The City of Seattle is preparing for significant growth over the next two decades, aiming to accommodate an anticipated one million residents and tens of thousands of new jobs. To manage this expansion sustainably, Mayor Bruce Harrell has introduced the One Seattle Plan, a comprehensive update to the city's growth strategy. The plan centers around accommodating this influx while ensuring current residents' needs are met and the city remains livable. New zoning updates were released this month.

A key component of this plan involves public engagement, and residents are invited to attend an information session at Madison Middle School on Wednesday, November 6th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

You can also offer your input on the zoning plans online HERE.

A major focus of the One Seattle Plan is to create more inclusive neighborhoods by promoting "middle housing" throughout the city and increasing density in residential areas near transit hubs and existing amenities. This strategy aims to double the city's overall housing capacity, potentially adding over 330,000 new units.

Here are some key features of the proposed plan:

Implementation of HB 1110: The plan will implement the state's "Middle Housing" bill (HB 1110), allowing at least four units on all parcels, with the possibility of six units if two are designated as affordable or located within a quarter mile of major transit stops.

Neighborhood Centers: Thirty new "Neighborhood Centers" will be established to encourage multifamily housing options, up to six stories high, within a one to three-block radius of existing businesses, transit, and amenities.

Focus on Frequent Transit Corridors: Density will be increased along frequent transit corridors, permitting the construction of apartment buildings up to six stories high.

Expansion of Regional and Urban Centers: The plan includes expanding the boundaries of nine existing Regional and Urban Centers, allowing for residential and mixed-use development up to eight stories high. A new Urban Center will also be established at the NE 130th St light rail station.

The One Seattle Plan is set to be implemented in two phases.

Phase 1, focused on updating Neighborhood Residential (NR) zones to comply with HB 1110, is expected to be presented to the City Council in March 2025.

Phase 2, encompassing the rezoning for new Neighborhood Centers and the expansion of Regional and Urban Centers, is slated to be presented in May 2025.8 This timeline aligns with the June 2025 state deadline for adopting HB 1110.

Residents are encouraged to learn more about the draft zoning maps and provide feedback through the city's website, Zoning.OneSeattlePlan.com. The city has also scheduled several information sessions throughout October, November, and December at various locations.