Multifamily Zoning Update
Overview

City Council Public Hearing on the Multifamily Code Update

The City Council’s Planning, Land Use, and Neighborhoods Committee has reviewed the Mayor’s proposed changes to multifamily zoning and has decided to split the proposal into two pieces of legislation. The first piece of legislation (Multifamily Bill #1) includes the following:

  • Revise the standards for midrise and highrise zones
  • Change parking requirements for all multifamily zones
  • Add rooftop height exceptions in all multifamily zones to encourage sustainable features, such as wind energy power generators
  • Simplify the code by combining the rules for small institutions (such as schools and child care centers) for single family and multifamily zones into one chapter, consolidating the use provisions in multifamily zones into a chart, and making similar improvements
  • Add incentive zoning options for midrise and highrise zones, including affordable housing, public open space, green street setbacks, and landmark preservation
  • Clarify measurement standards

Multifamily Bill #1 will be available on November 9, 2009 on the City Council’s website at www.seattle.gov/council/clark/2009MRHR.htm. Paper copies of the proposed legislation may be obtained on or after that date at the City Clerk’s Office on the third floor of Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue. The City Clerk’s Office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The second piece of multifamily legislation (Multifamily Bill #2), will primarily address standards for Lowrise zones and is scheduled to be adopted in 2010. A separate public hearing will be held on that bill, and further public notice will be provided.

The public hearing to take comments on Multifamily Bill #1 is scheduled for:

Monday, November 30, 2009
5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber
2nd floor, Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue

The entrances to City Hall are located on the west side of Fifth Avenue, and the east side of Fourth Avenue, between James and Cherry Streets. For those who wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available outside the Council Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing.

Questions concerning the public hearing may be directed to David Yeaworth in the offices of Councilmember Sally Clark, at (206) 684-8802 or via e-mail at david.yeaworth@seattle.gov. The City Council Chamber is accessible. Print and communications access is provided on prior request. Please contact David Yeaworth as soon as possible to request accommodations for a disability. For those unable to attend the public hearing, written comments may be sent to:

Councilmember Sally Clark
Legislative Department
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 2
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025
sally.clark@seattle.gov

Written comments should be received by Friday, November 27, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

Questions about Multifamily Bill #1 may be directed to City Council Central Staff:

Michael Jenkins
(206) 615-1674
michael.jenkins@seattle.gov

Rebecca Herzfeld
(206) 684-8148
rebecca.herzfeld@seattle.gov

Mayor's Proposal

For many Seattle residents, multifamily development is a valuable option for housing and can provide an entry into home ownership. However, this development must fit better into our neighborhoods, and we should expect these projects to be sensitive to the environment and give back to our community.

This is the first major update to our multifamily zoning in more than 20 years. Highlights include:

Better townhouse design.
New standards are proposed such as more front-facing windows and doors, and lower fences so townhouses fit better with their communities. Administrative Design Review for all townhouses is proposed in related legislation.

Protecting our single-family neighborhoods.
No zoning changes in single-family areas. Setbacks and other height restrictions would provide important transitions between multifamily and single-family zones.

Green construction and landscaping.
Improved landscaping requirements such as green roofs and vegetated walls, and green building standards in cases where additional development capacity is allowed.

Affordable housing.
In some areas zoned Lowrise 3 (for three-story apartment buildings), about 5% of the city’s land, an additional 7 feet would be allowed if the developer agrees to provide affordable housing. Some midrise, and highrise residential towers on First Hill, would also be eligible for additional height if contributions are made through the Work Force Housing Incentive program.

Together, our challenge is to direct development in ways that protect and preserve our communities. This proposal will balance our goals of managing growth wisely and securing more affordable housing, all while maintaining and enhancing our great neighborhoods.

 

Last Updated: November 10, 2009