Advocacy Update – July 2024

Photo: Let’s Go Washington Founder Brian Heywood talks about ballot initiatives during a press conference at Jackson’s Shell Station in Kent on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (Jason Redmond for Crosscut)

Advocacy Happy Hour

Save the date for Tuesday, September 24th! Join us for a casual opportunity to connect with other chapter members who are interested in or engaging in efforts to impact policy on a variety of built environment topics. Whether you have been a long-time advocate or want to learn more about how you can get involved, stay tuned for more information in the weeks ahead.

City of Seattle Energy Code

The City of Seattle Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) passed a proposed code in their June 20th meeting that upheld the 2018 City Seattle standards, keeps the city of Seattle in line with the state standard timeline, but pulls back a bit on the pace of changes originally planned for implementation in 2021 code revisions. The proposed changes maintain elements of the Building Emissions Performance Standard Policy (BEPS) that AIA Seattle had advocated for through our coalition work with Shift Zero. AIA Seattle’s Public Policy Board is tracking possible developments for the potential code changes and will continue to communicate with members.

City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan

In July, AIA Seattle members met with staff from the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) to learn more about how the Draft One Seattle Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be moving forward. Based on the timeline shared by OPCD staff, AIA Seattle’s Comp Plan Work Group will be reconvening in September to re-engage and plan for possible October advocacy activites. Read AIA Seattle’s recommendations for a livable city with more complete neighborhoods and abundant housing.

NO on I-2117

AIA Seattle supports the NO on I-2117 Campaign, one of a series of initiatives that will appear on the Washington State ballot in November 2024. I-2117 would revoke the 2021 Climate Commitment Act. AIA Seattle members are encouraged to stand with AIA Washington Council and AIA Seattle and take a pledge to vote NO on I-2117.

We’d love to hear from you! For more information on advocacy topics, please contact:

Melissa K. Neher | Executive Director, AIA Seattle