City of Seattle

Seattle City CouncilCouncilmember David J. DellaDella Opposes Expanding Land Use in North BayCalls for ‘maintaining industrial and maritime land for industrial and maritime use’SEATTLE – Councilmember David J. Della introduced an amendment to postpone the review of the Port of Seattle’s North Bay project until next year. The Port of Seattle had been urging the Council to adopt a list of amendments to the City’s Comprehensive plan for consideration over the next five months. These amendments included changes from industrial to commercial and other uses for the area immediately north of the Magnolia Bridge – commonly referred to as North Bay. Leaders of the industrial and maritime sectors have been critical of the Port’s proposal for North Bay – citing the need to protect and preserve Piers and lands that have been vital to those industries.”I believe firmly in the need for our City to preserve and promote living wage jobs,” said Councilmember Della. “Manufacturing and maritime sectors provide good-paying jobs with benefits that we need to preserve by protecting the land that promotes these jobs.”In Seattle, the maritime sector includes more than 470 businesses and more than 22,000 jobs with an average yearly income of $70,000. North Bay is viewed as a hub of industrial and maritime sectors because of its deepwater access, rail access and unimpeded access.”We need to carefully consider the best course for possibly changing one of the largest, contiguous industrial areas in the region,” Della added. “The Port is in the middle of their EIS process and a preferred alternative has yet to be identified. It would be prudent to make a decision at a later time when more information is available.”Della’s amendment failed by a vote of 5-4. Voting with Della to support the amendment were Councilmembers: Conlin, McIver and Licata. Watch the Seattle City Council in action on Seattle Channel 21 and visit the Council Website at www.cityofseattle.net/council Also, you can watch Council meetings and Public Hearings live on the web at www.cityofseattle.net/council-live.htm