The Port of Seattle was successful in its bid to block a project that would have rezoned industrial land near the city's shipping hub to build a 900-unit apartment building.

Fox 13 News reports that Washington state's Growth Management Hearings Board ruled in favor of the port on November 9. In its decision, the board found that the city hadn't provided adequate public notice and participation, didn't conduct a mandatory environmental review, and failed to provide the state's Department of Commerce with the requisite 60 days notice prior to approving the project.

Seattle City Council first voted to greenlight the housing and workspace project in March. At the time, then-Council President Sara Nelson touted the initiative as a victory for affordable housing, public safety and manufacturing businesses. However, the Port of Seattle criticized the council's initiative as "rushed legislation that will directly harm our city's maritime and industrial operations," before filing a complaint seeking to block the project in April.

In a statement to Fox 13, the Port of Seattle lauded the board's decision as the "next step in righting the city's missteps in this land use process."

"The Port of Seattle appreciates the board’s ruling and remains steadfast in its defense of our maritime and industrial operations and lands," the port added.

If the city decides to push forward on the housing ordinance, it will have to fix the procedural issues flagged by the board by May 11, 2026, before resubmitting it for approval. It also remains to be seen if the current iteration of the city's government will continue to support the initiative, given that Nelson was defeated in her reelection bid earlier in November, and Mayor Bruce Harrell appears to be on track to lose his own reelection bid.