Select Committee meetings on the draft Comp Plan begin today

Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) is requesting more details and transparency from the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), as the Council begins to deliberate on the draft One Seattle Comprehensive Plan.

“We all agree more housing is needed – of all types. We have vulnerable populations who need a safe place to live, and we have bus drivers, teachers and young people returning home to Seattle who cannot afford to rent or buy in the city,” Councilmember Rivera said. “The need is critical.”

Rivera said that OPCD has put forth its strategy for increased density without releasing accompanying plans for transportation, utilities and other infrastructure, and climate resilience. The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires that comprehensive plans address those needs.

OPCD is late in delivering the Comprehensive Plan, and Rivera is concerned parts of the process have been consequently rushed. The Department only just closed public comment on the proposed zoning changes on Friday, Dec. 20, yet they will transmit their final legislation to the Council today. 

“I have asked the department for details on how community feedback was accounted for with such a tight turnaround,” Councilmember Rivera said. “The GMA requires ‘early and continuous public participation’ in the development of comprehensive plans, yet many of my constituents have lingering questions about the department’s proposed changed, how they were determined, and how OPCD has incorporated their feedback into the plan.”

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