In 2006, DPD began conducting research to identify the key issues facing industrial businesses in the city, to see how other cities have addressed similar issues, and to work with the community to develop approaches that can help Seattle meet its objectives for industrial land. DPD intends to have recommendations completed in time to inform City Council decisions on the 2007 Comprehensive Plan amendments, which include some potential changes to industrial land.

Current City policies in the Comprehensive Plan say that industrial zones should be used for industrial activities. The Land Use Code limits the amount of retail and office uses that may occur on each lot in industrial zones, and housing is permitted only under very limited circumstances.

Policies and codes have not discouraged some property owners from requesting changes. Over the past several years there have been about a dozen applications for changes to the Comprehensive Plan or to the Land Use Code to allow a wider array of uses on land that is now zoned industrial.