Guidelines outlining the design objectives to be met by new commercial and multifamily development proposals within the Northgate and South Lake Union areas subject to design review were adopted by City Council on October 6, 2003.

These two sets of neighborhood-specific guidelines for the Northgate Urban Center & Overlay District and the South Lake Union Urban Village become effective on November 13, 2003, augmenting the existing Citywide Design Guidelines.

Northgate Guidelines
Building on urban design-related goals and recommendations included in the 1993 Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan, the Northgate Urban Center & Overlay District Design Guidelines are intended to provide methods and identify opportunities for new developments to make a positive contribution to the neighborhoods of Northgate. The guidelines will be used in conjunction with regulations that apply throughout the Northgate Overlay District.

South Lake Union Guidelines
The South Lake Union (SLU) Design Guidelines address architectural character, height, bulk and scale compatibility and the pedestrian environment. Existing development in the area is generally low-density. Many sites are developed below their zoned capacity, including a significant number of surface parking lots. The SLU design guidelines provide methods and techniques to ensure that new development is sensitive to existing scale, where appropriate. However, they also recognize that new developments can provide the opportunity for a broader mix of businesses and residential units and a gradually increased scale and intensity of development.

Background
A number of neighborhoods throughout the city have requested assistance in preparing neighborhood-specific design guidelines through the neighborhood planning process. Seattle's existing neighborhood-specific design guidelines address specific design concerns that have historical, cultural and architectural significance and offer many suggestions for how new developments can enhance the public realm by being sensitive to these issues.

The South Lake Union and Northgate design guidelines are the eighth and ninth set adopted by Council, to date. The Department of Planning and Development is currently completing work on guidelines for the Belltown, Lake City, Wallingford, Greenwood and Uptown neighborhoods. The City Council is anticipated to act on these neighborhood guidelines in early 2004.