Microhousing: Legal Options on DPD Shutdown
The City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) doesn’t seem to be listening to the development community these days. But they do listen to angry neighbors (see our appeal and the legislation they produced over regulating micros which was passed by the Seattle City Council). They also seem to listen to judges. So we […]
Seattle’s Love Affair with Housing Committees and Fees
To great fanfare, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray launched his housing advisory committee on September 23rd, 2014, seeking recommendations on how to address Seattle’s housing affordability crisis. The 28-member Housing Affordability and Livability was created by a city council resolution, and the unpaid, volunteer committee includes private property developers, local housing experts, and advocates for tenants […]
Working (Lunch) With Affordable Housing Developers
A couple of weeks ago Smart Growth Seattle board member Erich Armbruster and I met Marty Kooistra Executive Director of the Housing Development Consortium and Doug Ito, a member of the HDC board of directors. We had a great conversation. Marty and I set up the lunch because in spite of our profound and deep […]
