The Seattle City Council’s land use committee approved “equitable development zoning” legislation Monday hoped to make it easier for BIPOC organizations trying to build projects that combat displacement in Seattle.

The proposal which still must be approved by the full council would amend land use code to reduce regulations for anti-displacement projects including those funded through the City’s Equitable Development Initiative.

“EDI began in 2016 to address financial barriers BIPOC organizations faced in trying advance their anti-displacement projects,” a presentation (PDF) to the council committee reads. “Since then, we have heard repeatedly from EDI partners that the City’s land use and zoning regulations present additional barriers that hinder and delay their projects — even once funded by the City.”

An example project that could benefit from the changes, the city says, is the William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation and Enterprise, Africatown’s center for “economic empowerment and community-driven development” that transformed the former Fire Station 6 at 23rd and Yesler.

Backers of the bill says the city’s existing code limits the allowed uses and development, adds costs due to fees and requirements, creates delays, and requires special expertise for the community organizations behind the projects.

Equitable development zoning would help reduce some regulations but also provide resources to help organizations navigate the challenges, the proposal’s backers hope.

To start, the proposal would ease the process for permitting by providing new resources to help community groups. But the longer term plan would include additional legislation to remove specific elements of code that have hampered the projects. One example according to a council memo is that EDI projects are often permitted as institutions, “which means an extended discretionary permit process that adds time, and restrictions on site selection and project design.” Another barrier is community projects can be limited or prohibited in certain zones, like small commercial spaces to support the operations of a community organization.

The bill currently under consideration wouldn’t surgically remove those blockers but would set up the structure for the council to pursue that kind of help in the future.

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