Last week I had the opportunity to represent Smart Growth Seattle on a panel discussing development on small-lots in Seattle. The panel is part of a broader discussion on density and you can watch it by clicking on the embedded video above.

The panel covered a lot of ground, but what was especially important is that we spent some time clarifying our initiative, changing the code to create the 80 percent rule. What’s really positive here is that our proposal is being considered and discussed now, during the early phases of the development of legislation.

We still have weeks and months of discussion ahead, but the conversation is going in the best direction it possibly could: how do we create predictable rules for infill development in single-family neighborhoods? That’s exactly what the 80 percent rule would do, allowing everyone to have a set of standards that allow new homes and appropriate scale.

Councilmembers on the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) committee still need to hear from you about your thoughts.

Chair: Richard Conlin
Vice-Chair: Tim Burgess
Member: Mike O’Brien
Alternate: Sally J. Clark