Author Archives: WCCAdmin

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:

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

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.

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: