Mayor Greg Nickels and the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) released final Executive Recommendations from the Livable South Downtown Planning Study today. Recommendations include proposed Land Use Code amendments for areas within the South Downtown planning area:   Pioneer Square, Chinatown/ International District, Little Saigon and other areas east of Interstate 5, and land around the stadiums and at the northern edge of the Greater Duwamish Manufacturing Industrial Center. 

“This is part of our strategy to encourage development downtown, to make Seattle a place where jobs and homes are close to each other. The recommendations combine smart growth, economic investment and community character to create a truly vibrant neighborhood,” said Mayor Greg Nickels.  

The Livable South Downtown Executive Recommendations is a result of extensive community engagement; environmental, transportation, and economic analyses; urban design evaluation; and coordination with City departments that provide services to South Downtown neighborhoods. 

Recommended Land Use Code amendments are intended to: 

• Support the goals and policies of neighborhood plans and the Seattle Comprehensive Plan;
• Increase allowable heights and densities in certain areas of South Downtown;
• Encourage investment in jobs and residences;
• Create new programs to encourage rehabilitation of historic buildings,  new open space, and affordable housing;  
• Strengthen the pedestrian-orientation and design of future projects; and
• Require environmental performance of future construction projects. 

City Council deliberation on the legislation is not anticipated until 2010. 

Information about the Livable South Downtown Planning Study can be found at www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/South_Downtown/.