Seattle City Council approves U-District ‘upzoning’

By Deborah Horne, KIRO 7

It was their last chance to try to sway the Seattle City Council and they took it.

“This project, which is a giveaway for developers, is going to remove 1,500 low-income and moderate housing units,” said Susan Helf, of University District.

“Delay the rezone on the Ave(nue),” suggested Kate Robinson, owner of Cafe Allegro, “so the city and small business community can study and implement solutions that will best mitigate displacement for small businesses.”

“I’m here to reiterate our support of the upzone,” said Brian Chu, of the Yesler Community Collaborative. “We need more affordable housing.”

Under the city’s new Mandatory Housing Affordability project, developers must devote 9 percent of new construction to low-income housing.

In exchange, buildings in the U-District will rise a maximum of 320 feet — as tall as the University of Washington Tower.

It will create a University Community Urban Center designed to accommodate 5,000 more households and some 900 affordable housing units. But that position did not sit well at the meeting, even when former City Council member Sally Clark spoke in support of the measure for the University of Washington, where she now works.

“Thank you for working to get this right,” Clark said to boos from the audience.

But when the votes were finally tallied, it was unanimous.

“Nine in favor, none opposed,” read the clerk.

Roger Valdez, who represents small and mid-size developers, says they face a strong legal challenge.

“What the council has done today is taken the first step towards what we think is a legally indefensible position in the future of taxing new housing which is expressly prohibited by state law,” Valdez said.

And in fact, City Council members are expecting to be sued. One of four amendments approved Tuesday allows for changes if a court rules against them.