Tree Action Seattle

Stop messing with urban wildlife and the mature trees they call home. Jimothy’s family lost their first home of cedars according to Ben Trammell. Wildlife habitat is just one reason to protect Seattle’s mature trees. Let Jimothy be.

Last year, UW students and neighbors protested to save trees at Greystar’s new dorms near the Burke Gilman. Greystar agreed to protect trees.

Today, Greystar is damaging roots and failing to even water them.

Please share widely 🌲

GreystarSeattle University of Washington

published this op-ed by Trees and People Coalition board member, Lois Martin.

Lois Martin is a lifelong Central district resident and Community advocate focused on anti-displacement and environmental justice in Seattle’s historically Black neighborhoods.

The freedom to be heard before the City rewrites the rules for our neighborhoods. That is what CB 121215 would take away, and community voices just pushed the vote back to July 28.

The $120 hearing examiner appeal is the only affordable way ordinary people can make the City study displacement, health, and impact BEFORE major land use decisions become law. It is the same tool that turned an I-90 freeway trench into Sam Smith Park. Take it away, and accountability belongs only to those who can afford a lawyer.

We can’t move - Cut us loose. We are not anti-housing. We are pro-accountability. Reform the process. Do not repeal our voice.

Before July 28:
📣 Email council: NO on CB 121215 as written
📣 Demand a Racial Equity Toolkit first
📣 Reform, don’t repeal

Read the complete article at the 🔗 👇🏽

Listen to Jennifer of the Orca Appeal and the appeal process with the City of Seattle. This is why we support rejecting CB 12125. Donations to the Orca Appeall can be made at the link in comments below.

Why a Seattle Symphony bassist started a fight with City Hall over housing density and orcas - Soundside Housing is complicated, and residents care about it! Soundside heard from Jennifer Godfrey, who has filed an appeal which has delayed the city's implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.

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

Seattle an enviro city? Doesn't seem that way at City Hall | Editorial The Seattle City Council is weighing whether to strip residents of the right to appeal zoning changes. Voters should pay attention.

CB 121215 will take away citizen right to protect through environmental appeal and we oppose this bill. City Council will vote soon - we will keep you posted on when. Please consider coming to the meeting at City Hall or calling in to give a 1-minute comment.

At least 79 healthy trees will be removed from Woodland Park as part of the proposed Lincoln High School football field. You can give public comment on this issue via email or at the Seattle Parks Board meeting on Thursday, July 23 at 6pm at Miller Community Center (and on zoom). Be sure to email [email protected] to sign up to give comment. More info here: https://tinyurl.com/WoodlandParkTrees

We’ve entered an era of long-term drought, and that’s affecting dry forests in the Western U.S. in a lot of ways. From heat pulling moisture from trees and soil–to less snowpack and more disease–we’ve got our work cut out for us to help dry forests stay healthy in a hotter, drier climate.

Read our latest story on helping dry forest ecosystems adapt to drought: https://nature.ly/4aO0Km4

📷 Erica Sloniker/TNC

When development takes every tree down, it’s our right to question why they are taking the people’s trees with them.

Seattle Department of Transportation has approved the removal of six street trees at the former Harvey Funeral Home site on N 36th Street. Tree Action Seattle has filed a challenge. Neighbors can request a Director's Review by July 2.

Details at https://fremontneighbor.com/sdot-approves-n-36th-street-tree-removal-advocacy-group-challenges-decision/

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/seattle-city-council-should-retain-residents-rights-to-get-the-science-right/

Seattle City Council should let residents question impacts of growth | Editorial At a time when Seattle is rapidly changing, local officials ought to stand up for science and pledge to get right the most sweeping land use changes in decades.