Earlier this month, the City Council unanimously approved a citywide upzoning bill that aims to provide at least 6,000 new rental and income-restricted homes for low-income residents.

The bill allows for taller construction in 27 neighborhoods and levies fines on developers who don’t dedicate between 5 and 11 percent of projects to low-income residents.

The plan drew criticism that developers would simply pay the fines rather than provide more affordable living quarters. Others objected that taller buildings would block scenic views they have enjoyed for years.

But council members, including outgoing City Councilman Rob Johnson, said upzoning improves city planning because it will allow for more diverse income groups to call Seattle home.

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Source: mynorthwest.com