Seattle Neighborhood Debates Zoning Changes Near Light Rail Station

The city of Seattle is considering a proposition to upzone the area around the Mount Baker light-rail station in South Seattle, which opened in 2009. Locals are split on the issue.

1 minute read

June 13, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"A proposed city rezone of a 10-block area around the Mount Baker light-rail station that includes allowing buildings up to 125 feet tall has drawn opposition from some Rainier Valley residents," according to an article by Lynn Thompson.

"Some Mount Baker residents say what the neighborhood needs isn’t taller buildings, but jobs, education and public safety."

Presenting the other side of the argument is Councilmember Mike O’Brien, who "agrees the city needs to address crime and economic development in Southeast Seattle," but also "argues that failing to rezone won’t help those problems, while a rezone could attract new businesses, new investments and more jobs."

The full council is scheduled to vote on the plan on June 23.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 in Seattle Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

View of mountains with large shrubs in foreground in Altadena, California.

Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.

March 9 - Pasadena NOw

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9 - Axios

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives

A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.

March 9 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation