Land-use statements from Shoreline Council candidates Cafferty and Scully

By Evan Smith

Shoreline City Council candidates Jessica Cafferty and Keith Scully recently sent statements about what each thinks are the most important factors in deciding land-use issues.

The two will meet on the November 3 general-election ballot for the position that Councilman Chris Eggen is giving up.

Here are Cafferty’s and Scully’s statements in the order that the candidates’ names will appear on the ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet:

Shoreline City Council Position No. 2

Keith Scully

Keith Scully

How can we best accommodate the growth we know is coming? Shoreline has large areas of underutilized commercial and multi-family land. We have vacant lots on Aurora and vacant storefronts throughout Shoreline. We should focus our development efforts there first. By building strong urban cores next to our existing transit lines, we can draw in the small businesses that we want: coffee shops, neighborhood restaurants, and local retail and services. And if we focus development on these existing multi-family zones, we can preserve single-family neighborhoods while at the same time growing our tax base to pay for the services we need.

Detail is everything in land-use planning. For example, we should always make sure transition zones are across a street, so no one is ever located right next to a towering building. As a member and now chair of the planning commission for the last three years, and as a lawyer who has specialized in land-use cases, I have the knowledge and experience to understand the planning decisions we face. More importantly, I know that people who live in neighborhoods know them best and we should listen to them, especially as we contemplate more up-zones. That's why we changed the format of planning commission meetings to allow public comment after each agenda item, rather than only in one block, and why we're flexible with public comment periods to allow everyone who wants to speak an opportunity to do so.

Jessica Cafferty

Jessica Cafferty

Our region is experiencing exponential population growth. While this brings some incredible opportunities, it also puts increasing demands on our neighborhoods, utilities and public services.

Land use and zoning are critical tools at our disposal when we think about what kind of community we want to live in. I believe we must focus on affordable and diverse housing options, concentrate high-density, large-scale housing developments near transit, create enjoyable, walkable areas and incentivize mixed-use development to boost our economy.

As we plan for Shoreline’s growth we should consider how to maximize the benefits and mitigate many negative impacts of growth. We should concentrate growth to protect single-family neighborhoods, provide mass transit, improve our environmental footprint and create walkable areas that help build community.

As Councilmember, I will look to best practices – we can learn from many areas in our region that have experienced similar growth and expansion of mass transit. Councilmembers should be informed on best practices that provide evidence on where and how to build to best increase the availability of affordable housing, ensure we grow equitably, and help build a thriving business core.

Finally, our Council should continue working to engage community members in the planning process. Changing neighborhoods can be challenging and painful, and there is nothing more personal than your home. That’s why it is so critical to get this right. If we work together and involve as many community members as possible, we will have the best possible outcome for Shoreline – now, and in the future.