On May 29, 2014 we published a full draft of our proposed code adjustments for Minimum Density. We also published a notice of a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) on the proposed rules, as part of the required State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The SEPA comment period runs through June 12, 2014.
Archives for May 2014
Help Shape the Key Directions for Seattle 2035
By 2035, Seattle will add 120,000 people and 115,000 jobs. On June 24 you can weigh in on key directions for Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan to guide this growth. You’ve spoken up about what you want to see in Seattle. Much of the Comprehensive Plan is already headed in the right direction, but some changes are needed. These changes are part of Seattle 2035, DPD’s effort to update the Comprehensive Plan. We want to know what you think is the best way forward.
Update on Lowrise Multifamily Code Corrections
On May 29, 2014, DPD published a public review draft of our proposed code adjustments for Lowrise multifamily zones. The changes respond to community input, and are meant to make new lowrise multifamily development a better fit within neighborhoods. In addition, DPD issued a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) for the proposed code changes. The SEPA comment period runs through June 12, 2014.
City Council to Review Proposed Changes to the Living Building and Seattle Deep Green Pilot Program
Mayor Ed Murray delivered proposed changes for the Living Building and Seattle Deep Green Pilot Program to the City Council for consideration. At this time, the proposed changes eliminate the Deep Green option to focus the pilot program on Living Buildings. Meanwhile, DPD will continue to develop recommendations for updated new Seattle Deep Green option. We are working with a Technical Advisory Group to develop our recommendations.
New Requirements for Construction and Demolition Waste
Starting July 1, 2014, all construction and demolition projects will need to comply with new construction and demolition waste requirements before we issue a permit. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and DPD are working together to increase recycling and salvage rates in an effort to achieve the city’s landfill diversion goals. Seattle’s current goal is to divert 70 percent of construction and demolition waste from landfills by the year 2020. Certain materials are easy to either salvage or recycle, so we now ban asphalt paving, brick, concrete, metal, cardboard, and new gypsum scrap from being sent to a landfill for disposal within the city of Seattle.
Reminder: Draft Stormwater Regulations Ready for Public Review
Urban areas that collect stormwater runoff in municipal separate storm sewers and discharge it to surface waters must have a permit under the federal Clean Water Act. The Department of Ecology develops and administers National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permits in Washington State. Our regulations must be equivalent to Ecology’s NPDES 2012 Stormwater Manual. To meet these requirements, we are revising our existing Stormwater Code and associated Directors’ Rules. We are holding a public meeting on June 3 to discuss our revised stormwater regulations and to get your feedback.
April 2014 Permit Turnaround Times
View DPD Permit Turnaround Times for April 2014.
U District EIS Comment Period Extended to June 23
Our U District draft EIS evaluates potential map and text amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code (Seattle Municipal Code Title 23) to allow greater height and density in our U District study area. Zoning changes would be accompanied by an affordable housing incentive program and incentives for open space and other neighborhood amenities, and by development standards regulating setbacks, tower separation, and street frontage. We are extending the deadline for written comments on DPD’s U District Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from June 9 to June 23.
May Publication Updates
DPD released a new Tip about registering your rental property and updated the construction pre-submittal conference Tip. We also published a draft Director’s Rule on adjusting tenant relocation assistance amounts and a final Director’s Rule on updating the SEPA thresholds for urban centers and urban villages.
U District Green Streets and EIS
A lot is happening in the U District! April saw milestones for two ongoing projects. First, we’ve released draft streetscape designs for Brooklyn Ave NE, NE 43rd St., and NE 42nd St. Second, we’re requesting public comments on the U District Urban Design Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).