This change in tradition is proposed as the result of the Department of Design, Construction and Land Use's changing roles and responsibilities and the resulting need to better clarify the services they offer to customers and the public. The new name being proposed--"Department of Planning and Development"--reflects the expansion of the department's mission in 2002, with the addition of long-range planning functions and staff, and acknowledges the City Council's interest in giving them a level of prominence commensurate with their importance.

There are now several planning functions active at the department, including the director and staff for the Seattle Planning Commission, long-range planning staff responsible for monitoring and amending the Comprehensive Plan, the director and staff for the Seattle Design Commission, CityDesign, and the Code and Policy Development staff responsible for the review and revision of the Seattle Land Use Code and related environmental regulations.

If approved by the Council and Mayor, the name change will be implemented with minimal expenditures, depleting existing stock for most materials before ordering materials with the new name, and combining the change with other needed updates wherever possible.

DCLU originated in the 1890's as simply the "Building Department" and retained this name until 1980 when the addition of land use review functions necessitated a new name--the "Department of Construction and Land Use." The word "design" was added to DCLU's title in 1999, when the department's mission was expanded to confirm the value the community places on high quality design.

For more information on DCLU's role in Seattle, visit the "About DCLU" page.