Public Feedback on Housing Vision
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The city needs your feedback on how we should comply with the 2025 ruling of the Growth Management Hearings Board. How we proceed will impact the future of Mecer Island in dramatic fashion. Join us for a March 10th webinar to learn more.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the City Council continued discussions on the strategy to comply with the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) Order, issued in August 2025, which requires the City of Mercer Island to update its Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations by the end of July. City staff and consultants provided a detailed presentation.
The GMHB Order requires the City to plan for and accommodate housing across a range of affordability levels by creating sufficient land capacity and adopting policies, incentives, and subsidies to support this development. Additionally, the City must adopt a subarea plan for the area surrounding the Sound Transit light rail station and adopt anti-displacement measures aimed at helping tenants stay in the community as lower cost housing is redeveloped. Read more about the City Council's strategy.
The City Council also reviewed a draft Station Area Boundary, which includes the area within a half mile walk from the light rail station entrances. The GMHB Order requires the City to adopt a subarea plan for this area. The City Council is seeking public feedback on the proposed Station Area Boundary through March 13, 2026. Please submit comments via the City’s Let’s Talk page.
The public is also invited to attend a Community Information Session Webinar on Tuesday, March 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. to learn more about the appeal of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the GMHB Order, and the City’s plan to achieve compliance. Register for the webinar.