Over the next two months the Seattle City council will determine where and how many apartments can be built for the next 10 years. This zoning plan has been in the works for years, with many open houses and public comment periods, but the public comment period scheduled for this Monday June 23 is likely the last one.
Come out & talk at it! Online, in person, or via email! IMO this is one of the most impactful democratic actions you can make: – These local politicians do respond to community feedback. Unlike national politicians with tons of PAC money, these folks are relatively approachable and also relatively easy to vote out. – The issue of zoning is not about allocating money, where paying for one thing may mean more taxes or not paying for something else. The council can just decide to add more dense housing or not, with little repercussion beyond that housing actually being built.
And unfortunately for average renters & progressives, the NIMBY single family homeowners are a vocal group of constituents. They will be showing up on Monday and have been talking to council members in semi exclusive “community council” meetings for the past few months, winning small reductions from an already minimal plan.
The topic of zoning can be boring and seem less important or divisive but IMO it’s an important progressive issue: – If we want Seattle to be a true sanctuary city for immigrants & LGBTQ folks, it also needs to be affordable and we will need more housing – The current zoning plan (written by our fairly conservative mayor & council) continues to preserve large single family neighborhoods, ancient racial redlining, and concentrate apartments along noisy & polluted streets.
If you do want to take action, here’s a better written post by someone with credentials and links: https://www.housingconsortium.org/calendar/#!event/2025/6/23/one-seattle-for-all-public-hearing-at-city-hall And the easiest action is to email: council@seattle.gov
submitted by /u/hubatish
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