Oliver Moffat

Bothell, Shoreline, Washington

Amateur Local Citizen Journalist at Shoreline Area News

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Articles

Bothell to permit neighborhood businesses and lift parking mandates

1 week ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

The Bothell city council reviewed code changes on June 3 that would permit neighborhood businesses and lift parking mandates citywide. Neighborhood Businesses: Bothell's proposed updates would permit small businesses (like corner stores, cafes, and indoor pet care) in residential neighborhoods.
Cooling sites opened during heat wave for rising homeless population

2 weeks ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

North King county has the worst homeless shelter shortage in the county and needs vacant and underutilized land to host temporary shelters. Cooling sites opened across North King county in response to an early heatwave. An early heatwave and NWS HeatRisk in the forecast prompted the King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRHA) toopen cooling centers from June 8 to June 9, winding down on the morning of June 10 with the possibility of extending if the forecast shifts.
Kenmore Considers McMansion Tax in Zoning Overhaul

1 month ago | theurbanist.org | Oliver Moffat

Like other cities across the state, Kenmore is updating its development codes to comply with Washington’s Middle Housing and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) laws intended to address the housing affordability crisis. Most of Kenmore’s proposed changes will meet the minimum requirements of the law. But Kenmore may adopt an inclusionary zoning (IZ) policy alongside state mandates that would require developers to offer 10% of units as affordable or pay a fee-in-lieu.
Next week at Shoreline City Hall

1 month ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

The Shoreline City Council will be back after a two-week break. Here are a few items from the Monday, June 2, 2025agenda. Pride Month— The Council will issue a proclamation declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, reaffirming Shoreline's commitment to being a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community for all LGBTQIA2S+ people, as stated inResolution No. 542. The Progress Pride Flag will fly at City Hall throughout June as a symbol of support.
Shoreline council to discuss placemaking, alleys, density, and bikes

1 month ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

At risk federal grants, traffic safety projects, affordable housing tax breaks, and urban forestry are also on the May 12, Shoreline city council agenda. At theMay 12 meeting,the Shoreline city council will discussproposed amendments to the Comprehensive Planincluding: One would remove duplicated technical bike safety details from theTransportation Element, referring instead to theEngineering Development Manual.
Shoreline climate progress report: Shoreline residents drove 16% less

1 month ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

Telecommuting cut driving, preventing more emissions than Shoreline’s trees can ever sequester. Instead of more driving cuts, the Shoreline council focused on trees & compost sorting. The Shoreline City Councilreviewedthe city’sclimate progress reporton May 5, 2025, highlighting decreased driving per person, two new light rail stations, an e-bike/scooter share program, and reduced building energy use.
Kenmore Police report highlights Regional Crisis Response success

1 month ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

Kenmore Police Report shows continued low crime rate despite low staffing rates. Collaboration with other King County Sheriff departments and Regional Crisis Response (RCR) leads to positive outcomes. At the April 28 meeting, Kenmore City Council reviewed the 2024 Police Service Report, presented by Chief Brandon Moen. The report noted Regional Crisis Response (RCR) program success and the city's continued low crime rate, maintained despite a relatively low staffing rate.
August King County Park Levy would fund new parks, trails, and pools

2 months ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

A levy on the August ballot, co-sponsored by Councilmember Rod Dembowski, would bring millions for North King County recreation if passed. The levy would dedicate $5 million towards connecting theInterurban Trail between Shoreline and Edmonds. Currently, pedestrians and cyclists must navigate a half-mile of busy, unsafe roads and brave a death-defying crossing of State Route 104. Proposed solutions include building a bridge over the highway.
Uncertain funding for transportation projects in Shoreline

2 months ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

Grants areShoreline’s top funding sourcefor transportation. But uncertainty from Trump cuts, coupled with escalating costs, may slowinvestmentstoreduce car-dependence, cutclimate warming pollution, and curbdeadly crashesin the city. OnApril 14, the Shoreline councildiscussedthe city’s draftsix-year transportation improvement plan (TIP), listing thehighest priority projectsto be funded (andnot funded) between 2026 and 2031.
Free e-bikes for some Briarcrest and Ridgecrest residents

2 months ago | shorelineareanews.com | Oliver Moffat

Applications for a free e-bike are now open on the Shoreline website for residents in parts of south Briarcrest and Ridgecrest. Residents must live north of NE 145th St, south of NE 165th St, east of 5th Ave NE and west of 25th Ave NE - check the map on the city’s website to see if you live in the qualifying area. Neighborhoods in North Seattle and Shoreline were identified as one of 16 Overburdened Communities in Washington with high air pollution rates and a history of socio-economic injustice.