Seattle Commissions
Seattle Design Commission
The Seattle Design Commission plays a crucial role in evaluating projects that propose the vacation of a street or alley to enable new development, the construction of a new skybridge, or the reauthorization of an existing skybridge. They advise the Seattle Department of Transportation on whether the street or alley vacation negatively impacts the remaining right-of-way and how those impacts can be mitigated through proposed public benefits. Public benefits mainly include public space improvements such as widened sidewalks, new open spaces, or enhancements to the surrounding streets or alleys.
Seattle Planning Commission
The Seattle Planning Commission serves as an active and collaborative thought partner on land-use related long-range plans, policies and projects for departments across the City. They advise city staff from departments such as OPCD, Seattle Department of Transportation, the Office of Housing, and the Office of Sustainability and Environment. They also provide advice directly to the Mayor’s office and City Council on plans, policies legislation, and commission-directed independent research.