Summary:
Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth has proposed amendments to the city's Comprehensive Plan and Permanent HB 1110 legislation to address urgent housing and livability challenges. The proposals include efforts to make Seattle more affordable and welcoming, particularly for families and older adults, as well as environmental sustainability policies. The amendments are categorized into three tracks to meet compliance while continuing progress, and the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan will begin considering and voting on the Chair's Packages on September 17.
Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, Chair of the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan, recently released her proposed Chair’s Packages of amendments for the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Permanent HB 1110 legislation. The proposed changes aim to address urgent housing and livability challenges while balancing the constraints of state-mandated environmental reviews and a compressed timeline.
“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,” said Hollingsworth. “I believe these packages of amendments are meaningful steps toward achieving those goals.”
The proposals come as Seattle falls behind on its state-mandated planning schedule. The city was required to certify its updated Comprehensive Plan by December 2024. Hollingsworth noted that missing this deadline could jeopardize funding, disrupt regional coordination, and hinder the city’s response to pressing housing needs.
To meet compliance while continuing progress, the Chair’s Packages categorize amendments into three tracks: those included in the current proposal, those omitted, and those set aside in a 2026 resolution for future environmental review. Hollingsworth urged her colleagues to consider these distinctions carefully as the committee moves forward.
Some proposed amendments are outside the scope of the current Environmental Impact Statement, which restricts immediate adoption under state law. The decision to docket certain proposals for later review keeps them in consideration without delaying the overall process.
Key highlights from the Chair’s Packages include efforts to make Seattle more affordable and welcoming, particularly for families and older adults. The amendments call for the inclusion of family housing bonuses and policies that support childcare access. Additional housing options would be encouraged through incentives for stacked flats, cottage housing, and unit conversions.
Environmental sustainability is another focus, with policies promoting sustainable tree and vegetation management, protections for local species, and the creation of low-pollution neighborhoods. The proposals also aim to improve access to amenity spaces, including balconies, green areas, and corner stores that support food access. New incentives are also proposed for ADA-accessible housing and expanded eligibility for social and affordable housing bonuses.
“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,” Hollingsworth said.
The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan will begin considering and voting on the Chair’s Packages on Sept. 17, with additional meetings scheduled for Sept. 18 and 19. Public comment will be accepted during the Sept. 17 meeting, where speakers will have one minute each during a one-hour comment period. Written public comments will be accepted during the following two meetings. Details of the Chair’s Packages are available for public review on the Comprehensive Plan website.