Building Connections » Building Connections http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov Department of Planning and Development news and events Wed, 22 May 2013 21:05:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 DPD Website Redesigned for Greater Usability http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/22/dpd-website-redesigned-for-greater-usability/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/22/dpd-website-redesigned-for-greater-usability/#comments Wed, 22 May 2013 21:05:09 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2658 Today the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) launched its newly redesigned website at: www.seattle.gov/dpd.   Our goal is to make the site easier for the public to use, with attention paid to both first time users as well as regular visitors to DPD’s website.  The new design is simpler, with “plain language” content, and is intended to increase the ability of the public to access DPD’s considerable online services and information related to development permits, long range land use planning, and code compliance, including online permit and plan submittals.

“We’ve worked hard to make our site easier to use!” said Diane Sugimura, DPD Director. “Over the years people have complimented us on the amount and type of information available, but … that it can be hard to find things. We took on the challenge to continue to provide more and more information, but organize it in a way that is easier to use and understand. Plain talk is our goal!”

Some of the changes at DPD’s website:

  • Mobile Friendly: ready for tablet, iPhone, or other mobile device.  Pages automatically resize to provide the best viewing experience.
  • Interactive Map:  an interactive map on the home page that lets you find property and zoning information, permit and complaint status, and permit activity by neighborhood, address, or intersection, all in a single search.
  • More Robust Search:  outdated web pages removed and remaining pages re-labeled to improve the DPD search function.
  • Common Projects and Questions Pages:  quick reference pages for permit and code requirements for the most commonly requested topics.
  • Permit Pages:  pages for each permit type that provide step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a permit for various types of projects.
  • Code Pages: overviews of codes, with easy access to the code and an easy way to learn about proposed changes.
  • Integrated Forms and Tips:  forms and Tips (formerly called CAMs) are now integrated into the permit, common project, and common question pages.
  • Streamlined City Planning Pages:  City Planning pages are consistently organized, including features about what’s happening and how to get involved.
  • Updated Population & Demographics Pages:  reorganized and streamlined to be more user-friendly.
  • Mega Menus:  main navigation items available from the mega menus along the top of the new site.
  • Tools & Resources:  online tools and resources combined on one page.

Feedback

DPD staff continues to look for ways to improve web services.  Feedback about the site and services can be made by clicking on Website Feedback found in the footer of our new web pages.

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/22/dpd-website-redesigned-for-greater-usability/feed/ 0 Capitol Hill Community Meeting Set http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/14/capitol-hill-community-meeting-set/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/14/capitol-hill-community-meeting-set/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 15:49:01 +0000 DPDweb http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2655 The Capitol Hill Champion invites you to a Community Catch-Up and Conversation on Monday, May 20, 2013. Learn about the work that has been done at the Sound Transit site on Broadway and be part of the conversation to shape what goes up when the red wall comes down. Find out what the next steps are and how you can be involved — comment and get your questions answered.

Monday, May 20, 2013
5:30 p.m. Social Hour
6-8 p.m. Presentations and Discussion
Broadway Performance Hall

Refreshments and kids table will be provided
For more information and to RSVP, contact caphilltod@gmail.com

The Capitol Hill Champion is a partnership of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Capitol Hill Community Council that focuses on the neighborhood priorities for the Sound Transit site on Broadway.

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/14/capitol-hill-community-meeting-set/feed/ 0 Development Agreement Proposed for Capitol Hill Light Rail Station Sites http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/13/development-agreement-proposed-for-capitol-hill-light-rail-station-sites/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/13/development-agreement-proposed-for-capitol-hill-light-rail-station-sites/#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 15:55:21 +0000 DPDweb http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2654 In October of 2011, the Urban Design Framework for the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station Sites was finalized. The Framework articulated a vision of the community for the redevelopment of the station sites, offering development guidance and design guidance to the future developers of the station sites. Shortly after the Framework was finalized, City and Sound Transit staff began negotiations on the terms of a development agreement that if approved by both the City and Sound Transit Board would outline development standards for the station sites that that vary from otherwise applicable development regulations in order to achieve goals outlined in the Framework. Those terms were outlined in a term sheet in October 2012 that describes the intended commitments by the City and Sound Transit to follow some of the development guidance offered in the Urban Design Framework.

The proposed development agreement has been drafted and will be considered by the Seattle City Council later this summer. Site-specific design guidelines that describe the design guidance are also proposed to be adopted by Seattle City Council. On May 13, 2013, the City published the SEPA determination and SEPA checklist on the legislation that recommends approval of the development agreement and site-specific design guidelines. Other documents available include the proposed legislation, the SEPA notice, the Director’s Report and Sound Transit’s Coordinated Development Plan (revised May 2013).

Legislation documents:
Proposed legislation
Proposed development agreement
Proposed site-specific design guidelines

Director’s Report

SEPA documents:
SEPA notice
SEPA checklist
SEPA determination

Other referenced documents:
Urban Design Framework
Sound Transit Coordinated Development Plan (revised May 2013)

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/13/development-agreement-proposed-for-capitol-hill-light-rail-station-sites/feed/ 0 Industrial Lands Website Undergoing Maintenance http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/08/industrial-lands-website-undergoing-maintenance/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/08/industrial-lands-website-undergoing-maintenance/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 11:10:18 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2641 Our Industrial Lands Study website is undergoing maintenance to prepare for our redesigned website launch later this month.  We’ve rolled the website back to our old information so that we can capture it for a new searchable archive site.  We will bring back our current content in a couple of weeks.

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/08/industrial-lands-website-undergoing-maintenance/feed/ 0 City Adopts South Lake Union Legislation http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/07/city-adopts-south-lake-union-legislation/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/07/city-adopts-south-lake-union-legislation/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 19:59:54 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2653 The City adopted South Lake Union legislation on May 6, 2013.  Read the adopted bill, and blog entries from the Mayor and City Council below:

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/07/city-adopts-south-lake-union-legislation/feed/ 0 City Council to Vote on Neighborhood Plan Goals and Policies http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/06/city-council-to-vote-on-neighborhood-plan-goals-and-policies/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/06/city-council-to-vote-on-neighborhood-plan-goals-and-policies/#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 23:51:28 +0000 DPDweb http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2649 On May 13th City Council will be voting on the Rainier Beach and Broadview/Bitter Lake/Haller Lake neighborhood plans goals and policies that were amended through the neighborhood plan update. These goals and policies provide direction to the City as we undertake projects and programs in support of the neighborhood plan. The Neighborhood Advisory Committee and City worked together to develop the amendments using the community’s input and review provided during the planning workshops and POEL workshops.

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/06/city-council-to-vote-on-neighborhood-plan-goals-and-policies/feed/ 0 Rental Registration and Inspection Stakeholder Meeting May 9 http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/06/rental-registration-and-inspection-stakeholder-meeting-may-9/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/06/rental-registration-and-inspection-stakeholder-meeting-may-9/#comments Mon, 06 May 2013 16:54:46 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2647 The Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance requires landlords to register all rental housing units in Seattle, from single family homes to large apartment buildings.  Registration will begin in early 2014 with large apartment buildings. 

We are committed to working with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that the RRIO program implements Council direction and also reflects the needs and interests of the community. Periodically, we will ask for input on specific topics, including fees, how to design and implement the weighted checklist that will describe how to meet the minimum required housing standards, how to best inform property owners and tenants about the requirements of the program, and education and training opportunities for inspectors and property owners. Earlier this year we held a series of meetings to discuss fees. Our meeting on May 9 (at 2:00 p.m.) will discuss the weighted checklist.  Meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to attend. Seating at the table is reserved for the designated stakeholders, the facilitator and City project staff. 

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/06/rental-registration-and-inspection-stakeholder-meeting-may-9/feed/ 0 Updating the City’s Stormwater Regulations http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/updating-the-citys-stormwater-regulations/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/updating-the-citys-stormwater-regulations/#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 18:16:45 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2645 Our stormwater code protects people, property, and the environment by controlling how rain water runs off of streets, buildings, and parking lots. This stormwater runoff can cause flooding, landslides, and erosion that can damage our homes, businesses, and property. Stormwater is also the main source for pollutants in our creeks, lakes, bays, and other waterways.

Urban areas that collect stormwater runoff in municipal separate storm sewers (MS4s) 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.

The Department of Ecology is requiring Seattle to update our current codes with additional stormwater control regulations as a condition of our NPDES permit. To meet these requirements, we are revising our existing Stormwater Code (SMC 22.800-22.808) and the associated Directors’ Rules. These new rules will replace the current drainage control code and Directors’ Rules which are administered jointly by DPD and Seattle Public Utilities.

The actual code changes are still to be determined. However, our regulations must be equivalent to Ecology’s NPDES 2012 Stormwater Manual. Our updates will address the following topics:

  • Public education, outreach, and involvement
  • Illicit discharge detection & elimination
  • Construction site stormwater runoff control
  • Pollution prevention, good housekeeping, and operation and maintenance
  • Post-construction stormwater management for new development and redevelopment, including low impact development
  • Monitoring
  • Structural stormwater controls
  • Source control

Timelines

For more information, a survey, and frequently asked questions, visit our Stormwater Code website at www.seattle.gov/dpd/codes/stormwatercode/Overview/.  

You can submit comments and join the Stormwater Code listserv by sending an email to stormwatercode@seattle.gov.

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/updating-the-citys-stormwater-regulations/feed/ 0 Ballard to Interbay Land Use Corridor Study http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/ballard-to-interbay-land-use-corridor-study/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/ballard-to-interbay-land-use-corridor-study/#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 18:13:49 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2644 For the past six months, we have been studying and thinking about the future of Interbay. Metro has introduced Rapid Ride giving residents and businesses more frequent transit. New apartments and offices are under construction. New businesses have joined long-standing ones to become part of an increasingly diverse business community.

We shared our preliminary recommendations for future land use at a community meeting on April 29. Over 50 people attended to learn more and let us know what they thought. Two additional briefings are scheduled for the the Ballard District Council Meeting (May 8 at 7:00 p.m.) and the Magnolia Community Club (May 9 at 7:00 p.m.). You can also provide your feedback online through the end of May.

]]> http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/ballard-to-interbay-land-use-corridor-study/feed/ 0 March Permit Turnaround Times http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/march-permit-turnaround-times-2/ http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2013/05/03/march-permit-turnaround-times-2/#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 18:12:33 +0000 CallisM http://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/?p=2643 DPD is committed to providing good customer service to its applicants. The permit turnaround data is updated monthly online and can be viewed at www.seattle.gov/dpd/resourcecenter (go to “Turnaround/Approval Times 2013“).

Type of Permit

Goal

Mar. 2013 Performance

Simple Building IP*

80% in 48 Hours

93.1%

Medium Construction IP

80% in 2 Weeks

30.4% (82.1% in 3 weeks)

Complex Construction IP

80% in 8 Weeks

77.5%

Construction Issuance

90% in 120 Days

94.9%

Master Use Permit Decisions

80% in 120 Days

84.3%

*IP: Initial Plan Review by DPD staff

 

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