Seattle Land Use and Sustainability Committee Meeting – May 6, 2026

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee met on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 9:38 a.m. in Council Chamber, City Hall. Chair Eddie Lin presided, with all five members present. The agenda included three items: a procedural repeal of a stadium-area residential zoning ordinance (CB 121171), an interim ordinance to expand transitional encampment capacity (CB 121195), and a briefing on extending a contract rezone at 5201 Rainier Avenue South (CF 314549). Extensive public testimony was heard, and the committee voted on two of the three items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrea Ornellis (Seattle King County Building Trades, representing 20,000 construction workers) expressed full support for the Stadium Makers District, stating the project would deliver nearly 1,000 housing units with 50% affordable at 60–90% of area median income (AMI). She noted that multifamily permit applications have dropped nearly 90% since 2020.
• Joshua Curtis (Ballpark Public Facilities District) supported the Makers District, citing 50% affordable housing, unionized workforce, and makerspace for local industries. He highlighted support from 30 organizations representing 170,000 workers.
• Steve Rubstello opposed the Makers District, criticizing tree removal and loss of industrial land. He argued that “affordable” units are not truly affordable and that working-class people are leaving the city.
• Dennis Stills (Downtown Seattle Association) supported the mayor’s shelter expansion (CB 121195), urging fast, low-cost delivery. He noted the downtown Streets to Housing program had begun coordinated outreach.
• Ashley Nervo Nig (Purpose Dignity Action) supported the encampment legislation as a “jumping off point” and urged collaboration.
• Anitra Freeman (Share/Wheel) strongly opposed amendments by Councilmember Rivera and Councilmember Strauss, calling them based on false and harmful stereotypes. She argued that fencing off groups resembles a prison, not a shelter.
• Ivan (Share) opposed security requirements and buffer zones, stating “red tape kills” and that homeless people are not predators.
• Greg Greer (Share/Wheel) opposed Rivera’s amendments as unnecessary restrictions that limit shelter creation.
• Aaron urged the committee to act on reason and compassion, not fear.
• Kelly (social worker, D3 resident) supported shelter expansion but criticized sweeps, noting the city spends $30 million on sweeps while outreach is underfunded.
• Halle Willis (Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness) opposed amendments 1, 2, and 5, and Rivera’s amendments, arguing they add burdens and set a bad precedent.
• Evo Barton (Lavender Rights Project) supported Councilmember Rink’s staffing amendments, noting 63% of unsheltered people have complex needs. He advocated for 24/7 staffing and de-escalation teams.
• Kara Nichols Barrett (priest, West Seattle) asked the committee to consider mutual flourishing and warned that operational requirements could undermine proven practices like resident self-governance.
• Lisa Dugard (Purpose Dignity Action) thanked council members for being receptive, but expressed concern about security requirements, noting that a “standard security approach” is not appropriate. She supported Rink’s staffing minimums.
• Sam Wolf (Purpose Dignity Action) supported Rink’s amendments and emphasized the need for resources over operational mandates in the land use code.
• Kara Williams (Low Income Housing Institute) asked the committee to reconsider amendment five and buffer zones, stating that dividing villages would increase construction costs by duplicating infrastructure and drive up operating costs.
• Ashwarz Mashakar (citizen) expressed concern about housing shortages and slowing permit activity, noting only 6,500 units were delivered last year (2,000 affordable). He urged support for the 5201 Rainier rezone extension.
• Kelly Reefer (D4 resident) supported tiny house villages and opposed buffer zones, arguing that parks are not equitable and that children experiencing homelessness deserve shelter.
• Jasmine Clark (ACLU of Washington) supported the underlying legislation to expand shelter but opposed buffer zones, emphasizing that shelter must be low-barrier and accommodate partners, pets, and belongings.
• Matt White (Low Income Housing Institute) reported that buffer zones would eliminate up to 50% of potential village sites and that amendment five could increase project setup costs by about 30%.
• Sam Hem (Seattle King County Building Trades) supported the Stadium Makers District, reiterating the housing and job benefits.
• Jared Peckauer (project architect, Eagle Rock Ventures) testified in support of the contract rezone extension for 5201 Rainier, stating the project is “shovel ready” with 111 homes (104 apartments, 4 townhomes, 3 live-work units), 20% affordable through MFTE, plus additional MHA units. Master Use Permit expires May 15, 2026.
• Marta Kadan (Low Income Housing Institute) opposed buffer zones and amendment five, warning that buffer zones remove at least half of Seattle as a shelter site and that new costs must be funded.
• Walter Hatch (Ballard Task Force on Homelessness) opposed buffer zones and subdivision of tiny house villages, citing increased costs and undermining progress.
• David Haynes commented on zoning for encampments and substance abuse, suggesting a role for the National Guard.

Discussion Items

1. CB 121171 – Repeal of Ordinance 127191 (Stadium Transition Area Overlay District Residential Use)

HB Harper (Central Staff) briefed the committee. The ordinance repealed a 2025 ordinance that allowed residential use in the stadium transition area, following a Growth Management Hearings Board finding of procedural errors. Chair Lin stated the repeal was a procedural compliance action, not a policy decision. Council President Hollingsworth clarified her vote was based solely on the procedural issue. The committee voted 5-0 to recommend passage to the full council. The item will be considered at the May 12, 2026 City Council meeting.

2. CB 121195 – Interim Provisions to Expand Transitional Encampment Capacity

Presenters: Ketil Freeman and Jennifer LaBrecque (Central Staff), Jon Grant (Mayor’s Office). Councilmember Foster, bill sponsor, opened with remarks emphasizing the need for speed, transparency, and adequate funding. Five amendments were considered:

• Amendment 1 (v2) – Sponsored by Councilmember Foster, authored by Councilmember Juarez. Requires encampment operators to have a public safety plan, protocol for contributing public safety information, and a city liaison contact. A previous version’s requirement for operators to conduct an initial public safety assessment was removed. Adopted 4-0-1 (Councilmember Rink abstained).
• Amendment 2 (v3) – Sponsored by Councilmember Hollingsworth. Requires good neighbor agreements for new or expanded encampments over 100 occupants. Councilmember Hollingsworth offered verbal amendments to narrow the agreement to include: physical boundaries, roles and responsibilities, a point of contact posted on site, commitment to attend community meetings, and behavioral standards. Other elements (e.g., reporting crime, publishing on website) were struck. Adopted 5-0.
• Amendment 3 (v2) – Sponsored by Councilmember Rink. Requires at least two staff on site 24 hours a day for new or expanded encampments with over 100 occupants. Adopted 5-0.
• Amendment 4 (v2) – Sponsored by Councilmember Rink. Sets a goal that operators strive to provide one case manager for every 15 high-acuity residents. Adopted 5-0.
• Amendment 5 – Sponsored by Councilmember Strauss. Would divide shelters with more than 100 micromodule structures into neighborhoods of 50 (proposed to increase to 75 via verbal amendment), with controlled access. Councilmember Strauss clarified his intent – to avoid warehousing and create privacy – and noted provider feedback. Councilmembers Foster and Rink requested more time. The committee agreed not to vote on Amendment 5, with Councilmember Strauss indicating he would bring it to the full council. The underlying bill, as amended by the four adopted amendments, was then voted on. Motion passed 5-0 to recommend passage to the full council, with the item scheduled for the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting.

3. CF 314549 – Extension of Contract Rezone for 5201 Rainier Avenue South

Ketil Freeman briefed the committee on the application by Eagle Rock Ventures and 5201 Rainier, LLC. The original contract rezone (Ordinance 125632) was approved in 2018, rezoning the site from NC2/40’ to NC3/65’ with MHA requirements. The applicant has an active building permit and states the project is shovel-ready. SDCI recommended extension on April 8, 2026. The committee took no vote; a final decision is scheduled for the May 20, 2026 committee meeting.

Key Outcomes

• CB 121171 (Stadium overlay repeal) passed committee 5-0, forwarded to full council on May 12, 2026.
• CB 121195 (Transitional encampment expansion) passed committee as amended 5-0, forwarded to full council on May 19, 2026. Four amendments were adopted; Amendment 5 was deferred to full council.
• CF 314549 (5201 Rainier rezone extension) was briefed; a committee vote is expected on May 20, 2026.
• The committee committed to ongoing communication with providers and the mayor’s office to refine standards, including work on a director’s rule for amenity ratios and a high-acuity work group for best practices.