The second public hearing on multifamily lowrise zoning and streamlined design review for townhouses was held on Monday, November 22.
2009 Seattle Energy Code Approved
The 2009 Seattle Energy Code has now been approved. City Council approved the 2009 Seattle Energy Code on October 18, 2010. The Mayor signed the legislation on October 22, 2010.
Comprehensive Plan Update
This month the City Council adopted a resolution naming the topics that will be examined for possible inclusion in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, as part of the annual amendment process. The topics include: a new marine container element required by state law; a measurable goal for reducing the amount of vehicle miles traveled in the city; revised shoreline policies as part of the mandated update of the City’s Shoreline Master Program; authorization for a new type of review for very large sites in urban centers; updated neighborhood plans for North Beacon Hill, North Rainier and Othello neighborhoods; expansion of the 23rd/Jackson urban village boundary.
Northgate Design Guidelines Under Review by City Council
The City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment (COBE) is currently reviewing proposed updates to Northgate’s Urban Center & Overlay District Design Guidelines. Council will hold a public hearing to take comments on June 23rd, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. in the Council’s Chamber, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue.
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.
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.