After conducting a comprehensive status check on 24 of Seattle’s Neighborhood Plans, the Seattle Planning Commission released Findings & Recommendations: Future Neighborhood Plan Updates on April 8, 2010. During a lengthy deliberative process, commissioners recorded neighbors’ comments and concerns in citywide meetings and reviewed the feedback submitted by nearly 5,000 constituents in an online forum designed to broaden the participation pool. Adding their own expertise and viewing the findings through an objective lens, the commissioners were able to formulate a set of recommendations and findings to help guide city officials and neighbors as the neighborhood plan process moves forward.
Neighborhood Plan Update Action Teams Kick-Off
In 2009 over 1,500 people helped plan the future of their neighborhoods in North Beacon, North Rainier and Othello. Now it’s time to get things done. Come help prioritize next steps and sign up for project action teams.
Proposed Urban Agriculture Code Changes Released
The proposed urban agriculture legislation includes recommendations to add and/or clarify definitions of key agricultural terms; expand opportunities for community gardens and urban farms in all zones; allow a 15-foot exception to height limits for rooftop greenhouses dedicated to food production; add farmers’ markets to the definition of a “multipurpose retail sales” use; increase the number of domestic fowl allowed on a lot from three to eight; and, allow existing urban horse farms greater than ten acres to operate as a permitted use in single-family zones.
Multifamily Code Update
The City Council began its review of multifamily zoning in March 2009. In August, 2009, the Planning, Land Use, and Neighborhoods Committee (PLUNC) decided to split the proposal into two parts, beginning with changes to the Midrise and Highrise zones. The Council adopted amendments to those two zones in December 2009.
Phase two of the multifamily code update addresses the Lowrise zones and other issues remaining from last year. The City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment, formerly PLUNC, identified a list of issues to be examined and a schedule in February 2010.
Legalizing Backyard Cottages
The City of Seattle wants to remind homeowners of the grace period through June 30 for legalizing existing unauthorized backyard cottages. Under new regulations that went into effect December 4, 2009, backyard cottages became legal throughout Seattle. Previously, backyard cottages, also known as detached accessory dwelling units or DADUs, had been allowed only in southeast Seattle neighborhoods since 2006. Included in the December legislation is a grace period that allows owners of existing, unauthorized backyard cottages the opportunity to legalize their unit without penalty. Owners have until June 30, 2010 to apply for a building permit and until December 31, 2010 to obtain final inspection of the unit.
Comments Sought on New Citywide Design Guidelines
The City’s design guidelines, entitled Design Review: Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings, have been the cornerstone of Seattle’s Design Review Program since 1994. In 2008, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) initiated a process to update the 16-year-old citywide guidelines, and recently released a draft for public review.
Creating a Great Central Waterfront
Four Community Meetings Coming in March What makes Seattle’s waterfront unique? What tools will Seattle need to create a great central waterfront? How will we keep it active and inviting for generations to come? How can public and private partners set the stage for future success? The viaduct replacement project provides a unique opportunity for […]
Marshall Foster New Seattle Planning Director
Diane Sugimura, director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), today announced the appointment of Marshall Foster as Seattle city planning director. The city planning director oversees all aspects of Seattle’s comprehensive and regional planning, land use policy, neighborhood planning, urban design, green building, and the work of the Seattle Design and Planning Commissions. The city planning director reports to the head of DPD.
Citywide Design Guidelines Update
The City’s design guidelines, entitled Design Review: Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings, have been the cornerstone of the Design Review Program since 1994. In 2008 DPD initiated a process to update the 16-year-old citywide guidelines, and is now releasing a first draft for public review.
Legalizing Backyard Cottages
The City of Seattle wants to remind homeowners of the grace period through June 30 for legalizing existing unauthorized backyard cottages. Under new regulations that went into effect December 4, 2009, backyard cottages became legal throughout Seattle. Previously, backyard cottages, also known as detached accessory dwelling units or DADUs, had been allowed only in southeast Seattle neighborhoods since 2006. Included in the December legislation is a grace period that allows owners of existing, unauthorized backyard cottages the opportunity to legalize their unit without penalty. Owners have until June 30, 2010 to apply for a building permit and until December 31, 2010 to obtain final inspection of the unit.