Blogs

Seattle’s Planning, Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee will be holding a public hearing tomorrow night (Thursday, November 12) at 5:30 p.m. on a proposed code amendment that would allow additional building height in certain portions of South Lake Union.

On the heels of last month’s announcement that the EPA would be offering $10M in grants to protect and restore Puget Sound watersheds, today the EPA announced that it would be making $3.5M in grant funds available to Puget Sound tribes involved in high priority, Puget Sound restoration projects.

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) released its biweekly land use information bulletin yesterday. The following list provides the highlights. For more detailed information, click here.

The DPD has issued a Determination of Non-Significance relating to certain land use code text amendments that would facilitate the use of idle properties

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) released its biweekly land use information bulletin yesterday. The following list provides the highlights. For more detailed information, click here.

The DPD has determined that the land use code text amendments related to the Living Building Pilot Program will have no significant adverse environmental impact

A group of residents southeast of Renton and north of Kent have again lost their bid to incorporate. The area is an “island” of unincorporated King County that contains about 25,000 residents.

A simple majority vote would have been sufficient to form a new city. As of the 4:19 PM count on November 4, only 44.74% of voters were in favor while 55.26 % were against.

An incorporation vote also failed three years ago by 270 votes. This time the measure is losing by 515 votes.

The City of Kent has proposed annexing the Panther Lake area, which is approximately five square miles in size.  This area has approximately 24,000 residents. 

This Annexation requires a simple majority vote. As of the 4:19 PM count on November 4, the “yes” votes were holding strong at 62.09%.

King County will continue to update results each week day at 4:30 PM. Click here for annexation results.

Due to the ongoing structural problems associated with the Howard Hanson Dam (discussed here, here, and here), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release more water than usual into the Green River this winter.

Yesterday we reported on the Kirkland annexation vote, which would make Kirkland the second largest city on the eastside. The measure appeared to have passed, but not by a wide marign.

As of Wednesday's 4:19 PM vote count, the “yes” votes were holding at 62.09%.

King County will continue to update results each week day at 4:30 PM. Click here for annexation results.

Yesterday we reported on the City of Shoreline election results, which are apt to make a significant difference to future city planning decisions. The only close race was between incumbent Mayor Cindy Ryu and challenger Shari Tracey.

On Tuesday night Tracey had won 50.88% of the ballots cast, compared to 48.82 % for Ryu. In the 4:19 PM vote count on Wednesday Traci had advanced to 51.70 % of the ballots, compared to 48.04 % for Ryu.

In advance of a major update to Seattle's Comprehensive Plan, DPD is challenging citizens to describe in 150 words or less their vision of Seattle in 2030 or 2050. Descriptions should be sent to kristian.kofoed@seattle.gov.