Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan Holds Briefing on Resolution 32203: Taller, Denser, Faster Housing – May 14, 2026

The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan of the Seattle City Council met on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 2:06 p.m. to 3:44 p.m. in Council Chamber, City Hall, to discuss Resolution 32203, which directs the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) to study and develop zoning changes and Comprehensive Plan amendments to accelerate housing production under the "Taller, Denser, Faster" approach. The meeting featured a presentation by OPCD, the Mayor's Office, and Central Staff, followed by council member questions and discussion. No vote was taken; the resolution will be further refined over the summer.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laura Lowe (Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties) expressed full support for advancing taller, denser, faster zoning, stating that zoning capacity directly creates affordable homeownership opportunities. She urged the city to make code easier for projects delivering deep affordability and green construction.
• Suzanne Grant (neighborhood tree advocate) criticized the mayor's closed-door meetings with developers, pleaded for stronger tree protections, and warned that increased density without tree canopy would harm the environment, orcas, and stormwater management.
• Howard Greenwich (Puget Sound Sage) supported the resolution with caveats, calling for stronger anti-displacement policies and community partnership, affirming that centering at-risk communities is not anti-density.
• Jessica Dixon (D6) described the removal of two 80-year-old red cedars in Greenwood for a townhouse project, reading a list of tree protection requests from neighbors, including requiring alternative site layouts and saving trees over 30 inches in diameter.
• Dave Gloger (D5) argued that current upzoning is not producing affordable housing but rather $1-million townhouses on lots that previously held modest starter homes, and noted a surplus of 13,000 rental units, questioning the need for further density.
• Logan Schmidt (MBAX / Complete Communities Coalition) supported the resolution, emphasizing that zoning capacity alone is insufficient; infrastructure barriers such as utility and right-of-way requirements must be analyzed in the supplemental EIS.
• Caroline Villanova (Seattle Parks Foundation) expressed full support for more housing but demanded that livability, green space, and community engagement be central, not afterthoughts, in rezoning legislation.
• Cindy Shetler (Tree Action Seattle) reported that over 6,923 trees have been removed since 2024, 70% with trunks over one foot in diameter, and urged the city to adopt incentive-based green factor amendments and stronger tree protections like New York City's.
• Jasmine Smith (FutureWise, Complete Communities Coalition) supported taller, denser, faster, arguing that Seattle, as the fourth fastest-growing city, must build more housing to accommodate current residents and those seeking refuge, while protecting the environment.
• Orley Rose (D3) presented FOIA evidence alleging surveillance and radiation exposure, demanding action from the council, and expressed frustration at lack of response over two years.
• Alberto Alvarez (remote) raised concerns about First Amendment protections and criticized council for threatening to ban a previous commenter.
• Carter Nelson (NAIOP Washington) supported the resolution and a bolder vision for growth, emphasizing that density near transit reduces sprawl and meets climate goals.
• Ruth Williams (D5) questioned how the resolution limits displacement and expense, criticized tree removal and impervious surface expansion, and recommended transfer of development rights and community land trusts.
• Irene Wall (D6) urged rejection of Resolution 32203 as premature, arguing that current zoning provides ample capacity and that upzoning does not lower housing costs.
• Trish Stanley (remote) requested clear maps showing frequent transit route zoning, questioned whether the city wants walkable centers or sprawl along arterials, and called for a traffic impact analysis in the new EIS.
• Peter Manning (Black Excellence in Cannabis) accused Mayor Wilson of excluding Black and brown communities from decision-making, citing gentrification of the Central District now repeating in the South End.
• David Haynes (remote) argued that landlords on the council have sabotaged the comprehensive plan through conflicts of interest, keeping building heights low to benefit their own real estate holdings.
• Ruby Holland (remote) demanded a strong anti-displacement plan to allow aging in place and criticized that proposed measures are inadequate.
• Mike Kasai (Emerald City Collective) echoed calls for Black community inclusion in planning and construction, demanded the city prioritize black descendants of slaves, and urged a ban on encampments.
• Patrick Taylor (remote, North Beacon Hill) supported the mayor's plan, stating that more housing means cheaper housing and that building within urban areas is best for trees and climate. He urged the council to pass final phases quickly.
• Aaron Tellick (FMS Global Strategies / We Build Back Better Alliance) raised concerns about lack of transparency and meaningful community participation, emphasizing that equity must be reflected in process and power.
• Paula Filmore Sardinas (remote) demanded a more transparent process, stating that closed-door meetings and secret decisions exclude Black and historically marginalized communities, and that equity must be more than a slogan.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation: Geoffrey Wentlandt (OPCD), Alex Hudson (Mayor's Office), HB Harper (Central Staff), and Michael Hubner (OPCD) presented the proposed shift from four implementation phases to a single "Taller, Denser, Faster" phase combining former phases 3 and 4. The supplemental EIS will study zoning changes in three place types: (1) neighborhood centers (expanding from the current 30 to potentially 50 total), (2) regional and urban centers (e.g., U District, West Seattle Junction), and (3) frequent transit corridors (implementing HB 1491 early). The timeline targets a draft EIS by early 2027 and council adoption by end of 2027, with continuous public engagement.
• Councilmember Kettle: Emphasized that the plan should be called the "One Seattle Comprehensive Plan" as adopted; requested a Nickerson neighborhood center; suggested the concept of "neighborhood villages" as organic growth areas; raised the need to study steep slopes impacts in his district and to coordinate land use with Sound Transit's ST3 projects.
• Councilmember Rinck: Asked about the feasibility of the December 2027 adoption timeline; staff acknowledged it may be optimistic and could slip into 2028. She voiced support for studying a broad range of options to give the council full policy choices.
• Councilmember Rivera: Expressed frustration at learning about the Taller, Denser, Faster proposal for the first time during the meeting, calling for greater transparency and earlier public notification. She stressed the need to plan for infrastructure, parks, libraries, fire, and police services as part of any growth plan.
• Council President Hollingsworth: Requested an update on anti-displacement work from the December resolution, and listed over a dozen community organizations (e.g., Mount Zion Church, Urban League, King County Equity Now) that should be included in engagement. She indicated she would propose adding anti-displacement provisions to the resolution.
• Chair Lin: Noted that studying more options rather than fewer will give the council flexibility and that no decisions have been made; he acknowledged the lengthy process but emphasized the historic scale of the zoning changes.

Key Outcomes

• The committee received the briefing and discussed the scope of Resolution 32203. No motion or vote was taken; the resolution will be refined over the summer.
• Councilmembers indicated they will provide further input on the supplemental EIS scope, particularly on anti-displacement measures, infrastructure planning, tree protections, and community engagement with historically marginalized groups.
• The committee will continue to work with OPCD and the Mayor's Office to finalize a joint resolution, with adoption expected later in 2026.