[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6394411,"mediaKeyId","2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9","parentId",2102902,"title","South Park and BIPOC neighborhoods raise water‑tap policy as barrier to new housing","audioSeconds",279,"startMs",693000,"endMs",972000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9&start=693&end=972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9/thumbnail_693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6394411/Seattle/King-County/Washington/South-Park-and-BIPOC-neighborhoods-raise-watertap-policy-as-barrier-to-new-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394411-ecac19aa7bc436e3220c919162c42b31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147020&Signature=ZPdV6XcEVNJUDhtS-MSsTxeteGKJ9OuVqjm0NjOByb3tW6YsjfeAYuK8onRfZ~A1TXtzQztwPRz2DKg2pgzuVyzcbHwUIjyNq~4FU7XNszbrgm8jWSxyYOiXx-5YACZLcxAbdJJ2baJiY3qOuiabH07jiRRiRiW8d65xUNSak--JbqmeLBY90FRc3E0CfiXxyVBbYBDzF0kTioc9gkcDk1h5JnyuVmWNTlxeJxE9iFxUBVvQ0KmDxQgX8fCS4EyKAr8Z01kHmxukBrZ8~p2aFqa~E7KsXZrZn4p8S9eGK89c8Q8PJkOkcekN0OKmEp6QHbPgKk48TYyriF9Db1xU5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seattle City, WA","date","2025-01-06T22:35:06Z","article","Two commenters told the select committee that Seattle Public Utilities’ (SPU) practice of denying water‑availability certificates for taps on older feeder mains has prevented development of permitted housing in lower‑income and historically marginalized neighborhoods.

Donna Breski, a licensed professional engineer, said her review found five lots on 21st Avenue South where 16 potential dwelling units were not built because SPU issued “no new taps” certifications on aging north–south feeder mains. Breski said SPU had issued over 1,600 “not approved” water availability certificates in the last 10 years and that feeder mains with no‑new‑tap restrictions run through predominantly BIPOC communities, creating “an inherent social injustice component.” She cited SPU director’s rule WTR 440 as the policy basis for the no‑new‑tap determinations.

Will McNeil, a small homebuilder, described being told by SPU that he must install an 8‑inch ductile iron water main for an entire street at an estimated capital cost of “over $800,000” to serve a single‑family development—work McNeil said would be capable of serving 100 additional homes but that the agency required for one small project. He said a comparable 1‑inch connection would cost roughly $20,000 and that SPU denials have contributed to thousands of unrealized housing units, citing an independent Urbanist article that he said identified 5,000 unrealized units in five years.

Why it matters: Both witnesses told council staff that SPU’s approach to water‑availability certificates effectively shifts major capital costs to small builders or prevents development in lower‑income neighborhoods where older mains are common. They urged the council to examine the director’s rule and SPU’s practices for potential remedy to ensure water‑service policies do not reinforce historical disinvestment.

OPCD staff did not respond to technical questions about SPU policy during the briefing. Council members asked to follow up with SPU and the mayor’s office and requested staff provide documentation of the director’s rule and data on how many new‑tap denials are active and where they are concentrated.

Ending: Council staff said they will coordinate follow‑up briefings with Seattle Public Utilities and requested that SPU provide data (counts, locations, and engineering rationale) for denials and capital upgrade requirements cited by witnesses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Seattle City Council Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan 1/6/25","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters told the committee Seattle Public Utilities’ denial of water‑availability certificates and a Director’s Rule (WTR 440) have blocked housing permits in historically underserved areas and called the policy an equity issue.","taxTitle","Seattle, King County, Washington","taxId",2543,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6394414,"Residents press council to protect trees, waterways and orcas in 1 Seattle EIS",4261,1005000,5266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9&start=1005&end=5266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9/thumbnail_1005000.jpg","/articles/6394414/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Residents-press-council-to-protect-trees-waterways-and-orcas-in-1-Seattle-EIS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394414-96d8552f8072196ef68cf920581671dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147020&Signature=I51ap1vkOUn9aq~ztar7iXWmQCAcLbXEirphsS2~ZLSxhU2lwpqbT~XsF5v8yzDypatnyrFCm4~Y4DK1rtuhOdlRswaGr8kg0jPJdwj0hWRKH-w5ux3I10ZOpQqDC6RjDc74cLDS9jsmX4~plPmTxu7tCtU0DZ6EXSNRx-CjnUNpa0GbDypNin~ReOmDJT-1SmF~2zkpF5F6ypwKpW2cqHPupyUBmFpz6G5x5bU7jrECSfSBrZzCxH85pN60lK5SGxrCF~G6u3Cqg2jsyaZ53wIDKMhRLWDGigfU1mNDAIcy5CyYLuqDzL5L6tSa5TYT1FJ5umDaXRxHl4S7EjpTqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Numerous public commenters told the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan that the draft environmental review and proposed zoning fail to protect trees, local waterways and Puget Sound’s Southern Resident killer whales.

David Gloger, identifying himself as a resident of District 5, told the committee he searched the draft EIS “over a 1,000 pages long” and could not find the word “whale.” Gloger said the draft EIS omits impacts to critically endangered Southern Resident orcas and that increased hardscape and reduced tree canopy would likely increase runoff and water temperatures that affect salmon and, by extension, orcas.

Other commenters tied tree protection to climate resilience and water quality. Jennifer (speaker identified as speaking in memory of J61, the orca) asked the city to “follow the NOAA recovery plan guidelines,” saying “trees absorb and clean stormwater” and noting the DEIS lists fish but not orcas. Martha Beth of Birds Connect Seattle and Tree and People Coalition warned the zoning “allows residential lot clearing to such an extent that the outcome is a gulag of hardscape” and said limited setbacks will not leave room for street or private trees. Ruth Williams, representing the Burton Creek Alliance, and several other speakers cited impaired urban streams and asked for a cumulative impact analysis in the final EIS.

OPCD staff acknowledged the EIS is programmatic and required by SEPA and explained the final EIS will analyze the preferred alternative and identify mitigation where impacts are found. Michael Hebner said the EIS process included scoping in 2022, a draft EIS in 2024 and that the final EIS (preferred alternative) will be released later in January with a 14‑day appeal period.

Why it matters: Commenters connected urban canopy loss and increased impervious surfaces to stormwater pollution, higher urban and stream temperatures and downstream effects on salmon and orca recovery. Several speakers asked council to require stronger protections in the plan and to instruct permitting agencies to enforce the city’s critical areas protections and tree rules when reviewing development proposals.

Clarifying points raised in testimony: commenters referenced state and federal species protections, the NOAA Southern Resident recovery plan, Washington State Department of Ecology lake impairment listings, and local critical areas and tree ordinances. Many asked OPCD and permitting departments to make enforcement and mitigation commitments explicit in the final plan and the EIS.

Ending: Council members said staff will return with EIS materials and that committee members will continue to hear from environmental groups and neighborhood organizations as they review mitigation measures and amendments.","Multiple public commenters told the select committee the plan’s draft environmental review undercounts risks to the city’s tree canopy, urban runoff and marine life, urging stronger protections and enforcement in the comp‑plan update and EIS.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6394418,"Public split on upzoning, neighborhood centers and HB 1110 implementation",4952,185000,5137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9&start=185&end=5137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9/thumbnail_185000.jpg","/articles/6394418/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Public-split-on-upzoning-neighborhood-centers-and-HB-1110-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394418-51ba7002833ee20381acce527438ebd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147020&Signature=hewq34x8EZf~NXxiJuieuTDiQOVGRxKDPVxQsZzKNQ7bqCfolhMnpye16J3QYYYaXM48twdue9RSuKxbXIOg4NmGTHMXPVeO0s5mWsgvv7ygo6125WAlqvwaKOz8Mj9G0O5AWtk06KN6A7lvkU3FzZQRcjeosw~c6Yr3diBqZ4gqbQg492eP1miFlYzkOD1BooJWbCyMZMmbaLwkH5ejq2tyzGihiNR9CttAOQRC-S5-P8FBMUNLZJCNjJi8Jw4Dm153q9Xzo4wD60GleSqzvrVRVDZ9EihjFtlI5wlSnec1yEd2XSOW7xEdiQdPd2T0e5CAcg43SYFtipiGnhjtHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters and planning staff clashed over the mayor’s proposed growth strategy and zoning changes to implement the 1 Seattle plan, with opponents warning of displacement and environmental harm and proponents saying more capacity is required to address the city’s housing shortage.

Opponents from several neighborhoods urged the select committee to pause or narrow the mayor’s map and to limit upzoning. Susan McCormick, a 24‑year homeowner in Madrona, said the executive’s map “goes far beyond what the state requires” and warned that five‑story buildings would “forever alter” the neighborhood and not produce affordable units. Lily Church, a 40‑year Capitol Hill and Madrona resident, told the committee “the proposed plan doesn’t actually solve affordability because density in itself doesn't translate to lower housing costs.” Denny Beckmeier of Madrona asked council to “slow down” and reassess portions of the plan that he said “exceed what is mandated by HB 1110.”

Housing advocates pressed the committee to retain the mayor’s growth strategy and expand incentives for subsidized housing. Jesse Simpson, director of government relations and policy for the Housing Development Consortium, asked council to adopt an expanded affordable‑housing density bonus and allow “stacked flats” near frequent transit to encourage middle‑housing types that can be more affordable. Josh Friedman, a land‑use lawyer with the Complete Communities Coalition, urged the committee to “be bold” and said the plan must go beyond zoning capacity and address barriers in codes that prevent housing from being built.

OPCD staff and the mayor’s office told the committee the plan would provide substantially more theoretical capacity—OPCD estimated “roughly double” the city’s current zone capacity, to about 330,000 units—but emphasized capacity is not a forecast. Michael Hebner, OPCD’s long‑range planning manager, told the committee the EIS studied alternatives and that the mayor’s option sits at the top of the draft EIS range, stressing that actual development depends on market, financing and infrastructure factors.

Why it matters: The discussion centers on how the city translates statutorily required changes—particularly House Bill 1110, which requires certain middle‑housing types—to local zoning maps while attempting to protect trees, limit displacement and ensure infrastructure. OPCD told the committee it will transmit neighborhood residential zoning to council in March so the city can meet HB 1110 timing but warned that appeals to the FEIS can delay council action.

Clarifying details cited at the meeting included a Maple Leaf petition opposing a neighborhood center with 743 signatures; public commenters noting the city’s tree‑canopy goals and concerns about five‑story buildings; and OPCD’s presentation that the GMPC minimum growth target equates to roughly 80,000 units over 20 years. Members of the Complete Communities Coalition urged both capacity increases and targeted incentives for subsidized housing.

Ending: Council members asked OPCD for more district‑level briefings and data on how zone capacity historically translated to actual housing built, and they requested clarifications on how the proposed map aligns with transit, infrastructure and displacement‑mitigation tools.","At the committee’s public comment and briefing, residents raised concerns about proposed upzoning, neighborhood center designations and how the city will implement House Bill 1110; affordable‑housing advocates urged bolder change.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6394423,"Mayor, OPCD brief council on 1 Seattle comprehensive-plan schedule and EIS",2030,4084000,6114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9&start=4084&end=6114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102902-b63d27447141281ba253c9e739cdbca9/thumbnail_4084000.jpg","/articles/6394423/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Mayor-OPCD-brief-council-on-1-Seattle-comprehensive-plan-schedule-and-EIS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394423-4369de9a3ffd8786c7d68ebf78112727/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147020&Signature=DfuLUvDsn2~7XqtybeRslwF26hUUnuTzvQjY5Mc4uAXguy7xnFAzg8ji~PlKZ3LB6b0o9PA8B434~0uP~0u--m-N3l7PFG2Ail8sTedyR2BPfrpiKKI20pOVM3GPdQnf1xS~xn3EXMONyaEUiITagPnuj9uvJ3HsiGaxyCQ54xJA5vPahGNjQJhkRv8sjHAlowDFAihQFcb9CZP7TKlX-SCoNBernSmM72eYMxtnGxPJUqKvQPRLUbzP3Tnewzu3B2khgOFbEb2CxZp2poxJBl52PIw1Lv-360PlO8nE~yBMyzytmljTIbgodpFZWyLkqTVwrMzb4TBHZj~TpIAaNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff and the mayor’s office briefed the Seattle City Council Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan on the schedule and process for the 1 Seattle comprehensive plan update and its environmental review.

The presentation on the plan led by Michael Hebner, long range planning manager in the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), and Frigga Kinindongo, OPCD director, framed the update as a 10‑year statutory exercise that must plan for 20 years of growth. Chris Tobias, deputy director of policy in the mayor’s office, told the committee the mayor will transmit the plan to council and that the executive expects to send “two major pieces of legislation” for council consideration in March and May.

The briefing said the final environmental impact statement (EIS) will be released later in January and that the EIS analyzes a “preferred alternative” (the mayor’s recommended growth strategy) after a draft EIS and public comment last year. Michael Hebner said the draft EIS studied a range of housing assumptions—roughly 80,000 to 120,000 additional units over 20 years—and that the mayor’s plan occupies the top of that range. He added the plan would increase theoretical residential development capacity to roughly 330,000 units but cautioned that capacity is not a forecast.

Why it matters: The committee will use the EIS and the executive’s proposals to craft ordinance language that must meet state deadlines and regional requirements. Hebner highlighted a June 30, 2025 deadline tied to implementing House Bill 1110’s zoning requirements and said council’s votes on the comprehensive plan and related zoning will be phased across spring and summer, with key council action anticipated in May and later votes on zoning refinements targeted for September.

OPCD described the council process as three linked pieces: (1) adoption of the comprehensive plan and growth strategy (transmitted early February, potential vote May), (2) neighborhood residential zoning to comply with HB 1110 (transmitted in March, vote in May), and (3) additional zoning changes for centers and corridors (transmitted in May, action by September). Lish Whitson of Council Central staff reminded members that if an FEIS is appealed, the council cannot vote on the related legislation while that appeal is pending.

Staff said public engagement on the plan has been sustained since 2022, with multiple open houses, thousands of comments and targeted outreach to community-based organizations; OPCD reported more than 6,000 individual comments and dozens of stakeholder letters during draft releases last year. The department said it will post the final EIS and additional engagement reports online and return to the committee with deeper briefings on the growth strategy and neighborhood residential code changes.

Committee chair Joy Hollingsworth thanked staff and said council members should seek pre-briefings with OPCD to prepare for amendment drafting and the 30‑day publication requirement that applies to council amendments.

The briefing closed with committee members asking for follow-up materials on the EIS timing, growth assumptions versus actual development trends, interagency coordination (Sound Transit, King County Metro, Seattle Public Utilities, City Light) and outreach summaries OPCD used to shape proposals.

Ending: OPCD and the mayor’s office will return with a deeper dive on the growth strategy, neighborhood residential zoning and EIS findings in subsequent committee meetings; council staff flagged a mid‑January FEIS publication window and a 14‑day appeal period after FEIS publication.","City planning staff and the mayor’s office gave the select committee an overview of the “1 Seattle” comprehensive plan update, the environmental review schedule and the sequence of legislation the council will consider over the next nine months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

South Park and BIPOC neighborhoods raise water‑tap policy as barrier to new housing

Residents press council to protect trees, waterways and orcas in 1 Seattle EIS

Public split on upzoning, neighborhood centers and HB 1110 implementation

Mayor, OPCD brief council on 1 Seattle comprehensive-plan schedule and EIS