Clarification of the permit approval process and construction conditions for light rail transit facilities is being proposed by Seattle's Department of Planning and Development (DPD).

The legislation, currently before City Council, would amend the Land Use Code to:

• Clarify the role of the Seattle Design Commission in the design review process and affirm that the Design Commission may delegate review to other bodies created by the Design Commission (such as the Light Rail Review Panel);
• Revise standards for the construction of temporary construction worker parking lots that support building light rail facilities;
• Allow light rail transit facilities in pedestrian-designated zones;
• Revise standards for the blank facade element of pedestrian-designated zones to allow, with mitigation, necessary features with limited or no transparancy (such as elevator doors and ticket vending machines); and
• Clarify the conditions under which Master Use Permits are not required for light rail facilities, and allow the DPD Director, in certain circumstances, to waive or modify development standards and impose additional conditions.

Public Hearing August 10
The City Council's Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing to take comments on this proposal on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council's Chamber, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue (view Council Committee details). Questions concerning the public hearing may be directed to:

Elaine Ko
Councilmember Richard Conlin's office
(206) 684-8805
elaine.ko@seattle.gov