Recent legislation considered (with some approved) by the Seattle City Council Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability Committee takes anti-development politics to a new level in a city reacting to years of growth.
Josh Feit reports on the latest development in an anti-development crusade from an outgoing city councilmember in Seattle. "Already pushing blank-check 'neighborhood conservation district' legislation to halt development in single-family zones, [Councilmember Tom] Rasmussen set out yesterday to make it more difficult for developers to build in multi-family zones—the stretches of apartment and town homes in low-rise zones on the edges of single-family neighborhoods in places such has Capitol Hill and Ballard," according to Feit.
The proposed legislation would come as amendments to earlier legislation proposed by Councilmember Mike O’Brien. Councilmember Rasmussen, however, wanted more out of the slow growth measure. Feit provides amendment by amendment analysis of Councilmember Rasmussen's platform.
Feit's coverage provides a lot of insight into the development politics of the Seattle City Council, as well as how future elections are influencing the politics of a fast-growing city.
FULL STORY: The War on Density
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A zoning bill has stirred up the fear that dense development projects will transform Seattle into a "Soviet cityscape." Residents accuse developers of using loopholes to squeeze in pricey, out-of-character townhomes.
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One common criticism of pro-housing advocacy is that supporters of new housing are (in the words of one commentator) “arrogant.” But there is no reason to believe that this is any less true of their opponents.
Thousands of Seattle Housing Units Blocked by Lawsuits
Legal challenges filed by condo associations are holding up multiple high-rise housing developments that could bring much-needed housing and jobs to downtown Seattle.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
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