07/21/2026
Action Alert. Please email your councilmember regarding the bill to remove citizen right to appeal! Remember that Alexis Mercedes Rink and Dionne Foster are Citywides, so that means that they are your councilmembers too. ST Editorial here: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/seattle-an-enviro-city-doesnt-seem-that-way-at-city-hall/
CM ____________,
Please encourage CM Lin to pull CB 121215 and introduce a substitute that reforms the hearing examiner appeal process rather than repeals it.
The administrative appeal is the only affordable way for residents to challenge a flawed environmental review before legislation passes. Every remaining venue requires a lawyer and thousands of dollars. And because state law now exempts most housing projects from review altogether, this appeal is the last accessible check that remains.
The Seattle Times Editorial Board came out today against this bad bill, noting that with only 28 appeals in ten years, this is not gumming up the system. Last month the Washington Court of Appeals found the City had wrongly dismissed appeals of the One Seattle Plan review. Comprehensive Plan decisions shape the entire city, so they deserve more scrutiny than individual projects, not less.
We know CM Lin is well intended. That is exactly why this point of accountability should not be dismissed.
As written, you must say no to this bill. Please tell CM Lin that in advance, and that your constituents are demanding to be heard.
[You]
In your district
The Seattle City Council is weighing whether to strip residents of the right to appeal zoning changes. Voters should pay attention.