflects the extent of people's concern. The city responded to the comments and, in turn, went to the application inspection, estimating that it is incomplete, with unresolved matters of legal access and permitting. The project is presently on the list of needs corrections and cannot proceed until the shortcomings are corrected.

Despite this progress, crucial inquiries remain unanswered. The proposal is yet to go through a formal State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, which is needed to comprehensively assess effects of proximity to the cemetery, environmental conditions, access, and cultural resources.

We are requesting that the City of Seattle conduct a formal SEPA completeness review, establish a threshold for transparency and due process, and preserve Crown Hill Cemetery as a historical, cultural, and sacred site. This petition is an action of a collective community that is family to make responsible, lawful and accountable decisions before any action is taken.