The Seattle City Council recently took the first legislative step in the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) process.
Stephen Fesler reports on a significant development in the city of Seattle's highly scrutinized Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) process, "when the Seattle City Council unanimously approved a Commercial Linkage Fee tied to all new commercial development."
"Council Bill 118498, as it is known, codifies a new chapter in the land use code," according to Fesler, giving developers three options to contribute to the city's affordable housing supply: "an onsite and offsite performance option, fee in lieu option, or combination of the two."
A post by Scott Bonjukian provides more information about how the linkage fee works.
Fesler notes that the calculations of the linkage fee—i.e., how much development requires what contribution to the linkage fee requirements—was based "upon a comprehensive study by David Paul Rosen & Associates to evaluate the economic impacts that commercial activity and jobs place on the local housing market." The final linkage fee will implement fees much lower than that report's recommendation. Still, "the fees are projected to rake in well over $195 million over the next decade for affordable housing."
The remainder of Fesler's article details the proceedings of the council hearing that approved the new fee.
FULL STORY: TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING: SEATTLE ADOPTS A COMMERCIAL LINKAGE FEE

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)