Breaking Down the Seattle City Council's 'War on Density'

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.

1 minute read

June 19, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle City Council

Mayor McGinn / Flickr

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.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in Publicola

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Farm workers in long sleeves and hats working in a green field in Nipomo, California with small hills in background.

Without International Immigrants, the Rural US Population Would Be Falling 58%

Census data shows that population growth in rural areas is due in large part to international migrants.

3 hours ago - The Daily Yonder

Aerial view of Lake Shore Drive, eight-lane highway adjacent to lakeshore in Chicago, Illinois with city skyline in background at sunset.

Dead End: Nine Highways Ready for Retirement

The Freeways Without Futures report describes the nation’s most promising highway removal proposals.

5 hours ago - Congress For New Urbanism

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

7 hours ago - The Hill

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.