“Drop single-family zoning”, “Seattle’s zoning has roots in racial and class exclusion and remains among the largest obstacles to realizing the city’s goals for equity and affordability.”
Sarajane Siegfriedt, Facebook
I can’t imagine anything more divisive. Developers have completely dominated this process. The “livability” part of the agenda has gone out the window. As one commenter said, so much for my dream of a dog and a vegetable garden. Where are the concerns for amenities and quality of life that harmonize and make density agreeable?
Erica Barnett “The new designation, even if it’s limited to a pilot project, as the draft suggests, would be a stunning rebuke to the supposed sanctity of single-family zoning, which applies to an astonishing 65 percent of all the land in Seattle.
The recommendation seems almost designed to fan the flames of single-family protectionism (ten bucks says the leaker was a disgruntled HALA member who believes he or she benefits from those protections), and Westneat (or his editor) didn’t do urbanists any favors by reporting on the proposal under the inflammatory headline, “Get rid of single-family zoning in Seattle, housing task force says in draft report.” (That headline has since been changed to “Drop single-family zoning, housing panel considers.” By tomorrow it may be “Housing panel considers change,” but the 500-plus unhinged comments on Westneat’s piece suggest the damage is already done.)”
Based partly on report by Danny Westneat of Seattle Times
“Drop single-family zoning”, “Seattle’s zoning has roots in racial and class exclusion and remains among the largest obstacles to realizing the city’s goals for equity and affordability.”
” I’ve been writing Jolts for years, and my jaw is on the floor. Josh Feit”
Geov Parrish ” The latest idea to ooze out of some pot-smoke-filled back room is a reported recommendation. in the oft-delayed report by Mayor Murray’s developer-dominated “Housing Affordability” committee, that single-family zoning be eliminated in some neighborhoods….. we’re getting…SeattleLand!”
““SeattleLand!” evokes many of the strengths of the old Seattle, but without the annoying people, most of whom can no longer afford to live here. ….We now have (hideous) rainbow crosswalks on Capitol Hill not to celebrate LGBTQ Pride, but to mark Capitol Hill as SeattleLand!’s gay-themed neighborhood, although many gay folk can’t afford it any longer and hate crimes are up sharply against those who can. Ditto for Ballard – SeattleLand!’s historic Scandinavian-themed neighborhood, now packed with luxury condos and sixteen actual Scandinavians. Or, check out SeattleLand!’s University District, where real students come from China, Japan, Korea, India, and, very occasionally, Washington State. Visit SeattleLand!’s Central District, the historic African-American neighborhood that by the year 2020 will only be ten percent African-American. Most especially, visit downtown SeattleLand!, whose central public space, Westlake Park, is now managed by and for SeattleLand!’s big downtown businesses. Shoppers welcome.”
My 2 cents
This terrible reads like something out of class warfare 101. Seattle’s neighborhoods did not grow the way they did because of racism and classism … unless you consider the huge expansion of working class homes in places like Ballard, West Seattle, Wallingford and East Capital Hill classist!