REMINDER: Last major public hearing Friday on rezoning, Comprehensive Plan to shape West Seattle (and the rest of the city) for 20 years

How should/will Seattle grow in the next 20 years? The city revises that plan every 10 years or so, and as we’ve been reporting, the first package of changes is nearing a vote. Before City Council voting next week, councilmembers have one last major public hearing tomorrow, broken into online and in-person sections – here’s a final reminder from the office of District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, who has been heading up the process:

The Select Committee for the Comprehensive Plan, chaired by Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), will hold its third and final public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan and associated legislation on Friday, September 12.

The Select Committee will hear public comments on the amendments for two pieces of legislation: the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Permanent HB 1110 Legislation, with the goal to have a final committee vote between Sept.17 and 19.

This public hearing will be separated into two sessions, with separate registration windows for each session. Session I will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be reserved for remote public comment. Session II will begin at 3 p.m. and will be reserved for in-person commentors.

Each speaker will be provided one minute to give their comments. Individuals will only be permitted to comment at one session.

The Select Committee may recess if there are no registered speakers present at any time. The Select Committee will recess for lunch between Session I and Session II.

Public Hearing information
WHO: Select Committee on Comprehensive Plan
WHAT: Public Hearing (two sessions)
WHEN: Friday, September 12
9:30 a.m. for remote public comment
3 p.m. for in-person public comment
WHERE: Council Chambers, Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue

How to register
Session I: Registration for remote speakers – 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Session II: Registration for in-person speakers – 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Councilmembers’ proposed amendments to the original proposal include citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck‘s amendment to add Alki as a Neighborhood Center – a designation identifying a certain area as a growth hub – and District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka‘s amendments to change the boundaries of three Neighborhood Centers already proposed for West Seattle. You can see the agenda for tomorrow’s public hearing, with all relevant documents linked, by going here.

Deb September 11, 2025 (4:34 pm)

Thank You West Seattle Blog for the reminder about about the Friday Comp Plan public hearing. For those interested in communicating for more than one minute, WRITTEN COMMENTS can be emailed or hand delivered according to this information: “Please submit written comments no later than four business hours prior to the start of the meeting to ensure that they are distributed to Councilmembers prior to the meeting. Comments may be submitted at Council@seattle.gov or at Seattle City Hall, Attn: Council Public Comment, 600 4th Ave., Floor 2, Seattle, WA 98104. Business hours are considered 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Comments received after that time will be distributed after the meeting to Councilmembers and included as part of the public record.In Community!

wetone September 11, 2025 (5:10 pm)

Forever changing the family homes and living in Seattle as we know. If you have a yard for kids to play and or garden area, solar panels on your roof (needing sun light) or enjoy watching the wildlife such as the many bird types and other creatures, this new plan will have huge negative impacts to all mentioned above. Parking on small tight neighborhood streets will become much more dangerous to all. Garbage trucks, delivery vehicles will be interesting… For many it will be impossible to use driveways as egress/ingress is impacted. The new proposed plan will be allowing a substantial increase in lot coverage, height, building setbacks (as little as 10′ from sidewalk). Subdividing of what most would consider a normal lot into multiple lots. This plan will also drive prices up of homes as the investors/builders will pay more than other buyers are able. They will buy, tear down, subdivide, build 3-6 new units on one city lot and sell off and repeat. This will end up driving property taxes up for all as new builds (1st unit) sells for more than original property purchase in most all cases. Drives sqft cost of dirt up up up. Investors /Builders and city government love it as they both benefit. Just like a pyramid scheme, great until it isn’t. This proposed plan will have everlasting irreversible results.

Jim September 11, 2025 (9:44 pm)

Absolutely agreed. Turns my stomach
Foop September 11, 2025 (11:17 pm)

It’s truly amazing how most of what you said is completely false, many are outrageous lies, and so much of it uninformed.we need more housing. Period.also, drive up property taxes? The more housing we have the more taxpayers we have which we need when we are currently facing budget shortfalls in the city.concerned about parking? Vote for more transit access and bike lanes to give people the freedom of movement without a car.Improve zoning so that us and our new neighbors don’t need to hop in a car and drive 5 miles across the peninsula or city to go dine out, get coffee, or shop. Allow more local businesses on all streets.fewer set backs will save more trees, I thought you people cared about that. Removing parking minimums will also save trees.you don’t have to sell your house, development won’t happen overnight, but it needs to happen. We need more housing to bring costs down. Most people can’t afford a yard and solar panels today. If you want to preserve your suburban lifestyle living in a city probably isn’t for you. We have insane costs of living rising, housing costs rising, increased homelessness, and here you people are trying to shut the door on everyone else just because you got yours already.
- Canton September 12, 2025 (6:52 am)
  
  And here you are trying to advocate for YOUR utopian concepts, not the ideals of many…
- anonyme September 12, 2025 (4:45 pm)
  
  Foop, as a retired arborist I can say that your claims about density and development saving trees are absolute rubbish. These lies are often repeated, and anyone with a shred of common sense can see how transparently false they are. FYI, many of us worked many years to get a little yard with a little privacy, away from apartment buildings and their incumbent noise and traffic. These policies will only destroy existing neighborhoods and communities and increase sprawl. Instead, convert all those empty office buildings downtown into apartments and condos; it would be a better use of space and would also help revitalize downtown. For those who claim to love density – there ya go. Choice is good.
walkerws September 12, 2025 (9:33 am)

We need more housing. You are not given any guarantee when you buy a house that your neighborhood won’t change.
- WS Person September 12, 2025 (2:52 pm)
  
  Except you kinda are with the zoning laws and covenants. The city just keeps changing them at its will.
My two cents September 12, 2025 (1:24 pm)

“ Forever changing the family homes and living in Seattle as we know.” Didn’t they forever change things 10 years ago? Should we go back and rebuild the viaduct? Let’s move WS Market back to a parking lot! Sorry – not buying the hyperbole of neighborhoods crumbling before our eyes as a result of a 10 year plan update
Alex September 12, 2025 (2:49 pm)

You cannot expect a city to not grow over time. You need to accept this is the reality of living in a major metropolitan area. Nothing will change with your own private property, and the majority of West Seattle will still consist of single family homes. Speculative developers are already winning as we have artificially reduced competition. “Buy one home and make 3 or 4” means that now 4 families now have a home.
Mike Nykreim September 12, 2025 (3:58 pm)

All great points. So instead let’s “sprawl”, correct? We have only impacted 4% of the land of our state with any human impact. To double that, takes us to 8%. And with a stabalized population, why not simply replicate the wonderful neighborhoods, instead of destroying what we have? Note- the trees do grow back. There was none of the tree canopy we currently have in the city in the late 50’s.
BlairJ September 12, 2025 (4:29 pm)

WETONE, do you realize that the State of Washington will require the city to allow multiple units on what have been single lots, regardless of whether or not the Comprehensive Plan is implemented? A plan that encourages higher density development in neighborhood business centers will reduce development pressure on surrounding residential areas.

Al King September 11, 2025 (5:56 pm)

Anyone that says yes to this should prove they actually live in the affected area or document that they will move to the affected area and say why they’d be happy if one of the monstrosities was next door to them. And, betting the cities idea of “affordability” will never match what the average, non-techy can afford.

K September 12, 2025 (12:33 pm)

Counterpoint: no they shouldn’t.
Foop September 12, 2025 (2:25 pm)

In fact I’ve been emailing the council asking that my neighborhood streets be included. We’re two blocks away from the boundary and two blocks away from 3 major busses. It makes no sense forcing everyone to live on pollution heavy arterials and limit all development and propagation of local businesses to busy dangerous roads like Delridge.
Alex September 12, 2025 (2:50 pm)

“Monstrosities” to describe apartment buildings is hyperbolic, to say the least.
- Mike Nykreim September 12, 2025 (4:00 pm)
  
  Correct. There has to be a worse word to discribe the 8 story monstosity that has been built over the neighborhood that I grew up in on 65th and Roosevelt.

Dlay September 11, 2025 (6:41 pm)

They could care less on the feelings of home owners and will do exactly what their progressive group want.

walkerws September 12, 2025 (12:05 pm)

That’s because homeowners don’t have special rights. This rezoning is to benefit the city and the people who live here, not just those who own homes (and I say that as a WS homeowner myself).

Dysfunction September 11, 2025 (7:22 pm)

Anybody who thinks New York City density is a good thing is delusional. Especially when the same people who lament the lack of affordable housing now will still be in 10 years. What is “Affordable”? Housing won’t get cheaper with this. Perhaps the city council and mayor should look in the mirror and realize they are a big contributor to the prices here. Why is it so expensive to build here? I’m not talking the land, but the arduous permitting process and fees for everything. And never mind the anti landlord policies. The politicians here are really not equipped to understand this whole thing and should stick to virtue signaling

walkerws September 12, 2025 (12:19 pm)

Nothing about this points to New York City density (which, having spent lots of time in New York City, is also a great thing!). Housing can get cheaper, or housing price increases can be slowed, by building more housing. Austin, TX is a great example of this. The vast majority of the expense of building here *is* the land, as well as the cost of building materials that Trumpflation is only worsening. Permitting and fees are a drop in the bucket. I’ve had this very conversation with friends who work as home builders in the area. You criticize politicians for not “understanding this whole thing,” but it seems that you could benefit from additional understanding of housing, urban planning, and macroeconomics yourself.
- SDCIvictim September 12, 2025 (12:34 pm)
  
  Although I agree with alkerws on housing needs, they are totally ignorant with, “Permitting and fees are a drop in the bucket.”
  
  Spending tens of thousands of dollars with year long permitting delays adds significantly to the cost of housing.

On Bonair September 11, 2025 (8:40 pm)

Amen and well said! The pyramid scheme is an apt analogy for how development and land use has been conducted in West Seattle over the last 20 years. The “Neighborhood Center” designation is more of the same infill at premium pricing. Lower quality of life and higher cost of living.

walkerws September 12, 2025 (9:34 am)

Infill improves walkability, affordability, and quality of living. More housing! More transit! Fewer obstructions to those things!

On Bonair September 11, 2025 (8:52 pm)

Amen and well-said! The pyramid scheme analogy is apt. Designating Alki a Neighborhood Center is likely to erode the protections of its Shoreline status and definition as an Environmentally Critical Area. If this goes through, it will be even easier to replicate the boxy infill we see everywhere . Development that diminishes quality of life while raising cost of living.

John September 11, 2025 (9:45 pm)

It will also turn the emerald City into a nothing but condos and apartments
- Derek September 12, 2025 (4:50 am)
  
  Sounds like heaven to me. I want more density! I will be there voicing my support to City Hall.
walkerws September 12, 2025 (9:35 am)

The designation won’t erode any environmental protections. It will just create more housing and more opportunities for transit and walkability – good things!
SDCIvictim September 12, 2025 (12:39 pm)

Residents of Bonair have already lessened Environmentally Critical Slide Area with their topping of trees in the Seattle Parks greenspace.

Catherine September 12, 2025 (5:31 am)

Just like Budapest. This type of development is not a wise choice for freedom. Locking you down in a “center”. Taking away your freedom to travel, by making it impossible to have a vehicle in your area because of lack of parking.. Don’t let them turn Seattle into little Hungary!!!

walkerws September 12, 2025 (12:17 pm)

Catherine I am worried about you based on this comment, that you might be victim of a very warped media bubble. No one is locked down or restricted in travel. Freedom is increased because needs are more walkable, transit is more available, and cars are still available. No one is guaranteed free parking in public roadways for their privately owned vehicle.
k September 12, 2025 (2:52 pm)

Mickie September 12, 2025 (9:01 am)

Sadly, I no longer trust the process of getting citizens’ input. Many of us protested plans for more development in the already highly congested area around West Seattle High school. No response, nothing changed. Seattle will do what it wants to do regardless of our input.

walkerws September 12, 2025 (9:35 am)

Mickie, this is because the citizens who were trying to obstruct this development were a loud minority. The majority wants these changes, and so the input of the obstructionist minority is heard, considered, and then properly disregarded.
- Canton September 13, 2025 (7:11 am)
  
  Do you speak for the majority?… If you want to live in a 15 minute city, move to one eventually… YOU don’t speak for the majority you claim…

J September 12, 2025 (9:11 am)

This is a passive aggressive force that dramatically changes the character of the community I and my neighbors who made sacrifices to live here. If we wanted density we wouldn’t of moved here. Who Wins? Speculative Developers and Hedge Funds. Buy one home make 3 or4 and sell them each at the original price. No affordability there. Big Win for Big Money. State, County and City get 3 or 4 parcels of land to tax where there was once one. Quadrupling the taxes. Fat Government gets fatter. The community will now will live in anxiety, worry and even fear that their neighbor will move and a sun blocking wall will go up instead of another family moving in. If you don’t think this is a passive aggressive push then what’s the point of rezoning?

walkerws September 12, 2025 (9:36 am)

Who wins – people who need housing! No one is guaranteed an unchanging “community character.” Your house deed does not confer that right.
- J September 12, 2025 (6:06 pm)
  
  “Your house deed does not confer that right.” But I was told by City Law that I was buying a home in a single family zone. A law protected by the City. Then they pulled out the rug from under me. You say I have no right, then let me ask of you, the oldest question in the world. “Quo iure”? By what Right?
k September 12, 2025 (2:57 pm)

Did you ask the permission of the people who were already in your neighborhood before you moved there? Did the people who built the home you live in consider the feelings of all other nearby residents before deciding to build? How are you so sure you didn’t change the “character and community” by YOUR arrival? At one point your neighborhood was a forest. It survived the arrival of settlers and even the construction of YOUR home. If the construction of the very home you live in has turned wilderness into a neighborhood worth sacrificing for, imagine just how much more amazing it will be with the inclusion of more neighbors!

YIMBY Super Solider September 12, 2025 (2:22 pm)

So these zoning changes are going to lead to forcible expropriation of backyards? Can I be deputized to help.

anonyme September 12, 2025 (4:51 pm)

So you think that greenspace and breaks from concrete should be eliminated, along with private property rights? Why don’t you move to Hong Kong? Can I be deputized to come into your apartment and forcibly seize your property? The idiocy spouted in these comments is unbelievable, and the spelling speaks volumes as to the source of this vast wisdom.
- K September 12, 2025 (9:15 pm)
  
  Nobody is forcibly seizing property, and a backyard is not a guarantee of a green space or break from concrete. In fact, my single family home neighbors have paved nearly every square inch of their property to park their 8+ vehicles. My other neighbor hoards junk and has 5 vehicles onsite. The third neighbor has a swath of monoculture they mow maybe once a year. And no, the city has not enforced their code violations. The irony for me though is the hoards of older parents blocking their offspring from having the life they once had. If I hear from one more person who created multiple kids who wants to block housing to protect their nostalgia…I probably won’t do much but laugh tbh.

KRL September 12, 2025 (2:24 pm)

Just say we took the opinions out of it for a minute. Fact of the matter is, the One Seattle Plan includes a 4-phase plan that involves community, creates a dialogue, presents environmental impact statements, works with the community to draft a plan after providing public forums for commenting and discussing alternate ideas/plans. This process is mandated in the Washington Growth Management Act and the One Seattle Plan clearly spells it out. The Alki community got zero chance to participate in any of these phases and was tossed into the plan via Amendment 34 just a few weeks before the vote is to take place. This is irresponsible and dismissive to Alki residents and others that care about our community. This is about lack of due process in order for City Council to jam something through. Period. I just arrived to City Hall and will be speaking.

J September 12, 2025 (5:51 pm)

Amen.

wetone September 12, 2025 (6:00 pm)

Do we need affordable housing heck yeah and I don’t think anyone would disagree, but this proposed plan will not accomplish that. From some of the comments here you can tell some are apartment dweller’s and others might just have different opinions, maybe in the building industry. That’s all good as everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But this proposed plan will lead to higher living cost in Seattle, including those that rent. Green space just say bye bye as it will be replaced by pavers covering any open space not built on. So just be prepared. This plan is so much different than what Seattle government pushed for last twenty years, amazing what money does;)

Sorry, comment time is over.