Here is the public comments I gave tonight at the Seattle City Council’s hearing on microhousing. I also added the point that design review will increase rents by as much as $100 per month.

According to the comprehensive plan the City of Seattle expects 120,000 new residents and 115,000 new jobs by 2035.

The Puget Sound Regional Council says that 1.4 million people are expected In the region between 2012 and 2042 an increase of 39 percent.

And the Seattle City Council is contemplating legislation regulating the number of sinks in microhousing.

Here’s a verbatim concern voiced in opposition to microhousing based on there being one sink:

“Have you seen the health stats for number of people who don’t wash their hands?”

Microhousing is a safe, lower-cost, housing option for many people coming to our city. We need to stop the micromanagement of microhousing and allow it to continue as a innovative housing solution and choice.

Please don’t add needless cost and process that will drive up rents.