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Next WCC Meeting on Feb 12th with Maritza Rivera, Seattle City Council Member (District 4)

Wallingford Community Council Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Room 202, Good Shepherd Center (4659 Sunnyside Ave. N.)

Join us on February 12 for the first WCC meeting of 2025, featuring District 4 Council member Maritza Rivera. We’ll discuss the latest updates on the Comprehensive Plan and zoning changes and their impact on Wallingford. With the Final Environmental Impact Study (FEIS) just released and a short window for public input, this is a critical time to stay informed and engaged. Key upcoming meetings and public hearings will shape the future of our neighborhood—get involved!

Maritza is a representative of the “One Seattle Team,” and this is a critical opportunity to hear about and discuss the impacts/mitigations identified resulting from the Comprehensive Plan updates and zoning proposals for Wallingford.  Maritza can review her role on the Select Committee as she and the full council review the One Seattle Zoning plans and Comprehensive Plan legislation with a public process. (The Select Comm for 2044.)

Mark your calendar, bring your questions, and provide feedback to shape the future of our community.

BREAKING NEWS: The FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Study) was released yesterday, Jan 30, 2025. There is only a two-week appeal period that closes on Feb 13th, 2025. This document is 1,300 pages and available for reading here: https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

We recommend reading the talking points about the impacts of rezoning for upcoming Select Committee meetings and public hearings on the Comprehensive Plan 2044 Wallingford Community Council’s “One Seattle Plan-Call to Action”
Key Topic for 2025: The City Council/Select Committee now focuses on the Public Process for the Comp Plan 2044 and Re-zoning Legislation. 

The City Council’s Select Committee launched discussions on Jan. 6 on the 2044 Comprehensive Plan and the One Seattle Plan. The “Select Committee” is comprised of all nine City Council staff members. They are responsible for final decisions on the Comp Plan legislation, the HB1110 Middle Housing state mandate passed in 2023, and the Mayor’s additional rezone map proposals. We are including the Select Committee meeting dates and times for people to participate in the public process for Phase 1 legislation through May 2025. The state deadline for the city to complete adoption legislation for HB1110 is June. 

All Select Committee meetings can be seen live at the time of the meeting or recordings are made available on the Seattle Channel shortly after the meeting ends. (Link: https://www.seattlechannel.org/mayor-and-council/city-council/select-committee-on-the-comprehensive-plan)

Upcoming “Select Committee” Meetings. (located at City Hall 600 4th Street Floor 2)
– Wednesday, February 5 at 11 am – “Public Engagement” 
– Wednesday, February 5th at 5:00 pm – “Public Hearing”.Pre-register to be able to make public comments either in person or remotely by signing up here.
– Email: council@seattle.gov.

Refer here for the full City Council Select Committee Schedule.

Only two more Public Hearings are planned through May!

Please review the Wallingford Community Council’s “One Seattle Plan-Call to Action” page for more details and talking points. 

Past “Select Committee” Meetings:

Here is the link to a Seattle Times article with quotes from the council from the first Select Committee meeting on:
– Jan. 6: “Comprehensive Plan” Overview: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/fault lines-emerge-as-seattle-council-takes-up-housing-plan
– Jan. 15: “Growth Strategy Overview & Phase 1 Zoning Preview”
– Jan. 29: “Select Committee key Topic ‘Displacement’”You can watch recordings and find the presentation slides for the Jan. 6th, 15th, and 29th meetings here: https://www.seattlechannel.org/mayor-and-council/city-council/select-committee-on-the-comprehensive-plan. 

Future “Select Committee” Meetings:
The Select Committee has announced tentative dates for future meetings in March, April, and May. 
– Wednesday, March 5th – “Comp Plan Issue ID Part I”
– Wednesday, March 19th – “Comp Plan Issue ID Part II”April 2,16,( April 30 Public Hearing Comp Plan and Zoning)
– May 16 Public Hearing, May 22,23
– May 29th – Final Vote on Phase I – Meeting the state requirements for HB1110
– June to Sept – “Phase 2 zoning legislation”

Other Resources: Zoning Proposal Maps: https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/ OPCD Project Documents / Mayor’s Recommended Growth Strategy (2024). This contains the Draft Plan and other key related documents. Recapping the WCC November / December  Meeting Information on One Seattle Plan and Rezone Maps

On October 16, 2024, the city released online maps with the locations of “NR” (Neighborhood Residential) zones where formerly single-family lots outside urban villages will be converted to denser multi-family 5,000 square foot lots allowing 4-6 units per lot as required in the state-mandated legislation HB1110. Four units are now allowed in all designated NR zones, but six units are allowed ¼ mile from major transit (rapid ride or light rail). 

OPCD provided opportunities to comment on online maps using social media and held open houses for each city council district, distributed paper maps for neighborhoods, and closed public comment on December 2024. 

At our meetings, we demonstrated in our meeting how you can use the online maps to show current and proposed zoning for individual properties by address. We also distributed maps showing proposed rezone locations and differences in the lowrise and NR zones including heights, setbacks, far, lot coverage for each of the zone changes.

WCC’s November presentation explained the details of the Mayor’s plan which is additional and separate from the state plan. The Mayor’s rezone proposals include expansions of 30 Neighborhood Centers and conversions of thousands of single-family lots to multi-family surrounding the 30 Neighborhood Centers citywide increasing bulk, height, and scale. In addition, the Mayor’s proposal proposes to rezone single-family lots facing arterials city-wide on the bus routes for “frequent transit” from “single-family lowrise” to 5 stories. The public comments received on the rezone maps through December 20 will be compiled and shared this coming spring 2025.

The Comp Plan housing growth target from April 2024 set a target of 80,000 to 120,000 housing units. The FEIS ( Final Environmental Impact Study) just released studied the 80k to 120k impacts for that housing growth target. The Mayor’s plan released on Oct. 16, 2024, surpasses the Comp Plan housing growth target by increasing housing unit growth to 330,000 housing units. 

The public comments during the Select Committee hearings for the next several months will be considered before the second set of rezone maps are prepared by OPCD and released in May 2025. The vote on revised maps will follow. Michael Hubner, Director for the Comp Plan said “he guarantees there will be changes on the revisions of rezone maps.

Major Wallingford Impacts

Ask the city to reduce heights in the Mayor’s frequent transit plan from “Lowrise 3” 5-story/50-foot buildings to more compatible heights of “NR” (4-6 units per lot 30 height) or “Lowrise 1” (30 feet) along arterials in Wallingford of routes 62, 31, 32.Let us consider the residents who want to stay in their neighborhoods and the potential displacement here. Many blocks of the formerly single-family zoned lots located along these bus routes in Wallingford have naturally affordable older homes. Many homes are family-sized rentals, including duplexes, triplexes, small apartments, and businesses.

The Mayor’s plan is proposing city-wide upzoning on all “frequent transit “arterial facing streets encouraging demolitions, not rehabilitation. These proposed high unit capacity zone proposals at LR3 allow 5-story/50-foot buildings to offer more built-in profitability for developers and will likely accelerate demolitions. This can displace and force out occupants of all ages, races, and incomes who reside in these homes facing arterials citywide. Rezoning for greater unit capacity and jumping to the highest residential zones can increase land values and property taxes for homeowners, renters, businesses, and those on fixed incomes who simply can not keep up with these increases. Assessors base property values on market sales on “highest and best use”. That means you can have property tax increased on the rezoned potential capacity of your lot even though you choose not to redevelop it.

The 5-story city-wide plan for rezones citywide along “frequent transit” bus routes….
– Lack of nuances of various neighborhood street considerations
– Ignore direct outreach by the city to neighborhoods
– Lack of consideration of context and existing heights
– Create corridor and canyon effects
– Shadow neighboring homes
– Devalue investments in solar panels
– Reduce access to air and light
– Create a loss of trees with an increase in lot coverage from 35% -50%. 
– Decrease front setbacks for larger tree retention and planting
– Create a scarcity of amenities like parks, libraries, and grocery stores for increased populations.
– Lack of mitigations for traffic, and parking congestion
– and overall is a very weak plan for truly affordable housing 

A win/win can be achieved with either an NR designation (Hb 1110 4-6 units per 5,000 sq. foot lot) or a Lowrise One zoning designation both blending in with existing heights of 30-foot maximum in the context of older neighborhoods instead of such a height jump to 50 feet to large 5 story buildings on the bus route arterials described below. NR zones 4-6 units per lot or Lowrise one zones increase unit housing capacity and density at heights, but are more compatible with the existing context of these blocks.

Ask the council about revisiting and implementing impact fees for parks, fire, schools roads instead of more levies which could help reduce property taxes.  Many other municipalities outside of Seattle collect impact fees for infrastructure.

Ask for reduced heights from LR3 /5 story /50 feet zoning proposed to NR or LR One /3 story/ 30 feet zoning for residents of these specific streets impacts for arterials on Wallingford bus routes 62, 31,32.
1. Route 62 proposes to upzone properties to Lowrise LR3/5 stories, 50-foot buildings along Meridian north/south from 50th- 56th
2. Routes 31 & 32 propose to upzone properties to LR 3 5 stories, 50-foot buildings along 40th east/west from UW to Wallingford
3. Routes 31 & 32 arrive at the 40th and Wallingford intersection then travel south on Wallingford to 35th 
4. Routes 31 & 32 at 35th and Wallingford intersection the bus travels west/east to Fremont Ave.
(Click here for larger versions of the Wallingford Impacted Areas as seen above) 

Email all city council: at council@seattle.gov or contact them directly by phone with your concerns.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to making Wallingford a thriving community. Our goal is to update you on the Select Committee meetings and public hearing dates so you can be a part of the public process before final maps and policies for the Comp Plan 2044 are voted on in 2025. 

Warm regards,
The Wallingford Community Council
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CALL TO ACTION: The City needs to hear from You on “One Seattle Plan”

Comments due by Friday, December 20, 2024

The City’s proposed One Seattle Plan will impact all residents whether owner, renter or occupant. Please take this opportunity to add your voice in deciding how our community is going to change over the next 20 years. 

What & Why?

Passed in 2023 by the State Legislature, HB 1110 allows at least 4 units on all residential lots in Seattle.  It also allows at least 6 units on all residential lots if a.) located within a 1/4 mile (2 blocks) of a “major transit stop” such as light rail or rapid ride, or b.) at least 2 are affordable units.  Seattle is required to adopt zoning in compliance with these new requirements by June 30, 2025.  The City’s proposal is called “Seattle One Plan,” and it further upzones beyond the State’s mandate various areas of the city, including within Wallingford.  WCC has noted articles by a number of city and housing advocates who have called into question the mayor’s request to change zoning to allow for more than twice as many housing “units” than either HB1110 or other population projections prescribe.

We need more density.  We need livability.  We think Seattle can have both.  The city has shared maps and a proposal.  The WCC has spent considerable time reviewing and assessing the One Plan’s new proposed growth strategy. It is complicated, even for those versed in prior zoning efforts. 
Here are a few recommendations that we think would help us, as a city, to increase housing while keeping livable.

Ask for Density with Livability: 

  • Utilize capacity along 45th east/west where there are already existing commercial zoning at NC2-55 and NC2- P75 in the Wallingford business district.
  • In the Tangletown proposed Neighborhood Commercial Center, create transitions by stepping up from NR (single family) gradually, using LR1 to L2, and reduce the number of blocks leading up to the NC2-55 and NC2-65 in the business core. This allows for increasing density while also keeping eight and six story structures from being built next to two story houses.
  • Avoid “canyon effect” with taller buildings through good urban design. For avenues and streets that are being upzoned to 5 to 8+ stories, ask that the sidewalks be widened, setbacks honored and expanded, and the buildings themselves be designed to set back the mass at maximum height to avoid overcrowding the corridor and creating a canyon effect. Street canyon effect has well documented negative mental, physical and environmental health consequences.
  • NR (formerly Single Family) setbacks: Ask that the proposed front setbacks in NR be enforced at 10 feet from sidewalks as proposed, and remove the proposal to allow porches in the setback. The NR setbacks are proposed to be reduced from 20 feet front setbacks in single family to 10 feet in NR zones. This setback should be reserved for planting new trees lost during redevelopment, and to allow for longer periods of sunlight to reach the ground.
  • Front setbacks in LR1, 2, and 3 are 7 feet average and 5 feet minimum. Ask that these setbacks be increased to allow more tree replacement as many arterials slated for LR3 along frequent transit have either no parking strips or very narrow ones that are not conducive to tree planting, nor to longer periods of sunlight at the ground level.
  • Do not Upzone narrow tree-lined streets in Wallingford. Reject the plan to upzone lots facing “frequent transit” arterials on remaining single family 5,000 square foot lots or smaller through the Wallingford neighborhood to LR3. In this plan, Bus routes 31, 32, and 62 trigger an additional upzone. Specifically, do not upzone using LR3 allowing 50 foot, 5 to 6 story buildings in an older neighborhood with narrow tree lined streets and existing homes with heights of less than 3 stories /30 foot heights. Ask city to reduce the LR3 proposal at 50 feet/ 5 stories on frequent transit arterials to NR or LR1 at 30 feet, which are more compatible with existing heights.

Ask for Density with Affordability:

  • Ask the city to extend the MHA program to apply MHA fees when the result is exclusively market units in NR areas (Neighborhood Residential). Thousands of formerly single-family lots are being converted by HB1110 to multi-family allowing 4-6 units per 5,000 square foot lots city wide. A loophole exists that allows a builder to “opt out” of building additional affordable units, scrape a lot, and build only market rate units. The HB1110 state mandate includes OPTIONS for developers to add extra units voluntarily above the allowable four units. Developers can include “affordable units” that meet requirements of 60% AMI for renters and 80% AMI for home ownership for 50 years, but this is the developer’s choice. The builder can simply choose to build 4 units or fewer at market rate on a 5,000 square foot lot and “opt out” of building any affordable units. Currently, MHA fees are charged in ALL Low-rise 1, 2, 3 and higher zones, but not the NR zones.
  • Additionally, ask for the City to review MHA fees to keep pace with building costs so more money goes into the City’s fund for affordable housing.

Ask for Density with Quality of Life

  • Ask the City to explain how it plans to pay for investment in infrastructure to support the additional density, especially in areas that are being upzoned beyond what HB1110 allows such as the proposed “Neighborhood Commercial Centers” and “frequent transit arterial” upzones as per the Mayor’s plan.
  • Ask the City to explain both how the State’s HB1110 will impact property taxes, and how the City’s proposed additional upzones will impact the current residents of Wallingford, renters and owners alike? Upzoning increases property taxes by adding “potential housing” capacity on individual lots which affects property taxes, affordability and increases the risk of economic displacement and gentrification.
  • Ask the City to explain how this plan “meets the challenges of climate change for a resilient future.”

Talk to family, friends and neighbors – everyone is encouraged to email opinions, experiences, and/or questions about development and the Seattle One Plan to our elected officials no later than Friday, December 20, 2024.

Email Your Comments to:

oneseattleplan.zoning@seattle.gov

and copy

Be sure to include your zip code!

The public comment deadline is Friday, December 20th, 2024. Your voice matters, and this is a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our community.

Resources:

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Help Shape the Future of Wallingford Playfield: Join the Community Discussion

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is considering Wallingford Playfield as a potential location for a new synthetic turf field to serve Lincoln High School and Hamilton International Middle School. The field would also accommodate local youth sports clubs and community events.SPS is seeking community feedback and invites residents to a meeting on Thursday, September 19, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln High School, with a virtual option available. Community input will help ensure the best outcome for both students and neighbors. More details are available here: https://seattleschools.org/lincoln-field.

EVENT: Wallingford Community Meeting on Proposed Athletics Field
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 2024; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Lincoln High School, 4400 Interlake Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98103

Online via Teams (link to be posted September 18 at: https://seattleschools.org/lincoln-field)

AGENDA:
– Why Lincoln High School students need a field
– What options are being considered for field location
– Proposed changes to Lower Woodland #7 track
– Open Q&A session with attendees

Questions in advance? Use the Seattle Public Schools’ “Let’s Talk” online feedback form. https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/capital-projects-and-planning/school-construction/projects/feedback/ 
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Comp Plan Explained! 7PM, April 18, 2024

Join us, as we learn about the “2044 One Seattle Comprehensive Draft Plan” directly from Seattle city planners, at this special meeting sponsored by the WCC.

When: Thursday, April 18, 7pm-8:30 pm

Where: Wallingford Senior Center, located in the basement of the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North.

Who:

  • City of Seattle Office of Planning and Development guest speakers
    • Jim Holmes Senior EIS (Environmental Impact Study) Manager
    • Michael Hubner One Seattle Plan Long Range Planning Manager
  • Moderated by the WCC

Information and Q&A: The experts will give an overview of growth plans, goals and policy recommendations, expanding housing options, updating Seattle’s residential zones and re-classifications of urban villages to urban centers. They will also take questions. Also, learn the details of how the city will apply mandatory rules of House Bill 1110 passed by the state in 2023. HB1110 overrides previous single family zoned lots and now allows 4-6 units per lot based on proximity to transit.

Why: The city ends the opportunity for public comment May 6, at 5 pm. These policies, goals and growth strategies will impact the future of our city and neighborhoods for the next 20 years. Later in 2024, comments from all stakeholders will be reviewed and an FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Study) and final Comp Plan 2044 will be released and reviewed before City Council votes on it. Bring your written questions for the planners, if you desire.

For More Information on the Comp Plan, including how to submit comments, click here.

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Monthly Meeting – April 2024

Wednesday April 3, 2024, 7 PM

Join Us – engage on neighborhood issues, opportunities, projects, and initiatives. Learn. And as as something piques your interest, volunteer. 🙂

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Special Topic: Future of Aurora Avenue – SDOT is seeking public input.  Jules Posadas, Public Engagement Lead, Seattle Department of Transportation to present.
  • Special Topic: “Comp Plan” – Both the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan 2044 to guide growth for the next 20 years and the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Study) which analyzes impacts of growth strategy alternatives have been released.  The city’s public engagement period has started and comments will be incorporated into the Final Comprehensive Plan and FEIS (Final EIS).  Click here for more information (open houses, links, how to submit feedback, etc.).
  • Committee reports
  • Announcements
    • Earth Day Clean-Up: Saturday, April 20, 10 AM to 1 PM.  Meet at 45th & Wallingford, next to the Animal Storm statue 
    • Annual Meeting and Board Elections: Wednesday, May 8, 7PM.  Any interest in serving on the WCC Board, please email communications@wallingfordcc.org
    • Note: the May Monthly Meeting is canceled
    • Membership – Renew / Join: To vote for the 2024-2025 Board, one must be an official member a minimum of 15 days prior to election.  To renew or join, click here.
    • Wallingford Beautification: if you are interested contact Rhonda Bush at rhonda.bush@historicwallingford.org to participate. 
    • Seattle Needs Trees – There is a city-wide movement to amend the legislation to bring it into compliance with the City’s own 2035 Comprehensive Plan goals (30% coverage by 2037), as well as the state Growth Management Act. To learn more, click here.
    • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer or two to do so.  Contact pres@wallingfordcc.org if interested. 🙂
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
  • Adjourn
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Draft Comp Plan 2044 Released, Public Engagement Needed!

Deadline for public comment is May 6th, 2024, 5PM.

Two important documents were released the week of March 5, 2024 by the city. The first is the 20-year Growth strategy called One Seattle Comprehensive Plan 2044, which aims to guide growth for the next two decades. The second document, the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Study), analyzes the impacts of growth strategy alternatives.

It’s a very large body of work, and sometimes things are missed or need additional consideration. Help the city review their work! Public engagement is extremely important, and we list opportunities for you to participate and use your voice to influence the choices being proposed by city leaders.

The public engagement period has started, and your comments will be incorporated into the Final Comprehensive Plan and FEIS (Final EIS), which must be voted on by the City Council later in 2024. The deadline for public comments is May 6 at 5:00 pm.

About the Comp Plan

First, the Comprehensive Plan (One Seattle Plan) focuses on goals, policy recommendations, expanding housing options, zoning changes, map expansions, and updating Seattle’s residential zones, such as reclassifying urban villages to urban centers. Also, the city is required to apply the rules of House Bill 1110, which was passed by the state in 2023. HB1110 overrides previous single-family zoned lots and now permits 4-6 units per lot citywide, depending on proximity to transit.  The WCC would like the MHA (Mandatory Housing Affordability) program to apply to everywhere HB1110 applies, and would appreciate public advocacy to make this happen.

Illustrations of the application of HB1110, showing four units to a lot housing configurations, can be found here.

Here is the link to the One Seattle Comprehensive home page.
Here is the link to documents and other information for both the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Study).

Open Houses for the Comprehensive Plan are all from 6:00 – 7:30pm in person:
– Chief Sealth: Wednesday, April 3
– Garfield: Tuesday, April 16
– Eckstein: Thursday, April 25
– McClure Middle School Seattle City Hall (location changed!): Tuesday, April 30
– Virtual Online: Thursday, May 2

The deadline for comments on the Comprehensive One Seattle Plan is May 6, 2024, at 5:00 pm.
Send comments to OneSeattleCompPlan@seattle.gov

About the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement)

The DEIS focuses more on the five growth alternatives for Seattle with analysis of impacts and mitigations the city anticipates. Here is the link to a concise Executive summary analysis on the growth alternatives.

Links to online Information Sessions to be released before the meetings:

1) DEIS information online session Tuesday, April 2, 7-8:30 pm. For more information, contact: Jim.Holmes@seattle.govor call 206-684-8372.

2) DEIS online information session Thursday, April 11, 7-8:30 pm, focusing on 130th and 145th Street stations. Contact person: Patrice.Carroll@seattle.gov or call 206-684-0946.

The deadline for comments on the DEIS may be submitted before May 6 at 5:00 pm

at the DEIS Story Map
and/or mailed to:
   Jim Holmes  
   Office of Planning and Development  
   P.O.Box 94788  
   Seattle, Wash. 98124-7088  
and/or emailed to: PCD_CompPlan_EIS@seattle.gov

Public Hearings on the DEIS will be both online call-in and in-person live:

1) Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m.  
City Hall 600 4th avenue, Boards and Commissioners Room, Floor 12

2) Monday, April 22, at 6:00 p.m.  
City Hall 4th Avenue, Boards and Commissioners Room, Floor 12

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Monthly Meeting

Wednesday March 6, 2024, 7 PM

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Special Guest Council Member Maritza Rivera, District 4.  CM Rivera will share a bit about her first two months in office, what her focus is for 2024, and take questions.
  • Committee reports
  • Announcements
    • Wallingford Beautification: if you are interested contact Rhonda Bush at rhonda.bush@historicwallingford.org to participate. 
    • Seattle Needs Trees – There is a city-wide movement to amend the legislation to bring it into compliance with the City’s own 2035 Comprehensive Plan goals (30% coverage by 2037), as well as the state Growth Management Act. To learn more, click here.
    • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer or two to do so.  Contact pres@wallingfordcc.org if interested. 🙂
    • Next Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, April 3, 7PM.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
  • Adjourn
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Monthly Meeting, February, In-Person

Wednesday February 7, 2024, 7 PM

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Committee reports
  • Announcements
    • Take the Wallingford Beautification Survey.  With a goal of a vibrant, livable community and increased community engagement, a collaborative group that represents Historic Wallingford, the Wallingford Community Council, and Celebrate Wallingford have started discussions for beautification projects in Wallingford.
    • The working group is called Wallingford Beautification, and we welcome more participants if you are interested.  Contact Rhonda Bush at rhonda.bush@historicwallingford.org to participate. 
    • Seattle Needs Trees – There is a city-wide movement to amend the legislation to bring it into compliance with the City’s own 2035 Comprehensive Plan goals (30% coverage by 2037), as well as the state Growth Management Act. To learn more, click here.
    • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer or two to do so.  Contact pres@wallingfordcc.org if interested. 🙂
    • Next Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, March 6, 7PM.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
  • Adjourn
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Cancelled – the December 6th Monthly Meeting.

We look forward to seeing you in 2024.  🙂

P.S. Have new neighbors?  Please invite them to join the WCC mailing list.

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Ask City Council to allow discussion on Transportation Impact Fees. Support Council Bill 120635.

CALL TO ACTION: Email, Call and Testify

This week, please ask City Council to support Council Bill 120635 to amend the City’s Comprehensive Plan to allow the Council to engage with the public and then to later vote on whether to adopt transportation impact fees to pay for infrastructure needs created by new developments.

Monday, Nov. 6th: Please contact all Members of City Council and ask them to vote YES on CB 120635.

Tuesday, Nov. 7th: Please consider also making public comment either in-person or via telephone and ask all Councilmembers to vote YES on CB 120635.

City Council needs to hear from we, the people.  🙂

NOTE: CB 120635 is a procedural requirement—it does NOT impose any fees. What it does do is allow for the discussion, public engagement, and then, ideally, a vote.  If the comp plan does not get amended, then the exploration of impact fees cannot happen.  Impact fees are charged by all surrounding communities of Seattle, i.e., Redmond, Bellevue, Renton, Bainbridge Island, etc..

What are Impact Fees?  Impact fees are one-time charges assessed by a local government against a new development project to help pay for new or expanded public capital facilities that will directly address the increased demand for services created by that development. *
 
What can Transportation Impact Fees be used for?
Transportation impact fees must be used for “public streets, roads, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that were designed with multimodal commuting as an intended use” that are addressed by a capital facilities plan element of a comprehensive plan adopted under the GMA, per RCW 82.02.050(4) and RCW 82.02.090(7).
According to our discussions with the Washington State Department of Transportation, “bicycle and pedestrian facilities that were designed with multimodal commuting as an intended use” would include any bike trail/lane/path, sidewalk, or any other multimodal trail/lane/path, whether on-street or off-street, as long as it is publicly owned or within the public right-of-way and connects two or more destinations.
It is unlikely that transportation impact fees can be used for other multimodal improvements not listed above, such as transit vehicles or recreational hiking trails.
Since impact fees are restricted to capital facilities, they cannot be used to fund transportation studies or operating and maintenance costs. *

Development impact fees are not a new idea—the cost to provide infrastructure for new real estate development should be carried in part by those new projects (“growth should pay for growth”).  Implementing development impacts fees—like 70 other Washington Cities already do—requires a two-step process: our comprehensive plan must be amended to allow impact fees before they can be considered by a separate ordinance. CB 120635 is just the first step (amending the comprehensive plan)!  

The timing of CB 120635 is particularly important because the 2015 Move Seattle property tax levy expires next year. Ideally, that property tax can remain flat or even decrease; shifting a reasonable amount of the burden to the for-profit developers of new market rate projects (as is done by Redmond, Bellevue, Federal Way, Shoreline, and 66 other Washington cities) will help make this tax reform possible. 
 
CM Herbold, a long-time proponent of impact fees, and CM Pedersen are co-sponsors of CB 120635 to amend the Comp Plan to enable consideration of a program at a later date.

Reference:
– * Source and language for What are Impact Fees and What can Transportation Impact Fees be used for? Comes from https://mrsc.org/research-tools/ask-mrsc
– To read Council Bill 120635 – click here

Background reading links:
– CM Pedersen’s page
– CM Herbold’s page
– Seattle Times: Seattle Leader Wants Developers to Help Pay for Transportation Projects

Some talking points on this topic:
•        Seattle is overdue for impact fees to help us pay for our transportation infrastructure rather than piling the entire cost-burden on homeowners and renters through property taxes. 
•        Seattle is an outlier when 70 other Washington State cities, including Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Bainbridge Island (as well as cities across the nation) collect this important revenue for better infrastructure to support growth. 
•        Impact fees do not interfere with growth – Bellevue, Redmond and many other cities in Washington use those fees and these cities have not stopped growing. 
•        Seattle’s proposed impact fees would be relatively small in comparison with other cities’ programs.
•        Public, non-profit, and other low-income housing projects could be exempt from these fees. 
•        Impact fee revenue can be used for projects that support for ALL modes of travel, including pedestrians, transit, bikes, and freight. 
•        Impact fee revenue would free up other transportation revenues that Seattle needs to fix our aging bridges.  
•        Impact fees could be used to help pay for new or replacement trees in upgraded rights of way (streets) projects. 
•        Impact fees are not likely to appreciably impact market rate housing production or rents – driving down land values reduces upward pressure on market rent rates.  
•        Impact fees will not reduce the supply of low-income housing: Low-income housing is likely to be exempt.

###

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Monthly Meeting, November, In-Person

Wednesday November 1, 2023, 7 PM

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Guests:
    • Scott Lien /Kamiak and Weinstein AU will present an update on their 6-story, 105-unit apartment building at 4318 Stone Way North.  The project will include space for restaurant & retail and also include parking for about 60 vehicles.
    • Councilmember Alex Pedersen or Toby Thaler /Pedersen’s office will go over the proposed Transportation Impact Fees legislation.
  • Committee reports
  • Announcements
    • Lid I-5 – Community Vision Workshop, Thursday, November 9, 2023, 5:30-8:00pm, Gould Hall Court, 3950 University Way NE.  Covering the highway, connecting communities – come brainstorm, share ideas, and help with envisioning the possibilities.  All are welcome.  To learn more and rsvp, click here.
    • 45th Street beautification project, Volunteers Needed – Creative project to replace the banners along 45th Street:  
      We have a small group of people interested and could use a few more!  This project needs outreach, project coordination, and creativity – does any of that sound like you?  If so, please email pres@wallingfordcc.org to get connected.
    • Seattle Needs Trees – There is a city-wide movement to amend the legislation to bring it into compliance with the City’s own 2035 Comprehensive Plan goals (30% coverage by 2037), as well as the state Growth Management Act. To learn more, click here.
    • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer or two to do so.  Contact pres@wallingfordcc.org if interested. 🙂
    • Next Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7PM.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
  • Adjourn
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Monthly Meeting, October, In-Person

Wednesday October 4, 2023, 7 PM

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Guests:
    • Seattle Fire Department: Jon Ehrenfeld will share about the SFD’s recently launched Health 99 unit, a unit that specifically responds to overdoses in Downtown, Belltown, and Pioneer Square
    • Seattle Needs Trees: David Moehring will explain the recently passed Tree Ordinance 126821 and efforts to improve it
  • Committee reports
  • Discussion on Gas Works Park and for-profit events (i.e., large ticketed concerts).  History, concerns, pros/cons, etc.. 
  • Announcements
    • The Great Wallingford Cleanup, Saturday, October 14, 10am – 1pm, meet at the Animal Storm Sculpture on the corner of 45th Street and Wallingford Ave. N.
    • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer to do so.  🙂
    • Next Monthly Meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 1st, 7PM.
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
  • Adjourn

Volunteers Needed – Creative project to replace the banners along 45th Street:  
Have an interest in joining the Wallingford Community Council in collaboration with other volunteer neighborhood organizations?  This project needs outreach, project coordination, and creativity – does any of that sound like you?  If so, please email pres@wallingfordcc.org to get connected.

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A couple of things..

Seattle Needs Trees

Do you agree that the recently passed Tree Ordinance 126821 has some holes to be filled? Holes like not being in compliance with the city’s comprehensive plan, and forgetting to include tree protection during property development.

There is a city-wide movement to amend the legislation to bring it into compliance with the City’s own 2035 Comprehensive Plan goals (30% coverage by 2037), as well as the state Growth Management Act.

To learn more about this movement, go to: www.seattleneedstrees.com

One can also get a better idea of the benefits of amending the Tree Ordinance from this Seattle Times article by Naomi Ishisaka, “Yes, Seattle, we can have both housing and trees.”

Volunteers Needed

Creative project to replace the banners along 45th Street:  Have an interest in joining the Wallingford Community Council in collaboration with other volunteer neighborhood organizations?  This project needs outreach, project coordination, and creativity – does any of that sound like you?  If so, please email pres@wallingfordcc.org to get connected 🙂

Save the Date

  • Monday, September 18, 6PM – Seattle Fair Growth Candidate Forum – via zoom
  • Wednesday, October 4th, Monthly Meeting, Room 202, Good Shepherd Center – in-person, maybe hybrid.. more info to come
  • Saturday, October 14, 10am – 12pm – The Great Wallingford Cleanup, meet at the Animal Storm Sculpture on the corner of 45th Street and Wallingford Ave. N.
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Join us! Seattle Fair Growth City Council Candidate Forum

Monday, September 18th, 2023 at 6PM via zoom.

You are invited! 🙂

The North Seattle Districts 4, 5, and 6 will be from 6pm – 7 pm.  Wallingford is in Districts 4 & 6.

Central and the South Seattle Districts 1, 2, 3, and 7 will be from 7pm – 8:15 pm.

Plan to come to one or both.  Click here to join via zoom

13 of 14 candidates have said yes, and only one had a conflict! Click here for more information!

Each candidate will have 90 seconds for an introduction. The questions will concern density, affordable housing, our tree canopy and how they fit in our Comprehensive Plan. There will also be a lightning round of six Yes/No questions.

The forums will be recorded and posted at www.seattlefairgrowth.org. Please direct questions about the forums to Sarajane Siegfriedt Sarajane3h@comcast.net.

Click here for a map of the “as of January, 2024” Seattle City Council Districts.

Big thank you to Seattle Fair Growth for their outreach and work to pull together and moderate this candidate forum.

Co-Sponsors Include:

  • Seattle Fair Growth (SFG)
  • Central Area Neighborhood District Council
  • The Morgan Community Organization
  • Phinney Ridge Community Council
  • Duwamish Valley Neighborhood Preservation Coalition
  • Madison Miller Park Community Group
  • Wallingford Community Council

NOTE: The Wallingford Community Council does not support nor endorse individual candidates.

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Wallingford Kiddie Parade – 11AM, Saturday, July 15th!

A community event since 1949? 1950?

Celebrate Wallingford - Kiddie parade July 14 2023 11am Poster

The Wallingford Kiddie Parade is 11AM, Saturday, July 15th!

Parade Route is along N 45th, starting at Bagley N. and ending at Interlake N.

What makes this parade special is that it is all about the kids marching in the parade!

This year’s theme: Halloween in July!  Bring kids in their Halloween costumes to Bagley N. & 45th, and if you are joining them – don’t forget to dress up, as well! 

For more information about participation, here’s your LINK

The Great Parade Float Bonanza: We encourage people to create cool floats!  Blake Garfield, (Celebrate Wallingford Board President) has a couple trailers to loan to folks who’d like to create a parade float.  Yes, there’s NO rental fee! He’ll even deliver it to your door.  The only commitment is your promise to turn yours into something fantastic.  Intrigued? Want to enter?  Find out more LINK

A little community history: This parade is Seattle’s oldest parade. It began as a Kiddie Parade and throughout the years has had several different faces. The event nearly fell into such disrepair that it was questionable whether it would survive. But survive it has.  Celebrate Wallingford is a brand-new neighborhood non-profit created especially to produce the parade. Wallingford Parade is for everyone in the neighborhood, and out! Parade route is from Bagley N to Interlake N on N 45th. Everyone is welcome. More info: Parade | Wallingford Parade (celebratewallingfordwa.org)

This is a community event by, for, and in YOUR neighborhood.  Help make it happen!  Love a Parade? Volunteer HERE  and/or Join the Board!

To Sponsor / Donate, click HERE 

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WCC 2023 Survey Results

In March 2023, the Wallingford Community Council launched a survey using survey monkey to solicit feedback on areas of interest from the community. The short survey was sent out to community council members, advertised on social media – including the WCC website and sent around to various listservs and groups within the neighborhood. The goal of the survey is to help the community council understand key priority areas for the neighborhood in order to prioritize the work of the community council. Over 250 people responded to the survey which provided helpful insight.

The top 5 areas the community wanted to see focused on were:

  1. Public Safety
  2. Homelessness
  3. Zoning
  4. Housing for All
  5. Park Upkeep

The results of the full survey were presented at June 7th WCC meeting. 

WCC-2023-Survey-Data-in-PP-5.25.23Download
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Wallingford Waterway Walk and Tour, 2023

This Saturday! 10AM

Join us and learn about the connection between the neighborhood and Lake Union, along with past and presents efforts to preserve our many public access points to Lake Union.

Saturday, June 10th, 10am, Rain or Shine! 
Location Update!  Meet at Waterway 15, on the western side of Ivar’s, and the walk will leave from there.  Plan on about an hour or two, ending at Stone Way. All are welcome.

To read more about the Wallingford Shoreline, click here:  https://www.wallingfordcc.org/shorelines/

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JOIN US

Wednesday, June 7th, 7pm, ONLINE ONLY! 

Join us on-line as Kristin presents the WCC survey results and shares what the WCC’s focus will be for the year.

To join, click here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88923577386?pwd=aTYzcndLQWFwbHpBREUrbHcyOGMzZz09

Meeting ID: 889 2357 7386
Passcode: 192433

There is no in-person meeting this month; online only.  🙂 

—
This Saturday! 10AM
Wallingford Waterway Walk and Tour

Learn about the connection between the neighborhood and Lake Union, along with past and presents efforts to preserve our many public access points to Lake Union.

Saturday, June 10th, 10am, Rain or Shine! 
Location Update!  Meet at Waterway 15, on the western side of Ivar’s, and the walk will leave from there.  Plan on about an hour or two, ending at Stone Way. All are welcome. 🙂
To read more about the Wallingford Shoreline, click here:  https://www.wallingfordcc.org/shorelines/

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Annual Meeting and Officer Elections

Special guest: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (District WA-07)

Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 7:00 PM
In-Person at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd Center, all are welcome
4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

NOTE: Max. Capacity of the Chapel is 85 people.
The elevator to the Chapel is broken. 🙁
Hot tip from the building manager: follow the WAY FINDING signs to get to the correct stairwell.
To watch online:  https://meet.google.com/vhx-chgc-vrg

AGENDA:
6:30pm: Member check-in, followed by elections.  Must attend in-person to vote.
7:00pm: Welcome and Officer Elections
7:20 – 8:00pm: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal
8:00pm: closing remarks by Miranda Berner
8:15pm: adjourn

·      Have a topic that you would like Rep. Jayapal to touch upon?  Please email pres@wallingfordcc.org with it prior to Wednesday.
·      Volunteers needed to help with setting up chairs before the meeting and then putting them away afterwards.
·      Reminder: To vote in the election, you must be a current member for 2023. Five years ago, we moved to a calendar year membership cycle.  If you joined or renewed your membership on or after November 1, 2022, then your membership is valid for all of 2023.  To be eligible to vote in this year’s election, you must have renewed or joined no later than April 17, 2023.
·      If you would like to be considered for nomination to an Officer position, please send a message describing your interest, and your past level of involvement with the neighborhood and the WCC, to communications@wallingfordcc.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Wednesday, June 7th, 7pm, join us on-line as Kristin presents the WCC survey results.  Link to come.  No in-person meeting.
Saturday, June 10th, 10am, Wallingford Waterway Walk and Tour.  Rain or Shine!  Meet at the tiled plaza of the Wallingford Steps (1800 N Northlake Way).  Learn about the connection between the neighborhood and Lake Union, along with past and presents efforts to preserve our many public access points to Lake Union.  To read more about the Wallingford Shoreline, click here:  https://www.wallingfordcc.org/shorelines/
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Upcoming! as of March 22, 2023

Save the Dates! 

  • Wednesday, May 3rd, 7:00 PM.  The Wallingford Community Council (WCC) will hold its Annual Membership Meeting and Election of Officers on Wednesday May 3rd, 2023, at 7:00 PM, with member check-in at 6:30pm, in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.
    • If you would like to be considered for nomination to an Officer position, please send a message describing your interest, and your past level of involvement with the neighborhood and the WCC, to communications@wallingfordcc.org no later than April 15th.  Thank you!
  • Please note: There is no Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, April 5th, as we have moved to having bi-monthly (every other month) meetings.
  • Saturday, April 22nd, 10AM – 1PM, Wallingford Spring Clean-up! Earth Day!  Come pick up garbage BEFORE it gets into our beautiful Lake Union.  Two meeting spots to choose from!
    • Cat Storm Pole on 45th St @Wallingford Avenue N.
    • 3333 Wallingford Ave. N, across from the Varsity Inn
  • Saturday, June 10th, Morning, Wallingford Waterway Walk and Tour.  Details to come.

Announcements 

  • Have you renewed for 2023?
    • Reminder: To vote in the election, you must be a current member for 2023. Five years ago, we moved to a calendar year membership cycle. If you joined or renewed your membership after November 2022, then your membership is valid for all of 2023. To be eligible to vote in the May election, you must renew or join no later than April 17, 2023.
      Click here to Renew or Join.
  • Please take 5 minutes to fill out THIS SURVEY to help the WCC set priorities for 2023-2024. Survey closes Saturday, April 15th.
  • The Communications Committee is looking for volunteers to help with promoting the Wallingford Waterway Tour in June.
  • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer to do so.  🙂
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Help Set Priorities for 2023-2024 :)

Dear Fellow Wallingford Neighbors, 

The Wallingford Community Council Board wants to hear from you! How can we best represent our neighborhood?

Please take 5 minutes to fill out THIS SURVEY to help the WCC Board set priorities for 2023-2024. NOTE: Survey closes Saturday, April 15th, 2023.

Thank you! And Happy Spring!

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Oppose HB1110/SB5190 – upzones without affordability!

Urgent CALL TO ACTION to oppose
HB1110/SB5190 which mandates statewide blanket upzones
without any guarantee of affordability.

HB1110/SB5190 seeks to dictate and override current land use laws in Seattle and statewide without any guarantee of affordability.

Please send comments to Governor Inslee, state senators in your district, and ask them to OPPOSE this bill. 

     Governor Inslee – fill out his contact form here, and to call: 360-902-4111

     District 43rd(mostly south of 45th street)
Jamie.Pedersen@leg.wa.gov       360 786 7628

     District 46 (North of 45th street)
     Javier.Valdez@leg.wa.gov       360 786 7818

along with:
     Chair of Ways and Means
     Christine.Rolfes@leg.wa.gov       360 786 7644     

One can also comment and track the bill by:
1)  Going to the Washington State legislature page and click on MENU on left  https://leg.wa.gov
2)  Then click on “Bill Information” on list and then type in search bar the bill number “1110” only (do not include the HB prefix), then click “search”
3) Click “Comment on this bill” and fill in your name, address, and zip to verify your legislators
5) You can choose to “oppose,” “neutral,” or “support” and leave comments
6) Lastly be sure to “send comment” or “submit” (make a copy for your records, optional) 

Here are the core excerpts from the original bill HB1110 and substitute bills:
1) Any city with a population of 75,000 or more … must provide statewide … authorization for the following:
a) The development of at least FOUR units per lot on all lots zoned for residential use,
b) The development of SIX units per lot on all lots zoned predominantly for residential use within ½ mile walking distance of a “Major transit stop or community amenity” and,
c) The development of SIX units per lot on all lots zoned predominantly for residential use, if at least two units are affordable housing.

Note b above: “major transit stop” definition has expanded to include, “community amenity” of about 200 public schools in Seattle and 300 parks within one half mile
Note b above: Amendments to reduce the 1/2 mile to 1/4 mile have failed in latest substitute bill and to the request to omit parks and schools denied
Note c above: “major transit stop” definition includes light rail, rapid ride, bus stops with regular service qualifications

d) To qualify for the additional units … the applicant must commit to renting two of the six units at rents affordable to low-income households (60% AMI renters and 80% AMI buyers) for a term of 50 years.

Note: this option of providing two units of affordable housing is only available if the building location is outside the ½ mile and the developer wants to increase production from four units to six units, AND, as almost all of Seattle is “within ½ mile walking distance of a, “Major transit stop or community amenity,” this incentive to add affordable housing units is negated by the above 1.b.  Essentially, this bill provides no incentive to build affordable housing units within Seattle and gives away negotiation power that could be used to ask for it.

Edmonds News, Reader View, Feb. 5, 2023, says it succinctly:
“There is no upside to these bills. Failure to build affordable housing, override of local zoning ordinances, negative impact of development on our environmental resources (watersheds, critical areas, tree canopy) and on our aging infrastructure, and inevitable future property tax increases, are all serious downsides.”

Background reading links for HB1110/SB5190: 

1) Seattle Times Jan. 27, 2023 “Serve the people, not the developers”
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/serve-the-people-not-developers-amend-middle-housing-bill/
“HB 1110 includes no authentic proscription to create affordable housing. Instead, it creates market-rate housing.”

2) Seattle Fair Growth Missing Middle Fact Sheet
 https://www.seattlefairgrowth.org/missing-middle-fact-sheet.html

3) District 4 Council Alex Pedersen News in Land Use section” Reasons to Reject HB1110/SB5190”
https://mailchi.mp/seattle.gov/so-much-to-accomplish-in-2023?e=af260c3273#land-use

4) Edmonds News Feb. 17th, 2023
https://myedmondsnews.com/2023/02/reader-view-who-will-benefit-from-house-and-senate-housing-bills-follow-the-money

Not only are the so-called “Missing Middle” House bills examples of using language to mislead, but both “Missing Middle” bills HB1110/SB5190 are statewide mandates to override and pre-empt Seattle’s local zoning laws.

Briefly, we need to reflect on Seattle’s sweeping blanket up zone legislation passed in 2019 which included MHA (Mandatory Housing Affordability) that eliminated all single-family zoned lots within 27 Urban Villages. All single-family lots inside these 27 Urban Villages were converted to higher density multi-family low rise zones.  Also, Seattle increased development capacity with massive upzones in Neighborhood Commercial zones and hubs such as downtown, Ballard, and the U District.

Additionally, the 2019 ADU/DADU attached and detached backyard cottage legislation up zoned every single-family lot citywide outside of the urban villages to allow 3 units per lot, citywide. That has evolved into unit lot subdivisions, generating the development of townhouses, being sold for a median listing price of $769K1.  Currently, developers can maximize profits by tearing down one house and selling or leasing 3 units at market rates in single family zones citywide.

Both of these sweeping changes to zoning are having the effect of decreasing the amount of naturally occurring affordable housing throughout Seattle faster than any affordable housing is being generated.  At least with the Seattle urban village MHA up zones, there is a development fee collected which transfers to non-profits to build affordable housing at a range of income levels. 

Some key reasons to reject or oppose HB1110/SB5190

  • Seattle residents should be in control of land use zoning decisions for Seattle
  • Seattle has sufficient capacity for growth, and the 2019 MHA and ADU/DADU upzones increased this capacity even further
  • More than 80% of the 250,000 needed units of housing in WA are low-income, subsidized housing, and that will not be addressed by upzoning; subsidies and incentives are needed.
  • Upzoning drives displacement, as it encourages tear downs of naturally occurring affordable housing within neighborhoods, as well as economic segregation by replacing what was once affordable to a broader swath of income levels with new market rate housing units.
  • HB1110 /5190 is going to produce market rate housing with zero affordability requirements within a ½ mile from parks, schools and transit (so no affordability requirements for most of Seattle)
  • Infrastructure language is inadequate for level of density mandated
  • Upzones in Seattle have caused property assessments to rise, dramatically increasing property taxes over the past few years
  • Environmental concerns such as such as tree canopies, setbacks, watersheds and run-off, critical areas prone to flooding, erosion, and landslides, and green space inclusion are being ignored at the expense of the quality of life for residents of all incomes

—Reference: 

  1. Redfin.com, on March 5, 2023 states, “There are currently 453 townhouses for sale in Seattle at a median listing price of $769K.”  https://www.redfin.com/city/16163/WA/Seattle/townhouses
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Bi-Monthly Meeting Wednesday March 1, 2023 7 PM

In-Person, Bi-Monthly Meeting Wednesday March 1, 7 PM

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Guest: Stephanie Velasco, Housing Levy Communications Manager, Office of Housing, City of Seattle, along with additional members of her department, to speak on funding sources for housing followed by Q&A.
  • Committee reports
  • Save the Dates!
    • Saturday, April 22nd, Morning, Earth Day clean-up!  Details to come
    • Wednesday, May 3rd, We have moved to every other month (bi-monthly) meetings for 2023. The next Bi-Monthly Meeting will be folded into our Annual Meeting and Officer Elections, Wednesday May 3rd, 6:30 PM.
    • Saturday, June 10th, Morning, Wallingford Waterway Walk and Tour.  Details to come.
  • Announcements:
    • The Communications Committee is looking for volunteers to help with promoting the Earth Day Clean-up in April and the Wallingford Waterway Tour in June.
    • Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer to do so.  🙂
  • Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
  • Adjourn
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Bi-Monthly Meeting Wednesday January 4, 2023 7 PM

In-Person, Bi-Monthly Meeting Wednesday January 4, 7 PM

Location: Room 202 of the Good Shepherd Center, 4659 Sunnyside Ave N.

Agenda:
– Welcome and Call to Order
– Guest: Stephanie Secord, SPU SCWQP Project Manager for the Storage Tunnel and Wallingford Conveyance Projects:  “Seattle Public Utilities has selected a contractor for the Wallingford Conveyance Project and we’re looking to begin construction in January 2023. The project includes an approximate year-long closure of Stone Way between N 34th St and N 35th St and we’d like to be able to answer any questions.”
– Guest: Councilmember Alex Pedersen
– Committee reports

Announcements:
– We have moved to every other month (bi-monthly) meetings for 2023. The next Bi-Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday March 1st, 7 PM.
– The Communications Committee is looking for volunteers to help with writing emails and posting content to the website
– Hybrid Meeting Tech Help: need volunteers with the equipment to lend to make the bi-monthly meetings hybrid.  It is something we would like to offer, but we need a volunteer to do so.  🙂

Good of the Order (anything people want to bring up)
Adjourn
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Join us at our OPEN HOUSE

The Wallingford Community Council

invites you to an in-person

OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022
6-8PM

Good Shepherd Center, Room 202
4649 Sunnyside, Ave. N.

Meet and reconnect with your neighbors,
learn about the WCC (& about volunteer opportunities!),
a 100% volunteer organization made up of residents of Wallingford,
celebrate with friends, join in community conversations, meet some of our elected officials, enjoy dessert, win raffles with prizes,
and a Halloween switch witch for the kids.

RSVP – To help us plan – please RVSP, and indicate how many kids for the Switch Witch 🙂

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June Monthly Meeting – Moved to June 9

Did you know – The City has grown 21.1% since 2010.

We are partnering with the Seattle Redistricting Commission to host the District 4 Public Forum – a hybrid meeting on the Redistricting of Seattle’s seven City Council Districts.  Come learn and provide feedback.  All are welcome. 🙂

Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Date: Thursday, June 9, 2022
Location:  Wallingford Community Senior Center in the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue Northsuite, Suite 140, Seattle, WA 98103
OR
Virtual Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82217028349

Note: there is no meeting Wednesday, June 1st.

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Annual Meeting and officer elections scheduled for Wednesday, May 18

Join us for the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 7:30 PM. Our guest speakers are Tanya Kim, Acting Director, and Michael Bailey, Assistant Director, of the Human Services Department (HSD). This meeting will be virtual.

Meeting Agenda

  • Presentation, question & answer session with Tanya and Michael, Human Services Department – Attendees can ask questions directly in the videoconference, by submitting them through the chat feature, or in advance by email to the moderator.
  • Board / Committee reports
  • Good of the order – (anything you want to bring up).
  • Announcements

We want to hear from you.

Send us your questions or topic ideas for the upcoming monthly meetings to communications@wallingfordcc.org.

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Monthly Meeting – December 2024

Last Chance to Discuss One Seattle Plan – WCC Meeting on Dec 10th

Dear Wallingford Community Members,

We hope this message finds you well. As we approach the end of the year, we have an important opportunity to share our thoughts on the One Seattle Plan and how it will affect our neighborhood.  Our last chance is to discuss the “One Seattle Plan” proposals before public comment closes.
SAVE THE DATE: Wallingford Community Council Meeting – Dec 10, 7-9 PM
Date: Tuesday, December 10
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Good Shepherd Senior Center, Room 140
Key Topic: “One Seattle Plan” Zoning Changes

The One Seattle Plan proposes significant zoning changes across all Seattle neighborhoods, increasing density by allowing up to 4-6 units on formerly single-family lots as part of the state’s Middle Housing Bill (HB1110). These changes will reshape our community, and we all must understand the impacts and share our views.

The city’s public comment period closes on December 20th, making this your last chance to engage with the community on these proposals.

Why Attend?
– Learn about the latest updates to zoning changes and what they mean for Wallingford.  
– Discuss the revised development standards for Lowrise 1-3 and Midrise zones. (PDF links)
– Voice your concerns and hear from other community members before the public comment window closes.

Refresher Summary: 
The One Seattle Plan proposes sweeping zoning changes for increased density in Seattle neighborhoods, including Wallingford. The plan aims to build 4-6 units on single-family lots, as mandated by the State’s Middle Housing Bill HB1110. This would involve upzoning areas near major transit and “frequent transit” bus routes.

In Wallingford, for example, single-family lots abutting the streets of bus lines 31, 32, and 62 currently have height limits of 30 feet in Neighborhood Residential zones, but with the rezone, proposed heights on redeveloped lots would rise to “LR3” (55 feet, 5-story multi-family buildings). 

There is a plan to expand the Tangletown commercial core and create a “Neighborhood Commercial Center” where single-family NR zoning is proposed to be rezoned to LR3 (55 feet, 5-story multi-family buildings).  Another new “Neighborhood Commercial Center” is proposed west of Wallingford in the upper Fremont area.  

Resources for Meeting Preparation:
– Link to the November WCC Meeting Recap: Wallyhood Blog Post
– Draft Zoning Maps and Engagement Opportunities: One Seattle Plan Zoning Hub
– Helpful Video: How to Read and Comment on Zoning Maps. An overview of the One Seattle Zoning Plan and navigating the website to view specific addresses with current zoning and proposed changes.

Reminder: Engagement Opportunities with the OPCD 
The Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) will host several opportunities for community engagement before the public comment period ends:
– Thursday, Dec 5: Jefferson Park Community Center, Gym, 3801 Beacon Avenue South, 5:30 – 7:30 PM. (District 2)
– Tuesday, Dec 10: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St, 5:30 – 7:30 PM. (District 7)
– Thursday, Dec 12: Virtual Information Session Online, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Reminder: Other Engagement Opportunities with the City
– Office Hour Appointments with OPCD Staff: Available until December 16th. Visit the Engagement Section on the One Seattle Plan Zoning Hub to schedule an appointment.
– Public Comments: Email your comments to oneseattleplan.zoning@seattle.gov and copy Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov, Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov (for District 6 – above 50th, Near Tangletown businesses), and/or Maritza.Rivera@seattle.gov (for District 4 – below 50th). Be sure to include your zip code!In

Summary: Stay Informed, Stay Engaged:

The public comment deadline is December 20th, 2024. Your voice matters, and this is a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our community.

Save the Date and join us for this discussion as we navigate these significant changes together. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, December 10th at the Good Shepherd Senior Center, Suite 140 from 7 to 9 pm. 

Warm regards,
Wallingford Community Council
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Stay Engaged: One Seattle Plan Zoning Changes & Transportation Levy Updates

We have several critical updates and upcoming events to share with you, including an important discussion on the “One Seattle Plan” zoning changes that will significantly impact our neighborhood. 

1.) Save the Date – November 12th WCC Meeting

Join us at our upcoming WCC meeting on Tuesday 11/12 for a comprehensive review of the proposed “One Seattle Plan” zoning maps and their impact on Wallingford.  

The “One Seattle Plan” (youtube overview) proposes sweeping zoning changes for formerly single family lots outside the Wallingford Urban Village and across all Seattle neighborhoods.

The plan is to increase density by authorizing the construction of 4-6 units on remaining single family lots as mandated by the State’s Middle Housing Bill HB1110.  

Date: Tuesday, November 12
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Good Shepherd Senior Center, Room 140
Key Topic: “One Seattle Plan” Zoning Changes

Some Key Details:

  • The city’s neighborhood zoning changes reflect up-zones in proximity to a 1/4 mile walk from major transit (rapid ride and light rail) with unexpected up-zones to lots located adjacent to “frequent transit” bus routes. 
  • In Wallingford, for example, single family lots abutting the streets of bus lines 31, 32 and 62 currently have height limits of 30 ft in Neighborhood Residential zones. In the proposed rezone, heights on redeveloped lots would rise to 55 ft for 5-story, multi-family developments. 
  • A new Neighborhood Commercial Center is proposed in West Wallingford/Upper Fremont
  • There is a plan to expand the Tangletown commercial core and create a “new neighborhood center” where single family NR zoning is proposed to be rezoned to LR3. 

Key Resources: 
The city website has a consolidated page with an interactive Draft Mapping tool, the Neighborhood Residential Housing Models proposed for HB1110, and an Engagement Section with a listing of the seven in-person information sessions with the OPCD staff. (Office of Planning and Community Development)  There is also a helpful video on how to explore the maps and comment on them directly. 
https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/zoning-map
(Please note, these Zoning Maps are available for Public Comment through 12/20.)

As mentioned, OPCD will host meetings on this topic from Oct. 30 to Dec. 12 across in-person and virtual meetings:

Other key resources and opportunities to engage:

Please note that Public Comment Closes on Dec. 20, 2024

2.) Transportation Levy “Proposition 1” Update

Following our October WCC meeting with SDOT representatives, please review the following links to find answers to any outstanding questions or decisions on this ballot issue.

Thank you for your continued engagement in shaping our community’s future.

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Monthly Meeting – October 2024

Regarding: October Meeting on Ballot Prop 1 Transportation Levy featuring SDOT (plus Property Taxes, Zoning Changes, Lincoln Athletic Field, Waterway 20, etc.)

We have several important updates and events coming up that we want to share with you, including a upcoming live discussion on Ballot Proposition 1 Transportation Levy to “Move Seattle” with SDOT at our next WCC meeting on Thursday 10/17 at 7:00. See more details below. 

Our live meetings are valuable opportunities to engage with issues that will directly impact our neighborhood and city. Please mark your calendars and join us in shaping the future of Wallingford!

1.) This Week! Save the Date! October WCC Meeting (Thursday 10/17 at 7PM) 

Date: Thursday, October 17
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Senior Center, Suite 140, Good Shepherd, 4649 Sunnyside Ave.
(Note: This event will not be live-streamed.)

Key Topic: Ballot Proposition 1 Transportation Levy to “Move Seattle”

Speakers from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Meghan Shepard or Dan Anderson, will provide insights on the proposed $1.5 billion levy. They will cover planned improvements and what it means for your taxes. 

Seattle voters will decide on the biggest transportation levy in Seattle’s history, impacting property owners, renters and businesses. “Property owners would pay a rate of $.65 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value”. The owner of a median priced home assessed at $804,000 would pay an estimated $520 a year or about $230.00 more than they pay now through 2032. This levy is 75% larger than the previous levy passed in 2016.  

Why Attend?

  • Understand the specific transportation initiatives the levy supports.
  • Learn how much the levy will cost Seattle residents and businesses.

Key Actions

  • Register to Vote! Your vote is your voice! Be registered to vote and informed on upcoming ballot initiatives impacting our neighborhoods.
  • Voting Deadline: Ballots must be returned by Tuesday, November 5, by 8 PM. You can also vote in person on Election Day.

Additional Resources for Pre/Review: 

2.) Wallingford Transportation News

Wallingford Healthy Streets has transitioned from a temporary to a permanent fixture, expanding the route under SDOT’s “Safe Routes to Schools” program.

3.) 9/25 WCC Meeting Presentation (recap) with King County Tax Assessor, John Wilson. (Highlights in case you missed the September meeting.)

Take advantage of the most recent senior exemption program for tax relief to reduce your property taxes if your income was $84,000 or below in 2023 and you are at least 62 years of age. See details of applying for property tax relief at their website. 

Co-presenter, Jeff Darrow, Residential Division Director notes: Property tax revenue collected recently comes primarily from residential properties at about 80% of total revenue with only about 20% of total revenue coming from commercial properties. The drop in revenue from commercial properties was explained as the large numbers of commercial buildings sitting unoccupied.

4) Zoning Changes: HB 1110 “Middle Housing” Bill impacts for Seattle 

With the passage of  HB1110 “Middle Housing” bill in the 2023 legislative session, the City of Seattle is now required to allow at least 4 units on all residential lots, and at least 6 units on lots located within a quarter mile of a “major transit stop” or where at least two units are “affordable housing.”  These changes are anticipated to have a positive impact on property values, potentially leading to increased property tax assessments in accordance with the “highest and best use” principle.

It is important to note that legislators in Olympia are currently considering a proposal to raise the cap on property taxes to 3% and that the current 1% cap on annual property tax increases does not extend to levies that have been approved through a voter referendum.

More info and articles on HB1110. 

5) Update on Public Access to Waterway 20

When Waterway 20, adjacent to the harbor patrol docks and Gas Works Park, was unlawfully fenced off from public use by the harbor patrol more than a decade ago, the Wallingford Community Council (WCC) formally submitted an application to the state authorities to reinstate this neighborhood public access to Lake Union. 

The state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) determined that the site had been contaminated by hazardous toxins, partially as a result of materials stored on the site by the harbor patrol. Comprehensive studies conducted to assess contamination levels and effective remediation strategies are finally nearing completion and, although the DNR is prepared to engage in discussions on a timeline for reinstating public access, the city of Seattle is now expressing resistance to the reopening. 

Join the WCC Shoreline Committee to be actively involved in restoring public access to Lake Union and protecting our shoreline habitats.

6) Lincoln Athletic Field (Seattle Public Schools / Wallingford Park, Meridian Park, etc.) 

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is seeking community feedback on the proposed site for a new athletic field to serve Lincoln High School and Hamilton Middle School. The need for this field has become urgent with the planned demolition of Memorial Stadium, where Lincoln’s football team practices and plays and long daily commutes for student athletes to practice on other fields. 

Funds for the Lincoln field are earmarked in the 2022 Building, Technology, Academics, and Athletics (BTA V) Capital Levy, supported by property taxes. SPS notes that it has “not made a final decision” on the location, and community engagement is critical as the project moves forward.

At a public meeting on September 19th, SPS focused on three possible locations: Wallingford Playfield, Meridian Park, and Queen Anne Bowl. Wallingford Playfield is a leading contender due to its proximity to both schools. Two potential field layouts at Wallingford Playfield were discussed, both requiring the relocation of the playground and possibly the wading pool. The proposed field would feature synthetic turf and LED lighting, but concerns remain about green space access, shared community use, mature tree removal, parking, and traffic.  

Another option being not presented at the meeting but being circulated in the community is restoring the practice field to its original location on the north side of the school, necessitating relocation of the current staff parking lot or lidding the lot with an elevated field. 

Wallyhood.org has recently summarized the issue in this article. 

Action Needed:

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