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Public commenters split as committee debates SEPA exemptions: developers push speed, residents and environmental groups warn of gaps
Summary
At the Feb. 4 Land Use Committee meeting, developers and trade groups urged streamlining SEPA to speed housing production while environmental groups, residents and watershed advocates warned the FEIS and code gaps leave risks for trees, stormwater and cultural resources.
Developers, trade associations and affordable‑housing builders told the Seattle Land Use and Sustainability Committee on Feb. 4 that raising SEPA categorical‑exemption thresholds would cut permitting time and costs and help deliver housing more quickly. Opponents — neighborhood residents, watershed and tree advocates, and some residents — said the proposed exemptions would leave gaps in environmental review, citing tree‑canopy loss, increased impervious surface, and potential harm to salmon habitat.
Supporters: Patrick Foley of Lake Union Partners said removing SEPA for housing would reduce project timelines. Logan Schmidt of the Master Builders Association told the committee that "project level…
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