Public hearing opened on transfer of Major Institutions & Schools program; neighborhood group urges protection of original intent

The Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee opened a public hearing on council bill 121092, a proposal to transfer administration of the Major Institutions & Schools program from the Department of Neighborhoods to the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD).

Colleen McAleer, representing the Laurelhurst Community Council, told the committee she supports the statutory goal of permitting appropriate institutional growth while minimizing adverse impacts on adjacent neighborhoods. She urged the council to ensure that "the intent of this transfer continues to balance institutional growth with the existing neighborhood's viability and livability," and asked that that intent be specifically included in council discussions and any vote.

McAleer also raised concern that the transfer could create a new revenue stream through OPCD fee collection and that could create a conflict between fee-generation and neighborhood livability interests. The public hearing was left open while the committee continued into the 2026 budget hearing; no final action was taken on the bill during this session.

Clerk's read and public‑hearing status: the clerk read the bill into the record and confirmed two registrants for the Major Institutions hearing. The committee left that hearing open to return later; no council votes were recorded on the transfer during the virtual session.