This morning’s news coverages focuses on the big outcomes of yesterday’s Council meeting: updated marijuana zoning and approval of “Amazon alley.” Plus Sound Transit and Council members’ plans to meet their constituents.
The Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, KIRO, and the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog reports on the Council’s vote yesterday to update zoning requirements for major marijuana activities in the City of Seattle, adjusting the buffer and dispersion rules to allow retail shops in more parts of the city while avoiding clustering.
Seattle Times, Seattle Met, and GeekWire also report on the Council’s approval of Amazon’s request for an alley vacation in order to construct a new office tower. The measure was controversial because Amazon has a poor track record for respecting free speech rights in the public spaces that are created in trade for the alley vacation, and because of Amazon’s use of a security contractor with a penchant for violating workers’ rights. The Seattle Met piece dives into the new political landscape of the City Council and points out that Council member Herbold seemed to distance herself from Council member Sawant’s stand, taking a more productive approach to resolving issues.
KING5 reports on yesterday’s presentation by Sound Transit, noting that the new light rail extension to Capitol Hill and UW will be opening soon.
Capitol Hill Seattle Blog covers the Council members’ efforts to connect to the residents of their districts, with newly elected Council member Debora Juarez taking the lead.