Support More Homes Along 45th Street in Seattle

The Seattle City Council

Sign this petition to support more homes along 45th Street next to the Children's Hospital in Seattle!

While some anti-housing activists are opposing this change with their own petition, we believe that welcoming more neighbors is a step toward a stronger, more inclusive community.

The proposed zoning change would allow for more diverse and affordable housing along a small stretch of 45th Street located right next to the Children's Hospital. At the same time, most of the Laurelhurst neighborhood will remain under its current, restrictive zoning, continuing a legacy of exclusionary housing policies that have long kept the neighborhood unaffordable for many.

By legalizing more housing types, we can create more homes in a well-connected area near transit and essential services, helping make Seattle more equitable for everyone. This small change is an important step toward undoing the harm of past policies and creating a future where everyone has a place to live.

Join us in supporting a fairer, more sustainable Seattle by signing this petition!

Additional opportunities to support more homes in Seattle

The proposed zoning change is part of a larger effort to update Seattle's housing policies through the Comprehensive Plan Update. State law mandates that cities plan for enough housing to accommodate population growth and avoid the negative impacts of sprawl. Unfortunately, past Comprehensive Plans have been too restrictive, making it harder for Seattle to meet its housing needs. Here's how you can get involved in the current update process and help shape a more affordable, sustainable Seattle:
  1. Contact City Council Members:

Unsure about talking points and how to debunk common misconceptions about legalizing more diverse housing types?
Use this guide.

Sponsored by
Syim
Seattle YIMBY
Seattle, WA

To: The Seattle City Council
From: [Your Name]

We, the undersigned, support welcoming more neighbors to our community through thoughtful development along 45th Street. While some voices oppose change, the facts tell a clear story: Seattle's housing crisis affects us all, and we must take action to create a more inclusive, sustainable city.

The Housing Crisis: A Reality We Can't Ignore


Seattle's housing shortage has reached a critical point. With median home prices soaring to $932,382 in 2024 and rental vacancy rates falling below 3%, thousands of families face impossible choices between paying for housing and meeting other basic needs. Over 40,000 Seattle households now spend more than half their income on housing – our neighbors, essential workers, young families, and seniors who built our community. The city projects a need for 112,000 new homes by 2035, and every neighborhood must play its part in this solution.

A Thoughtful Proposal for Change


The proposed zoning change from Neighborhood Residential (NR3) to Low Rise Residential (LR3) along 45th Street represents a careful, measured approach to creating more homes. This location makes perfect sense: it's well-served by transit, close to jobs and services, and ready for thoughtful development that can help address our housing crisis while enhancing our community.

Contrary to opposition claims, this area is already a transit hub that will only improve with planned investments:


  • Current service includes very active metro routes (67/67, 45, 31/32)

  • The future Sound Transit Link station will be just 0.3 miles away and one within 15 minute walking distance on the Burke Gilman (University light rail)

  • Seattle's Transit Master Plan designates 45th as a future RapidRide corridor

  • Multiple bike routes and pedestrian paths connect the area to key destinations - a world class bike trail in the Burke Gilman

Environmental Leadership Through Smart Growth


Creating homes near transit isn't just about housing – it's about environmental stewardship. When we welcome more neighbors to transit-rich areas like 45th Street, we reduce regional sprawl, protect forests and farmland, and cut transportation emissions. Multi-family homes in transit-oriented locations reduce carbon footprints by up to 40% compared to single-family homes in car-dependent areas.

Seattle's robust environmental protections ensure responsible development. The city's tree protection ordinance (SMC 25.11) and Green Factor requirements maintain our urban canopy, while concentrated density prevents the destruction of natural areas at the urban edge. This isn't about choosing between homes and trees – it's about smart growth that protects our environment for future generations.

A Stronger Community for All


More homes along 45th Street will strengthen our entire community. Local businesses gain customers, helping them thrive. Property tax revenue increases, supporting better public services. Most importantly, more people can live near their jobs, reducing traffic and creating a more vibrant neighborhood.

The human impact is real. We've heard from:


  • Seniors who want to downsize but stay in their beloved neighborhood

  • Young families hoping to join our excellent school community

  • Essential workers tired of long commutes from far-flung suburbs

  • Local business owners who need both workers and customers nearby

The Path Forward


Inaction isn't neutral – it has real costs. Without more homes in transit-rich areas like 45th Street, housing costs will continue to rise, forcing more families to move far from jobs and services. Traffic will worsen as people commute longer distances. Our climate goals will become harder to achieve. The Seattle we love – diverse, vibrant, and welcoming – will slowly slip away.

This isn't a rejection of Seattle's natural heritage – it's an evolution that honors both our need for homes and our commitment to the environment. By welcoming more neighbors to this transit-rich corridor, we:


  • Create opportunities for more people to live sustainably

  • Reduce pressure on our region's wild places

  • Support local businesses that give our neighborhood character

  • Build community through thoughtful urban design

  • Show how density and livability can coexist

The proposed zoning change aligns with Washington's Growth Management Act, meets our obligations under HB 1110's middle housing mandate, and follows Seattle's Comprehensive Plan guidelines. Similar changes have already succeeded in neighborhoods like Roosevelt, creating vibrant, welcoming communities.

We urge city leaders to support this proposal and fellow Seattleites to join us in building a more sustainable, equitable, and affordable city for all. The future of our community depends on the choices we make today.