Why a Seattle Symphony bassist started a fight with City Hall over housing density and orcas

Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan has hit a snag. 

The plan is the set of zoning changes that plans the city’s future growth – the current one in the works outlines a lot more housing density in the city. State law requires such a plan be in place, but Seattle’s has been delayed by administrative appeals from two groups.  

On Wednesday, we spoke with Seattle councilmember Eddie Lin about his proposal to eliminate one of the paths people have to appeal the plan under the State Environmental Policy Act. Jennifer Godfrey filed one of the appeals currently delaying implementation, and formed the group Orca Nexus, which is advocating for more environmental review of Seattle’s zoning changes. 

They claim the Comprehensive Plan’s Environmental Impact Statement did not fully evaluate the environmental impact of greater housing density on trees and runoff. They say removing trees will increase pollutants that could harm humans, salmon and especially endangered Southern Resident killer whales. 

Guest:

Jennifer Godfrey 

Related Links: 

• Conservation Groups Join Push Against Seattle Growth Plan
• This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage
• Seattle Poised to Remove SEPA Review Hurdle for Most Housing Projects
• Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing

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