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OCTOBER 23, 2024
www.QueenAnneNews.com
VOL. 105, NO. 43
& QueenAnne&Magnolia news
Proposed Seattle growth plan update seeks to allow 330K new housing units
QueenAnne
Magnolia news By Spencer Pauley The Center Square
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Inslee bets ferry replacement on Initiative 2117 failing this November By TJ Martinell The Center Square
At Gov. Jay Inslee's insistence on electrifying the fleet, a plan to replace aging Washington ferries could get scuttled in November if voters approve Initiative 2117. Inslee announced two years ago his plans to have future ferries added to the fleet be powered by electricity rather than diesel, while retrofitting some existing ferries to be electric. Washington State Ferries has estimated it will cost a total of $4.4 billion to electrify the entire ferry system, which would include installing charging ports at terminals. Much of that funding comes from the Climate Commitment Act, which generates state revenue through carbon auctions and can only be spent on environmental-related projects, such as transportation electrification. The decision by Inslee to build electric ferries has proved contentious to the point where the governor has publicly defended the decision even as both gubernatorial candidates have expressed support for building diesel ferries. While new diesel ferries would not require adding electric charging ports,
they will still require WSF to replace aging infrastructure such the 70-yearold Fauntleroy Terminal; WSF hopes to begin construction on the new terminal between 2027-2029. Of $1.6 billion appropriated for five new electric ferries and the electrification of three terminals, $599 million comes from CCA revenue. WSF hopes to have the five electric ferries built by 2030 and eventually add 11 ferries to reach a total of 26 in the entire fleet. The state agency earlier this year put out a request for proposal for a shipbuilder to construct a new electric vessel, and WSF says there are three interested shipbuilders, one of which is located in the state. The state agency has said it will need to have a new ferry built every year to reach their longterm goals. However, CCA revenue source could be eliminated if voters approve Initiative 2117 in November, which would repeal the state law. The loss of revenue was a source of discussion at the Washington State Transportation Commission’s Tuesday meeting, in which WSF officials addressed ways to improve the level of ferry service currently provided. When asked by commissioners about the impacts of I-2117's potential
passage, WSF External Relations Senior Director John Vezina told the commission that “after I-695 passed in 1999….the Legislature set a level of service. So, the Legislature could change that level of service” if CCA is repealed. Initiative 695 received 56.16% of the vote in 1999; it required future voter approval for tax increases, repealed existing fees and excise taxes for motor vehicles, and capped the annual license tab fee to $30. At the time, the motor vehicle excise tax funded a quarter of WSF’s budget, and between 2000-2010 no new ferries were built. The State Supreme Court ruled the initiative unconstitutional, but the state Legislature ultimately enacted it via legislation. However, Vezina also told the WSTC that “in my conversations with them [the Legislature] and certainly the Governor's Office, this is the level of service that I think the public and the elected officials expect us to provide. We have regulated that with what we're able to provide, but there's definitely still the expectation we get back there with the new programs and the new vessel.” Critics of the initiative have been more direct in their warnings, with No
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell released an update to his city growth plan proposal to bring down housing costs and boost housing choices. The updated proposal, titled the "One Seattle Comprehensive Plan,” increases zoning capacity to more than 330,000 new housing units, which more than doubles the city’s current housing capacity. The initial plan estimated that at least 112,000 new units of housing will be needed over the next 25 years. The updates are a result of public feedback held since the initial plan was introduced this spring. The first phase of Harrell’s proposal would implement House Bill 1110, which allows for a more broad range of middle housing types. This allows for duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes across all neighborhood residential zones. HB 1110 was passed by the Legislature in 2023 and signed into law the same year. The second phase would designate 30 neighborhood centers across that city, which intend to add increased housing close to existing businesses and amenities. That is an increase of six neighborhood centers from Harrell’s initial draft proposal. It would also select arterial rezones along frequent transit routes to make public transit more accessible for residents. Notably, Harrell’s plan includes an affordable housing bonus, which seeks to support 12 units on a typical 5,000-square-foot lot in residential areas if at least 50% of the units are affordable for low-income households. Following future public comment meetings, the Seattle City Council will consider the first phase of the legislation in spring 2025. The city council will consider the phase two legislation in summer 2025. “As this plan moves forward, we will continue to advance our One Seattle housing agenda focused on lowering housing costs, ensuring families and workers can live in our city, preventing displacement, making it easier to build, and addressing root causes of our homelessness crisis,” Harrell said in a statement. The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
HOUSING, 1
FERRY, 4
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