Today, I was the lone vote against Council Bill 118140. This bill was worked out by the Mayor’s office in a negotiated deal with industry stakeholders from the Transportation Network Companies (TNCs, such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar), the taxi industry and the for-hire vehicle industry. There was no opportunity for the public to vet this bill, […]
Category: Councilmember O’Brien
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Council Reviews Affordable Workforce Housing Report, Hears Recommendations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/26/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council Reviews Affordable Workforce Housing Report, Hears Recommendations
SEATTLE - City Council reviewed an affordable workforce housing report yesterday...
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Council to Review Affordable Workforce Housing Report, Address Increasing Rents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/24/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Council to Review Affordable Workforce Housing Report, Address Increasing Rents
Seattle - City Council will review a final report regarding affordable workforce housing in Seat...
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Council Adopts Mount Baker Rezone
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/23/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Council Adopts Mount Baker Rezone
Transit-oriented focus, community-driven plan
SEATTLE - Council approved legislation this afternoon to rezone sections of the North Rainier/Mount Baker neighborhood that surround the Mount Baker Transit Center in Southeast Seattle. The rezone, in tandem with the neighborhood plan, is intended to make walking and biking safer, as well as encourage retail success by providing space for new jobs and housing in Rainier Valley.
"This plan promotes a more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhood that connects residents to the investment we have made in light rail. I think the community's plan has the potential to make the neighborhood truly transit-oriented, all while retaining its unique neighborhood character," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.
The City and community have been collaborating on North Rainier neighborhood planning for over 15 years. In the past five years alone, the City has conducted dozens of community meetings in the process of updating of the neighborhood plan. The plan was developed by the Seattle Department of Transportation, Office of Housing, the Department of Neighborhoods and the Department of Planning and Development, all in partnership with many people in the community.
"This has been a long and thoughtful planning process and one that does not stop here," concluded O'Brien. "Working together with the community, the City has more work to do to ensure that our vision for a more walkable, vibrant town center in that area comes to fruition."
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Councilmember O’Brien to Cut Ribbon on Neighborhood Park and Street Fund Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/17/2014
Councilmember O'Brien to Cut Ribbon on Neighborhood Park and Street Fund Project
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brien will join 300 6th grade students from Whitman Middle School, their parents, neighbors and members of Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, Ballard District Council and Ballard Greenways to unveil a new safer route to school.
In 2012, Sidewalks for West Crown Hill and the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association submitted a Neighborhood Park and Street Fund application to improve pedestrian safety for neighborhood students to get to school. The project was prioritized by the Ballard District Council and funds were allocated to pave a gravel pedestrian path to extend 17th Avenue NW and to physically connect NW 89th Street and NW 90th Street. (See before and after photos below for a visual.) The path improves student pedestrian safety by providing an alternative to the busy 15th Avenue NW for youth and families traveling to and from Whitman. The path also has the potential to enhance community pedestrian and bicycle access if a proposed Neighborhood Greenway is constructed on 17th Avenue NW.
WHAT:
The event will include a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony to unveil the new and improved "Wildcat Way." Once the ribbon is cut, 300 6th graders from Whitman Middle School will then utilize the new pathway as they walk out to Golden Gardens.
WHEN:
8:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 18
WHERE:
Whitman Middle School
9201 15th Ave. NW. Seattle, WA 98117 (see map on page 3 for details)
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien
300 6th grade Whitman students, Whitman staff, plus many parents and neighbors
Nearby business and community representatives
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) representatives
Visual before the paving project:
Visual after the paving project:
Map of event:
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Council Hosts Affordable Housing Listening Session to hear challenges, successes acquiring workforce housing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/16/2014
Council Hosts Affordable Housing Listening Session to hear challenges, successes acquiring workforce housing
Seattle – City Council will host a listening session to hear resident experiences finding affordab...
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City Council Approves $15/hour Minimum Wage in Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/2/2014
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brie...
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The North Rainier rezone
City Council is currently considering a rezone of the North Rainier area surrounding the Mt. Baker Transit Center. Development of the North Rainier area is an issue that the City and community have been working on for over 15 years. The North Rainier Neighborhood Plan was adopted in 1999, and formally updated in 2010. In […]
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Update on Small Lot Legislation
I’m writing today with an update on the small lots legislation. The Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee voted out an amended version of the legislation at our last meeting (May 6), and I will explain some of the main provisions of the amended bill below. The final bill will be in front of the […]
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Public Hearing on Micro-housing Regulations Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/16/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Public Hearing on Micro-housing Regulations Announced
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brienwill host a Public Hearing on the proposed micro-housing regulations proposed by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. The Planning, Land Use and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee is considering legislation to improve how micro-housing (also known as "aPodments") fits into neighborhoods and make the housing more livable for renters, while continuing to support innovation in housing design to create affordable choices.
Each member of the public will have up to two minutes to address the committee, and public comment sign-up sheets will be available at 5 p.m. The Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee will meet again to discuss the legislation on Tuesday, June 3 and could vote on the legislation as soon as June 17.
WHAT:
Public Hearing on proposed Micro-Housing legislation
WHEN:
5:30 p.m., Monday, May 19
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chambers, Second floor
600 Fourth Ave, Seattle 98104
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmembers Mike O'Brien, Tim Burgess and Nick Licata
Public