Seattle Green Factor, an innovative landscaping standard first implemented in 2007, has won recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) at national and state levels.
Archives for May 2010
New Federal Lead Requirements and How They Affect You…
On April 22, EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule went into effect. The rule requires contractors performing renovation, repair or painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities, and schools built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Thomas Street Concept Plan Public Meeting
On Tuesday, May 25, 2010, DPD will hold a public meeting to present draft design concepts for Thomas Street.
After extensive input from neighborhood groups and property owners, DPD urban designers are developing a concept plan for Thomas St. from Eastlake Avenue to Myrtle Edwards Park, passing through South Lake Union, Seattle Center, and Uptown. Although currently divided by Aurora, Thomas St. will be reconnected as one continuous surface road when the North Portal of the waterfront tunnel is completed. This will create an important new pedestrian connection between neighborhoods.
EPlan Review Pilot Project Update
Electronic plan submission and review is now in the pilot project stage. DPD will be working with 45 applicants to develop processes and technology for electronic submission and review of plan sets for building and land use permits.
Modernization of the Self-Issued Electrical Permit System
DPD’s system for self-issued electrical permits is due to be upgraded this summer. The new system will have the capability to handle additional permit items now acceptable for online issuance.
DPD Business Closure on May 28
As you’ve probably heard, many in the City will be taking unpaid furlough days due to the City’s current financial situation. This includes DPD. In an effort to continue meeting our customer service objectives and recognizing the range of resources needed on any given day, DPD’s offices will be closed ten days in 2010, rather than having partial resources available some days. The 2010 dates fall on Fridays except Thursday, Dec. 23.
DPD Permit Turnaround Times, Mar. 2010
DPD is committed to providing good customer service to its applicants. The permit turnaround data is updated monthly.
Advisory Board Discussion of the Draft 2009 Seattle Energy Code
After three months of public review, the draft 2009 Seattle Energy Code is moving to the next phase in the process. After several public review meetings, DPD and Seattle City Light staff met to decide on initial staff recommendations for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code. These recommendations were subsequently forwarded to DPD’s Construction Code Advisory Board (CCAB).
Council Proposal for New Lowrise Multifamily Zoning
The City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment’s proposal for new lowrise multifamily zoning is available for public review. The proposed legislation would amend the Land Use Code, Seattle’s policies pursuant to the Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Tree Regulations to update lowrise zoning and other provisions.
Comprehensive Plan Amendments in 2010
Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, Toward a Sustainable Seattle, guides decisions about growth over a 20-year horizon by articulating goals and policies that accommodate growth while preserving what Seattle citizens value about our city and region. The Comprehensive Plan annual amendments cycle provides an opportunity to propose amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan that address changing conditions or emerging issues. On March 29, 2010, the City Council approved Ordinance 123267, amending the Comprehensive Plan.