DPD has been studying a variety of areas around the city to encourage new, and protect existing, walkable neighborhood business districts.
We met and talked with community groups about our preliminary recommendations, and conducted an online survey that closed April 30th. We have reviewed the feedback we received and prepared updated analysis and recommendations. A draft of our proposal is available for public review along with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review on the project webpage.
The proposal includes the following:
- Rezoning to add or expand pedestrian zone designations in 39 business districts
- Modifying Design Review departures available in pedestrian zones for ceiling height, transparency requirements, and residential uses at street level
- Expanding the list of allowed, active street-level uses
- Clarifying the transparency requirements to specify that transparent areas must allow views into and out of the structure at eye level, and that the width of a driveway at street level is not included when calculating the transparency requirement
- Adding a standard to require overhead weather protection for new development along a principal pedestrian street
- Eliminating waivers (reductions) to minimum parking standards specific to pedestrian zones
- Adding standards for live-work units
We continue to welcome your comments on the proposal. If you have comments or questions about this topic, please contact:
Aly Pennucci, AICP, Senior Planner
(206) 386-9132
aly.pennucci@seattle.gov