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