Seattle public hearing on HB 11‑10 interim code draws hundreds; advocates clash over housing density and tree protections

Seattle — Hundreds of residents filled Council chambers on May 20 for the second in-person session of a public hearing on interim rules to implement state House Bill 11‑10, the measure that requires cities to allow “middle housing.” The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan heard comments urging both swift approval of denser housing types and stronger protections for large trees and front‑yard setbacks.

The meeting, chaired by Select Committee Chair Joy Hollingsworth, opened the in‑person session after a morning remote session. Hollingsworth explained logistics and said the committee had prioritized speakers who signed up for an earlier February 5 hearing that was disrupted by weather.

Why it matters: The interim ordinance is meant to bring Seattle into compliance with state law and set short‑term zoning rules ahead of the city’s full “1 Seattle” comprehensive plan update. Speakers said the interim rules will shape development patterns — and tree canopy — for years.

Supporters of rapid up‑zoning pressed the committee to pass the interim ordinance without setback increases or other amendments they said would block construction. Ryan Donahue, chief advocacy officer for Habitat for Humanity Seattle‑King‑Kittitas Counties, told the committee that the city should “treat this as a floor, not a ceiling,” and highlighted recently completed stacked‑flat projects that produced homeownership opportunities. Donahue said those projects created “over 31 families now have a place to call home in the heart of Seattle.”

Other housing advocates urged removing minimum lot sizes and unit‑size minimums so stacked flats and six‑plexes become economically feasible. Ryan Haight, a speaker who said stacked flats are among the most affordable middle‑housing types,…