Balances urgent actions to enhance Seattle’s livability

Today, City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Chair of the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan, released her Chair’s Packages of proposed amendments for the Comprehensive Plan and Permanent HB 1110 legislation. Details of the proposal are available for the public to review on the Comprehensive Plan website.

“We have a sense of urgency to make Seattle a city where people, including young families, can build a future, and older residents can age with dignity. I believe these packages of amendments are meaningful steps towards achieving those goals,” said Councilmember Hollingsworth. “However, I want to be transparent — we’re facing real constraints — including environmental review requirements and a tight timeline. There are three options for Council to consider when it takes up the legislation: which amendments made it into the Chair’s packages, which did not, and which ones are docketed in a resolution for 2026 for environmental review to satisfy any necessary state requirements. This is an important nuance that I encourage my colleagues to consider, as this committee accepts feedback and moves forward, without delaying the progress we need to make now.” 

A number of proposed amendments may fall outside the scope of what was studied under the existing Environmental Impact Statement. Under state law, the Comprehensive Plan was due for certification by the state in December 2024, meaning at Seattle is currently behind schedule. The delays also risk compounding negative impacts, including jeopardizing funding opportunities, straining regional coordination, and limiting the city’s ability to address urgent housing needs. Chair Hollingsworth’s approach ensures compliance while keeping the door open for future consideration of these ideas.

Highlights from the Chair’s Packages:

• Committing to making Seattle a welcoming and affordable place: Incorporating childcare policies and family housing bonuses to create housing for young families, aging residents, and multigenerational families.
• Providing a diversity of housing options: Incentivizing stacked flats, cottage housing, and unit conversion.
• Promoting a healthy environment: Ensuring our policies direct sustainable tree and vegetation management, protect key local species, and establish low pollution neighborhoods.
• Improving availability of amenity areas and accessibility: Adding incentives for ADA accessible units; advocating for more access to amenity areas like balconies and shared green spaces; promoting food access points by allowing for more corner stores.
• Supporting social housing and affordable housing: Encouraging the development of affordable units and making social housing eligible for affordable housing bonuses.

What’s next

On Sept. 16, the resolution is anticipated to be released after the full City Council meeting.

On Sept. 17, 18, and 19, the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan is expected to consider and vote on the Chair’s Packages of proposed amendments. At the Sept. 17 meeting, the select committee will hear public comment in-person or remote, up to one minute per person for one hour. At the Sept.18 and 19 meetings, written public comment will be accepted.

For the latest information see the City Council’s Comprehensive Plan 2025 Web page.

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