>>>ER THE JULY 2nd, 2025 LAND
USE COMMITTEE WILL COME TO
ORDER, IT IS 2:03 P.M. I AM MARK
SOLOMON, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
WILL THE COMMITTEE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL?
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> PRESENT.
>> CHAIR SOLOMON.
>> PRESENT.
>> CHAIR, THERE ARE THREE
MEMBERS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. LET IT BE NOTED
COUNCILMEMBER MOORE AND RIVERA
ARE EXCUSED. IF THERE HAVE NO
OBJECTION THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THIS
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MEETING TO
DISCUSS LAND USE, THANK TO OUR
CITY CLERKS AND CENTRAL STAFF
FOR HELPING US PREPARE FOR THIS
MEETING. WE WILL NOW OPEN THE
PUBLIC COMMENT, HYBRID PERIOD.
THAT SHOULD RELATE TO ITEMS ON
TODAY'S AGENDA AND WITHIN THE
PURVIEW OF THIS COMMITTEE.
CLERK, HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE
HAVE SIGNED UP TODAY?
>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE SIX
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS AND CURRENTLY
THREE REMOTE SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.
>> OKAY. SO, SIX IN PERSON,
THREE REMOTE?
>> CORRECT.
>> LETS GIVE EVERY SPEAKER TWO
MINUTES WE WILL START WITH THE
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS FIRST, AND
CLERK, PLEASE READ THE PUBLIC
COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS.
>> THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
WILL BE MODERATED IN THE
FOLLOWING MANNER, THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD SUP TO 20
MINUTES, SPEAKER WILL BE CALLED
IN THE ORDER REGISTERED.
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS WILL BE
CALLED FIRST, AFTER WHICH WE
WILL MOVE TO REMOTE SPEAKERS AND
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD HAS ENDED.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN
10 SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THE TIME.
SPEAKERS MICS WILL BE MUTED IF
THEY DO NOT END WITHIN THE
ALLOTTED TIME. THE PUBLIC PERIOD
IS NOW OPEN. WE WILL BEGIN WITH
THE FIRST SPEAKERS ON THE LIST.
DAVID HANES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ONE SECOND.
>> GET YOUR TIMER GOING, OKAY.
NOW.
>> DAVID HANES, WE NEED 21st
CENTURY FIRST WORLD CALLFY
HOUSING, Y'ALL NEED TO TAKE
LEGISLATION TO TAKE RESTRICTIONS
OFF THE DEVELOPERS SO THEY WOULD
BE INCENT IVEIZED TO PUT THE
FIRST THREE LEVELS AS AFFORDABLE
WITH HIGHER THAN SIX-STORY
LEVEL. INSTEAD, WE HAVE WHAT
SEEMS TO BE BLACK LIVES MATTER
AND GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTERS
HIDING BEHIND THIS RACIST, TAMMY
MORALES MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM
POLICY OF ROOTS TO ROOFS WHERE
IT IS BASICALLY ANOTHER RACIST
TAINTED POLICY AND PRIORITY FOR
SKIN COLOR LIKE REVERSE RACISMS,
I GUESS? BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE
BASING EVERYTHING FROM A UW
RACIST WHOA PROFESSOR POLICY OF
CALLING OUT RESTRICTIVE HOUSING
IN THE PAST. NOW YOU ARE GOING
TO TAKE CRAPPY HOUSING FROM
UNQUALIFIED NONHCH PROFITS THAT
ARE POLITICALLY CONNECTED TO THE
REELECTION APPARATUS OF
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND
GIVE THEM THE NEXT 35 YEARS A
WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY AND THEY
ARE GOING TO BUILD A BUNCH OF
WAREHOUSE ECO SLUM REAL ESTATE
AND THEN ACT LIKE SOME SORT OF
SLUMLORD, ACTING LIKE THEY ARE
ANOTHER SOCIAL HOUSING ISSUE
THROUGH PILOT PROGRAM. IF Y'ALL
CAN LIKE GET RID OF YOUR
BLINDERS OF HATRED AND SCORNED
LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT WANT TO
BUTTON PUSH RACIST VOTING
BLOCKS, YOU ALL COULD LIKE
INCENTIVEIZE THE DEVELOPERS,
TAKE THE RESTRICTIONS OFF THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND PURGE
ALL OF YOUR RACIST TAINTED SKIN
COLOR PRIORITIES THAT LOOK THE
OTHER WAY ON THEIMATOR-BASE OF A
DEVELOPER WHO IS QUALIFIED TO
BUILD A 21st CENTURY FIRST WORLD
QUALITY HOME INSTEAD OF
ORGANIZING COMMUNITIES, TO HIDE
BEHIND A NON-PROFIT THAT LIST
THEMSELVES AS DEVELOPER NOT
QUALIFIED THAT THOOZ HIRE
SOMEBODY ELSE WHO IS ALSO
SOMEWHAT SUSPECT IN NOT BEING
QUALIFIED THAT HAS TO HIRER
SMEB. YOU ARE CHEATING PEOPLE
AND RACIST FOR REELECTION
APPARATUS.
72 THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, WE WILL HAVE SANDY
SHETLER.
>> HI. OKAY. HI. YES, SO, HARD
TO FOLLOW THAT. SO, I AM SANDY
SHETLER, COMMENTING ON ROOTS TO
ROOFS, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY,
DOES NOT APPEAR TO ALLOW SPACE
FOR A SINGLE TREE. HAVING A
LOWER INCOME IS CORRELATED WITH
NEGATIVE HEALTH METRICS, STUDIES
SHOW IMPROVE WITH ACCESS TO
LARGE SHADE TREES. STREET TREES
AREN'T SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE
FUTURE RESIDENTS THE BENEFITS OF
REDUCE ASTHMA, REDUCE HEART
ATTACK AND STROKE, BETTER MENTAL
HEALTH, HIGHER INFANT BIRTH
WEIGHT AND BETTER BRAIN
DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN, ALL OF
THESE BENEFITS ARE CORRELATED
WITH LIVING NEAR TREES. EVEN
META YING COLUMBIA IS
INCORPORATING GREEN SPACE WITH
NEW DEVELOPMENTS. PEOPLE
SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
THEIR HEALTH. WEALTHY PEOPLE
HAVE TREES, AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE
THEM. I ALSO ASK WHY THIS BILL
IS SEPARATE FROM THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SINCE HOUSING
ABUNDANCE AND AFFORDABILITY ARE
BEING ADDRESSED ON A LARGER
SCALE IN A COMP PLAN AND ZONING
BILLS. PLEASE AMEND THIS PLAN TO
INCLUDE TREES FOR EVERYBODY, OR
TAKE IT UP AFTER THE COMP PLAN
AND ZONING BILLS HAVE PASSED,
WHEN WE WILL HAVE A CLEAR ROAD
MAP FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND FUTURE
TREES FOR EVERYBODY. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, WE WILL HAVE RUTH
WILLIAMS FOLLOWED BY JESSE
SIMPSON.
>> HI, THERE. MY NAME IS RUTH
WILLIAMS AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT
QUITE BEING OVER MY COLD. I LIVE
IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I AM
REPRESENTING ONLY MYSELF, NO
COMMUNITY GROUP. I HAVE A FEW
COMMENTS ON COUNCIL BILL
12.10.11, ROOTS TO ROOFS.
BUILDERS DON'T WANT TO BUILD
MUCH THESE DAYS WITH UNCERTAIN
ECONOMY AND HIGH INTEREST RATE.
THE CIRCUMSTANCE PROVIDES AN
OPENING FOR THE CITY TO PURCHASE
AND BANK RAURPT FOR FUTURE LOW
INCOME, BEST NOT TO WASTE THIS
OPPORTUNITY. AS YOU MOVE THROUGH
THE AMENDMENT PROCESS ON THIS
BILL, PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE
SPACE FOR TREES THAT SUPPORT
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND NATURAL
ECO SYSTEMS THAT MINIMIZE
FLOODING AND PRESERVE WILDLIFE,
INCLUDING SALMON. ECO SYSTEMS
ALSO SUPPORT THE NATIVE WATER
TABLE, WHICH, IN TURN, HELPS
KEEP MATURE TREES HEALTHY.
EXTENSIVE PAVE. AND BUFFER ZONES
PROMOTE FLOODING AND EXPENSIVE
PROPERTY DAMAGE. A CLEAR EXAMP
SL THE PERSISTENT FLOODING OF
LITTLE BROOK CREEK IN THE
UNDERSERVED LAKE CITY.
VOLUNTEERS APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR
FLOOD PRONE AREAS FOR FEMA AND
THE CITY MAY HAVE TO BUY OUT
IMPACT PROPERTY OWNERS. WE HAVE
BEEN PAYING OUR BILLS LONG
ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THE CHEAPEST
WAY TO ACCOMPLISHMENT IS TO WORK
CAREFULLY EACH STEP OF THE WAY,
IGNORING COMPLICATIONS AND
CUTTING CORNERS INVARIABLY
SOONER OR LATER LEADSS TO
EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND
REMEDIATION. LETS DO THIS RIGHT,
WITH PRUDENT PLANNING AND
CONSERVATION INCLUDED. THANK
YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS JESSE SIMPSON,
FOLLOWED BY PARKER DAWSON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON Y AM JESSE
SIMPSON FROM THE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT CONSORGZ. HDC IS
MEMBER BASED SERVING NON-PROFIT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS AS
WELL AS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
ARCHITECTS, GENERAL CONTRACTORS,
AND MORE WORKING TO BUILD
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUR CITY
NEEDS. HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN
STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE ROOTS TO
ROOFS PILOT PROGRAM, CREATE AS
DENSITY BONUS FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY-BASED
DEVELOPMENT. AFFORDING HOUSE IS
ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST
PRESSING NEEDS, SERVES PEOPLE
ACROSS INCOME SPECTRUM, WORKING
PEOPLE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE
MARKET RATE RENT IN THIS
EXPENSIVE CITY. IT FACES MYRIAD
BARRIERS, EXPENSIVE TO
CONSTRUCT, AND THE OPERATING
FUNDING NEEDED TO INSURE THAT IT
IS AFFORDABLE AND MAINTAINED
OVER TIME IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO
SECURE. ONE OF THOSE KEY
BARRIERS DOESN'T COST THE CITY
ANY MONEY TO ADDRESS, THAT IS
ZONING. I APPLAUD THE
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK FOR BRINGING
FORWARD THIS SENSIBLE, I BELIEVE
COMMON SENSE POLICY PROGRAM,
WHICH WILL HELP OUR MEMBERS
DELIVER MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT SOME
PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE, BUILD
EXTRA STORY, AND MAX OUT THE
POTENTIAL OF DEVELOPMENT SITES
THAT ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION. I
WANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS UNDER
CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW, THE
ACTUAL ZONING FOR UP ZONES
THROUGH THIS PLAN IN TERMS OF
MULTIFAMILY ZONES HAS BEEN
DELAYED TO NEXT YEAR. THE PILOT
PROGRAM CAN FILL AN IMPORTANT
STOP GAP AND I URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU ALL.
>> NEXT UP, PARKER DAWSON
FOLLOWED BY STEVE.
>> HEY, MY NAME IS PARKER
DAWSON, WITH THE MASTER
BUILDER'S ASSOCIATION, TO
COMPLIMENT MY COLLEAGUE, JESSE
SIMPSON, WE ARE A MEMBER-DRIVEN
ASSOCIATION COMPRISED OF MARKET
RATE DEVELOPERS BUILDING
ADDITIONAL HOUSING THAT WE
DESPERATELY NEED. ALSO HERE IN
STRONG SUPPORT OF THE ROOTS TO
ROOFS BILL TODAY. WANT TO
APPLAUD THE STAKEHOLDERING DONE
BY COUNCILMEMBER RINK R ALTHOUGH
THIS BILL IS NOT IN THE PROGRAM
WOULD NOT BE GEARED PRIMARILY
TOWARD MARKET RATE BUILDERS, I
FELT VERY HONORED TO BE PART OF
THAT GROUP TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS
INCREDIBLY WELL RESEARCHED, THAT
WE WERE UTILIZING EVERY
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY TO, AS
JESSE SAID, USE THE FREE TOOLS
IN OUR TOOL BELT, THE FREE
RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, AKA,
ZONING, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS,
TO REALLY PUSH OPPORTUNITIES TO
ELEVATE COMMUNITY-DRIVEN
ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
TO GET THE HOUSING THAT THEY DO
NEED IN THE PLACES THAT NEED
THEM. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
AGAIN, COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, I DO
HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL SEE THIS
THROUGH SMOOTHLY AND I AM VER
AEKSITED OVER THE NEXT TEN
YEARS, HOPEFULLY SOONER, TO SEE
THE 35 PROJECTS GO UP.
>>> UP NEXT, STEVE.
>> I THINK THE PLAN COULD COME
TO THIS COMMITTEE, MIGHT EVEN
HAVE MORE THAN CATTLE CALL OR
TWO FOR PEOPLE. I LIVE IN
BEAUTIFUL UPPER FREMONT. WELL,
WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT
BEAUTIFUL. WE WERE THE ONLY
DISTRICT IN THE LAST MAJOR UP
ZONE THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE HELP
CLEAN IT UP A BIT. NOW, THAT IS
NOT THE CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE
FOR THAT DISTRICT. THE OTHER ONE
BECAME SO WELL KNOWN IN THE
DISTRICT, NOT JUST WITH THE
FISHERMAN, THAT HE DECIDED NOT
TO RUN. BEAUTIFUL UPPER FREMONT
HAS ALWAYS BEEN HIGHLY ZONED,
DENSE, FREMONT HAS TAKEN FAR
MORE DENSITY OVER A LONGER
PERIOD OF TIME THAN MOST
NEIGHBORHOODS, CERTAINLY IN THE
NORTH END OF THE CITY. I THINK
THAT IT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME OF
THE OLDER BUILDINGS HELP TO BE
SAVED BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE SEEING
IS WHEN YOU RAISE ZONING, BEING
HIGHEST IN USE DATE, SAY YOU
HAVE EIGHT UNITS ON A PROPERTY,
AND YOU ZONE IT SO NOW WERE WE
HAVE 40 UNITS ON IT. WELL, THE
GROUND, THE PRICE GOES WAY UP.
SO THOSE 8 OR 12 UNITS THAT WERE
THERE BEFORE SUDDENLY BECOME
UNMARKETABLE. SEATTLE HAS DONE A
VERY GOOD JOB OF PUSHING MIDDLE
CLASS, WORKING CLASS OUT OF THE
CITY. I WOULD LIKE TO SAVE UPPER
FREMONT AND I WILL BE TALKING TO
MR. STRAUSS. THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL START WITH JUNE .
GIVE ME ONE MOMENT TO UNMUTE
YOU. JUNE, YOU MAY TALK WHEN
READY.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JUNE, I
LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO. I APPLAUD
INTENTIONS OF THE ROOTS TO ROOFS
BILL. I KNOW THAT SOME COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS IN MY DISTRICT
COULD BENEFIT FROM IT. I HAVE
CONCERNS, I IS ARE YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND
HEALTH CARE RESEARCH. I KNOW HOW
PILOT PROJECTS WORK, A BUILDING,
IS DIFFERENT, WHETHER SUCCESSFUL
OR NOT THE BUILDING REMAINS IN
PLACE. THIS PROJECT WOULD HAVE A
PERMANENT EFFECT ON UP TO 35
SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOODS ALLOWING
TALLER BUILDINGS TO TAKE UP MORE
OF THE LOT WITH NO PROTECTION OR
REQUIREMENT FOR TREES OR GREEN
SPACE. WHEN YOU THINK OF
REDUCING ECONOMIC COST OF
HOUSING, WE HAVE TO FIGURE IN
THE COST OF RESIDENTS AND PUBLIC
HEALTH COST TO THE CITY AS A
WHOLE. IF WE BUILD HOUSING THAT
HAS CHEAPER RENT OR PURCHASE
PRICE, BUT WORSENS ASTHMA, HEART
DISEASE, INCREASES NUMBER OF LOW
BIRTH WEIGHT. RESEARCH PROVIDES
CLEAR EVIDENCE NEIGHBORHOODS
WITH CANOPY HAVE LOWER RISK
COMPARED. WHY IS ROOTS TO ROOFS
SEPARATE FROM THE ONE SEATTLE
PLANNED ZONE CHANGES VOTED ON
WITHIN MONTHS. WHAT MECHANISMS
WOULD BE IN PLACE TO INSURE MOST
PROJECTS WILL BE LOCATED OUTSIDE
DISTRICT 2 AND 3, WHICH HAVE
BORNE THE BRUNT OF UP ZONES AND
DISPLACEMENT. DISTRICT TWO HAS
ALSO AMONG THE LOWEST TREE
CANOPY IN SEATTLE. HOW WOULD THE
PILOT BE EVALUATED AND HOW WOULD
THAT SEPARATE OUT THE IMPACT OF
THE PILOT FROM THAT OF HUGE
ZONING CHANGES CONSIDERED AT THE
SAME TIME? HOW IS THIS
LEGISLATION CONSISTENT WITH
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES
OF THE HEEL ACT? IF YOU DON'T
HAVE GOOD ANSWERS TO THESE
QUESTIONS, I RESPECTFULLY
REQUEST THAT YOU FOCUS ON THE
ZONING LEGISLATION BEFORE YOU
AND VOTE THIS PLAN DOWN FOR NOW.
THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP WILL BE
RICHARD ELLISON, AFTER THAT WILL
BE LEWIS MARTIN.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS RICHARD
ELLISON, I LIVE IN DISTRICT
FOUR, WHICH IS AN AREA THAT HAS
A LOT OF BIG TREES. WE ARE
SEEING THE NEWS OF THE GLOBAL
CLIMATE CHANGE RIGHT NOW AND
RECORD TEMPERATURES IN EUROPE.
SEATTLE SEEMS COOL TODAY BUT WE
KNOW THE HEAT CRISIS WILL HIT
SEATTLE AGAIN. THE DRAFT OF
CB12.10.11 AND ROOTS TO ROOFS
DOES NOT SUPPORT TREE RETENTION
WITH PLANTING REQUIREMENTS. IT
MAKES NO MENTION OF THE
IMPORTANCE OF MAXIMIZING
RETENTION OF EXISTING TREES
DURING DEVELOPMENT, NO MENTION
OF THE NEED TO REPLACE TREES
REMOVED DURING DEVELOPMENT. LOW
INCOME HOUSING SHOULD NOT BE
TREELESS WITHOUT ENOUGH OPEN
SPACE. TREEERIZE CRITICAL RE S
ARE CRITICAL. IT IS IMPORTANT
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND
JUSTICE. BUILD TALLER, NOT WIDER
TO SAVE TREES AND MAKE OPEN
SPACE. ALLOW FOR HEIGHT ON
BUILDINGS IF TREES ARE RETAINED.
WHERE TREES SUPPOSED TO PLAY?
THERE IS NO OPEN SPACE FOR KIDS.
WHERE ARE THE ROOTS? WE TALK
ROOTS TO HOUSING, WHERE ARE THE
TREE ROOTS? WHERE IS THE GREEN
SPACE? SEATTLE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN NEEDS TO SAY ONE OF FOUR
CORE VALUES WAS ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP. WHERE IS THE
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP? WHERE
IS THE BEEF? A PILOT HOUSING
PROJECT SHOULD BE HOW AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND BIG TREES AND OPEN
SPACE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR
LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLD.
>> THANK YOU. FINAL SPEAKER FOR
TODAY WILL BE LEWIS MARTIN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM LOIS
MARTIN, A LEGACY BLACK RESIDENT
OF A CENTRAL DISTRICT AND
DIRECTOR OF A LONG-STANDING
EARLY-LEARNING CENTER IN
SEATTLE. I AM HERE TO URGE YOU
NOT TO PASS THE ROOTS TO ROOF
LEGISLATION. THIS POLICY
FORMERLY KNOWN AS CONNECTED
COMMUNITIES, REBRANDS DEVELOPER
INCERTAINTYIVE FOR RACIAL
EQUITY, BUT IN PRACTICE IT IS
THREATENS THE COMMUNITY IT
CLAIMS TO SUPPORT. THE PILOT
ALLOWS BUILDINGS CLOSE TO
PROPERTY LINES ELIMINATE SPACE
FOR LARGE STATE TREE AND
INCREASING HEAT EXPOSURE AND
WORSENING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
IN NEIGHBORHOODS ALREADY
BURDENED WITH AIR AND NOISE
POLLUTION. IT EXEMPTS DEVELOPERS
FROM PARKING REVIEW AND
PRIORITIZING PROFIT OVER PEOPLE.
THIS LEGISLATION BENEFITS
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WANT TO
BECOME LANDLORDS, NOT LEGACY
RESIDENTS, NOT DISPLACED BLACK
FAMILIES, NOT WORKING CLASS HOME
OWNERS. IT INCLUDES NO PATH TO
HOME OWNERSHIP, NO TREE
PROTECTION, AND NO MEANINGFUL
RACIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ANALYSIS. THE MEMBERS OF
COMMITTEE, THIS IS YOUR
OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A DIFFERENT
PATH, REAL EQUITY MEANS MORE
THAN INTENTIONS. IT MEANS ASKING
HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO
BENEFITS, WHO PAYS THE PRICE,
AND WHO GETS LEFT OUT? THIS
LEGISLATION SHOULD BE FULLY
EVALUATED THROUGH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS,
THOROUGH ANALYSIS AND COMMUNITY
SAFE GUARDS ARE IN PLACE. PLEASE
VOTE NO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THAT IS THE END OF OUR LIST.
>> WE WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC
COMMENTARY AND MOVE ON TO THE
ITEMS OF OUR AGENDA. SO, CLERK,
WILL YOU PLEASE READ ITEMS 1 AND
2 INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEMS 1 AND 2,
APPOINTMENTS 3216 AND 3217,
REAPPOINTMENTS OF DEANNA AND
CALEB AS MEMBERS OF THE SEATTLE
PLANNING COMMISSION TERM APRIL
15, 2028, FOR BRIEFING,
DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I
SEE A PRESENTER JOINED US AT THE
TABLE. SO, IF YOU WILL PLEASE--
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR SOLOMON.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS VANESSA MURDOCH,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
SEATTLE PLANNING COMMISSION. THE
SEATTLE PLANNING COMMISSION IS
AN ADVISORY VOLUNTEER BODY
APPOINTED BY THIS BODY, THE CITY
COUNCIL, AND THE MAYOR, AND
APPROVED SUBJECT OF FULL
APPROVAL OF FULL CITY COUNCIL.
THE PLANNING COMMISSIONERS OFFER
ADVICE TO YOU ALL, CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS, THE MAYOR, AND
CITY DEPARTMENTS STAFF ON ISSUES
RELATED TO LAND USE, HOUSING,
TRANSPORTATION, AND LIVEABILITY.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME HERE
TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF TWO
COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE
FOR REAPPOINTMENT. CALEB IS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT AT RAINIER SCHOLARS.
HE IS CURRENTLY THE CO-CHAIR OF
OUR LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE, AND HE CAME TO US,
FIRST, AS GET ENGAGED MEMBER, A
PROGRAM RUN BETWEEN THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND THE YMCA TO PROMOTE
YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN BOARDS
AND COMMISSIONS ACROSS SEATTLE.
DEANNA IS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
AT WSP, FOCUSING ON URBAN
INNOVATION AND MOBILITY . SHE IS
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
PLANNER AS WELL AS HAS EXPERTISE
IN PUBLIC SPACE AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT. PRIOR TO COMING TO
SEATTLE, SHE WORKED IN MEXICO
CITY, MOST RECENTLY AS IN THE
AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SPACE, WHICH
IS MEXICO CITY'S URBAN
DEVELOPMENT, OPEN SPACE AND
MOBILITY DEPARTMENT. HAPPY TO
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE
TWO REAPPOINTMENTS. I WILL JUST
ADD PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ARE
APPOINTED TO THREE-YEAR TERM,
AND ARE SUBJECT, ELIGIBLE FOR
REAPPOINTMENT TO A SECOND
THREE-YEAR TERM. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. COMMITTEE MEMBERS, DO YOU
HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR
OUR PRESENTER? NONE?
>> SURE. I WILL JUMP IN, IF HAT
IS ALL RIGHT. I REMEMBER--
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I REMEMBER
APPOINTING BOTH OF THESE
INDIVIDUALS WHEN I WAS LAND USE
CHAIR, GLAD TO SEE THEY ARE
BACK. THANK THEM FOR THEIR
VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS, I MOVE THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATIONS OF 3216
AND 3217. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO RECOMMEND
CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS.
>> CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL?
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> YES.
>> CHAIR SOLOMON?
>> YES.
>> THREE VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> VERY GOOD. THE MOTION CARRIES
TO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THE
COUNCIL CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS
WILL BE SENT TO THE JULY 8th,
2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> PLEASE, CLERK, CAN YOU READ
ITEM 3 INTO THE AGENDA?
>> ITEM 3 COUNCIL BILL 121009,
SECTIONS 23.22.024,.064, 066,
0.0.0740 .08, CHAPTER 23.22,
SECTIONS 23. 22.0 @84.
>> PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR
THE RECORD.
>> ANALYST.
>> COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF.
>> THEY ARE HERE TO PROVIDE
OVERVIEW OF THE BILL AND ANSWER
QUESTIONS THAT MAY ARISE TODAY.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK HAS SPONSOR
OF THE LEGISLATION YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK TO IT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IF IT IS
ALL RIGHT I WOULD LOVE IF
CENTRAL STAFF COULD PROVIDE THE
BRIEFING FIRST.
>> INDEED.
>> THANK YOU.
>> DESITE THE LONG TITLE, I
DON'T HAVE SLIDES AS IT IS
RELATIVELY MINOR PIECE OF
LEGISLATION. COUNCIL BILL AMENDS
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE TO
DELEGATE DECISION MAKING
AUTHORITY TO CITY DEPARTMENTS
THAT REVIEW SUB DIVISION
APPLICATION, REMOVING FINAL
ACTION AS REQUIREMENT. AS YOU
MAY BE AWARE, CHAPTER 58.17 OF
THE RCW REGULATES SUBDIVISION OF
LAND WHICH OCCURS IN TWO PHASES,
PRELIMINARY AND FINAL. DURING
PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL APPLICATION
AND REVIEW WE HAVE LOT OF
DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. DECISION
MAKING HAPPENS DEPENDING ON THE
TYPE OF SUBDIVISION, BY SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND
INSPECTION, STCI OR HEARING
EXAMINER, AT THAT POINT NUMBER
OF REQUIREMENTS ARE PLACED ON
THE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL SUCH
THAT THE FINAL PLAT CANNOT OCCUR
UNTIL REFIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE
MET. FINAL PLATS WITH, YOU MAY
RECALL WE HAD ONE RECENTLY,
BEFORE THEY COME HERE, IT HAS
ALREADY BEEN CONFIRMED BY
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS THAT THOSE
REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET AND
TYPICALLY INFRASTRUCTURE HAS
BEEN CREATED. COUNCIL PURVIEW,
AS YOU MAY IMAGINE, ARE LIMITED,
GIVEN THE COUNCIL HAS ON AVERAGE
MORE THAN TWO PER YEAR THAT COME
TO YOU, DELEGATING THE ROLE TO
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS WOULD
IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OF PERMITTING
WITHOUT SACRIFICING MUCH IN THE
WAY OF REAL VALUE. I AM HAPPY TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> COUNCILMEMBER RINCK?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU
FOR THAT OVERVIEW ON THIS
COLLEAGUE'S, THIS LEGISLATION
IS RELATED TO STREAMLINING OUR
SUBDIVISION PROCESSES. THE STATE
LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN US
AUTHORITY TO DELEGATE FINAL
APPROVAL TO DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AFTER HEARING
EXAMINER ISSUED A DECISION AND
WHILE COUNCIL, AS WAS STATED,
VOTES TO CODIFY THE DECISIONS.
WE HAVE NO REAL CHOICE IN THE
MATTER BUT, RATHER, TO APPROVE
IT. THIS PROCESS TAKES MONTHS
FROM DRAFTING LEGISLATION TO
COMMITTEE HEARING FOR FINAL
VOTE. THIS BILL IS SIMPLE YET
STRAIGHT FORWARD EFFORT TO
PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND
SHAVE OFF MONTHS, UNNECESSARY,
ON HOUSING PROJECT TIMELINES.
WITH THAT, I OPEN UP FOR
QUESTIONS YOU ALL HAVE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING
THIS BILL? COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS?
>> THANK YOU, I REMEMBER WHEN
LISH BROUGHT THIS TO ME A NUMBER
OF YEARS AGO, BECAUSE IT IS IS
STRAIGHT FORWARD PIECE OF
ACTION, WE HAD JUST RUN INTO THE
CRUNCH WITH BUDGET, THEN AFTER
BUDGET I SWITCHED ROLES IN BEING
BUDGET CHAIR. WE HAD TALKED TO
THE LAST LAND USE CHAIR, I
THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE
PASSED UNDER THEIR TENURE, SO I
AM GLAD TO SEE IT BACK BEFORE
US. IF WE HAD JURISDICTION TO
AMEND THIS, WE SHOULD NOT PASS
THIS BILL. WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE
ABILITIES, THEREFORE THIS JUST
TAKES WORK OFF OF OUR DESK THAT
WE DON'T HAVE ANY JURISDICTION
OVER, TO PUT IT PLAINLY. I WILL
ASK CENTRAL STAFF, DID I
REPRESENT THE FACTS CORRECTLY?
OR IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD
LIKE TO CHANGE THERE?
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, SEEMS
STRAIGHT FORWARD, SEEMS COMMON
SENSE, LETS NOT GET IN OUR OWN
WAY. SO, WITH THAT, IF THERE IS
NO FURTHER COMMENT, I WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING, WE
LOOK FORWARD TO ACTUALLY MOVING
ON THIS AND MAKING IT HAPPEN.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. CLERK,
WILL YOU PLEASE READ ITEM FOUR
INTO THE AGENDA?
>> ITEM FOUR, COUNCILMEMBER
121011, ORDINANCE TO RELATE TO
LAND USE AND ZONING ESTABLISHING
THE ROOTS TO ROOFS BONUS PILOT
PROGRAM, ADDING NEW SECTIONS
23.40.09 OT THROUGH 0.097 TO
MUNICIPAL CODE FOR BRIEFING AND
DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE INTRODUCE
YOURSELF FOR THE RECORD, AND
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, WOULD YOU
LIKE OUR PRESENTER TO PROCEED
BEFORE-- GOT IT. SO, PLEASE.
>> COUNCIL CENTRAL STAFF, LET ME
MAKE THINGS SMALLER HERE SO I
CAN SEE WHAT I AM DOING. THAT IS
NOT IT.
>> THIS IS AN INITIAL BRIEFING
121011, WHICH IS THE ROOTS TO
ROOF PILOT PROGRAM, I WILL TALK
ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THE
PROGRAM, BRIEFLY GO THROUGH WHAT
THE BILL WOULD DO, TALK WHO
COULD QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM,
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE HIGH LEVEL
OF DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY AND THEN
WALK THROUGH NEXT STEPS FOR THE
COMMITTEE. IN TERMS OF PURPOSE,
THE PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAM,
PURPOSE WOULD BE DEMONSTRATE
SOCIAL BENEFIT OF EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING HOUSING
AVAILABLE TO SPECTRUM OF
INCOMES, AFFORDABILITY STANDARDS
FOR USES, I WILL TURN TO WHAT
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT USE IS.
HOW WOULD THAT PURPOSE BE
ACHIEVED? IT WOULD BE ACHIEVED
BY PROVIDING DEVELOPMENT
INCENTIVE AND INCENTIVES FOR
QUALIFYING DEVELOPMENT TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM,
SPECIFICALLY IT WOULD DEFINE
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT USES,
GENERALLY TWO FLAVORS OF
EQUITABLE USE, IT COULD INCLUDE
AN INSTITUTIONAL USE, LIKE
CHILDCARE, OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT. IT COULD INCLUDE
COMMERCIAL USES LIKE COMMERCIAL
KITCHEN, REQUIRE QUALIFYING
DEVELOPMENT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, AT LEAST 25%
AFFORDABLE, 40% FOR VERY SMALL
UNIT AND 80% FOR TWO-BEDROOM
UNITS. IDENTIFY MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY, YOU HAVE TO BE
QUALIFYING DEVELOPMENT AND
ORGANIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE PROGRAM, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
HEIGHT, ALLOWABLE FLOR AREA,
EXEMPTIONS. WOULD EXEMPT FOR
PARKING MINIMUM AND DIRECT THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING TO PROMULGATE
A RULE TO HELP ADMINISTER THE
PROGRAM, DEFERRED EFFECTIVE DATE
FOR THE BILL. IT WOULD EXPIRE IN
TEN YEARS OR AFTER 35 QUALIFYING
PROJECTS APPLY. SO, WHO COULD
QUALIFY? IT WOULD BE NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS, IT COULD INCLUDE
PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SUCH AS HOUSING DEVELOPER OR
COMMUNITY ROOTS HOUSING AND
PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES LIKE
SEATTLE HOUSING AUTHORITY. THOSE
COULD BE QUALIFYING DEVELOPMENTS
THAT COULD PARTNER WITH EITHER
FOR PROFIT OR NON-PROFIT
DEVELOPERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PROGRAM. WHAT EXTRA DEVELOPMENT
WOULD BE AVAILABLE? THERE IS A
BASELINE LEVEL OF ADDITIONAL
DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY AVAILABLE
AND BONUSES BEYOND THAT BASELINE
ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY.
WHAT YOU HAVE IS A TABLE THAT
COMPARES CURRENT HEIGHT LIMITS
AND FAR FOR DIFFERENT ZONES
WHERE PARTICIPATING PROJECT
COULD BE DEVELOPMENT HEIGHT
LIMIT THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE
IMPLEMENTED AS PROPOSED BY THE
MAYOR AND BASELINE HEIGHT AND I
DID SEE INCREASES AVAILABLE
THROUGH THE ROOTS TO ROOFS PILOT
PROGRAM. COULD BUILD ADDITIONAL
FLOOR, SOMETIMES MORE, DEPENDING
ON THE ZONE, AND COULD BUILD
SOMEWHAT MORE THAN PROPOSED FOR
IMPLEMENTATION AND GO BEYOND
THAT FOR ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES.
THOSE ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES
INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS
WITH RACIAL CUVENANCE, THIS IS
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON PAGE, PROJECT SHOWS
WHERE SOME ARE IN THE CITY,
GENERALLY SPEAKING PRETTY MUCH
ALL OVER TOWN. IN THOSE AREAS
THERE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL
DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE, RANGE 0.2
AND 1.2FAR DEPENDING ON SOME
ZONE AND EXEMPTION FOR EQUITABLE
AND DEVELOPMENTAL USES. IF THERE
IS INSTITUTIONAL OR COMMERCIAL
USE, FLOOR AREA IN THE PROJECT
UP TO 1 F.A. R EXECHLTZ. NEXT
STEPS, PUBLIC HEARING IS
SCHEDULED END OF THE MONTH, ON
JULY 30th. THE COMMITTEE COULD
VOTE AT THAT MEETING OR
SUBSEQUENT MEETING IN AUGUST.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE GOT FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK, SPONSOR OF
THE BILL, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU
FOR THAT OVERVIEW. COLLEAGUES,
THIS LEGISLATION CAME ABOUT
AFTER CONVERSATIONS WITH
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND
DESIRE FROM THEM TO SEE A
REVISED VERSION OF THE
LEGISLATION AFTER SOME
DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT IT FAILING
TO GET OVER THE FINISH LINE LAST
YEAR AFTER YEARS OF WORK. AFTER
THE CONVERSATION MY OFFICE SPENT
MONTHS TO INSURE THE LEGISLATION
WAS MEETING OUTSTANDING CONCERNS
FROM WHERE IT WAS LEFT OFF LAST
YEAR. WE HOSTED MULTIPLE ROUND
TABLES WITH STAKEHOLDERS TRYING
TO INSURE THAT ALL VOICES WERE
HEARD TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS,
AND I BELIEVE WE MADE
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH WHAT
YOU SEE TODAY. SOME OF THE
STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDE KNOWN
GROUPS SUCH AS URBAN LEAGUE,
FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE,
HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY LAND TRUST,
UPLIFT, INVESTMENT, ETHIOPIAN
COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE, ALLIED 8,
HABITAT FOR COMMUNE AN HUMANITY
AND MORE. I KNOW MY TEAM HAS
TAKEN A COUPLE CALLS MAKING SURE
WE ARE HEARING FROM FOLKS, DOING
WHATEVER WE CAN TO WORK IN GOOD
FAITH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE
CHANGES TO ADDRESS CONCERNS THAT
WE HEARD LAST YEAR AND NOW.
WHILE THIS BILL IS MODELED AFTER
LEGISLATION COUNCIL CONSIDERED
LAST YEAR WE WORKED TO
INCORPORATE A NUMBER OF CHANGES,
AND THAT INCLUDES SOME OF THE
CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED ABOUT
CLUSTERING IN AREAS WHERE WE
HAVE SEEN DISPROPORTIONATE
GROWTHS AND HIGHER RATES
DISPLACEMENT COMPARED TO THE
REST OF THE CITY. WE HAVE
ADJUSTED NUMBERS TO MEET OVER
GROWING COMMUNITY NEEDS AND
ADDED A COMMUNITY PREFERENCE
POLICY MEANT TO PRIORITIZE
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AT RISK
OF HIGHER DISPLACEMENT. WE HAVE
WORKED WITH STAKEHOLDER ON
COLLABORATIVE LANGAGE WHEN IT
COMES TO OWNER UNIT INCENTIVE.
WE INTEND TO BRING FORWARD IN
THE FORM OF AMENDMENT AS
LANGUAGE IS FINALIZED TO PROMOTE
LEGACY HOME OWNER'S ABILITY TO
RETAIN EQUITY IN THEIR HOMES.
WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT SEATTLE IS
IN AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS AND
WHICH MUCH WORK IS DONE TO
PROMOTE COMMUNITY-LED HOUSING IT
IS NOT ENOUGH. FOR TOO LONG HIGH
RISK DISPLACEMENT AREAS HAVE
BORN THE BRUNT OF NEW
DEVELOPMENT . CITY WIDE WITH
EMPHASIS ON HISTORICALLY
RACIALLY COVETED AREAS RATHER
THAN SOUTH END PREFERENCE POLICY
MAP AS SEEN IN THE PREVIOUS
VERSION OF THE LEGISLATION, WE
ARE SPREADING GROWTH TO AREAS
THAT HAVEN'T SEEN THEIR FAIR
SHARE OF NEW COMMUNITY-LED
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ON THE MORE
TECHNICAL SIDE OF THE BILL,
WHICH COMES IN THE FORM OF A
PILOT PROGRAM, MEANT TO
INCENTIVEIZE COMMUNITY-LED
AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY PROVIDING
HEIGHT BONUSES, THE PILOT WOULD
EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2035 OR
ONCE 35 QUALIFIED PROJECTS
APPLIED, WHICH EVER COMES FIRST.
THIS WOULD BE A CITY WIDE WITH
ADDITIONAL BONUS IN AREAS WITH
HISTORICALLY RESTRICTED RACIALLY
COVENANTS. I WANT TO THANK CHAIR
AND HIS OFFICE FOR COLLABORATING
TO GET THIS LEGISLATION TO A
PLACE WHERE I THINK EVERYBODY
CAN BE PROUD OF. WITH THAT,
CHAIR, AS CO-SPONSOR I INVITE
YOU TO SHARE ANY OF YOUR
THOUGHTS ON THE LEGISLATION. I
WANT TO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. FOR ME
IT COMES DOWN TO THIS, WE NEED
HOUSING. PERIOD. WE NEED MORE
HOUSING AT MORE INCOME LEVELS
AND SHOULD HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY
FOR DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP
HOUSING. DOESN'T MATTER IF IT
IS WHO THE ORGANIZATION IS, IF
YOU CAN BUILD HOUSING, LETS MAKE
IT EASIER FOR THOSE TO GO
ONLINE, ESPECIALLY IN THE
COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN
EXCLUDED FROM BEING IN CERTAIN
NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT IS WHAT IT
COMES DOWN TO FOR ME. LETS GET
IT DONE. VICE CHAIR STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU FOR
BRINGING THIS BACK. I WAS
DISAPPOINTED, I THINK A YEAR
AGO, OR SO, WHEN THE BILL WAS
PUSHED FORWARD WITHOUT TIME FOR
A LITTLE BIT MORE DISCUSSION. AT
THAT TIME I THINK I SAW A
PATHWAY FORWARD BUT WE NEEDED AT
LEAST ONE MORE COMMITTEE MEETING
ABOUT IT. THAT WAS A LOST
OPPORTUNITY. I JUST WANT TO
CHECK IN, WHEN WE WERE WORKING
ON CREATING A PATHWAY FORWARD TO
THE BILL LAST YEAR, I HAD A
NUMBER OF MOMENTS, ONE WAS
INCOMPASSED WITH A STRIKER. WERE
THOSE CONCEPTS INCLUDED IN THIS
BILL?
>> YEAH, SO, THE BASE FOR THE
LEGISLATION THAT WAS INTRODUCED,
IT IS NOT JUST WHAT CAME OUT OF
COMMITTEE LAST YEAR,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK NOTED OTHER
CHANGES THAT WERE NOT
NECESSARILY CONSIDERED BY THE
CHITY. AS POINT OF DEPARTURE,
THE AMENDED BILL AS IT CAME OUT
OF COMMITTEE, INFORMS THE
LEGISLATION THAT WAS INTRODUCED
IN FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE TODAY.
SOME OF THE CHANGES I THING WERE
INCORPORATED INTO YOUR STRIKER
AND ALSO THAT WERE PASSED BY THE
COMMITTEE INCLUDED HAVING INCOME
LEVELS THAT REFLECT THE
AFFORDABILITY LEVELS. THAT IS IN
THE BASE BILL. THAT MAY BE
SOMETHING THE COUNCIL WILL NEED
TO RECONSIDER IN THE FUTURE IF
THE PROGRAM CHANGES. THAT IS AN
EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF THING
THAT CAME OUT INCORPORATED IN
IT.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO DIG IN
DEEPER. I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK, WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS IN
PPAST, I BELIEVE AT LEAST BROAD
STROKES, WHAT I WAS WORKING ON
LAST YEAR WAS INCORPORATED BUT I
WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK. THANK YOU
FOR BRINGING THIS BACK FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> QUICK QUESTION, ACTUALLY,
POINTS CLAIRIFICATION FOR THE
RECORD, COMMENTARY THAT WE HAVE
HEARD TODAY AS WELL AS WHAT WE
HAVE SEEN COMING TO US IN E-MAIL
RELATED TO TREE CANOPY, TREE
PROTECTION, THERE IS NO
PROVISIONS FOR MORE TREES. CAN
YOU SPEAK TO THAT?
>> THERE ARE SOME EXEMPTIONS IN
THE BILL, FOR EXAMPLE A PARKING
EXEMPTION THERE IS NOT AN
EXEMPTION FOR DEVELOPMENT THAT
CONFORMS TO THE CITY'S TREE
CODE. ANY DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE
PILOT PROGRAM WOULD BE SUBJECT
TO TREE CODE REGULATION,
REPLACEMENT TREES, AS WELL AS
OPPORTUNITIES TO MODIFY
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TO
PRESERVE EXISTING TIER ONE AND
TWO TREES. IT IS GENERALLY THE
CASE THAT WHEN MORE DEVELOPMENT
IS ALLOWED, IT IS SOMEWHAT MORE
LIKELY EXISTING TREES WILL BE
REMOVED AS PART OF THE
DEVELOPMENT, BUT THE REPLACEMENT
REQUIREMENTS THAT GOWER TREE
CODE.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU.
>> AND ANOTHER POINT OF
CLAIRIFICATION, CRITICISM BEING
THAT WHY DON'T WE JUST DO THIS
WITH A COMP PLAN? I DON'T KNOW
IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT, OR
IF YOU WOULD WANT TO?
>> SO, THE TWO BILLS THAT ARE
CURRENTLY REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
ARE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BILL,
ALSO, IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS
FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BILL,
THIS BILL DOESN'T RELY ON
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN,
IT IS A STAND ALONE PILOT
PROGRAM.
>> OKAY. COOL.
>> I WILD BUILD ON TO THAT
POINT. I KNOW WE HEARD FROM A
PUBLIC COMMENTER ABOUT THIS
POINT, ABOUT TIMING, AND NOTING
THAT WE KNOW TIMELINES FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
CAN BE PARTICULARLY LENGTHY AND
LOOKING AT THE TIMELINE FOR THE
COMP PLAN THAT HAS BEEN DELAYED
AND LOOKING AT THE TIMELINE WE
ARE LOOKING AT FOR FUTURE ZONING
DECISIONS, THIS OFFERS US
GETTING PROJECTS STARTED NOW .
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY AHEAD AS
WE ARE WORKING ON THE COMP PLAN
TO RECONCILE AND INCLUDE
LANGUAGE RELATED IN THE PROCESS
AND WELCOME THOSE DISCUSSIONS
BUT THAT IS BIT OF THE RATIONALE
AS WE WERE THINKING BRINGING
THIS FORWARD NOW.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. AGAIN, MY
BOTTOM LINE, WE NEED MORE
HOUSING, WE NEED MORE HOUSING
NOW, AT ALL INCOME LEVELS AND
LETS NOT GET IN OUR OWN WAY TO
MAKE THAT STUFF HAPPEN. THAT IS
WHERE I AM COMING DOWN ON THIS.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. ANY OTHER
COMMENTARY, QUESTIONS?
>> VICE CHAIR STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU, JUST ADDRESSING
THE QUESTION YOU JUST ASKED,
EVEN THOUGH THE COMP PLAN FEELS
LIKE IT IS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE US
AND UPON US, WE ARE MANY, MANY
MONTHS, POTENTIALLY A YEAR OUT
BEFORE THOSE REGULATIONS TAKE
EFFECT. IF WE HOW WE HAVE
WROEKEN THE COMP PLAN INTO TWO
SECTIONS, WE ARE DOING THE WORDS
AND POLICIES AS WELL AS THE BLUE
LINES OF THE CENTERS AND HB11.10
THIS YEAR, NOT TAKING UP THE
ZONING REGIONAL CENTERS OR URBAN
CENTERS UNTIL NEXT YEAR, AND
THEN THERE IS ALSO
IMPLEMENTATION AND THEN THERE IS
DESIGN TIME AND PERMITTING TIME,
ET CETERA. SO, WHAT IS
ATTRACTIVE ABOUT THIS PILOT
PROGRAM IS IT-- LET ME DOUBLE
CHECK, TIME LIMITED? I KNOW
PROJECT LIMITED, UP TO 35
PROJECTS.
>> PROJECT AND TIME LIMITED.
2035, 10 YEARS, OR 35 PROJECTS,
WHICH EVER IS SOONER.
>> THE REASON THAT IS ATTRACTIVE
TO ME IS I LOOK AT THE DESIGN
REVIEW, PILOTS WE HAVE DONE THE
LAST FEW YEARS, TALKED TO PEOPLE
WHO ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE THOSE
PILOTS, THEY ONLY BECAME AWARE
OF THEM A YEAR INTO THE PILOT
AND THEN IT TAKES TIME FOR
PERMITTING, BY THE TIME THEY
FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW IT IMPACTS
THEIR ABILITY TO BUILD, THE
PILOT IS ALMOST DONE. WITH AN
APPROPRIATE TIMELINE, AND NUMBER
OF PROJECTS AS CEILING THIS
PROVIDE AS NARROW SCOPE AS FAR
AS PILOTS GO, THAT IS ALSO
REASONABLE. IF WE WAIT TO FINISH
THE COMP PLAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN
THIS, WE ARE ACTUALLY SELLING
OURSELVES SHORT. THAT IS MY
HUMBLE OPINION TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AGAIN, WHAT WE ARE TALKING IN
TERMS OF BRINGING UNITS ONLINE,
THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOONER . IF
WE ARE WAITING FOR THE COMP PLAN
TO BE THE FIX ALL, WE WILL BE
SEVERAL YEARS OUT. I KNOW THERE
ARE EFFORTS IN THIS BODY TO
STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING
PROCESS, TO BRING UNITS ONLINE
FASTER. I THINK THAT IS A DESIRE
SHARED BY THE ENTIRE CITY
GOVERNMENT. SO, IF WE CAN DO
THIS, IF WE CAN MAKE THIS
HAPPEN, SO THAT WE GET UNITS
ONLINE QUICKER, NEXT FEW MONTHS
OR NEXT YEAR AS OPPOSED TO THE
NEXT FIVE YEARS, AGAIN, WE NEED
MORE HOUSING NOW AT ALL INCOME
LEVELS. THAT IS ONE OF THE
REASONS I AM HAPPY TO BE A
CO-SPONSOR WITH YOU ON THIS.
LETS BRING THESE UNITS ONLINE
NOW. SO. ANY OTHER FURTHER
COMMENT OR QUESTIONS FOR
REPRESENTATIVE? ANY FINAL
COMMENTS FROM YOU AS THE
SPONSOR?
>> APPRECIATE THAT, CHAIR. I
THINK YOU CAPTURED IT REALLY
WELL WITH YOUR REMARKS THERE,
AND REALLY THANKFUL YOU ARE A
CO-SPONSOR WITH US ON THIS. JUST
AS REPRESSURE, WE DO HAVE AS, I
MENTIONED IN MY OPENING REMARKS,
WE HAVE A SMALL AMENDMENT AS WE
WERE FINALIZING STAKEHOLDER
PROCESS AND WORKING ON OWNER
UNIT INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND
CIRCULATE THAT AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE ON THIS. BUT REALLY
GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMITTEE TO
BRIEF THIS AND TALK THROUGH IT
AND LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR
FURTHER WORK ON IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I BELIEVE IT IS OUR INTENT AT
THIS, THE JULY 30th COMMITTEE TO
HAVE PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL AS
MAYBE HAVING STAKEHOLDERS
PRESENT AT THE TABLE AT THAT
PUBLIC HEARING, PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD. GOOD.THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>>> WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF
TODAY'S MEETING AGENDA. OUR
NEXT MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY,
JULY 16th, 2025 AT 2:00 P.M. IS
THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
BEFORE WE ADJOURN? OKAY. HEARING
NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE, WE ARE
ADJOURNED. IT IS 2:50 P.M. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. ENJOY YOUR
WEDNESDAY AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A
HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY.