Seattle’s Zoning Rewrite Meets the Transit Math — June 09, 2026

Seattle’s Zoning Rewrite Meets the Transit Math — June 09, 2026

Seattle’s One Seattle zoning rewrite and transit funding fight are converging: the city is loosening Neighborhood Residential rules under HB 1110 while Mayor Katie Wilson pitches a sales-tax boost for 100,000 more annual bus trips, amid Sound Transit’s $34.5 billion ST3 gap. IN THIS EPISODE 1. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 2. Step Back — When Seattle says it has upzoned “single-family” neighborhoods, what does that actually let someone build on a normal block — and which fine-print rules could decide whether we get real housing abundance or just a few pricier townhomes? BACKGROUND SOURCES * New Middle Housing Codes to Boost Housing Supply - Building Connections [https://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2026/03/02/new-middle-housing-codes-to-boost-housing-supply/] — SDCI Community Engagement * Seattle dropped key NIMBY rules. Why aren’t developers swarming? | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-dropped-key-nimby-rules-why-arent-developers-swarming/] — Heidi Groover * Seattle City Council signs off on new growth plan, zoning changes | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-signs-off-on-new-growth-plan-zoning-changes/] — David Kroman * Seattle Council Sets the Stage for a Potential Multiplex Boom » The Urbanist [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-council-sets-the-stage-for-a-potential-multiplex-boom/] — Theurbanist * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal  - Office of the Mayor [https://wilson.seattle.gov/2026/01/30/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — Seferiana Day-Hasegawa * Seattle's Comprehensive Plan - Council | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/council/topics/comprehensive-plan] — seattle.gov * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal - The Daily Plan It Blog [https://dailyplanit.seattle.gov/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — iand * With a Year of Zoning Changes Ahead, Mayor Wilson Can Still Put an Urbanist Stamp on the "One Seattle Plan" - PubliCola [https://publicola.com/2026/02/02/with-a-year-of-zoning-changes-ahead-mayor-wilson-can-still-put-an-urbanist-stamp-on-the-one-seattle-plan/] — ericacbarnett 3. Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus [https://www.theurbanist.org/bus-network-boost-from-wilsons-seattle-transit-measure-comes-into-focus/] — The Urbanist Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus By Ryan Packer- June 08, 2026 Share With a 0.15% sales tax bump, Seattle would be poised to see 100,000 more bus trips per year, boosting frequencies on major routes like the D Line and the 36. (Ryan… 4. System expansion | Sound Transit [https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion] — Sound Transit # System expansion ### KEY ## Expansion projects ### Filters #### Project #### Status Regionwide updates ## Spring/Summer Progress Report Learn about the innovative Wind and Wave Monitoring System that supports 2 Line operations across the I-90 floating bridge, find everything you need to know to take advantage of transit for the region’s big “summer of soccer,” see what our new five-year… 5. Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan (2014) - OPCD | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/current-projects/seattle-2035-comprehensive-plan] — City of Seattle # Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan (2014) Since 1994, Seattle's Comprehensive Plan has guided growth in Seattle with the goal of fostering a healthy and vibrant city for years to come. < [What & Why](javascript:void(0); "What & Why tab") [Project Documents](javascript:void(0); "Project Documents tab") [Background](javascript:void(0); "Background tab") #### This page contains information on the… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle’s Housing Plan Hits the Zoning-Test Phase — June 08, 2026

Seattle’s One Seattle Plan is moving from growth vision to zoning votes, with HB 1110 middle-housing rules and Centers and Corridors legislation determining whether promises become buildable homes. Bellevue’s Wilburton surge shows what calibrated transit-oriented zoning can unlock. IN THIS EPISODE 1. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] — City of Seattle UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 2. Step Back — Seattle leaders keep calling the One Seattle Plan a blueprint for growth, but what does a comprehensive plan actually control — zoning, permits, infrastructure money, school or transit capacity — and what parts are still just promises until later votes? BACKGROUND SOURCES * One Seattle Plan - OPCD | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan] — seattle.gov * City Council passes final Comprehensive Plan legislation - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2025/12/16/city-council-passes-final-comprehensive-plan-legislation/] — City Council News Releases * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal  - Office of the Mayor [https://wilson.seattle.gov/2026/01/30/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — Seferiana Day-Hasegawa * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal - The Daily Plan It Blog [https://dailyplanit.seattle.gov/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — iand 3. [PDF] HB 1110 - Seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/implementinghb1110.pdf] What is HB 1110? In 2023, the Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 1110, often referred to as the “middle housing” bill. HB 1110 requires many cities in the state to allow a broader range of housing types in areas that have allowed predominantly detached homes. In Seattle, these requirements would apply in areas zoned Neighborhood Residential (NR) or Residential Small Lot (RSL).… 4. One Seattle Plan - OPCD | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan] # One Seattle Plan ## What is the Seattle Comprehensive Plan? The Comprehensive Plan is a 20 year vision and roadmap for Seattle’s future. Our Plan guides City decisions on where to build new jobs and houses, how to improve our transportation system, and where to make capital investments such as utilities, sidewalks, and libraries. The Plan is the framework for most of Seattle’s big-picture… 5. Op-Ed: Bellevue’s Wilburton Housing Policy Actually Builds Housing [https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed/] — The Urbanist Op-Ed: Bellevue’s Wilburton Housing Policy Actually Builds Housing 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Op-Ed: Bellevue’s Wilburton Housing Policy Actually Builds Housing By Joe Fain (Guest Contributor)- June 07, 2026 Share Shortly after 2 Line light rail arrived in Bellevue's Wilburton neighborhood, so too did a zoning overhaul bringing applications for more than 2,300 homes. (Doug… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle’s Missing-Middle Test Meets Link’s Ridership Boom — June 07, 2026

Seattle HB 1110 implementation puts missing-middle zoning into the One Seattle Plan, testing whether reform can produce homes without MHA-style drag, while Sound Transit’s cross-lake 2 Line helps Link become America’s busiest light rail system. IN THIS EPISODE 1. [PDF] HB 1110 - Seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/implementinghb1110.pdf] What is HB 1110? In 2023, the Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 1110, often referred to as the “middle housing” bill. HB 1110 requires many cities in the state to allow a broader range of housing types in areas that have allowed predominantly detached homes. In Seattle, these requirements would apply in areas zoned Neighborhood Residential (NR) or Residential Small Lot (RSL).… 2. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 3. Step Back — Seattle is betting again that changing zoning rules will unlock more homes — but we tried a version of this with MHA upzones and affordability fees. Did that policy actually deliver the housing and below-market units Seattle promised, and what should that track record make us watch as HB 1110 rolls out? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Seattle Leads Nation in Affordable Apartment Production » The Urbanist [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-leads-nation-in-affordable-apartment-production/] — Theurbanist * Developers Ask for Mandatory Affordable Housing Fee Holiday as Permits for New Apartments Dry Up - PubliCola [https://publicola.com/2026/04/10/developers-ask-for-mandatory-affordable-housing-fee-holiday-as-permits-for-new-apartments-dry-up/] — ericacbarnett * Developers want rollback of Seattle affordability program as construction stalls | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/developers-want-rollback-of-seattle-affordability-program-as-construction-stalls/] — David Kroman * Seattle property owners challenge 'affordable housing' fees for building new homes [https://reason.com/2025/07/17/seattle-property-owners-challenge-program-that-charges-affordable-housing-fees-for-building-new-homes/] — Christian Britschgi * Seattle dropped key NIMBY rules. Why aren’t developers swarming? | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-dropped-key-nimby-rules-why-arent-developers-swarming/] — Heidi Groover 4. Crosslake Light Rail Pushes Sound Transit to Most-Used Light Rail System in US [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transit-most-used-light-rail-system-in-us/] — The Urbanist # Crosslake Light Rail Pushes Sound Transit to Most-Used Light Rail System in US Published: 2026-06-06T14:00:10+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Crosslake Light Rail Pushes Sound Transit to Most-Used Light Rail System in US 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Crosslake Light Rail Pushes Sound Transit to Most-Used Light Rail System in US By Doug… 5. One Seattle Plan - OPCD | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/opcd/one-seattle-plan] # One Seattle Plan ## What is the Seattle Comprehensive Plan? The Comprehensive Plan is a 20 year vision and roadmap for Seattle’s future. Our Plan guides City decisions on where to build new jobs and houses, how to improve our transportation system, and where to make capital investments such as utilities, sidewalks, and libraries. The Plan is the framework for most of Seattle’s big-picture… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle Passes Its Growth Plan as Transit Reform Push Builds — June 06, 2026

Seattle City Council approved the final Comprehensive Plan and HB 1110 zoning legislation, setting the city’s housing map while a SoDo stadium-district appeal and Sound Transit governance initiative test whether Seattle can turn plans into actual homes and trains. IN THIS EPISODE 1. City Council passes final Comprehensive Plan legislation - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2025/12/16/city-council-passes-final-comprehensive-plan-legislation] — Seattle City Council Blog   ## City Council passes final Comprehensive Plan legislation ![abstract illustration of Seattle… 2. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 3. Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga [https://www.theurbanist.org/appeal-restarts-stadium-district-housing-saga/] — The Urbanist # Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga Published: 2026-06-05T13:00:17+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga By Ryan… 4. Op-Ed: It's Time to Reform Sound Transit [https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-its-time-to-reform-sound-transit/] — The Urbanist Op-Ed: It's Time to Reform Sound Transit 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Op-Ed: It's Time to Reform Sound Transit By Robert Cruickshank- June 05, 2026 Share The Sound Transit Board of Directors meets at Union Station, which casts a shadow over the Chinatown International District's station platform. (Doug Trumm) ### A ballot initiative has been filed aiming to overhaul Sound Transit… 5. SPD staffing shortages cause slower response times [https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio/spd-faces-staffing-shortages-causing-slower-response-times/3961243] — KIRO Newsradio  [KIRO NEWSRADIO](https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio) # Seattle Police Department faces staffing shortages causing slower response times May 28, 2024, 2:49 PM ![Photo: SPD responds to a shooting amid staffing… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Sound Transit Reset, SPD Settlement, and Seattle’s CCTV Fight — June 05, 2026

Sound Transit’s ST3 reset leaves Ballard unfunded, Issaquah delayed to 2050, and fare gates headed toward a 14-station pilot, while Seattle pays $2.6 million to settle female officers’ harassment claims and wrestles with CCTV rules before the World Cup. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Sound Transit's Murky Path to Ballard, with Regionwide ST4 Hopes Dim [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transits-murky-path-to-ballard-st4/] — The Urbanist # Sound Transit's Murky Path to Ballard, with Regionwide ST4 Hopes Dim Published: 2026-06-03T23:00:55+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Sound Transit's Murky Path to Ballard, with Regionwide ST4 Hopes Dim 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Sound Transit's Murky Path to Ballard, with Regionwide ST4 Hopes Dim By Doug Trumm- June 03,… 2. Seattle pays $2.6 million to settle female officers' harassment and discrimination lawsuit [https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-pays-26m-to-settle-lawsuit-by-4-female-officers-alleging-harassment-discrimination-police-department-spd-judinna-gulpan-adrian-diaz-accountability] — KOMO News Seattle pays $2.6 million to settle female officers' harassment and discrimination lawsuit Download the AppGet your news faster with our mobile experience Install # Seattle pays $2.6 million to settle female officers' harassment and discrimination lawsuit --- by KOMO News Staff Wed, June 3, 2026 at 7:31 PM Updated Thu, June 4, 2026 at 2:44 PM FILE – A Seattle Police Department patch is… 3. Sound Transit Recommends Fare Gates at 14 Stations for Initial Pilot [https://www.theurbanist.org/so/] — The Urbanist # Sound Transit Recommends Fare Gates at 14 Stations for Initial Pilot Published: 2026-06-04T21:22:51+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Sound Transit Recommends Fare Gates at 14 Stations for Initial Pilot 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Sound Transit Recommends Fare Gates at 14 Stations for Initial Pilot By Ryan Packer- June 04, 2026 Share After… 4. Step Back — If Seattle wants to put up CCTV cameras before the World Cup, what does city law require before the cameras go live — and what’s the actual evidence that these cameras improve safety rather than just expand surveillance? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Mayor Wilson announces next steps on surveillance pilot project - Office of the Mayor [https://wilson.seattle.gov/2026/03/19/mayor-wilson-announces-next-steps-on-surveillance-pilot-project/] — swilson * Another Seattle police camera audit? Better make it quick, worthwhile | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/seattle-mayors-audit-of-police-cameras-must-be-timely-limited-and-reality-based/] — The Seattle Times editorial board * Public Safety Chair Kettle: Audit of camera and real-time crime center tools needs to be completed by June World Cup events - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2026/03/27/public-safety-chair-kettle-audit-of-camera-and-real-time-crime-center-tools-needs-to-be-completed-by-june-world-cup-events/] — City Council News Releases * Councilmember Saka calls on Mayor Wilson to turn on CCTV ahead of World Cup - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2026/05/26/councilmember-saka-calls-on-mayor-wilson-to-turn-on-cctv-ahead-of-world-cup/] — City Council News Releases * To turn on or not to turn on CCTV cameras for FIFA – KIRO 7 News Seattle [https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/turn-or-not-turn-cctv-cameras-fifa/R6ULFUGLM5CLZLNSFE52QJFN7Y/] — Kiro7 5. Issaquah Claims Victory at Sound Transit, Despite Rail Delay to 2050 [https://www.theurbanist.org/issaquah-claims-victory-despite-rail-delay/] — The Urbanist # Issaquah Claims Victory at Sound Transit, Despite Rail Delay to 2050 Published: 2026-06-04T16:01:56+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Issaquah Claims Victory at Sound Transit, Despite Rail Delay to 2050 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Issaquah Claims Victory at Sound Transit, Despite Rail Delay to 2050 By Ryan Packer- June 04,… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].