Attend a crucial public information meeting on zoning changes in Wallingford and around the city. Tuesday, November 19th at Magnuson Park, Hanger 30 from 5:30-7:30 for District 4.
The Wallingford Community Council WallingfordCC.org, has been presenting information about the city’s process including zoning changes for the 2044 Comprehensive Plan. WCC has hosted two informational meetings. It is a heavy lift to educate residents about the proposed zoning changes before the end of the public comment period on December 20th. With that in mind, WCC has asked to share information here through Wallyhood.
In planning for growth, the city is working with two factors to change zoning to allow for more density. The first factor, The Seattle One Plan, aka the comp plan is planning for growth for the next twenty years. The second factor, on a state level, legislation HB1110 that passed last spring will mandate zoning changes across the state. The effect of this legislation in Seattle will allow 4-6 units of housing on most lots that once were zoned single family across the city. Find an previous Wallyhood article about these zoning efforts here.
When asked if the city would be notifying individual property owners by mail, the city said they are not mailing, but instead holding information sessions by district. This places the responsibility to seek out answers to what your current zone is versus the proposed zone, on each of us. We all need to be aware of the proposed changes and make comments regarding the scale proposed on the rezone interactive maps at https://one-seattle-plan-zoning-implementation-seattlecitygis.hub.arcgis.com/ before public comments close on December 20th. When sending comments add your zip code to connect your comments to location.
The WCC presentation Nov. 12 on zoning pointed out a significant discrepancy from the housing unit goal stated in the April 2024 Draft of the One Seattle Plan of 80,000 shown on page 16, and what now seems to be Mayor Harell’s plan with big changes to the housing unit growth target to 330,000 housing unit goal—a remarkable change.
Follow this timeline:
- In April, the Draft One Seattle Comp Plan proposed an 80,000-unit housing growth target for Seattle.
- The April 2024 release of the Draft Comp Plan on page 16 confirmed the 80,000-housing unit goal.
- Two Seattle Times Articles from October 16 by Callie Craighead and October 17th by Daniel Beekman announce Mayor Harrell’s detailed One Seattle Plan, with a housing unit growth goal increased to 330,000 across the city. Reade the articles with these links:
Link to Harrell’s Plan:
The areas of NR, now “Neighborhood Residential” being converted from formerly single family to multifamily HB1110 4-6 units by the state is non-negotiable. However, in the city’s plan where formerly single-family NR zones along frequent transit arterials and NR zones surrounding expanded neighborhood centers jump to Low-rise 3, which would allow /5 story 50-foot apartments consistently city wide, there should be room for negotiation with this zone change.
In Wallingford zone changes will be felt across the neighborhood, especially in Tangletown with a new plan for a Neighborhood Center with a mix of commercial and residential zones up to sixty-five feet.
These locations in Wallingford would receive increased zoning due to frequent transit arterials according to Harell’s Plan. The former single family zoned 5,000 sq foot lots facing arterials with bus service would increase in zoning capacity to L-3, which can allow five story, fifty-foot buildings.
- Bus route 62, Meridian Ave. N from N. 50th to N. 56th
- Bus 31,32, on 40th from Wallingford Ave. N east on N. 40th toward the freeway
- Bus 31 and 32 on Wallingford Ave N. turning south from 40th, traveling on Wallingford to 35th, then continuing N. 35th
To learn more, here is a list of City-led public informational meetings that will be held from 5:30-7:30p.m.
Tuesday Nov 19 Magnuson Park Hangar 30 6310 NE 74th St, Seattle, WA 98115 This meeting is for District 4 including Wallingford. Paper maps of the affected areas in Wallingford should be available here.
Thursday Dec 5 Jefferson Park Community Center 3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
Tuesday Dec 10 Seattle Center Exhibition Hall 301 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
Thu Dec 12 Virtual Information Session Online here.