Local Advocacy Update - September 2023

Article written by Catherine Stanford

Seattle: Lease Restriction: Councilmember Lewis introduced proposed legislation that would regulate commercial leases by capping the personal guarantees to two years worth of rent, tenant improvements paid for by the landlord.  This proposal came from the Seattle Restaurant Alliance. BOMA and our allies have met with CM Lewis and the Restaurant Alliance to educate them about the issues associated with the proposal.  Lewis has put the bill on hold for now.

Seattle: Electrification- Building Performance Standards (View the Office of Sustainability slides from last meeting here) The bill will go to the Council either this month or after the first of the year.  There were a number of changes made based on our push back, however the deadline for net zero carbon is still 2025. The rulemaking process will begin when/if the legislation passes. BOMA will be at engaged in that process since a significant part of the policy will be determined in rules.

Seattle: Drug Use Law: Substitute bill passed by the full council. Seattle City Council changes course, passes drug enforcement bill | The Seattle Times

Seattle: Transportation Impact Fees As Development Slows, Seattle Eyes Transportation Impact Fee Projects - The Urbanist; See the City of Seattle Transportation Impact Fees document here.

West Seattle/Ballard Link Light Rail: South Lake Union Station. Sound Transit to study Amazon's preferred site for SLU station - Puget Sound Business Journal (bizjournals.com)