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News and information
Status Check: Seattle Citizens Assess Their Communities and Neighborhood Plans
In the summer of 2009 the Planning Commission helped convene a
discussion with people who live, work, have businesses and go
to school in 24 of Seattle’s neighborhoods to ‘check-in’ on current
status of their neighborhood plans and changes in neighborhoods
since the plans were adopted a decade ago. This one-year assessment
of neighborhood plans will contribute to City decisions including
whether or how to update neighborhood plans.
Click for Intro
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What We Heard
Go to Introduction to Neighborhood Planning for background on this the neighborhood plan status check and also to access several additional reports produced by the Commission that help to document what we heard from the neighborhoods.
NOTE: Introduction to Neighborhood Planning is where you will find:
- Background on neighborhood planning and status check efforts
- More information about the Seattle Planning Commission and their role in Neighborhood Planning
- Easy navigation to reports that document the Summary of Neighborhood Discussion Meetings & Transcripts of online Questionnaire Responses
(See Page 7 – ‘Document Links’ bookmark for easy navigation to other reports)
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Click for Summary
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An executive summary was prepared that highlights and compares the feedback gathered in response to two ways: (1) at a series of open house meetings that included neighborhood discussions for each neighborhood and (2) a virtual meetings that included an online questionnaire.
To learn more information, please visit the Neighborhood Planning website. |
Commission urges City Council to support Backyard Cottage legislation
Backyard Cottages generally provide lower cost rental housing options, an opportunity for homeowners to offset the cost of their homeownership, and housing for extended family members. The Commission has been on record urging the City to move forward with legislation to permit Backyard Cottages in single family zones throughout the entire city since 2003. To view comments please click here.
Commission urges preserving the maximum height and unit size and suggests solutions for addressing privacy, design and how to be a good neighbor
On October 6, 2009 the Commission sent follow up comments to City Council about how to best consider balancing the development standards to ensure that backyard cottages remain a truly feasible option for anyone other than a single person household. The commission also suggests solutions for addressing privacy, design and how to be a good neighbor. To view comments, click here.
Backyard Cottage Guide Released!
 The Planning Commission and DPD have released "A Guide to Building a Backyard Cottage in Southeast Seattle" to help a homeowner successfully design and build a backyard cottage. Subjects in the guide include site planning, designing for privacy, green design ideas, as well as sample designs and construction and permitting information. Download the Guide here.
For more information about backyard cottages with pictures and examples click here.
Multifamily Housing Code -
The Commission is working closely with city officials to update to the Multifamily Housing Code.
Commission supports revised legislation for MR and HR zones
The Commission supports PLUNC’s revisions to the MR and HR zones that provide more flexibility for highrise buildings, parking, sustainable development standards and the Green Factor.
Commission provides further advice on proposed changes to the multifamily code
The Commission supports the proposed legislation as a step in the right direction but suggests that more could be done related to parking, height, highrise zones, sustainable design and the Green Factor.
SPC urges City Council to be bolder and revise specific details of the proposed legislation before adopting it
Multifamily housing by its very nature creates denser and more compact neighborhoods that add significantly to sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint. Evidence abounds that this land use pattern positively affects personal transportation choices, supports public transit, and generally requires less energy per unit to build and maintain a single family dwelling.
Commission encourages City Council to go further on Mid-rise and High-rise Code Changes
The high densities permitted in Seattle’s Mid- and High-rise zones can help make them lively and sustainable places to live. The Commission believes that by simplifying regulations, reducing parking requirements, and encouraging affordable housing, the inherent qualities of these zones can be built upon.
Townhouses are a housing type causing a lot of discussion in Seattle. This slideshow explores some of the issues with the current multifamily housing code as it relates to the development of townhouse.
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