Key components of this legislation include:
-
Rezoning Industrial (IC) zoned properties to Seattle Mixed (SM).
-
Establishing new development standards to ensure towers are well-spaced and floor plates are limited to preserve openness to the sky and public views through the neighborhood.
-
Ensuring active public spaces through well-designed ground floor retail along key streets, façade transparency and parking standards, and pedestrian pass-throughs on large blocks.
-
Strengthening incentives to preserve landmark properties and existing open spaces.
Under the proposed rezone, additional height and floor area may only be gained through the City’s incentive zoning program. The incentive zoning program requires that developers gain a portion of additional floor area through provision of affordable housing and the remainder gained by transferring development rights from rural forest and farmland. Under the transfer of development rights program, the County will give the City a portion of future property taxes generated on the value of new development to fund local infrastructure investments. The benefits of this incentive zoning program over the next 25 years includes:
-
$45 million in affordable housing investments.
-
$28 million in open space and transportation investments.
-
Preservation of over 25,000 acres of working farms and forests.
-
Funding for child care.
For more information, see DPD’s website, www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/slu, or contact
Jim Holmes
(206) 684-8372
jim.holmes@seattle.gov
