High-rise towers and South Lake Union-scale density is coming to the U-District. The full City Council votes on the U-District plan Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 2:00 pm in Council Chambers at Seattle City Hall. Show up and be counted!
Advocate for amendments and resolutions by Councilmembers Herbold and O’Brien that would:
- Require Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) requirements of 10% or $22.25/SF for new high-rise towers. Most cities require affordable housing fractions between 20% and 30%.
- Remove upzoning between NE 50th Street and NE 52nd Street that would demolish many apartments and displace at least 175 units of affordable housing.
- Cancel the zoning changes if MHA is ruled illegal. Ask for stronger legal protections than a “request to the court”.
- Conduct a residential displacement risk analysis.
- Require an implementation plan for business district support. Assess the feasibility of a childcare voucher fund and school impact fees.
Massive U-District zoning changes will increase building heights up to 320 feet. Advocate to delay the profit-driven destruction of this urban community by asking the City Council to:
- Finish the MHA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before changing zoning rules.
- Complete the displacement analysis of existing affordable units before rezoning.
- Direct the Seattle City Attorney to provide an opinion regarding the legality of MHA.
- Conduct an analysis of impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.
Contact your City Councilmembers NOW! Councilmembers Harrell and Juarez have not yet voted on these issues.
More Information:
- 4 to Explore: A Northeast Neighborhoods Newsletter – “Let City Council Hear Your Voice“.
- The Seattle Times – “Allowing more office towers won’t make U District vibrant, livable community” and “Don’t let the U District become the next South Lake Union“.
- The Seattle Displacement Coalition – Outside City Hall blog.
- Wallingford Community Council – Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA).
- Seattle Neighborhood Coalition.
- Seattle Weekly – “How Amazon and Vulcan Bought Their Way into City Hall This Year“.
