Northgate Revitalization
Northgate Urban Center Rezone EIS


(Click here for a bigger version of the above sketch.)

Northgate Urban Center Rezone Final EIS Published
DPD published a Final EIS on December 21, 2009, completing the environmental review process for these rezone concepts.  One new alternative was analyzed in the Final EIS, and comments submitted following the Draft EIS are responded to in the Final EIS.  The combination of the Draft and Final EISs together comprise the full EIS study.  None of the alternatives is preferred at this time. 

Notice of Final EIS Availability

Northgate Urban Center Rezone Proposal

The mayor's office is evaluating next steps on possible rezones outlined in 2009.  The choices could include a "legislative rezone" initiated by the City, or advising property owners to propose rezones for their properties, which is a "contract rezone."  Other steps in past planing efforts are summarized below.

Following a design workshop in late 2006, the City began early discussions with the Northgate community regarding the option of legislatively upzoning properties along or adjacent to a portion of Northgate Way (generally from Meridian Avenue to Roosevelt Way) to help encourage and focus additional residential and mixed-use development in this important corridor. In April 2007, the Northgate Stakeholders Group transmitted an advice memo to the Mayor and City Council expressing support for considering legislative rezoning actions that could further Northgate revitalization by increasing density and heights (up to 125 feet) in the Urban Center. The Stakeholders also reaffirmed the importance of implementing the CTIP improvements and using incentives to achieve public benefits for affordable housing and open space.

Environmental Impact Statement
DPD published a Final EIS on December 21, 2009, completing the environmental review process for zone options near Northgate Way.  One new alternative was analyzed in the Final EIS, and comments submitted following the Draft EIS are responded to in the Final EIS.  The combination of the Draft and Final EISs together comprise the full EIS study.  None of the alternatives is preferred at this time.

DPD published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in May 2008, consistent with the requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), for zone options near Northgate Way (generally from Meridian Ave to Roosevelt Way). If approved, a rezone would increase the permitted intensity and height of development on parcels currently zoned L3, L4, MR-60, NC3-40 and NC3-85. No single family zones were considered in this proposal. The rezone area includes three large “opportunity sites” in Northgate (owned by Mullally, Wallace and Kauri) as well as other private properties.

Notice of Availability of DEIS 

May 28, 2008 Public Comment Meeting
A public meeting to accept verbal comments on the Draft EIS was held on May 28, 2008.

The City intends to use the EIS, and its discussion of impacts, to help develop a preferred rezoning alternative; a final proposal has not been developed at this time. In general, the goal is to construct and examine alternatives that can increase development intensity within the carrying capacity of important environmental resources, the urban environment and the transportation system. Mitigation measures will help to identify public benefits and incentives, as well as other requirements for addressing significant environmental impacts.

Major issues considered in the EIS include: water quality, drainage and critical areas; land use, bulk and scale, housing, parks and recreation; views, shadows, and light and glare; transportation and parking; construction impacts, and air quality. The EIS builds on the analysis in the CTIP EIS.

The SEPA process provided several opportunities for public input. This was a 30-day scoping comment period (April 16 -May 16, 2007) and a public scoping meeting (May 3, 2007) to help identify the issues and alternatives that should be considered in the EIS. Upon publication of the Draft EIS, there was a public hearing and a public comment period in mid-2008. All comments received on the Draft EIS were responded to in the Final EIS.

For information about the EIS contact:

Gordon Clowers
Department of Planning & Development
(206) 684-8375
gordon.clowers@seattle.gov

EIS Background Documents

  

Last Updated:

July 19, 2010