APRIL 17, 2025 SPECIAL LAND USE
COMMITTEE MEETING WILL COME TO
ORDER. IT IS 2:04 P.M.. I'M
MARK SULLIVAN, CHAIR OF LAND USE
COMMITTEE. WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL?
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> PRESENT.
>> CHAIR SULLIVAN?
>> PRESENT.
>> THERE ARE FOUR MEMBERS
PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA IS ACCUSED
FROM TODAY'S MEETING. I MOVE TO
ADOPT THE AGENDA. IS THERE AN A
SECOND?
>> SECOND. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED. IF THERE IS NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
MOVED TO MOVE ITEM 7 AFTER THE
SEATTLE DESIGN COMMISSION
APPOINTMENT. OKAY? HEARING NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA IS AMENDED
AND THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS
ITEM 7 AFTER THE SEATTLE DESIGN
COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.
>> CHAIR?
>> YES, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> APOLOGIES, I WANT TO LET YOU
KNOW, I WILL UNFORTUNATELY HAVE
A # 3:00 P.M. STOP, 3:15 P.M.
HARD STOP. SO IF YOU NEED ME, I
WILL HAVE TO LEAVE AT 3:15 AT
THE LATEST.
>> UNDERSTOOD, WE WILL
EXPEDDITE. ALL RIGHT. IF THERE
IS NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL
BE ADOPTED AS AMENDED. OKAY.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED AS AMENDED. THANK YOU
FOR COMING TO THIS THURSDAY
AFTERNOON MEETING TO DISCUSS
LAND USE. AS ALWAYS, WANT TO
GIVE MY THANKS TO CENTRAL STAFF,
TO OUR CITY CLURGS AND TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION
INSPECTIONS FOR HELPING US
PREPARE FOR THE MEETING. WE WILL
NOW OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. PUBLIC COMMENTS
SHOULD RELATE TO ITEMS ON
AGENDA. PLEASE. AND WITHIN THE
PURSUE OF THIS COMMITTEE. FOR
THOSE REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON
ITEM 6 ON THE AGENDA, WE WILL
ACCEPT COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM
ONCE WE REACH ITEM 6 AND OPEN
THE PUBLIC HEARING. CLERK, HOW
MANY DO WE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR
TODAY FOR COMMENT?
>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE FIVE IN
PERSON SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.
>> FIVE IN PERSON, NO REMOTE?
>> I APOLOGIZE, TWO IN PERSON,
AND THREE REMOTE.
>> OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. EACH
SPEAKER WILL HAVE 2 MINUTES. WE
WILL START WITH IN PERSON
SPEAKERS FIRST. CLERK, CAN YOU
READ THE PUBLIC COMMENT
INSTRUCTIONS?
>> PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE
MODERATED IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER, THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD IS UP TO 20 MINUTES,
SPEAKER WILL BE CALLED IN ORDER
IN WHICH THEY ARE REGISTERED.
SPEAKERS WILL ALTERNATE BETWEEN
SETS OF IN PERSON AND REMOTE
SPEAKERS UNTIL THE PERIOD IS
ENDED. SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A
CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS ARE LEFT.
MICS WILL BE MUTED IF THEY DO
NOT END THE COMMENTS WITHIN THE
ALLOTTED TIME. THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW OPEN. WE
WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST AND THAT
WILL BE MR. ZIMMERMANN. I'M
TRYING TO BRING IT UP, SIR.
>> READY? SEEING HIEL MY DAM
NAZI FASCISTS. MY NAME IS ALEX
ZIMMERMANN, CENTER FOR AMERICAN
SUPPORT. I HAVE 6,000 DAYS OF
TRESPASS. I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT
NUMBER 1234 THE CONDITION, I
TALK ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES. I
COME TO THIS PLACE THOUSAND AND
THOUSAND TIME. I NEVER SEE YOU
CONDITIONAL HERE. NO ONE, NO ONE
COME AND TALKING. WHY? THEY ALL
FREAKING IDIOT? HOW IS THIS
POSSIBLE? THEY DON'T HAVE A
PROBLEM. WE HAVE ENDURED THE
SITUATION FOR LAST 30 YEARS AND
NO FUTURE WILL BE. NO AMERICA
IDIOT IS THIS CHAMBER OF.
TOTALLY CONFUSE ME BECAUSE YOU
CAN DO EVERYTHING WHAT YOU WANT.
FOR EXAMPLE, I HAVE MERCEDES.
WHY SHE P PUT THE CAR MERCEDES
IN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN? SO WHAT IS
EVERYONE WHO COMES TALK ABOUT
MERCEDES, WHAT IS GOING ON? IT
IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIMITS NOW.
YOU CAN'T BE IDIOT. YOU
SUPPOSED TO BE PROGRESS. BUT I
DON'T SEE ETHE PROGRESS FOR 30
YEARS. I SEE TOTAL REGRESS
BECAUSE BOTH DECISION YOU MAKE
FOR 30 YEARS BRING SEATTLE TO
TOTAL COLLAPSE. I WILL SPEAK
ABOUT CARS BECAUSE FOR ME IT IS
VERY INTERESTING POINT. SO FOR
LAST 10, 12 YEARS, YOU KNOW
70,000, 75,000 INCOME. 60%
PEOPLE CANNOT LIVE IN SEATTLE OR
IN KING COUNTRY BECAUSE WE ARE
FASCIST CITY. STAND UP FOR
AMERICA. MAKE AMERICA GOOD, VIVA
REVOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> ONE MOMENT, CHAIR. NEXT UP WE
EHAVE RUTHDITE.
>> MY NAME IS RUTHDITE. I'M A
RETIRED LAND USE PLANNER AND
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT REPRESENTING
FRIENDS OF QUEEN ANNE'S. WE
HOPE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE NR
ZONE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE
CITY'S ORDINANCE ARE NOT ALL
THAT IS REQUIRED UNDER HB1110.
THE LAW DOES NOT SPEAK TO
SETBACKS OR HEIGHTS AT ALL. MOST
OF WHAT IS OUTLINED IN THE
MIDDLE HOUSING ORDER
INDEPENDENCE IS ADVISORY. WE
ALSO IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE
CITY FUNDED ECONORTHWEST HOUSING
FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS
UNDERESTIMATES MIDDLE FAMILY
DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY T. IT DID
NOT INCLUDE ADUS AND DADUS ON
CONVERSION OF EXISTING HOME
UNIT, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF
WHAT WE SEE TODAY. SO IT IS
EXCESSIVELY UNDERESTIMATED I
BELIEVE THE MIDDLE HOUSING
CAPACITY. DESPITE THIS, THE
STUDY FOUND THAT THE DEMAND
MIDDLE HOUSING WILL BE LESS THAN
SUPPLY. I HAD TO READ THE
PORTION OF THE REPORT SEVERAL
TIMES. THE WRITING WAS
INPONDERABLE BUT THAT'S WHAT IT
SAYS. GIVEN THESE FACTS, WE SEE
NO REASON TO PROCEED WITH A
COMPLICATED INTERIM ORDINANCE NO
ONE FULLY UNDERSTANDS. A SIMPLER
APPROACH WOULD BE TO ADOPT AN
INTERIM ORDINANCE THAT MEETS BUT
DOES NOT EXCEED HB1110. WE THINK
PLANNING STAFF WASTED ITS TIME
ON THIS STUDY THAT ONLY LOOKED
AT COMPARING EXISTING ORDINANCES
TO PROPOSED. NR IS NOW OBSOLETE.
WHY DIDN'T IT COMPARE A
BASELINE HB1110 TO ITS PROPOSED?
WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A LOT MORE
INFORMATION IF IT HAD DONE SO E.
NOW WE ARE MISSING THAT
INFORMATION.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE
ON TO REMOTE COMMENTERS.
>> FIRST UP WE HAVE DANIELLE
DUVAL.
>> COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MY NAME IS
DANIELLE DUVAL. I'M THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MAIL
WASHINGTON STATE. THANK YOU FOR
THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON
COUNCIL BILL 120948. THIS
PROHOUSING BILL STRONGLY
SUPPORTS SEATTLE'S HOUSING
NEEDS AND CONTINUES ECONOMIC
RECOVERY. WE ENCOURAGE THE
COUNCIL TO ADVANCE THIS
LEGISLATION. PASSING CB120948
WILL SERVE THOUSAND OF PERMITTED
HOUSING UNITS THAT WILL
OTHERWISE DISAPPEAR WHEN THEIR
BUILDING PERMITS EXPIRE. IT
PROTECTS THE TENS OF MILLIONS IN
UNPAID MAK FEES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE PROJECTS. THE PANDEMIC AND
SUBSEQUENT ECONOMIC HEAD WNDZ
HAVE STALLED MULTIFAMILY AND
OFFICE PROJECTS AROUND THE CITY.
ACKNOWLEDGING THIS ONCE IN A
LIFETIME SITUATION WITH A 24
MONTH HARDSHIP EXTENSION FOR A
BUILDING PERMIT ADDRESSES OUR
HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY
CHALLENGES ENSURES THE PANDEMIC
DOES NOT CREATE NEW UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES FOR RENTERS IN THE
HOUSING COMMUNITY. WE APPLAUD
THE COUNCIL'S LEADERSHIP AND
WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS POST
PANDEMIC ISSUES AND URGE THE
COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS
FORWARD TOWARDS ADOPTION. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> EXCELLENT. NEXT UP WE HAVE
SCOTT COBBLEMAN.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR SOLOMON AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS. MY NAME IS
SCOTT COBBLEMAN, I'M WITH
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, A DEVELOPER
OWNER, OPERATOR AND LONGTERM
HOLDER OF APARTMENT HOME
COMMUNITIES IN THE SEATTLE AREA.
I'M HERE ALSO TO SPEAK IN
SUPPORT OF COUNCIL BILL 120948.
WE HAVE TWO APARTMENT HOME
PROJECTS IN SEATTLE WITH MASTER
USE PERMITS, BOTH THE NINE UNDER
THE 200 BUILDING CODE. THESE TWO
PROJECTS COMBINED WILL SOME DAY
PROVIDE 706 APARTMENT HOMES,
ALMOST $400 MILLION IN
CONSTRUCTION COSTS THAT WOULD
GENERATE ROUGHLY $40 MILLION IN
TOTAL SALES TAX OF WHICH $15
MILLION WOULD GO TO THE CITY AND
$4.4 MILLION IN MHA FEES. BOTH
ARE TYPE ONE CONSTRUCTION AND
WOULD USE UNION LABOR. WE ARE
COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO
INVEST IN SEATTLE BUT WE HAVE
NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH THE PROJECTS DUE TO COVID,
APPEAL, AND CHALLENGING CAPITAL
MARKET CONDITIONS WHICH WE
DON'T SEE CHANGING ANY TIME
SOON. NOW NEW TRADE WARS AND
TARIFFS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE
PRICE OF EVERYTHING FROM DRY
WALL TO ALUMINUM WINDOWS AND
STEEL HAVE ADDED UNSRNT TO THE
ABILITY TO BREAK GROUND IN THE
NEW FUTURE. WITHOUT THE
LEGISLATION, THE TIME AND ADDED
COST TO REDESIGN THE PROJECT AND
THE ADDED CONSTRUCTION COSTS TO
COMPLY WITH NEW BUILDING CODES
WOULD RENDER THE PROJECT
UNFEASIBLE FOR NEARLY A DECADE.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER THE
DEVELOPMENT, GIVEN THE LOW
HOUSING IN SEATTLE AND I HOPE
YOU APPROVE IT. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME.
>> LAST, WE HAVE DAVID HAINES.
>> THANK YOU. DAVID HAINES. I
WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE STILL
NEED 21st CENTURY, FIRST QUALITY
HOUSING BUILDOUTS WITH
INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPERS WHO
WOULD ROBUSTLY BUILD HIGHER. IF
YOU BUILD HIGHER, THERE'S LESS
SPRAWL AND MORE HOUSING IN ONE
AREA. THAT MEANS LESS TREES WILL
BE TORN DOWN. IT WOULD GIVE
PEOPLE BETTER, LIVABLE AMENITY
SPACES WITHIN THE BUILDING. BUT
WE STILL HAVE RESTRICTIONS THAT
DENY THE DEVELOPERS TO PENCIL IN
SOMETHING TO MAKE THE INFLATABLE
ADJUSTMENTS SO IT IS WORTH
RISKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. IT
SEEMS IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE
RESTRICTIONS OFF THE HEIGHT
LEVELS AND INCENTVISE PEOPLE TO
BUILD OUT THE FLOOR PLAN AND
ALLOW FOR LIVABLE AMENITY SPACES
WITHIN THE BUILDING INSTEAD OF
THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHERE YOU
HAVE TO LEAVE A PARK BENCH FOR
PEOPLE TO ACT LIKE YOU ARE
GIVING BACK, YOU GOT TO HAVE
21st CENTURY, FIRST WORLD
QUALITY HOMES AND CHOICES AND
REAL EQUITY INSTEAD OF BEING
STUCK IN THE 20th CENTURY,
WATERED DOWN, MISINTERPRETATION
OF HOUSING. IT IS CAR CENTRIC.
IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR PRESENTATION
TODAY ON SLIDE 13, THERE ARE TWO
HOUSES AND ONE CAR. YOU LOOK TO
THE RIGHT, ENTRANCE TO ANOTHER
HOUSE. THAT IS A VIOLATION THAT
WE NEED TO DESIGN AWAY FROM.
BECAUSE ONE CAR RUINS ALL THREE
LIVABLE SPACES BECAUSE YOU HAVE
TO LISTEN TO THE JERK WITH THE
DOOR SLAMMING, DOOR HAUPGING,
HEADLIGHTS, TOXIC EXHAUST, INTO
THE HOUSES OF OTHER HOUSE AND
PEOPLE ARE ASKING LIKE THAT'S
THE BEST ON THE LESSER OF. WE
NEED TO GET ROBUST BUILDOUTS
THAT GO HIGHER INSTEAD OF MODERN
THIRD WORLD SLUM THAT MAKE IT
EASIER FOR NONPROFITS TO BUILD
CRAPPY HOMES.
>> THANK YOU, MR. HAINES. THERE
ARE NO ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS.
>> GREAT. AS THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS, WE WILL
PROCEED TO OUR OTHER ITEMS OF
BUSINESS. CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE
READ ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE INTO
THE RECORD.
>> APPROVEMENTS, 3115 THROUGH
3119. APPOINTMENTS OF RAYMOND
GASTIL, SHIRIN MASUDEY, PHOEBE
ERIN BOGUEERT, BEN GIST AND
CONSERVEN O'NEAL FOR SEATTLE
DESIGN COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LOOKS
LIKE OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND
POTENTIAL APPOINTEES AND JOINED
US AT THE TABLE. PLEASE TAKE A
MOMENT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR
THE RECORD.
>> MARCO JENKINS, I'M DIRECTOR
OF THE SEATTLE DESIGN
COMMISSION.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M
CONSERVEN O'NEAL, A CURRENT
MEMBER OF THE SEATTLE ZONING
COMMISSION.
>> SHERY MESIDY, PROJECT
MANAGER.
>> I'M RICK GASTIL, APPOINTED
BY THE MAYOR TO THE ASSIGNED
COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO
PLEASE PROCEED.
>> THANK YOU. JUST A BRIEF
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE SEATTLE
DESIGN COMMISSION. WE HAVE BEEN
IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1968. THE
COMMISSION ADVISES THE MAYOR,
THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY
DEPARTMENT AND DINE OF
IMPLEMENTATION OF CAPITAL
PROJECTS AS WELL AS PROJECTS
BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC THAT
WANT LONGTERM OR PERMANENT USE
OF THE RIGHT AWAY. THERE ARE TEN
COMMISSIONERS, ALL OF WHICH ARE
APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR AND
CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL WHICH WE
ARE DOING TODAY. THE COMMISSION
HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN CONTINUING
ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS, LOOKING AT
THE LIBRARY EXTENSION, BOTH THE
GUIDE WAY AND EXTENSION. WE ARE
HAPPY TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE JOIN
US AS WELL AS THE APPOINTMENT OF
TWO ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONERS. I
WILL DO BRIEF INTRODUCTIONS BUT
FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE OF
THE COMMISSIONERS. KEVIN O'NEAL
IS UP FOR APPOINTMENT AS CHAIR.
OUR CHAIR IS APPOINTED BY MAYOR
AND CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL. HE IS
UP FOR REAPPOINTMENT AS A SECOND
TERM AS TRANSPORTATION PLANNER.
KEVIN HAS A LONG CAREER IN CITY
SERVICE, BOTH AS A DEPUTY
DIRECTOR HERE FOR THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AS
WELL AS STREET USE MANAGER AS
WELL AS A CAREER IN THE CITY OF
BELLEVUE IN A VARIETY OF
MANAGERIAL ROLES. SHIRIN MASOUDI
JOINS US AT THE AT LARGE
COMMISSIONER. SHE CURRENTLY IS
AN ARCHITECT AND PROJECT MANAGER
AT GENSLER, A WORLD WIDE
ARCHITECTURAL FIRM. SHIRIN
SPECIALIZES IN STRATEGIC
PLANNING FOR CAPITAL
INVESTMENTS. WE ARE VERY PLEASED
SHE IS ABLE TO JOIN THE
COMMISSION. FINALLY, RAY GASTIL.
HE HAS OVER 30 YEAR CAREER IN
POSITIONS AS PLANNING DIRECTOR
FOR THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH,
PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY
OF SEATTLE, ROLE WITH CARNEGIE
MELLON AND THE URBAN DESIGN
GROUP AND NUMEROUS OTHER
POSITIONS IN THE URBAN PLANNING
WHICH ARE DETAILED IN YOUR
PACKET. WE HAVE TWO ADDITIONAL
REAPPOINTMENTS FOR BEN GIST WHO
IS ONE OF OUR ARCHITECTS AND
PHOEBE BOGUEERT WHO IS OUR OUR
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT. WE ARE
PLEASED THAT THE VEGS TODAY ARE
ABLE TO NOT ONLY SERVE IN THE
CAPACITY BUT FOR THE WORK THAT
THE DESIGN COMMISSION DOES WHICH
TRIES TO ELEVATE AND ENHANCE THE
PUBLIC REALM AND DESIGN AND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION OF
PROJECTS FUNDED BY YOU. WITH
THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
OF THE COMMISSIONERS, I'M SURE
THEY ARE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU
MORE ABOUT THEIR INTERESTS AND
DESIRE TO BE ON THE COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DO ANY
OF THE COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMISSIONERS?
OR SOON TO BE COMMISSIONERS?
OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I WON'T GO
THROUGH THE LIST ONE BY ONE JUST
TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR
VOLUNTEER SERVICE FOR THE
SERVICE THROUGH THE DESIGN
SERVICE COMMISSION. KEVIN, GREAT
TO SEE YOU, EVEN IF I HAVE
COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM DISTRICT
6. THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP TO
BE THE CHAIR AGAIN. IT IS ALWAYS
FUN TO RUN INTO YOU. KEEP UP THE
GOOD WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
>> DO ANY OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE
HERE IN ATTENDANCE WANT TO OFFER
ANY WORDS?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SERVE.
>> COOL. LET'S GET ON WITH THE
VOTING. OKAY. SO ANY OTHER
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL
RIGHT. I MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF
APPOINTMENTS 3115 THROUGH 3119.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS. ARE THERE ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS? HEARING NONE,
CLERK, WILL YOU CALL THE ROLL?
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR SOLOMON?A .
>> THERE ARE FOUR VOTES IN FAVOR
AND ZERO OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE COUNCIL CONFIRM THE
APPOINTMENT WILL BE SENT TO THE
APRIL 22, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR AATTENDANCE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THE
VOTE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM OF
BUSINESS. WILL THE CLERK READ
ITEM 7 INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 7, COUNCIL BIG
120948, AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO
SEATTLE'S CONSTRUCTION CODES
ALLOWING FOR THE EXTENSION OF
CERTAIN PROJECTS BUILDING
PERMITS AMENDING SECTIONS 106.9
OF THE SEATTLE BUILDING CODE
ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE 127108.
>> OKAY, GREAT. THIS IS FOR
BRIEFING, DISCUSSION, POSSIBLE
VOTE. PRESENTERS HAVE JOINED US
AT THE TABLE. PLEASE READ --
INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE
RECORD.
>> LISH WHITTSON, CENTRAL STAFF.
>> PLEASE PROCEED.
>> COUNCIL BILL 120948, YOU
RECEIVED A BRIEFING LAST
MEETING. VERY BRIEFLY, THIS
LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW BUILDING
PERMIT APPLICANTS AN ADDITIONAL
24 MONTH EXTENSION ON EXISTING
PERMIT APPLICATIONS, AND ISSUE
PERMITS FOR PROJECTS TO THE 2015
OR 2018 BUILDING CODE
REQUIREMENTS. AS A REMINDER, WE
ARE CURRENTLY PERMITTING
PROJECTS UNDER THE 2021 BUILDING
CODE. IN ORDER FOR VESTED
PROJECTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR
EXTENSION UNDER THIS
LEGISLATION, PROPERTY OWNERS
WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ATTEST THE
PROJECT HAS WIN STALLED DUE TO
FINANCIAL ISSUES AND MUST HAVE
REQUESTED AN EXTENSION PRIOR TO
NOVEMBER 12, 2024. THAT'S THE
DATE IN LEGISLATION. YOU
HAVE THE AMENDMENT IN FRONT OF
YOU THAT WOULD CHANGE THE DATE.
I'M HAPPY TO APSER ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> OKAY. SO ANY ITEMS -- ANY
QUESTIONS CONCERNS, FOR OUR
PRESENTER? ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS
EASY. SO AT THIS POINT, I THINK
WE ARE READY TO MOVE TOWARDS A
VOTE ON THIS? OKAY. I MOVE THAT
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS PASSAGE
OF COUNCILMEMBER 120948. IS
THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND PASMG OF
THE BILL. ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. HEARING
NONE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER? COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS RAISED HIS HAND.
>> YES, COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS.
>> MY DIGITAL HAND WAS SLOWER
THAN MY HAND. WE PASSED A
SIMILAR BILL PANDEMIC REGARDING
MASTER USE PERMITS. I BELIEVE
THIS IS A PRUDENT DECISION AT
THIS TIME. AND I WILL ALSO SAY
THAT WHEN WE WERE MAKING THOSE
DECISIONS IN 2020 ABOUT 2015
CODE, THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO,
WE ARE NOW AT A 10 YEAR MARK. SO
AS WE GET FURTHER AWAY FROM THE
PANDEMIC, I BELIEVE THAT AGAIN,
THIS IS PRUDENT TODAY BUT THIS
WILL BE THE LAST SET OF
EXTENSIONS THAT I WILL BE ABLE
TO SUPPORT MOVING OUT OF THE
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN ASSOCIATED
WITH THE PANDEMIC. IT'S
IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE
PROPERTIES BUILT. THERE IS A LOT
OF BENEFIT TO THE CITY. AND AT
THE SAME TIME, THIS WILL BE THE
LAST OF THE EXTENSIONS THAT I
WILL LIKELY SUPPORT. JUST WANT
TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD, THANK
YOU, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, AND UNDERSTOOD.
ALL RIGHT. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL ON THE
RECOMMENDATION TO PASS BILL
120948.
>> WOULDIA LIKE TO MOVE THE
AMENDMENT?
>> YES. OKAY. AND SPEAK ON THE
AMENDMENT ONE MORE TIME.
>> THE AMENDMENT IS VERY SIMPLE.
IT CHANGES THE DATE IN THE BILL
FOR FILING FOR AN APPLICATION TO
EXTEND THE PERMIT FROM NOVEMBER
12, 2024 WHICH IS IN THE PAST,
AND YOU WOULD HAVE HAD TO FILE
BEFORE THAT DATE, TO NOVEMBER
2026 WHICH IS WHEN THE NEXT
BUILDING CODES WILL BE ADOPTED.
>> SO I MOVE WE AMEND THE
EXISTING LEGISLATION TO MAKE
THAT DATE CHANGE. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> OKAY.
>> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED. ANY
FURTHER COMMENT OR DISCUSSION?
OKAY. CLERK, CAN YOU CALL THE
ROLL ON THE APPROVEMENT OF THE
AMENDMENT?
>> VASE CHAIR STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> AYE.
>> CHAIR SOLOMON.
>> AYE.
>> THERE ARE FOUR IN FAVOR AND
ZERO OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE
AMENDMENT TO THE LEGISLATION HAS
BEEN APPROVED. NOW I MOVE THAT
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND PASSAGE
OF THE AMENDED LEGISLATION
COUNCIL BILL 120948. IS THERE A
SECOND FOR THAT?
>> SECOND.
>> OKAY. IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED. ANY FURTHER
DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, WILL
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
THE RECOMMENDATION TO PASS
AMENDED BILL 120948?
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOORE?
>> A YE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> AYE.
>> CHAIR SOLOMON?
>> AYE.
>> THERE ARE FOUR IN FAVOR.
>> THE BILL WILL BE SENT TO THE
APRIL 22, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING.
NOW, WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE
NEXT ITEM OF BUSINESS, CLERK
WILL YOU PLEASE READ ITEM 6 INTO
THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 7, AN ORDINANCE
RELATING TO LAND USE AND ZONING,
EXPANDING HOUSING OPTIONS BY
EASING BARRIERS TO THE
CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AS
REQUIRED BY STATE LEGSHIP.
>> OKAY. SO WE WILL DO BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND HAVE A PUBLIC
HEARING. THIS LEGISLATION
REGARDS SEATTLE'S ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNIT LAWS AND IS
RESPONSIVE TO HOUSE BILL 1377
WHICH WAS PASSED IN 2023. WE
WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARING FIRST
AND LISTEN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
AFTER THE HEARING,
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSPECTIONS
AND COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF WILL
BE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS
COUNCIL MAY HAVE. AS PRESIDING
OFFICER, I'M OPENING THE PUBLIC
HEARING ON COUNCIL BILL 120949
RELATING TO AMENDMENTS TO THE
ACSAYSRY DWELLING UNITS,
IMPLEMENTING POUS BILL 1337. HOW
MANY DO WE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR
THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS SIGNED
UP FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> OKAY. EACH SPEAKER WILL BE
PROVIDED WITH 2 MINUTES. CLERK,
I WILL HAND IT OVER TO YOU TO
PRESENT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR
PUBLIC HEARING.
>> FIRST UP WE HAVE
ALEXZIMMERMANN. JUST A MOMENT,
SIR.
>> AS A REMINDER, COMMENTS THAT
ARE GOING TO BE OFFERED AT THIS
TIME MUST PERTAIN TO THE ITEM IN
FRONT OF US WHICH IS COUNCIL
BILL -- WHERE DID I PUT IT?
120949. AGAIN, PLEASE, EACH
SPEAKER WILL HAVE 2 MINUTES
RELATED TO CAN YOU MEAN BILL
120949. THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS
ONE WE DISCUSSED.
>> SIG HIEL MY DAM DIRTYNAZI
FASCISTS. MY NAME ALEX
ZIMMERMANN. I HAVE 6,000 DAYS OF
TRESPASS AND FIVE TIMES
PROCEDURE. I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT
HOUSING. I HAVE EXPERTISE FOR 30
YEARS. ALL DECISIONS WHAT YOU
MAKE FOR THE LAST 30Y YEARS
NEVER BRING PEOPLE TO SEE IT.
NOBODY CAN AFFORD CITY WHEN
THERE ARE 70,000. IN PRICE FOR
RENT AND SEATTLE, ONE PROBLEM. I
WAS IN AMERICA. SITUATION
TOTALLY DIFFERENT BECAUSE WHEN I
COME 40 YEARS, SEATTLE NICE,
BEAUTIFUL PLACE. MY PROPOSITION
VERY SIMPLE. ALL OF YOUR
DECISIONS LOCK LIKE DOING
SOMETHING, DOING SOMETHING,
NOTHING CHANGE. MY PROPOSITION,
I TALK ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES. WE
HAVE AMAZON, GOOGLE, MICROSOFT,
AND ANOTHER COMPANY AND YOU HAVE
RIGHT FOR 80 SQUARE FEET. BUILD
THIS COMPANY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE
LOW INCOME, PROBABLY 50,000 OR
LESS. WHEN YOU ARE NOT DOING
THIS, I GIVE YOU CLASSIC
EXAMPLE. LOOK AT PRESIDENT
TRUMP. HE SHAKE WHOLE PLANET
BECAUSE NEGOTIABLE. SO MANY
COUNTRIES COME TO HIM RIGHT NOW
AND NEGOTIATE AND EVERYBODY WIN.
GUYS, WHEN YOU DON'T START
NEGOTIATE, THIS BIG CORPORATION,
NOTHING WILL BE CHANGED. NOTHING
WILL BE BETTER. VIVA NEW
AMERICA, AND REVOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. ZIMMERMANN.
>> NEXT UP WE HAVE DAVID HAINES.
>> THANK YOU, DAVID HAINES. WE
REALLY NEED TO REDESIGN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET AWAY FROM
THE CAR CENTRIC, 20th CENTURY
POLICE STATE BLOCKS. I SAY THIS
DWELLINGS, YOU GOT TO GO HIGHER
TO GET A REPRIEVE FROM THE ROAD
RAGE. THERE'S A LOT OF
ALLEYWAYS THAT SPLIT ALL OF
THESE RESIDENTIALLY ZONED
NEIGHBORHOODS AND IT RUINS THE
QUALITY OF LIVING AND THE MENTAL
HEALTH OF A LOT OF RESIDENTS ALL
THROUGHOUT SEATTLE'S
NEIGHBORHOODS. WE NEED TO
REDESIGN IT TO STOP ALLOWING THE
MODERN WHEEL TO DRIVE THROUGH
EVERY HALF BLOCK AND BOTHER
PEOPLE. IT SOUNDS WEIRD BUT WHAT
IF YOU HAD NOISE ABATEMENT WALLS
THAT WERE FOUR FEED FROM THE
ADUs THAT WOULD BUTT UP AGAINST
THE ALLEYWAYS THAT WOULD GIVE
THE RESIDENTS WHO WOULD HAVE
SERIOUS BUYERS REMORSE IF THEY
ACTED LIKE THEY WERE BUYING A
CONDO IN THE BACK YARD OF
SOMEONE THAT HAD AN OVERWHELMING
SERVICE ALLEY THAT LITERALLY HAD
DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEES BANGING
AND CLANGING, TRASH, DUMPSTER
PICKUPS RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR
BEDROOM AND BACKYARD
PRACTICALLY. WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO
WEAPONIZE THE TREE ORDINANCE TO
DENY PEOPLE A BETTER CHOICE IN
HOME SO THEY CAN ROBUSTLY BUILD
OUT AND GO HIGHER ON THEIR LOT
SO THEY CAN GET A FREAKING VIEW
OF THE MOUNTAINS OR THE LAKE OR
THE PUJANT SOUND, THERE ARE LOW
LIVES IN SEATTLE THAT ARE TRYING
TO DENY PEOPLE TO BUILD A BETTER
HOME ON THEIR LOT. THERE ARE
COUNCIL DEMOCRATS WHO APPEASE
THE SELLOUTS WHO HAVE GENTRIFIED
FOR TOO LONG. WE NEED
LEGISLATION TO ROBUST LEBUILD
OUT THE HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS WITHOUT --.
>> CHAIR, THERE ARE NO MORE
SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. AS
THERE ARE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS,
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW
CLOSED. WILL OUR REPRESENTATIVES
FROM SDCI AND CENTRAL STAFF
PLEASE JOIN US TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS COUNCIL MAY HAVE. AND
ONCE YOU ARE READY, PLEASE
INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE
RECORD.
>> LISH WHITTSON, COUNCIL
CENTRAL STAFF.
>> DAVID VANSKIKE, SCEI.
>> PLEASE PROCEED.
>> YOU ALL DID RECEIVE A
BRIEFING AT THE LAST MEETING. WE
ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS
PRIOR TO A VOTE ON APRIL 30.
>> OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY
COLLEAGUES AT ALL FOR OUR
PRESENTERS? YES, COUNCILMEMBER
MOORE?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I JUST
WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THIS IS
ALL OF THIS IS CODIFYING THE
STATE LEGISLATION THAT -- I KNOW
YOU MENTIONED THERE IS A NEW
SECTION BEING ADDED BUT THAT NEW
SECTION IS BEING ADDED TO
INCORPORATE THE STATE LAWS, IS
THAT CORRECT?
>> IT IS. IT TAKES PIECES OF OUR
CURRENT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
REGULATIONS AND ADDS TO THEM
REQUIREMENTS UNDER STATE HOUSE
BILL 1337. SO THEIR PROVISIONS
FOR EXAMPLE IN OUR CURRENT CODE
SAYS THAT YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED
TO PROVIDE PARKING FOR AN
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT. THAT'S
NOT PART OF THE STATE HOUSE BILL
BUT IT IS IN OUR CURRENT CODE
AND THAT'S CARRIED FORWARD.
>> OKAY. IS THERE ANY OTHER
PROVISION IN HERE THAT'S NEW OR
DIFFERENT FROM THE STATE LAW
OTHER THAN THAT RELATING TO
PARKING?
>> I WOULD SAY NO. THERE IS
NOTHING THAT IS PROPOSED THAT
ISN'T REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.
THIS GOES TO THE QUESTION YOU
JUST ASKED AND MAYBE THIS WILL
HELP FLUSH IT OUT. THE NEW
SECTION THAT'S IN THE CODE IS
INTENDED TO TAKE THE ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNIT RULES WE HAVE NOW,
MOST OF WHICH ARE COMPLIANT WITH
1337 FOR MANY AND TO REGULARIZE
THEM ACROSS ALL ZONES BECAUSE
THAT'S WHAT 1337 CALLS FOR.
THAT IS A NEW SECTION. ANY TIME
YOU CREATE A NEW SECTION, YOU
END UP HAVING TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO BRIDGE THE GAP. I WOULD SAY
IN GENERAL, THERE'S NOTHING IN
THE PROPOSED 1337 COMPLIANCE
LEGISLATION THAT GOES BEYOND
WHAT THE STATE IS ASKING US. IT
IS ABOUT NAVIGATING THE EXISTING
CODE CONSTRUKTS TO MAKE THEM
MAKE SENSE WITH THE NEW
LEGISLATION AND THE NEW SECTION
YOU REFERRED TO.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU FOR THE
CLARIFICATION.
>> ALL RIGHT. OKAY COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK,
ANYTHING FOR OUR PRESENTERS? NO?
GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY. WE
HAVE REACHED THE END OF TODAY'S
MEETING AGENDA. OUR NEXT MEETING
IS WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 2025 AT
2:00 P.M. IS THERE ANY FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE BEFORE WE ADJOURN? ALL
RIGHT. HEARING NO FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS
COMMITTEE,