We have updated our preliminary staff recommendations for proposed pedestrian retail areas. We have also published notice of a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) on the proposed changes, as a part of the required State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. A DNS means that we don’t think there will be any negative environmental impacts caused by our proposal. The official SEPA comment period runs from September 18 through October 2 of 2014.
Revised SEPA Checklist
Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) has updated the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) rules. The new rules took effect on May 10. DOE has updated the SEPA Environmental Checklist and made some changes to SEPA exemptions.
Update on Lowrise Multifamily Code Corrections
On May 29, 2014, DPD published a public review draft of our proposed code adjustments for Lowrise multifamily zones. The changes respond to community input, and are meant to make new lowrise multifamily development a better fit within neighborhoods. In addition, DPD issued a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) for the proposed code changes. The SEPA comment period runs through June 12, 2014.
May Publication Updates
DPD released a new Tip about registering your rental property and updated the construction pre-submittal conference Tip. We also published a draft Director’s Rule on adjusting tenant relocation assistance amounts and a final Director’s Rule on updating the SEPA thresholds for urban centers and urban villages.
SEPA Exemption for Most Telecom Projects
July 28, a change to the Washington State SEPA regulations went into effect related to permits for telecommunication devices. Although Seattle’s SEPA Ordinance and SEPA Director’s Rules have not yet been updated, the state regulations apply to relevant permits in Seattle. Generally, the typical telecommunications applications for permit at DPD will no longer require SEPA.
February Publication Updates
We updated two client assistance memos and published two final director’s rules.
October 2012 Publication Updates
DPD’s publication updates this month include one udpated Client Assistance Memo and four final director’s rules.
Regulatory Reform Effective August 31
Mayor McGinn’s regulatory reform package went into effect August 31. The package will promote economic recovery by providing new code flexibility to encourage more investment and business startups in Seattle. By reducing “red tape” and streamlining environmental review processes, it will be easier for entrepreneurs to grow a business and provide new housing with greater flexibility in design. These reforms will help Seattle grow in ways that promote livability and sustainability and are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s “urban village” principles.
Regulatory Reform Passed by Council
On July 23, the City Council adopted Mayor McGinn’s regulatory reform package that will promote economic recovery by providing new code flexibility to encourage more investment and business startups in Seattle. By reducing “red tape” and streamlining environmental review processes, it will be easier for entrepreneurs to grow a business and provide new housing with greater flexibility in design. These reforms will help Seattle grow in ways that promote livability and sustainability and are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s “urban village” principles.
Regulatory Reform Proposal Public Hearing March 28
The City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Sustainability (PLUS) committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulatory reforms on March 28 at the Council chambers. This proposal, developed with the help of a roundtable group of environmental, development, labor and neighborhood leaders, was forwarded to the Council in February 2012. It includes several strategies meant to promote new housing development and entrepreneurial activity, and to enhance Seattle’s livability, environment and economic vitality.