Today the Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) released for public comment a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan Update. This a major milestone towards an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan which plots a 20-year vision and roadmap for Seattle’s future growth and livability. The Draft EIS provides detailed information on various growth alternatives, their potential impacts to the environment, and proposed mitigation strategies. The City wants your voice to be heard as we refine strategies for accommodating growth for the benefit of all.
The Draft EIS studied four growth alternatives to determine how future growth will impact Seattle. Each alternative assumes the same amount of future growth – 120,000 people and 115,000 new jobs by 2035. As a companion to the Draft EIS, the City has also released an Equity Analysis, which looks at how future growth will affect diverse populations, including low-income people, people of color, and English-language learners. The Equity Analysis will help inform potential strategies to reduce growth impacts and maximize opportunity so that everyone can succeed and thrive as Seattle grows.
“Seattle’s new Comprehensive Plan will be our blueprint for a more walkable, livable community,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “Race and social justice must be a foundational value as we update our plan. In the coming years, we need to encourage healthy growth and prosperity for all our diverse communities.”
By 2035, Seattle will gain thousands of new people and jobs, and become more diverse than ever before. How Seattle grows over the next 20 years will have a lasting effect on the environment, quality of life, and economy. The updated Comprehensive Plan will guide how Seattle grows, and covers things like housing, land use, transportation, environment, utilities, capital facilities, parks, and neighborhoods.
DPD is seeking input and comments from the public on the Draft EIS during the 45-day comment period.
How to provide feedback on the Draft EIS:
- Visit our online open house to learn about the findings of the Draft EIS and take the online survey
- Attend the public hearing and open house on May 27, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Bertha Knight Landes Room (600 4th Avenue).
- Submit comments on the Draft EIS online, via email to 2035@seattle.gov, or in writing to:
City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development
Attn: Gordon Clowers
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000
PO Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124
Comments must be postmarked no later than June 18, 2015.
Feedback received on the Draft EIS will help inform future City goals, policies and guide how Seattle grows over the next 20 years.
The Draft EIS can also be viewed on the project website.