The Seattle Metropolis Council ought to undertake transportation influence charges, one-time charges imposed on new developments to mitigate tasks’ influence on the transportation system. Transport is each a query of fairness and an environmental query.
Presently we’re coping with an unreliable public transport system, decreased quantity and frequency of bus routes and pedestrian issues of safety. Having a dependable and strong public transport system is important to decreasing carbon emissions and local weather change.
Opponents of influence charges typically state that it’ll make housing costlier. However what we actually want is extra reasonably priced housing, and below the present proposal there are exemptions for low-income housing and childcare amenities.
The mandatory invoice, proposed by Councilors Lisa Herbold and Alex Pedersen, doesn’t even enact influence charges. It’s merely a complete plan modification that’s principally a roadmap for the way influence charges will be carried out if the mayor and metropolis council select to undertake them sooner or later. At a minimal, the Metropolis Council ought to undertake this modification to permit full consideration of transportation influence charges.
Metropolis Corridor is dealing with a big funds deficit and by not gathering these charges they proceed to depart cash on the desk.
Susanna Lin, Seattle
