Kirkland: Critical Areas Updates
Ever wondered what goes into keeping Kirkland the vibrant, green, and livable city? A big part of it involves protecting our natural environment, and that's exactly what the City of Kirkland's Planning and Building Department is actively working on.
During the Planning Commission meeting in May, members gathered to discuss a deep dive into the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Briefing. This study session aims to discuss proposed amendments to the City’s CAO, which are mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) and must be completed by December 31, 2025. Failure to update the CAO could result in Kirkland being ineligible for State grants and loan programs and potential legal complications. The initial focus of this briefing is on updates related to wetlands and wetland buffers, with future sessions planned for fish and wildlife habitat areas (streams) and geologically hazardous areas. Staff has conducted an initial gap analysis and anticipates that significant revisions may not be needed to meet State requirements, but clarity and streamlined permitting are also goals.
Bothell: Housing Action Plan
The City of Bothell is actively engaging its community in shaping its future through several key planning initiatives aimed at addressing housing needs, revitalizing its downtown core, mitigating climate change, and enhancing its urban forest. The Housing Action Plan (HAP) is a crucial undertaking designed to ensure a diverse range of affordable housing options are available to all residents. Recognizing the state-wide housing shortage, Bothell aims to proactively create solutions that allow individuals from all backgrounds and income levels to call the city home. The HAP will guide the creation of more diverse housing types, including affordable options, through thoughtful policies, partnerships, and innovative strategies, prioritizing equitable access and long-term solutions for a vibrant and inclusive community.
Tacoma: Bridge Industrial Project
The Bridge Industrial Warehouse Project, a proposed 150-acre development on the former BNSF rail maintenance site in South Tacoma, aims to create approximately 2.5 million square feet of light industrial and warehouse space within four large buildings. Situated south of the Nalley Valley industrial/commercial zone, between South Tyler Street and the Sound Transit Sounder line at 5024 S Madison Street, the project site is zoned for industrial use.
WA State: House Bill 1217
Governor Bob Ferguson has recently signed House Bill 1217. The bill introduces new regulations that will affect residential and manufactured/mobile home tenancies and aims to improve housing stability for tenants through several key provisions.
Lynnwood: City Center + Alderwood Plan
Lynnwood is embarking on a comprehensive planning initiative to shape the future of its City Center and Alderwood areas over the next two decades. This 1.2 square mile region, strategically positioned between I-5 and I-405, is poised for significant transformation with the arrival of two light rail stations as part of Sound Transit’s Lynnwood and Everett Link Extensions. Recognizing its designation as a Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) regional growth center since 1995, the city is proactively developing the City Center + Alderwood Plan to create a cohesive and thriving urban heart. This planning effort is a continuation of Lynnwood’s long-standing policy of concentrating population and job growth within this subarea, aligning with previous plans and transportation investments.
Gig Harbor: Housing Plan
Gig Harbor is nearing completion of its Comprehensive Plan, a 20-year roadmap mandated by Washington State to manage anticipated population growth. Community Development Director Eric Baker presented the draft plan to the City Council on March 24th, outlining strategies for housing development through 2044. The city has experienced significant growth, doubling its population since 2010, particularly in Gig Harbor North. The draft plan identified five key "Centers of Local Importance" as suitable for increased high- and medium-density housing: Gig Harbor North, Finholm, downtown, Kimball, and Westside. These areas, according to Baker, possess the necessary services like transit, shopping, and sidewalks to support denser development and encourage pedestrian activity.
Housing Trust Fund Repair Fund
Washington State is taking a significant step to safeguard its affordable housing supply with the launch of the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Repair Fund. Recognizing that preserving existing affordable units is just as crucial as building new ones, the Washington State Legislature directed Commerce to establish this vital program in 2024. The result is a targeted funding opportunity designed to keep our low-income and permanent supportive housing safe, habitable, and available for those who need it most.
Tukwila: Title 17 Amendments
The City of Tukwila has initiated a code amendment proposal to revise regulations within Title 17 of the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) concerning land division and street improvements. This effort is driven by the necessity to integrate these standards with newly proposed provisions for middle housing within residential zoning districts. These policy changes will apply city-wide, and public notification was disseminated through the Seattle Times and the City of Tukwila website on April 10, 2025. An environmental review will be completed before the City Council's consideration of these amendments.
Tukwila: Title 18 Amendments
The City of Tukwila has proposed comprehensive amendments to Title 18 of the Tukwila Municipal Code (TMC) to comply with recent state legislation, most notably HB 1110 concerning middle housing, with a compliance deadline of June 30, 2025. Scheduled for a hearing on April 24, 2025, under file numbers L25-0032 and E25-0009, these updates aim to streamline regulations and foster housing development that aligns with community objectives. The notification of this hearing was published in the Seattle Times and on the city's website on April 10, 2025. An environmental determination will precede City Council consideration.
Seattle: Interim Zoning Changes
Seattle aims to implement interim zoning regulation changes to comply with several recently enacted Washington State bills focused on increasing housing production and streamlining development standards. The primary driver is House Bill 1110, the "Middle Housing bill," which mandates that cities allow a wider array of housing types, including duplexes, triplexes, and stacked flats, within areas predominantly zoned for single-family residences, while also limiting the regulation of this middle housing.
Kirkland: Housing Evolution
Kirkland is actively engaged in updating its development standards to align with recent Washington State mandates concerning middle housing, accessory dwelling units, parking, and design review within its residential zones. These changes are driven by state legislation, notably the "missing middle" housing bill (E2SHB 1110) and the accessory dwelling units bill (EHB 1337), enacted to address the statewide housing affordability and availability crisis. The state's authority to impose such requirements stems from the Growth Management Act (GMA), which compels local governments to plan for housing accessible across all income levels.
Issaquah: Planning for Growth
Issaquah is strategically positioned for significant future development. While maintaining its urban-suburban feel along the I-90 corridor, the city anticipates substantial transformation, particularly in Central Issaquah and Olde Town. City plans, including the Comprehensive Plan and Central Issaquah Plan, explicitly target these areas for increased residential and employment density over the next two decades to meet mandated growth targets. This future Issaquah will see a deliberate shift in land use patterns to accommodate an expanding population and job market, building upon its existing base of major employers like Costco.
Kent: 2044 Comprehensive Plan
Kent's 2044 Comprehensive Plan lays out a strategic framework for the city's development over the next two decades, directly impacting how and where growth occurs. It prioritizes sustainable and equitable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. This plan acts as a guide for zoning, infrastructure investments, and land-use decisions, aiming to shape Kent into a thriving, livable city.
Lynnwood: Retail Cannabis
The Lynnwood Planning Commission convened on February 27th, 2025, for a meeting that addressed the potential introduction of retail cannabis sales. Chaired by Robert Larsen, the meeting saw robust public comment and in-depth discussions among commissioners and staff.
The public comment period provided a platform for diverse perspectives on the matter. Edmonds resident Gay-Lynn Beighton voiced strong opposition, sharing a deeply personal account of her son's battle with schizophrenia, which she believes was linked to his early cannabis use. Beighton expressed concerns about the potential harm to youth mental health, the normalization of cannabis through legalization, and urged the Commission to prioritize the well-being of future generations over potential tax revenue.
SB 5184: Parking Requirements
SB 5184 addresses minimum parking requirements within Washington cities and counties. Recognizing the framework established by the Growth Management Act (GMA), the bill sets new limitations on mandatory parking for various types of development. For multifamily dwelling units, the maximum requirement is capped at 0.5 spaces per unit, while single-family homes cannot be mandated to provide more than one parking space. Commercial spaces face a limit of two parking spaces per 1,000 square feet.
Pierce County: 2024 Comp Plan
Pierce County's 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, effective February 15, 2025, culminates three years of revisions and numerous community inputs, significantly impacting future development within the county. Adopted with 44 amendments by the Pierce County Council on December 3, 2024, the plan sets revised parameters for urban and rural growth. A notable development-related change is the 1,541-acre reduction in the Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundary, achieved through 19 amendments. These areas, now designated for rural land use and zoning, will see a shift away from potential urban development, prioritizing the conservation of open space, farms, and forests. The finalized UGA boundary directly dictates where future urban-scale development can occur.
Gig Harbor: High-Density Residential Development
Gig Harbor's overdue 2044 Comprehensive Plan update is grappling with the state mandate to accommodate moderate to low-income housing, necessitating a shift towards higher-density residential development. This requirement pushes the city to enable developers to create 662 new homes, with over half affordable to those with moderate to low incomes. To achieve this, the plan proposes significant upzones, notably a fivefold increase in density on a 13-acre parcel in Swede Hill and a similar increase around Point Fosdick and Olympic Drives.
WA State: Housing Affordability Index
The Housing Attainability Index, a Washington-based resource, reveals a concerning reality: homeownership is unaffordable for 80% of Washington families in March 2025. This study highlights a significant disconnect between the income required to qualify for a median-priced home and the actual earnings of most households in the state. While the median home price stands at $596,514, requiring an annual income of $183,619, the average Washington household earns only $94,605, approximately half of what's needed.
Tacoma: Pacific Avenue Corridor
Picture Pac Ave represents a proactive and community-driven initiative by the City of Tacoma to forge a comprehensive long-term vision for growth and development along the Pacific Avenue corridor, stretching from approximately I-5 to South 96th Street. Recognizing the transformative potential of planned transit improvements in this area, the city is partnering directly with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to collaboratively shape the future of this vital artery. The primary aim of Picture Pac Ave is to strategically guide future investments and policy decisions, ultimately fostering a more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable corridor for both current and future Tacomans.
Fife: Zoning Updates
The City of Fife is undertaking a comprehensive update to its zoning regulations as part of its 2024-2044 Periodic Update, proposing significant changes to existing zoning designations and introducing new ones to better reflect the city's evolving landscape and planning objectives. A key focus of these proposed changes is the area surrounding the future Sound Transit station, with the creation of two new zones: City Center North and City Center South. City Center North is specifically designed for the immediate vicinity north of the freeway, anticipating higher density development and mixed-use opportunities capitalizing on the transit infrastructure. In contrast, City Center South is envisioned as a buffer zone south of the freeway, providing a transition between the more intense development of City Center North and the existing lower density residential areas in central Fife.