Seattle Reform Runs Into Contracts, Tracks, Grid Fears, and Gunfire — May 22, 2026

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].

Seattle Reform Hits Courts, Transit Math, and HUD Risk — June 04, 2026

Seattle housing and transit reform hit three pressure points: an appeals ruling reopens environmental review of the One Seattle Plan, Sound Transit locks in a constrained ST3 reset, and Mayor Katie Wilson asks voters to double a transit tax while HUD threatens homelessness funds. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Sound Transit Board adopts updated ST3 system plan | Sound Transit [https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-board-adopts-updated-st3-system-plan] — Sound Transit # Sound Transit Board adopts updated ST3 system plan ### Affordable plan includes Link Light Rail construction from Everett to Tacoma Dome, West Seattle and Ballard Link to Seattle Center, design of full Ballard project A year after launching the [Enterprise Initiative](https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/achieving-long-term-affordability/enterprise-initiative) to address rapidly rising… 2. Court Ruling Against Seattle Growth Plan Undercuts State Housing Reforms [https://www.theurbanist.org/court-ruling-against-seattle-growth-plan-undercuts-state-housing-reforms/] — The Urbanist # Court Ruling Against Seattle Growth Plan Undercuts State Housing Reforms Published: 2026-06-03T21:22:22+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Court Ruling Against Seattle Growth Plan Undercuts State Housing Reforms 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Court Ruling Against Seattle Growth Plan Undercuts State Housing Reforms By Ryan Packer- June 03,… 3. Wilson Proposes Doubling Transit Measure to Beef Up Seattle's Frequent Network [https://www.theurbanist.org/wilson-proposes-doubling-seattle-transit-measure-to-expand-bus-frequencies/] — The Urbanist Wilson Proposes Doubling Transit Measure to Beef Up Seattle's Frequent Network 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Wilson Proposes Doubling Transit Measure to Beef Up Seattle's Frequent Network By Ryan Packer- June 02, 2026 Share The amount of funding collected by Seattle's dedicated bus funding ballot measure would double under the proposed renewal announced by Mayor Katie Wilson… 4. HUD rules risk King County homelessness funds [https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jun/03/hud-rules-risk-king-county-homelessness-funds/] — The Columbian # HUD rules risk King County homelessness funds Published: 2026-06-03T16:02:44-07:00 Source: columbian.com (columbian.com) Language: en ## Story SEATTLE — The Trump administration announced dramatic changes to federal funding for homelessness services that could jeopardize tens of millions of dollars Seattle and King County rely on to get people off the streets and keep them housed. The… 5. Step Back — Seattle created a regional homelessness authority to make this crisis less fragmented and more accountable — so if federal funding rules are now at risk and the city is considering pulling back, what was KCRHA actually supposed to fix, and how would we know whether it’s working? BACKGROUND SOURCES * KUOW - Citing audit as 'last straw,' officials seek to dissolve King County Regional Homelessness Authority [https://www.kuow.org/stories/citing-audit-as-last-straw-officials-seek-to-dissolve-king-county-regional-homelessness-authority] — Kuow * KUOW - Seattle mayor has 'serious concerns' for homelessness agency after audit [https://thankyou.kuow.org/stories/seattle-mayor-says-all-options-are-on-the-table-for-regional-homelessness-authority] — Kuow * KCRHA Lays Out Plan to Address Audit Findings, But Says Many Issues Need "Joint Correction" With City and County - PubliCola [https://publicola.com/2026/05/25/kcrha-lays-out-plan-to-address-audit-findings-but-says-many-issues-need-joint-correction-with-city-and-county/] — ericacbarnett * KUOW - Citing audit as 'last straw,' officials seek to dissolve King County Regional Homelessness Authority [https://m.kuow.org/stories/citing-audit-as-last-straw-officials-seek-to-dissolve-king-county-regional-homelessness-authority] — Kuow * WA nonprofits worry that homelessness agency wind-down could worsen woes | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/wa-nonprofits-worry-that-homelessness-agency-wind-down-could-worsen-woes/] — Stephannie Stokes * Councilmembers Rinck and Foster advance resolution on next steps for King County Regional Homelessness Authority - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2026/05/15/councilmembers-rinck-and-foster-advance-resolution-on-next-steps-for-king-county-regional-homelessness-authority/] — City Council News Releases 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 Transit Reset Collides With Accountability Tests — June 03, 2026

Sound Transit’s ST3 reset keeps some light-rail projects moving while Ballard falls into limbo, as Mayor Katie Wilson proposes doubling Seattle’s transit measure for bus service. City Hall also presses KCRHA for an August decision amid school and drug-policy accountability fights. Got 60 seconds? Tell us what you think and help shape the show: [https://www.lanternpodcasts.com/topfive/feedback?show=seattle-daily-fix] IN THIS EPISODE 1. Sound Transit Board adopts updated ST3 system plan | Sound Transit [https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-board-adopts-updated-st3-system-plan] — Sound Transit # Sound Transit Board adopts updated ST3 system plan ### Affordable plan includes Link Light Rail construction from Everett to Tacoma Dome, West Seattle and Ballard Link to Seattle Center, design of full Ballard project A year after launching the [Enterprise Initiative](https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/achieving-long-term-affordability/enterprise-initiative) to address rapidly rising… 2. Wilson Proposes Doubling Transit Measure to Beef Up Seattle's Frequent Network [https://www.theurbanist.org/wilson-proposes-doubling-seattle-transit-measure-to-expand-bus-frequencies/] — The Urbanist Wilson Proposes Doubling Transit Measure to Beef Up Seattle's Frequent Network 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Wilson Proposes Doubling Transit Measure to Beef Up Seattle's Frequent Network By Ryan Packer- June 02, 2026 Share The amount of funding collected by Seattle's dedicated bus funding ballot measure would double under the proposed renewal announced by Mayor Katie Wilson… 3. KUOW - Seattle City Council passes controversial drug ordinance [https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-city-council-passes-drug-ordinance] — KUOW # Seattle City Council passes controversial drug ordinance  ![caption: A drug user displays two blue fentanyl pills she is smoking in downtown Seattle, October 22, 2021. Seattle's ordinance making drug possession and public use a gross misdemeanor took… 4. Here are the documents SPS says mandate keeping controversial principal [https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/seattle/article315976067.html] — The Olympian # Here are the documents SPS says mandate keeping controversial principal Published: 2026-06-02T06:42:14-07:00 Source: theolympian.com (theolympian.com) Language: en ## Story Despite community uproar in April, Anitra Jones began her tenure as principal of Adams Elementary School in Ballard on May 18, after longtime Principal Doug Sohn went on leave. Jones' appointment is arguably the most… 5. Seattle council gives mayor until August 1 to decide fate of King County homelessness agency [https://mynorthwest.com/mynorthwest-politics/homelessness-agency/4244261] — MyNorthwest # Seattle council gives mayor until August 1 to decide fate of King County homelessness agency Author: Frank Lenzi Published: 2026-06-02T16:57:06-07:00 Source: mynorthwest.com (mynorthwest.com) Language: en ## Story Seattle council gives mayor until August 1 to decide fate of King County homelessness agency Close MyNorthwest News Opinion Sports Tools Connect # Seattle council gives… 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].