Two notable things happened today with regard to the proposed city-wide MHA “upzone” legislation: the city published the anticipated Final EIS addendum expanding on the historic resources analysis, and the City Council’s list of proposed amendments was released in advance of tomorrow’s MHA committee discussion.
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Fair Chance Housing court challenge stayed
The legal challenge to the city’s Fair Chance Housing ordinance has been put on hold by U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour, who is overseeing the case, in order to ask the Washington Supreme Court to clarify a point of state law.
Continue readingFort Lawton Redevelopment Plan released
Today the Office of Housing released its draft Redevelopment Plan for the Fort Lawton site in Magnolia, moving the project one step closer to reality after a nearly thirteen years roller-coaster ride.
Continue reading2019 is shaping up to be the year for eviction reform
There are concerted efforts underway in both the Washington state legislature and the Seattle City Council to reform the tenant eviction process this year.
Continue readingCouncil approves moratorium on mobile-home park redevelopments
After a light edit, this afternoon this City Council approved a one-year moratorium on redevelopment of mobile-home parks within the city limits.
Continue readingMoratorium on mobile-home park conversions introduced in City Council
After a hearing/rally last Friday, this afternoon Council member Sawant introduced a bill that would place an emergency 12-month moratorium on the conversion of mobile-home parks in Seattle to other uses.
Continue readingCatching up on the backyard cottages legislation
Back in October, the city issued its final environmental impact statement (FEIS) on proposed legislation loosening rules on building “backyard cottages” in single-family zones in Seattle, as well as a Racial Equity Toolkit evaluation of the impact of the legislation on racial disparities in the city. To no one’s surprise, an appeal has been filed against the FEIS — but the city is fighting back.
Continue readingFirst in Time tenant-rights ordinance headed to the state Supreme Court
Last week the Washington State Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling on the city’s “First in time” ordinance that requires landlords to accept the first qualified tenant who applies for a vacant rental unit.
Continue readingFort Lawton EIS upheld by the Hearing Examiner
Yesterday Seattle’s Office of the Hearing Examiner released a ruling on a legal challenge to the city’s final Environmental Impact Statement on a proposed affordable housing project on the Fort Lawton property adjacent to Discovery Park in the Magnolia neighborhood. The ruling fully affirms the adequacy of the EIS and dismisses the challenge.
Continue readingHearing Examiner issues decision on MHA EIS appeal, largely rules for the city
Last Wednesday, the Hearing Examiner for the City of Seattle released his ruling on the appeal of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the city’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) plan to upzone neighborhoods in exchange for required contributions to affordable housing. The ruling finds that the FEIS is adequate on nearly all grounds, except for its analysis of historic sites.
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