Land Use Committee - May 28, 2024

This **special Land Use Committee meeting** on May 29, 2025, chaired by **Mark Solomon**, addressed two key items with significant implications for Seattle's transit future. The committee included **Councilmembers Strauss, Moore, Rinck, and Rivera**, with Strauss participating remotely from a Sound Transit board meeting. **Key Outcomes:** - **Molly Spetalnick unanimously reappointed** to Seattle Design Commission for term through February 28, 2027 - **Council Bill 120975 delayed until June 4** committee meeting due to last-minute amendment requiring additional review - **Critical timeline pressure** revealed: Sound Transit facing budget instability by mid-2040s, making permitting streamlining urgent **Major Policy Item:** Legislation to streamline permitting processes for **West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions**, with **Councilmember Rivera's community outreach amendment** creating unexpected procedural tension despite broad support for its intent.

### Council Bill 120975: Transit Permitting Streamlining **Background Context:** This legislation represents the culmination of **six years of collaborative work** between Seattle and Sound Transit, stemming from a 2019 partnership agreement to improve permit processes. The bill addresses both **substantive development standards and procedural requirements** for light rail transit facilities, which are classified as "essential public facilities" under state law. **Current Status:** - **Federal Transit Administration issued Record of Decision** for West Seattle Link Extension - **State law changes reinforce** light rail's essential public facility status - **Two additional pieces of legislation coming in June**: transit way agreement amendments and alignment adoption resolution **Technical Details:** The bill creates **specialized permitting pathways** that: - Clarify signage requirements for transit facilities - Establish streamlined review processes while maintaining environmental protections - Support timely construction without compromising public input opportunities - Align with Growth Management Act requirements preventing local governments from blocking essential public facilities ### Rivera Amendment: Community Outreach Documentation **Key Components:** - **Pre-submittal community outreach plan** required from Sound Transit - **SDCI review and documentation** of outreach implementation - **Construction management plans** must incorporate public feedback "to the extent feasible" - **Permit decisions must summarize** outreach efforts and explain how public input was addressed **Implementation Concerns:** SDCI identified a **fundamental procedural shift**: normally public comments go directly to the permitting department, but this creates an **intermediary process** where Sound Transit collects input and the city evaluates their responsiveness.

### Coalition Patterns and Strategic Positioning **Pro-Amendment Alliance:** - **Councilmembers Rivera and Moore** strongly support enhanced accountability measures - **Emphasis on constituent protection** and documentation of outreach efforts - **"Show your work" philosophy** prioritizing transparency over expedited timelines **Cautious Pragmatist Position:** - **Councilmembers Strauss and Rinck** support amendment intent but seek thorough vetting - **Concern about unintended consequences** and implementation costs - **Priority on avoiding "Bellevue scenario"** where local processes significantly delayed Sound Transit projects **Strategic Motivations:** Rivera's amendment reflects **political risk management** - anticipating constituent complaints about inadequate outreach and wanting documentation to defend city decisions. Strauss's resistance stems from **dual accountability** as both city councilmember and Sound Transit board member, acutely aware of budget pressures and timeline risks. **Power Dynamics:** The tension reveals **competing institutional loyalties**: city council's responsibility to constituents versus regional transit authority's delivery imperatives. Chair Solomon's decision to delay demonstrates **collaborative leadership style** prioritizing consensus over expedited decision-making.

### Immediate Opportunities **June 4 Land Use Committee Meeting (2:00 PM):** - **Final vote on amended transit permitting bill** - **Public comment period** for both general land use issues and specific bill commentary - **Key decision point** for community outreach requirements **Contact Strategies for Maximum Impact:** **Support Enhanced Outreach Requirements:** - Contact **Councilmember Rivera** (teresa.rivera@seattle.gov) - amendment sponsor - Contact **Councilmember Moore** (joy.moore@seattle.gov) - strong supporter - Emphasize **accountability and transparency** in messaging **Express Timeline Concerns:** - Contact **Councilmember Strauss** (dan.strauss@seattle.gov) - Sound Transit board member - Contact **Councilmember Rinck** (maritza.rinck@seattle.gov) - focused on cost implications - Emphasize **voter expectations** and **project delivery commitments** **Upcoming Transit Legislation (June):** - **Transit Way Agreement amendments** for West Seattle Link - **Alignment adoption resolution** - final city approval step - **Monitor for additional public hearing opportunities** ### Key Decision Points and Timeline - **June 4**: Final committee vote on permitting bill - **June 10**: Full Council consideration - **Mid-June**: Transit way agreement legislation introduction - **Summer 2025**: Sound Transit permit applications begin

### Related Policies and Initiatives **Comprehensive Plan Update:** - **Transit-oriented development** provisions directly connect to these permitting processes - **Housing density** near transit stations depends on timely light rail construction - **Climate goals** rely on functional transit system reducing car dependency **Upcoming Milestones:** - **June 2025**: Transit way agreement legislation - **Summer 2025**: Sound Transit permit applications - **2026-2027**: Major construction phases begin - **Mid-2040s**: Sound Transit budget stability deadline **Cross-Cutting Themes:** - **Regional coordination** versus local control tensions - **Community engagement** standards across major infrastructure projects - **Climate action** implementation through transit delivery - **Housing affordability** connections to transit access

### Budget Implications and Funding Sources **Sound Transit Financial Pressure:** - **Budget instability by mid-2040s** announced at concurrent board meeting - **Enterprise service delivery review** launching to identify cost savings - **Timeline delays exponentially increase costs** due to inflation and extended overhead **City Implementation Costs:** - **SDCI staff time** for reviewing community outreach plans (unquantified) - **Additional permit review steps** requiring new procedures - **Potential legal exposure** if outreach documentation proves inadequate ### Procedural Insights **Essential Public Facility Status:** - **State law prevents local prohibition** of transit facilities - **Growth Management Act compliance** required for all permitting decisions - **Limited local discretion** over fundamental project approval **Permitting Sequence:** 1. **Federal environmental review** (completed for West Seattle) 2. **Sound Transit board adoption** (completed October 2024) 3. **City transit way agreement** (pending June 2025) 4. **Streamlined permitting process** (this legislation) 5. **Individual permit applications** (summer 2025) ### Implementation Challenges and Opportunities **Technical Complexity:** - **Signage requirements** need coordination between multiple jurisdictions - **Construction staging** requires extensive community coordination - **Utility relocations** involve multiple private and public entities **Community Impact Mitigation:** - **Business displacement** during construction phases - **Residential disruption** from extended construction timelines - **Transportation network** impacts during construction **Opportunity for Innovation:** - **Digital engagement platforms** could enhance traditional outreach - **Real-time construction updates** could improve community relations - **Coordinated city-Sound Transit communications** could reduce confusion and complaints The amendment debate reveals **institutional maturation challenges** as Seattle transitions from transit planning to transit delivery, requiring new frameworks for balancing accountability with efficiency in major infrastructure implementation.