Neighborhood group takes city to court over sweeping changes in Seattle growth plan

Joy Hollingsworth, chair of the Seattle City Council’s comprehensive growth plan committee, faces a lawsuit from the Friends of Ravenna-Cowen group, which aims to halt a proposed 20-year development plan for the city. The group argues that the plan, put forward by Mayor Bruce Harrell, is excessively ambitious and necessitates more environmental review. Their legal petition follows the dismissal of previous appeals against growth proposals by the city Hearing Examiner earlier this month. The lawsuit raises concerns about the city's ability to meet state housing law deadlines and may disrupt the committee's schedule for interim legislation. Friends of Ravenna-Cowen has previously opposed city growth initiatives, including the Mandatory Housing Affordability plan.

The group has been involved in securing National Historic District designation for their area, which offers additional protections for historic homes. Hollingsworth's office confirmed that the comprehensive plan special committee's work will persist as the legal process unfolds. The interim legislation aims to align Seattle's housing policies with state law under HB 1110, which mandates the city to allow middle housing in residential zones.