Council News Release

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmember Sally Clark

Pike Pine Conservation Overlay District Legislation Approved
Council votes 9-0 to preserve character of neighborhood while encouraging new development

SEATTLE – Today, the City Council voted unanimously to approve land-use regulations introduced that are intended to preserve the Capitol Hill Pike/Pine neighborhood’s historic character. The legislation sponsored by Councilmember Tom Rasmussen provides incentives for developers to restore or to incorporate the neighborhood's unique older buildings into their redevelopment plans and also to limits the size of new buildings to keep development in scale with existing older buildings.

The goals of this legislation are to promote mixed-use development; encourage small, diverse local businesses; to save older buildings of character; and to retain and attract arts and cultural organizations.

Projects that retain buildings that are 75 years or older will be eligible for an additional ten feet for residential floors and will allow a somewhat larger building on the site . In addition, projects that provide for small commercial uses at the street level of structures and for arts facilities and theaters will be provided exemptions from some size limits.

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen said, “This is an important step in the city's work to fulfill the neighborhood plan to retain the unique character of the Pike/Pine and yet not stifle or discourage development.”

“This is just the beginning,” Rasmussen stated, “work has begun on the next phase of Pike/Pine legislation to create stronger incentives to restore and reuse the older buildings including the possible creation of a transfer of development rights (TDR) program or to strengthen the neighborhood design guidelines.”

Councilmember Sally Clark said, “As neighborhoods get discovered and re-discovered by new people, it's important to protect the qualities we value in the first place. The Pike-Pine Conservation Overlay District will help us maintain the culture and character that we appreciate in this neighborhood.”

Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Webcast live on the City Council’s website at www.seattle.gov/council . Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available on www.seattle.gov/council . Questions about Council news releases can be directed to Debra Carnes, Council Communications, at 206-684-8159, or by e-mail at debra.carnes@seattle.gov .

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City Council