Council’s Transportation & Sustainability committee today unanimously approved legislation developed by Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Mike O’Brien, which sets a goal to have 30% of all light-duty vehicles in Seattle operate under electric power by the year 2030. Approximately 4,000 vehicles in the Seattle region are electric. Today Mayor Murray and Councilmember O’Brien announced...
Post
September 12, 2016January 6, 2023Herbold, News Releases, Obrien
Councilmembers Herbold and O’Brien on U District Rezone
Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle & South Park) and Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Ballard) issued the following statement regarding Mayor Murray’s announcement of a proposed University District rezone and urban design framework: “The University District will be the first rezone since Council adopted the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA-R) legislation last month, requiring...
Post
September 6, 2016January 6, 2023Herbold, Johnson, News Releases, Obrien, Sawant
Councilmembers Unveil Legislation: New Rules for Encampment Clear Outs
Councilmembers Rob Johnson, Lisa Herbold, Mike O’Brien and Kshama Sawant unveiled legislation today that would revamp the City’s current practice of encampment sweeps, allowing for clear outs after the City fulfils certain conditions. The legislation was developed with the goal of protecting public safety and connecting the unhoused with permanent housing options. Councilmembers intend for...
Post
August 12, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien
Do No Harm and Do the Most Good
On July 27, in what felt like one of our warmest evenings of the summer, I joined almost 200 neighbors and community members in Ballard to have a conversation about the issues I’ve been hearing most about in recent months – homelessness, property crime, and drug addiction. The Safe and Healthy Communities Public Forum (video […]
Post
August 2, 2016January 6, 2023Herbold, Johnson, News Releases, Obrien
Council Committee Approves Mandatory Housing Affordability Program, Addresses Displacement Risks
The Council’s Planning, Land Use & Zoning committee unanimously (5-0) approved framework legislation today that would require that residential developers provide for affordable housing by either including it in their development or paying into a fund used to support the development of affordable housing in Seattle. The requirement will apply after Council adopts future zoning...
Post
July 25, 2016January 6, 2023Herbold, News Releases, Obrien, Sawant
Comprehensive Tenants’ Rights Legislation Passes Council Committee
“Today’s vote is a significant step towards increasing fair access to rental housing,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold. According to the Seattle’s Renting Crisis Report from the Washington Community Action Network, “48% of individuals who pay for rent with Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security retirement income said that discrimination prevents them from having successful...
Post
May 26, 2016January 6, 2023Bagshaw, Councilmember Bagshaw, Councilmember González, Councilmember Harrell, Councilmember Herbold, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember O'Brien, Gonzalez, Harrell, Herbold, Johnson, Obrien
Seattle Sound Transit Board Members Propose Improvements to ST3 Package
SEATTLE – Sound Transit Board members Mayor Ed Murray and City Councilmember Rob Johnson introduced amendments to the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan during today’s Board meeting in conjunction with other board members around the region. The amendments effectively expand light rail and other transit services throughout the region. “These changes are big wins for...
Post
May 19, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases, Obrien
Councilmember O’Brien Unveils Bill to Encourage Backyard Cottages, Mother-in-Law Units
SEATTLE – Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Northwest Seattle) released a proposal today that would make it easier for more homeowners to build backyard cottages and mother-in-law units in Seattle. As the city faces an affordable housing crisis, Councilmember O’Brien developed the legislation to increase the housing supply by encouraging low-impact housing options that fit...
Post
April 28, 2016January 6, 2023Burgess, Harrell, Johnson, News Releases, Obrien
Arena proponents, neighboring teams reach scheduling and access agreement
The Council received language today from representatives of ArenaCo, the Seattle Seahawks/First & Goal, Inc., and the Seattle Mariners that places conditions on the scheduling of events if a new arena is built in Sodo. At the Council’s request, the parties came together to draft the mutually agreeable language regarding scheduling and access. “At the...
Post
April 22, 2016January 6, 2023Herbold, News Releases, Obrien
Council Committee Dedicates $30 Million Toward Housing Preservation in Housing Levy Proposal
The Council’s Seattle Housing Levy Select Committee unanimously (8-0) voted to dedicate up to $30,000,000 for affordable housing preservation in an effort to prevent further displacement of low-income communities. The $30 million amendment, sponsored by Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Mike O’Brien, will be used for a new program intended to preserve existing affordable multi-family subsidized...