Councilmembers who opposed the proposal say the fee would have slowed housing development and raised housing costs.

The Seattle City Council voted against a proposal that would have paved the way for a transportation impact fee that would have imposed a charge on new developments.
According to an article in The Registry, “The proposed ordinance aimed to pave the way for a transportation impact fee geared toward constructing sidewalks and other vital infrastructure. Developers expressed concerns that such fees would elevate housing costs, contributing to the council’s close vote against the measure.”
The article adds that the ordinance, which could come before the council again next year, did not immediately impose the fee, but “adjusted the comprehensive plan to outline potential strategies for its implementation.” However, housing advocates expressed concern that the fee could slow housing production and ultimately pass costs on to renters.
A transportation impact fee has been proposed in Seattle for over a decade. In an article in The Urbanist, Ryan Packer notes that “Seattle has long been an outlier in Washington in not having a transportation impact fee program, with over 70 other jurisdictions having fees of certain sizes in place, in addition to impact fees for other infrastructure like schools and parks.”
FULL STORY: Seattle City Council Votes Against Implementation of Transportation Impact Fee on Commercial Development

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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