In March, DPD hosted a series of three meetings (located in Ballard, Interbay, and Georgetown) to discuss proposed industrial lands policies that are part of Seattle 2035, the City’s major comprehensive plan update. The proposed manufacturing/industrial center (M/IC) land use policy amendments emerged from a 2013 study of the Greater Duwamish Manufacturing and Industrial Center.
If implemented, the proposed land use policies would apply to all designated M/IC lands and would mean:
- No new Industrial Commercial (IC) zoning would be allowed in a designated M/IC
- Land could not be removed from a designated manufacturing/industrial center unless:
- The proposed use for the land is identified
- There is insufficient, appropriately-zoned land elsewhere in the city for the proposed use
- The proposed use would not displace an existing industrial use
- The proposed use would not adversely affect nearby industrial operations
Over one hundred people turned out for the community meetings and we had several thoughtful discussions and collected many written comments. We have also received over 200 responses to our online surveys.
What Did We Hear?
The three meetings attracted mostly residents living in or near a designated M/IC area. Roughly 50 percent of the people we heard from identified as residents, approximately 20 percent as property owners, and another 20 percent as working in or owning a business in an M/IC. Other participants stated they were just interested in the policy discussion in general.
Responses to the proposed policies covered a wide range of opinions. From “The proposed policy does not adequately protect M/IC designated land; it contains too many exceptions and loopholes” to “I do not think this is a good policy for industrial areas. It does not provide enough flexibility to change the zoning based on future needs.”
A wide range of comments, suggestions, and concerns was shared. Some people cited unique sites they felt should be exempted from the policies, or be allowed to develop with certain non-industrial uses. People also shared concerns regarding environmental protection, recreation, transportation, and public safety-related issues within the M/IC areas.
City staff will consider all the comments and suggestions received during these meetings and via the online survey as we finalize the proposed industrial lands policy. We will share public input received with the City Council during their deliberations on the proposed policies in 2016 as part of the major Comprehensive Plan update.
If you missed the meetings, check out DPD’s Industrial Lands website where you can find links to the meeting display boards and presentations. We are currently working on a more detailed summary of the comments received and will update the website later this month.
If you have questions about the proposed industrial lands policies please contact:
Tom Hauger
(206) 684-8380
tom.hauger@seattle.gov