Seattle now allows small cafes and markets throughout residential neighborhoods, ending decades-old zoning rules that largely banned new businesses in those areas.

Why it matters: The goal is to create walkable neighborhoods where people can buy groceries, grab a bite to eat or run errands on foot — a strategy that also helps support small local retailers, Seattle City Council president Joy Hollingsworth told Axios.

Catch up quick: Seattle's new rules took effect Jan. 21, allowing specific types of ground-floor retail stores on residential blocks throughout the city.

• Businesses are capped at 2,500 square feet, limited to certain retail and food uses, and are required to close overnight from 10pm to 6am.
• The City Council approved the changes in December.

State of play: Seattle now has only a few such businesses tucked into residential neighborhoods.

• Those are largely grandfathered in under older zoning policies, before the city established rules limiting businesses from operating in residential areas.

Some of the holdovers include Seven Market & Cafe in Ravenna, Irwin's Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe in Wallingford, and Volunteer Park Cafe in Capitol Hill.

What they're saying: These types of businesses "create that sense of community within a neighborhood," said Hollingsworth, who sponsored the ordinance updating the zoning rules.

• Corner markets can also help ensure people have access to groceries and other staples, she said.
• That's particularly important given the recent closures of big retailers such as the Fred Meyer in Lake City, the Whole Foods in Capitol Hill and the Amazon Fresh in the Central District, Hollingsworth noted.

Zoom in: It's not yet clear whether anyone has applied to open neighborhood stores under Seattle's updated rules.

• City officials say they don't track permit data in a way that would easily show that, and the zoning change only took effect last month.

The big picture: A bill before the Legislature would require cities across Washington to allow similar neighborhood businesses. It has passed the House and awaits Senate action.

What we're watching: Whether entrepreneurs take advantage of Seattle's new rules and open corner stores in neighborhoods that haven't seen one in decades.

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"I don't think I've ever talked for as long as I'm about to talk, so we'll see how it goes."

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Sound Transit light rail trains now run through central Seattle every four minutes at peak times.

Why it matters: The updated schedule doubles train frequency between Lynnwood and Seattle's Chinatown–International District, cutting wait times for riders.

Zoom in: The added service comes as Sound Transit tests new trains that will eventually carry riders from Lynnwood to the Eastside.

• While Line 2 service across Lake Washington won't open until March 28, riders now can board the test trains along the stretch that overlaps with existing Line 1.
• The increased train frequency will continue along that stretch once the new East Link service is fully operational.

Yes, but: If you're headed farther south, you'll need to transfer at the Chinatown–International District stop.

• Line 2 trains don't continue to south Seattle or Federal Way.

The changes rolled out Friday.