Dear Neighbors, The Seattle City Council is preparing to vote on more than 100 amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Middle Housing legislation — changes that will shape how our neighborhoods grow and function for the next 20 years. These amendments are not just technical adjustments. They touch on nearly every aspect of our daily quality of life — from housing density, building heights, and parking requirements to tree canopy protections, neighborhood boundaries, and public safety priorities. * Some strengthen tree protections and support historic districts. * Others would allow taller buildings in neighborhood centers, reduce parking requirements, or loosen development standards. * Several amendments address housing affordability, setbacks, lot coverage, and retail within residential areas. Because of the scale and speed of these proposals, it is crucial that residents review what’s being considered and make their voices heard. Because these decisions will directly affect the character, livability, and environment of our neighborhoods, it is essential that residents review what’s being considered and speak their minds to Council before final votes are cast Step 17-19th. Once adopted, these rules will set the course for how our community grows for decades to come. Below you’ll find a Community Voter Guide. It organizes and distills many of the 100+ proposed amendments into categories (trees, neighborhood centers, parking, housing standards) and notes which ones neighbors suggest supporting or scrutinizing. ✍️How You Can Help 1. Review the Voter Guide Below. Research deeper into any that are of interest or concern to you.  2. Email City Council with your thoughts anytime before final voting on Sept 17-19: council@seattle.gov. State your name, neighborhood, and your views on specific amendments. 3. Testify at the Public Hearing on Sept 12 (remote or in person). Speakers get 1 minute. 4. Spread the word: Forward this email to neighbors and friends.Thank you for making these important decisions that will shape Wallingford and Seattle for decades.

Community Voter Guide on Comp Plan Amendments and ‘Middle Housing’ – Public Hearing Sept 12th Seattle City Council is reviewing over 100 amendments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and Middle Housing bill. These decisions will shape how our neighborhoods grow for the next 20 years, including what can be built in Neighborhood Residential and Lowrise zones. Several proposals—including a new “South Wallingford / Gas Works Neighborhood Center”—were introduced very late in the process, with little to no public outreach.  Many neighbors are concerned that the process is inequitable and rushed. What’s at Stake * Development Standards: Height limits, lot coverage, setbacks, Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and parking requirements that shape neighborhood livability. * Middle Housing: Changes under HB1110 are already increasing density. Many amendments add additional bonuses and incentives. * Neighborhood Centers: Proposed new boundaries (including South Wallingford and Tangletown) would set the stage for upzoning in 2026. * Environment & Trees: Some amendments protect tree canopy; others loosen protections. Key Dates * Sept 12, 2025 – City Council Public Hearing (remote at 9:30 AM; in-person at 3:00 PM) * Sept 17–19, 2025 – Council final votes on amendments and Comprehensive Plan bills(CB120985  and CB120993 permanent Middle Housing.) This vote will include definitive decisions regarding the map boundaries for all urban and neighborhood centers, and policy amendments. These actions will finalize Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Plan, with the adopted policies and Future Land Use maps serving as a guide for the next two decades. For any amendment to pass, it must receive five votes from the council during the final meetings. Your input is crucial to help influence the council’s decision. The final Public Hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 12, with two sessions: 9:30 a.m. (remote registration from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) and 3:00 p.m. (in-person registration from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.). We encourage your participation. Please review our recommended amendments and contact the Council by phone or in writing, or sign up to speak on Friday, September 12. For more information, visit the public comment website. Phase 1 involves two key items: CB 120985, related to the Comprehensive Plan, and CB 120993, which implements permanent legislation for “Middle Housing” as mandated by the state (HB1110). This state mandate allows the construction of 4 to 6 units on Neighborhood Residential lots. The exact number of units depends on the lot’s proximity to major transit. Specifically, HB1110 allows 6 units on 5,000 sq ft lots that are within ¼ mile of major transit,  lots located farther  than ¼ mile away from major transit allow 4 units. It’s important to note that HB1110 applies to areas outside of neighborhood centers. 30 Neighborhood centers  zoning proposed to be Lowrise 2-3 and Neighborhood Commercial ( in business core) without unit density limits. 📌Many proposed amendments seek to modify current development standards for Neighborhood Residential zones by introducing bonuses and incentives for developers. These incentives could significantly alter existing codes related to height, setbacks, lot coverage, Floor Area Ratio (FAR), Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), parking, and trees. The passage of these amendments impact what can be built in Neighborhood Residential and Lowrise zones. Reviewing the condensed list of amendments below can help you make informed decisions to preserve Wallingford’s character. These changes are occurring while simultaneously adding significant density per lot through a combination of HB1110, the Mayor’s plan to rezone 30 neighborhood centers (with more detailed zoning to be revealed in January), for proposed five story upzones to frequent transit arterials citywide. State legislation, specifically HB1110, will by itself significantly increase density. We advocate for maintaining the current standards for building heights (30-32 feet), front setbacks (minimum 10-20 feet), side setbacks (5 feet), and lot coverage (35%). Additionally, we support requiring 20% of lot area for open amenity spaces to be used for trees and recreation.  Your comments to the council on proposed amendments are crucial to influence and ensure these standards are upheld. To understand the impact of proposed amendments and their bonus/incentive tradeoffs, you can compare them against the current development standards. A cheat sheet is available for this comparison below.  The Comprehensive Plan website references the full 110 amendments in greater detail as released by Council on August 4, 2025. You can shape the Comprehensive Plan and influence development by making a list of amendments that you support, and those that you don’t, and send that list to council@seattle.gov by Sept. 11. Each amendment in the condensed list below will note the Council Member who proposed it.  Below are amendments that should be scrutinized with caution, followed others that should be supported Amendments to Scrutinize with Caution 📌 Short List: #7, #33, #34, #47, #54, #55-59, #60, #63, #65-67, #72, #74, #76, #84, #86, #95, #96, #99, #108, #109 These additional amendments below propose the biggest changes to current development standards for Neighborhood Residential areas (outside centers) and lowrise lot zoning designations (inside 30 neighborhood centers and centers everywhere).  Deeper Analysis: 📌#34 (Council Member: Rinck) Adds 8 NEW neighborhood Centers (For Wallingford specifically, it designates South Wallingford/Gas Works as a new location for a 79 acre, 27 block rezone). Introduced at the last minute on August 4th, 2025. * Creates new neighborhood centers across Alki, Broadview, Dawson, Gasworks, Loyal Heights, Nickerson, Roanoke, South Wedgewood). These 8 neighborhoods were dropped from the list of identified locations for 30 neighborhood centers in October, 2024 when the Mayor’s Plan was released.   * Background: The Mayor’s plan introduced 30 neighborhood centers with maps accessible on the city website and distributed at OPCD open houses. None of the 8 neighborhoods, particularly South Wallingford/Gas Works has seen a map circulated by OPCD for this location until August 4, 2025. In the 10 months since October 2024, The community was NEVER advised of a possible Gasworks Neighborhood Center location. The residents, homeowners, renters and businesses in South Wallingford have been denied 10 months of opportunities to engage with the city. We must hold the city government to higher standards. * We recommend that you write to council@seattle.gov to withdraw Amendment 34 for consideration of a South Wallingford / Gas Works Neighborhood Center location due to a non-transparent and inequitable process. council@seattle.gov.  📌#76 (Council Member: Rinck) Amend the definition of “major transit” to include ”frequent transit”.  * This would be a mistake as it contradicts the intent of HB1110. * “Major transit” is light rail and rapid ride with dedicated bus lanes. HB1110 “Middle Housing” stipulates that six units can be built near Major Transit if they are within ¼ mile, and that four units can be built anywhere outside the ¼ mile. 📌#47 (Council Member: Strauss) Tangletown area.  * No final map boundary is available to date after Strauss offered three new map boundary choices and the original as choices. Strauss will submit one final map soon. 📌#7 (Council Member: Rinck) Amend the Comp Plan to remove parking requirements city wide 📌#33 (Council Member: Strauss) Allow buildings taller than 6 stories in Neighborhood Centers (8 stories)  📌#34 (Council Member: Rinck) (see above) 📌#47 (Council Member: Strauss) (see above) 📌#54 (Council Member: Rinck) Allow unit lot subdivisions for ADU’s (refers to second lot subdivision) 📌#55-59 (Council Member: Rinck) related to ADU’s increasing size from 1000 -1500 sq. feet in lowrise, Exclude ADU’s from FAR / Floor Area Ratio (exemption from FAR), 1,000-1200 if three bedrooms, exclude ADU’s from density calculations, Exempt ADU’s from MHA affordability requirements 📌#60 (Council Member: Nelson) Expand the affordable housing bonus in neighborhood residential  📌#63 (Council Member: Nelson) Expand the affordable housing bonus for FAR / Floor Area Ratio in LR zones to waive development standards (Applies to lowrise 1 and higher for new broader affordable housing bonus with greater FAR, higher heights and units at 60%-80% AMI) 📌#65 (Council Member: Nelson) Allow retail stores to be located anywhere on any lot on a block 📌#66 (Council Member: Rink) Allow more commercial uses in more locations in neighborhood residential areas (not the corner store anymore, no size limit, bars, restaurants) 📌#67 (Council Member: Strauss) Allow stores to be located anywhere in NR zones, NOT JUST CORNERS 📌#72 (Council Member: Rinck) Amend density development standards to allow portions of a lot with environmentally critical areas to count toward density calculations (steep slopes for example) 📌#74 (Council Member: Nelson) Increase residential and lowrise height limits from 32 ft (increased by 2 ft already in interim legislation) now this proposes another 3 feet of height 📌#76 (Council Member: Rinck) (See above)  📌#84 (Council Member: Rinck) remove off street parking requirements CITYWIDE 📌#86 (Council Member: Nelson) Remove parking regulations/requirements within frequent transit areas of neighborhood residential 📌#95 (Council Member: Rinck) Reduces setbacks on small lots near transit (under 5,000 sq. feet) 📌#96 (Council Member: Rinck) Reduces side setbacks from 5 feet to 3 feet (maintenance areas, open space) 📌#99 (Council Member: Kettle) Eliminates amenity area requirements now 20% of lot for development in NR zones (space for trees, recreation) 📌#108 (Council Member: Hollingsworth) Exempt ADUs from FAR calculations in lowrise zones for legacy homeowners 📌#109 (Council Member: Hollingsworth) Reduce setbacks in lowrise zones for legacy homeowners Amendments to Support: Short List: #77, #93, #102, #5, #6, #10, #11, #14, #28, #29, #30, #32, #38, #40, #81, #110 Detailed Summary:  Quick Grouping of “Pro for Trees for Livability”: ✅ #77 (Council Member: Saka) Cottage Housing Bonus This amendment would make development standards more flexible for “cottage housing” which would be defined as “development consisting entirely of one or two story dwelling units arranged on two sides of a common, ground level amenity area equal to at least. ✅ #93 (Council Member: Rivera) Tree canopy requirements Effect: Modifies tree planting requirements, grants reduced setbacks, additional FAR / Floor Area Ratio and increased height for developments that preserve at least one Tier 2 tree. ✅ #102 (Council Member: Rivera) Tree Protections Tree protections SDCI alternate site plan authority and procedural discretion for development that encroaches on tree protection areas (could authorize SDCI Director to require alternate site plans to demonstrate that trees can be retained). Pro Comprehensive Plan Policy: ✅ #5 (Council Member: Strauss) Support grocery stores in food desserts and 27 Hollingsworth (same idea) ✅ #6 (Council Member: Strauss) Amend the Comp Plan to support multi-generational housing diversity for all ages and encourages renovation  ✅ #10 (Council Member: Saka) Amend the Comp Plan to add a policy on transit security ✅ #11 (Council Member: Saka) Amend the Comp Plan to revise a policy on missing sidewalks ✅ #14 (Council Member: Saka) Amend the Comprehensive Plan to add policies on pavement and bridge construction ✅ #28 (Council Member: Strauss) Amend the Climate and Environmental Element to highlight trees, bees, salmon, orca and herons ✅ #29 (Council Member: Strauss) Amend the Comp Plan to support the development of parks in regional and urban centers ✅ #30 (Council Member: Strauss)Amend the Comp Plan to support the development of community centers in regional and urban centers  ✅ #32 (Council Member: Kettle) Add a Public Safety Element to the Comprehensive Plan   ✅ #38 (Council Member: Hollingsworth) Adds protections for steep slopes in environmentally critical areas ✅ #40 (Council Member: Rivera) Amend the boundary map of the Ravenna Neighborhood map to support a National Historic District (shrinking map boundary to honor work of establishment of Ravenna Historic Districts) Important move in the right direction! ✅ #81 (Council Member: Rivera) Design Standards for Historic Districts ✅ #110 (Council Member: Saka) Requires mailed notices of area wide rezones (notice to lot owners of businesses, apartments, and residences must be notified of a rezone for properties resulting from residents being blindsided by the city’s intent to rezone (costly $500,000) project Take Action:   * We encourage you to send your list of what you support by number and what you support and do not support to council@seattle.gov anytime before the Council’s final vote on Sept 17-19th.  * Please also consider attending the Public Hearing on Friday, September 12th at either 9:30 (remote) or 3:00pm live at City Hall. https://www.seattle.gov/council/committees/public-comment Key References:  * Link to CB 120985 Comp Plan bill * Link to CB 120993 Middle Housing bill * Link to Development Standards reference with current  (heights, FAR, setbacks, for Residential ( HB1110) Lowrise, Midrise and Neighborhood Commercial zones)  * Wallingford community built flyer on Gas Works zoning changes * Article: The Best Cities for Low Carbon Emissions Aren’t the Tallest (Bloomberg)

Dear Neighbors,

As the seasons change, let’s come together to celebrate what makes Wallingford such a vibrant, connected community. This September, the Wallingford Community Council is excited to host a Community Open House—a chance to connect, learn, and enjoy an evening together.

We’ll feature local organizations that bring life, beauty, and spirit to our neighborhood. Come meet them, hear about their work, and discover ways you can get involved.

✨ Light nibbles and desserts from local vendors will be provided—bring a friend or a neighbor and make it a community night out!

Wallingford Community Council – General Meeting & “Wallingford Open House”
📅 Tuesday, September 10, 2025
📍 Good Shepherd Center, Room 202
🕡 6:30 – 8:30 PM

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🌟 Featured Community Spotlights

🏛 Historic Wallingford

Learn how Historic Wallingford is preserving the rich character of our neighborhood while helping residents engage with Seattle’s growth and change.

📰 Wallyhood

Our very own neighborhood blog! Meet the team behind Wallyhood, which has been keeping Wallingford informed and entertained for years.

🎉 Celebrate Wallingford

The nonprofit behind our beloved Wallingford Kiddie Parade! Learn how Celebrate Wallingford brings neighbors together through fun events that honor tradition and build community spirit.

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✨ Other Potential Organizations Joining

• Good Shepherd Senior Center
• Wallingford Branch Library
• Local Tree Preservation Group
• (More details will be shared in our follow-up newsletter.)

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🗓 Evening Schedule

• 6:30 – 7:00 PM | Casual Welcome & Nibbles
• 7:00 – 8:15 PM | Community Organization Spotlights
• 8:15 – 8:30 PM | WCC Updates: Waterways & Zoning — Key topics shaping Wallingford’s future
  

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💡 Why Attend

• Meet the neighbors and groups making Wallingford thrive
• Find opportunities to get involved in fun, meaningful ways
• Hear important updates on Waterways and Zoning and what they mean for our neighborhood
  

📅 Community Calendar / Future Events

Lincoln High School – Sports Field Options & Discussions

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) are planning facility upgrades at Lower Woodland Park to service the student community.   More info here

• Track Upgrades Discussion at Lower Woodland
  
  📅 Saturday, Sept. 20, 11:00 a.m. | Lower Woodland Field #7, near the bleachers
  
• New Full-Size Athletic Field Discussion
  
  📅 Wednesday, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m. | Location TBD

The Great Wallingford Wurst Fest

📅 Sept. 12–13 | St. Benedict School, Wallingford | Free!
All ages are welcome at this neighborhood tradition featuring live music, food, kid-friendly activities, and a 21+ beer garden. Learn more

Senior Center Fall Gala

📅 Sept. 12 | 6–9 p.m. | $40 fundraiser with cabaret performance
RSVP by Sept. 8 (casual dress encouraged)

Historic Wallingford Roaring 20’s Speakeasy

Reserve your spot for an unforgettable evening of prohibition-era cocktails, gourmet canapés, and 1920s entertainment.
📅 Sept. 14 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.| Murphy’s Pub | Event details

Candidate Forum – Fremont Community Council

📅 Sept. 30 | 7–8:30 p.m. | Doric Lodge | Featuring CM Nelson Learn more

Next WCC Meeting

📅 October 1 | 7:00 p.m.
We can’t wait to see you at the WCC event and these others — let’s celebrate Wallingford together!

The Seattle City Council is finalizing its Comprehensive Plan—the 20-year roadmap for growth and zoning across our city. As part of this, Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6) is asking for feedback on the boundaries of the proposed Tangletown Neighborhood Center.

The online survey lets you weigh in on four choices:

• The City’s original proposal (OPCD version)
• Version A
• Version B
• Version C

Each map redraws Tangletown’s boundaries in different ways: some shift south toward Meridian Park and closer to the Wallingford Urban Center, others extend east toward I-5 or connect to the University District. All of these changes could impact housing density, building heights (up to 4–5 stories), traffic, and neighborhood character.

👉 Importantly, the survey also gives you the option to mark “undecided” or to say that you don’t support any of the proposals. Every question provides space to add comments—so you can explain what you like, dislike, or want changed about each option.

Deadline: Tuesday, September 2

Councilmember Strauss will use this feedback to decide which one map to advance to the full Council for consideration later in September.

📝 Take the survey here: District 6 Neighborhood Center Survey

This is your chance to shape how Tangletown—and its connections to Wallingford, Green Lake, and beyond—will grow in the coming decades. Please take a few minutes to look at the maps, share your perspective, and make sure our neighborhood voices are part of the decision.

Original:

Version A:

Version B:

Version C:

Summary: A last-minute proposal, Amendment 34, has emerged as a late-breaking addition to the ongoing Comprehensive Plan process. This could drastically rezone 79 acres in lower Wallingford, an area known as Gasworks, transforming single-family zones into higher-density housing and taller buildings without the usual public review. The Wallingford Community Council (WCC) is urging residents to take action immediately by contacting the City Council and preparing to testify at an upcoming public hearing.

What is the Comprehensive Plan and why should you care? The Comprehensive Plan is Seattle’s 20-year roadmap for growth, deciding where new housing, businesses, and transportation investments will go. Decisions made now will shape Wallingford and the city for decades to come.

The Wallingford Community Council (WCC) was astonished to discover Amendment 34, which proposes a rezone of 79 acres in lower Wallingford to establish a new “Neighborhood Center.” This proposal was never presented during the WCC’s 2024-25 meetings regarding proposed rezones, and the news has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood.

⚠️ Wallingford Community Council (WCC) is urging residents to oppose or request the withdrawal of Amendment 34, which proposes yet more significant rezoning of 79 acres in lower Wallingford for a Gasworks Neighborhood Center. This “last-minute” proposal, which was not previously discussed with the community, would create a new “Neighborhood Center” in the area known as Gasworks.

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🗺️ The Proposal: Amendment 34 creates a Gasworks Neighborhood Center in South Wallingford

Amendment 34 is part of a larger package of 110 amendments to the One Seattle Plan, released by the City Council on August 4, 2025.

• What it does: It adds eight new “Neighborhood Center” locations, including a 79-acre area in lower Wallingford called Gasworks Neighborhood Center. The other locations are Alki, Broadview, Dawson, Loyal Heights, Nickerson-South Canal, Roanoke Park, and South Wedgewood.
• Targeted Area: The proposed rezone covers lots below North 38th Avenue, extending south to Northlake and encompassing several blocks east and west of Wallingford. This area is specifically targeted for denser housing, with buildings potentially reaching 6–8 stories in the business core.
• Controversy: This specific Gasworks location was considered and then dropped from the city’s plan in October 2024. The WCC, as well as the D4 representative CM Maritza Rivera, were unaware of its reintroduction until the amendment packet was made public.

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📣 Call to Action for Residents

The WCC is concerned that the community has not had an equitable timeline for engagement for additional Neighborhood Centers submitted with Amendment 34 compared to 30 other Neighborhood Centers identified in October, 2024 with the release of the Mayor’s Seattle One Plan. The request to remove Amendment 34 is justified due to the lack of equitable transparent public process and to ensure residents are not blindsided by rezones having denied Wallingford residents ten months of public engagement opportunities.  Residents, particularly single-family homeowners, renters, and businesses in South Wallingford, will be significantly impacted.

What you can do:

• Request Withdrawal: Contact the City Council and request the withdrawal of Amendment 34. The WCC suggests doing this as soon as possible, but no later than September 4.
• Email: Send an email to council@seattle.gov.
• Testify at Public Hearing: Plan to attend the upcoming Public Hearing on Friday, September 12.
  • Remote session: 9:30 a.m.
  • In-person session: 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.
• Vote “No”: If Amendment 34 is not withdrawn, the WCC urges residents to vote against it.

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📅 Key Dates and Contact Information

This is your last chance to comment on CB 120985 (Comprehensive Plan) or CB 120993 (Middle Housing) before the legislation becomes permanent.

Public Hearing on Friday, September 12

• Session 1: 9:30 a.m. (remote)
• Session 2: 3:00 p.m. (live at City Hall)
• Topics: Public comment on the Comprehensive Plan (CB 120985), which includes boundary and amendment changes, and Middle Housing (CB 120993), which covers topics like trees, corner stores, parking, ADUs, stacked flats, and affordable housing policies.

Final Voting Schedule for the Comprehensive Plan Select Committee (Full Council) on CB 120985 and CB 120993

• Wednesday, September 17: 2:00 p.m., voting on amendments for both bills.
• Thursday, September 18: 9:30 a.m., voting on amendments for both bills.
• Friday, September 19: 2:00 p.m., final voting and passage of both bills with amendments.

Contact Information:

• Email: council@seattle.gov
• Councilmembers:
  • Bruce Harrell: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
  • Michael Hubner: michael.hubner@seattle.gov
  • Maritza Rivera: maritza.rivera@seattle.gov
  • Dan Strauss: dan.strauss@seattle.gov
  • Sara Nelson: sara.nelson@seattle.gov
  • Rob Saka: rob.saka@seattle.gov
  • Joy Hollingsworth: joy.hollingsworth@seattle.gov
  • Alexis Rinck: alexismercedes.rinck@seattle.gov
  • Debora Juarez: debora.juarez@seattle.gov
  • Robert Kettle: robert.kettle@seattle.gov
  • Mark Solomon: mark.solomon2@seattle.gov

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🔗 Resources

• City Council Comprehensive Plan Website: https://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/2025-comprehensive-plan
• Amendment Packet: Find the 110 amendments at the link above. Amendment 34 is detailed on page 58 (description) and page 65 (map).
• Wallingford Community Council Newsletters: https://wallingfordcc.org

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💡 Notable Mention: Rob Saka’s Amendment 110

Councilman Rob Saka has sponsored Amendment 110, which would require the city to send mailed notices of area-wide rezones to property owners, commercial leases, and building managers. This measure, if passed, would help prevent situations like the current one, where residents are caught unaware.

Hello Neighbors,

Summer’s here, and hopefully you’re taking advantage of the glorious June weather and spending time outdoors!

Thank you for your continued support through membership renewals, meeting attendance, the May Election, and Waterway events. Since November, we’ve tracked zoning legislation in our newsletters. Our focus has been educating residents on the city’s zoning proposals, including zoning categories, maps, and differences between the state’s zoning mandate (HB1110) “ Middle Housing” and the Mayor’s Plan (30 neighborhood centers with proposed up zones along “frequent transit” arterials).

Zoning & Land Use – Updates

How will you weigh in with the Council on plans for future growth in Wallingford and the city as a whole this summer?

This summer, the City Council is prioritizing major decisions on future growth, particularly in Wallingford and citywide. A significant focus is on passing CB120993, legislation to comply with the state mandate (HB1110) allowing 4-6 units per lot on all 5,000 square foot lots across all neighborhoods. This will substantially increase housing capacity and density.

Between June and September, the Council will review, debate, and legislate the Comprehensive Plan CB120985, featuring new policies and Future Land Use Maps. This includes rezoning and converting all single-family lots to multi-family, completing Phase 1 of this process. The Full Council and select Committee Meetings will primarily focus on HB1110 and the Comprehensive Plan legislation, aiming for a final vote in September.

The Council will have a two-week break from August 16-30, then shift to budget work in October-November. They will resume Phase II of the Comprehensive Plan in December-January. The path forward is clear due to the dismissal of six EIS appeals in April, allowing the Council to concentrate on these key housing initiatives.

Mark your calendar for Monday June 23, the ONLY public hearing for HB1110 CB120993. 
Session I 9:30 remote, 
Session II 3:00 pm in person
Agenda Information
Public Comment Forms

Key Meeting This Friday, June 13th at 9:30 AM: An important meeting is scheduled featuring OPCD discussing the Mayor’s office proposal for CB120993. This proposal aims to enact permanent legislation for state compliance with HB1110. A recording will be available on seattlechannel.org for those who cannot attend live. The revised HB1110 will satisfy state regulations, permitting 4-6 units per lot, but it also introduces numerous additions not found in the initial state model. These supplementary components have lacked public clarity. Therefore, attending or viewing the June 13th meeting is essential to understand OPCD’s presentation to the council and gain specific details regarding these changes and additions.

Below is an updated full schedule for the May- September Select Committee Meetings. Any past meetings are recorded on seattlechannel.org filed under Select Committee Comprehensive Plans.  The Comprehensive Plan website has an overview, meeting timelines, and information how to sign up for public hearings. 

May: 

• Monday, May 19: Public Hearing on HB1110 Temporary legislation that then passed on May 21 Review the recordings of public comments made at the May 19 Public Hearing sessions on HB1110 here.
• Seattle Times article: Seattle City Council committee advances housing plan with more density
• Petition · Change One Seattle Permanent HB1110 Ordinance to Grow Housing Responsibly. (This petition is a reminder of what matters in planning for growth)
• Keep in mind that HB1110 / CB120933 on Permanent Middle Housing bill for state compliance replaces and supersedes the temporary bill CB120969 passed May 21.

June:

• Thursday, June 5 at 9:30: OPCD introduced to council their HB1110 permanent proposal for development standards (setbacks, height, FAR) over and above state requirements including both NR(neighborhood residential) zones and Lowrise zones. Michael Hubner, Comp Plan lead, showed slides on a previous Comp Plan presentation as a refresher. June 5 agenda with Comp Plan legislation and proposed center boundary maps.
• Friday June 13 at 9:30:  Continued discussion of changes to NR, RSL (elimination) and LR zones (formerly single family) decisions to comply with the state mandate and add or change or amend.
• Monday, June 23: Public Hearing: Public Comment & Registration, Agenda. We recommend you write, call or participate at this Public Hearing. See the City Council contact list below.

July-September: A focus on the Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan plan policies with Future Land Use Maps for ALL the types of centers ( regional, urban and neighborhood centers) boundaries

July: 

• Friday, July 11 2pm: The council is set to finalize the boundaries for new neighborhood centers, a key component of the Mayor’s Plan. This includes the establishment of future land use map boundaries for urban and regional centers, alongside 30 newly designated neighborhood centers.
• A contentious element of the Mayor’s plan is its “one size fits all” aspect.  There is significant debate surrounding this.  Will its scope remain unchanged? Will it be reduced? Will it be broadened? Or will it be eliminated entirely?  The ultimate result is yet to be determined.

August:

• Monday, August 4, 9:30: Phase 1 Amendments to Comp Plan
• August 16-30: No zoning meetings. Two week full council break.

A public hearing date for the Comprehensive Plan is currently unannounced. (Stay tuned for updates.)

September: 

• Wednesday September 17th, 2:00 pm: TBD
• Thursday September 18th, 9:30 am: TBD
• Friday, September 19th, 2:00 pm: TBD, The Final Vote on Comp Plan is subject to change

October- November:

• Council Meetings will be limited to Budget (No zoning meetings)

December-January 2026:

• Phase II Zoning meetings for Council will then restart in December/January 2026

The Mayor’s Phase II Zoning proposal will soon unveil maps illustrating which arterial roads are slated for upzoning as part of the “frequent transit” initiative. This plan aims to increase density by permitting building heights of up to five stories or fifty feet along citywide streetscapes. In contrast, it also proposes a maximum height of thirty feet or three stories in areas previously designated for single-family housing near these arterials. However, the plan has faced criticism, particularly regarding the implementation of a uniform approach of Lowrise 3/five-story/fifty-foot heights.

In Wallingford, bus routes 31 and 32 are targeted to trigger 5-story upzones for lots next to arterials. This includes 40th Street (from I-5 to Wallingford, below 40th to Wallingford, and 35th to Stoneway). Additionally, the 62 bus route could potentially trigger 5-story upzones on Meridian Avenue from 50th to 56th Streets.

Background: In April, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzed capacity for 80,000 to 120,000 new housing units. Subsequently, the Mayor’s Plan suggested 330,000 units, which included establishing 30 new and expanded neighborhood centers and increasing zoning along arterials with frequent transit. This upzoning would permit buildings up to 5 stories or 50 feet, replacing the previous 3-story or 30-foot limit in areas formerly designated for single-family homes. Furthermore, House Bill 1110 is expected to boost city-wide housing potential and density by allowing 4-6 units per lot, potentially offering sufficient capacity for 10-20 years, a scenario already examined by the EIS independently.

References for Council Contacts on Summer Legislation 

• Email City Council Members: council@seattle.gov 
• OneSeattlePlan.zoning@seattle.gov 

Or contact them directly:

• Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov
• Joy Hollingsworth D3 Chair Select Committee Joy.Hollingsworth@seattle.gov 206 684 8803
• Dan Strauss D6 Vice Chair N. of 50th Wallingford/Tangletown Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov 206 684 8806
• Maritza Rivera D4 N.E Seattle Wallingford Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov 206 684 8804
• Sara Nelson At Large Sara.Nelson@seattle.gov 206 684 8809
• Alexis Mercedez Rinck At Large AlexisMercedez.Rink@seattle.gov 206 684 8808
• Robert Kettle D7 Robert.Kettle@seattle.gov 206 684 8807
• Cathy Moore D5 Cathy.Moore@seattle.gov 206 684 8805
• Rob Saka D1 Rob.Saka@seattle.gov 206 684 8801 
• Mark Soloman D2  Mark.Soloman@seattle.gov 

Wallingford Calls to Action can be accessed  with this link:
https://www.wallingfordcc.org/category/calls-to-action/

Wallingford Community Council (WCCC) Annual Meeting and Officer Elections 

The WCC held its Annual Meeting and Officer Elections on May 14, 2025, at 7 PM at Good Shepherd.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all board volunteers for their continued service, dedication, and commitment to the WCC for the 2025-2026 term.

Bonnie Williams – President)  
Jen Ring Perez – Vice President (New but a returning past president, thank you!)
Ted Hunter – Secretary
Mark JoHahnson – Treasurer (2 year term)
Margaret Holt – Board Member-At Large
Mary Hodder – Board Member-At Large
Matt Hallett – Board Member-At Large
Miranda Berner – Past President

Standing Committee Chairpersons:
Ted Hunter – Shorelines
Bonnie Williams – Land Use (With board assistance on zoning proposals)
Miranda Berner – Volunteer Coordinator 

Waterway Walk May 31 hosted by WCC

The annual Waterway Walk, held on May 31st, invites neighbors to discover public access points to Lake Union. This year’s event, led by Shorelines Committee Chair Ted Hunter, was fortunate to be rain-free. Planners Miranda Berner and Margaret Holt also participated, joining attendees in exploring these access locations firsthand.

Council member Dan Strauss hosts a Town Hall Wednesday, June 18th 

Wallingford has two district representatives. Dan Strauss above 50th and Maritza Rivera D4 below 50th.

Dan Strauss will host a District 6 town hall on Wednesday, June 18, offering residents the opportunity to connect directly and discuss neighborhood priorities, city initiatives, and community concerns.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Magnolia Branch of the Seattle Public Library, located at 2801 34th Ave. W.

Community members are encouraged to attend and bring their questions or feedback on topics affecting District 6, which includes Ballard, Fremont, Green Lake, and surrounding neighborhoods. You can rsvp here. Please send questions ahead of time and sign up.

Thank you and have a great June & July!

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making Wallingford a thriving community. 

Warm regards,
The Wallingford Community Council