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Commission supports Roosevelt rezone Option 2
On December 13, 2011 we provided comments to City Council in support of rezone Option 2 in the Roosevelt light rail station area. The Commission has been closely tracking this project for many years. Our Seattle Transit Communities report identified this area as one of the city’s 14 transit communities with the most urgent near-term planning needs; we further identified the ‘high school blocks’ as some of the key potential redevelopment sites. Read our recommendations here.
 Housing Seattle, a report by the Planning Commission analyzes housing information from the Census, American Community Survey as well as market data and provides an action strategy to address important gaps in Seattle’s housing market and disparities among certain segments of the population."Seattle is a stronger, more prosperous city when we have a diversity of people able to live and work here." stated Planning Commission Chair Leslie Miller.
View a PDF of the report.
Commission supports West Seattle Triangle Rezone
On November 8, 2011 we provided comments to City Council in support the of zoning proposal by DPD for the West Seattle Triangle. While the Commission proposes a few modest changes we feel the rezone is a well-conceived, thoughtful proposal and along with the Urban Design Framework and Streetscape Concept Plan, does an impressive job of equitably accommodating new households and businesses while taking into consideration preserving and enhancing important community assets. Read our recommendations here.
On August 10, 2011 we recommended that the Seattle Transit Benefit District move forward with a referendum that considers an $80 Vehicle License Fee – which would generate revenues up to $27.2 million annually. These new revenue sources would help the City maintain our streets, add important safety measures, optimize existing transit service and construct the important downtown Rapid Streetcar connection and high capacity transit for the Ballard or Eastlake corridors. Read our recommendations here.
On June 29th we recommended a Citywide Transit Communities Policy to maximize transit investment in Roosevelt, Capitol Hill, Mt. Baker, Beacon Hill, Othello, South Lake Union, West Seattle Triangle, and other Seattle Transit Communities. Read it here
Seattle Transit Communities Online!
The SPC has launched the online version of Seattle Transit Communities - Integrating Neighborhoods with Transit.
The online report lets you easily navigate the Introduction, 4 Typologies, 14 Priorities, Recommendations, and Tools. Other features include an interactive Flash movie, funding and implementation tools, a navigable map of the 41 transit communities, and more! |
A blueprint to capitalize on investments made in transit, our report is a primer on creating vibrant and successfully transit communities.
- Why transit communities matter and what makes them successful.
- 4 typologies for Seattle that guide land use and identify essential components of livability.
- Recommendations to support transformative change.
- Funding and implementation tools to build transit communities.
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 South Downtown Neighborhoods
February 3, 2011 – Planning Commission outlines the essential components of livability and specific actions for the city’s South Downtown “Livability Resolution” – a companion piece to the land use ordinance that will help enhance South Downtown. Our recommendations highlight important public investment in the pedestrian realm, public safety, support for business districts, and code enforcement.
September 23, 2010 – Commission supports the proposed zoning changes for South Downtown Neighborhoods.
Vision for a Sustainable City
 VMT's, Marine Cargo, Neighborhood Plans and more (2010 Comp Plan amendments)
On January 31, 2011 the Commission recommended amending Seattle's Comprehensive Plan to include adding a new Marine Cargo element, the addition of a new implementation tool for large redevelopment projects such as Yesler Terrace, and updates to several neighborhood plans. We also recommend holding the proposal that adds goals for vehicle miles traveled (VMT) until the City completes analysis that will act as a roadmap to achieve Seattle's goal to become carbon neutral.
Commission makes recommendations on which proposals to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan should be considered in the 2010/2011 amendment cycle.
Read the Commission's 2010 recommendations to City Council here.
Affordable Housing and 2010 Comprehensive Plan Annual Amendments
Read our May 21, 2010 letter to Council that highlights of the Commission's work over the past two years implementing the nine strategies of the Commission's 2008 Affordable Housing Action Agenda. The letter outlines several pressing priorities that need swift attention. In addition the attached letter provides a small taste of the Commission's Affordability Trends Report that will be released later this year.
 Renew and adjust Multifamily Tax Exemption Program
On January 20, 2011 we recommended Council renewal of the successful Multifamily Tax Exemption program. The program has proven successful over the years in meeting housing goals and providing equitable housing throughout the City.
Updated Backyard Cottage Guide Released!
The Planning Commission and the Department of Planning and development have released an updated version of their incredibly successful A Guide to Building a Backyard Cottage which helps a homeowner successfully design and build a backyard cottage. The Guide now reflects the December 2009 legislation allowing backyard cottages citywide.
Seattle Neighborhood Planning Outreach and Engagement Earns Governor's Smart Communities Award
City of Seattle has won a Judges Merit Award for its innovative civic engagement efforts for Neighborhood Planning Updates and Status Check. Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the winners of her 2010 Smart Communities Awards for creating livable communities in Washington State. The award is jointly earned by the Seattle Planning Commission, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development for Neighborhood Planning Outreach and Engagement. It highlights two distinct and innovative approaches to public participation; The Planning Outreach Liaison work and the "Status Check" process (specifically the virtual meeting hosted by the Planning Commission). Read the entire June 7, 2010 Press release
To see the full award submission
Recommendations on future Neighborhood Plan updates
After a yearlong effort in 2009 to assess 24 of the 38 adopted neighborhood plans the Commission presents advice on whether or how to update neighborhood plans now and in the future. It includes findings and recommendations as follows;
- Which plans should be updated including criteria for deciding on when an update is warranted.
- Other planning and implementation tools that may be more appropriate than a full scale Neighborhood Plan update for some areas of the city where focused attention is needed.
- Community engagement in neighborhood planning.
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 civic engagement effort helped us better understand the perceptions of the community regarding changes in their neighborhoods and how well the plans are working.
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