Creating Opportunity In South Lake Union
Overview

In 2007 the City Council approved the new South Lake Union Urban Center Neighborhood Plan. This plan was developed through an extensive planning process by the Department of Planning and Development in partnership with the South Lake Union Friends and Neighbors Community Council. The updated neighborhood plan describes a neighborhood that will:

 

  • Balance housing and job growth, providing a live/work neighborhood;
  • Provide a model for sustainable redevelopments and infrastructure;
  • Respect the neighborhood’s marine and industrial past, but welcome change;
  • Be easy to get around on foot, bike, boat, transit and car;
  • Attract innovative industries and organizations; and
  • Be safe and attractive to a diverse range of families and households.

Urban Form Study and Urban Design Framework

 

The first action to implement the newly adopted neighborhood plan was initiation of the South Lake Union Urban from Study. The goals of the study are to:

 

  • Use increases in height and density to achieve neighborhood plan goals including an increase the neighborhoods supply of affordable housing, open space, and other public benefits through an incentive zoning program. 
  • Promote an urban form that contributes to neighborhood livability while accommodating anticipated growth in jobs and housing consistent with the neighborhoods’ Urban Center designation.
  • Ensure adequate zoned development capacity for long-term growth in this Urban Center.
  • Determine the types of public services and infrastructure that will be necessary to support long term growth.

Urban Design Framework

 

As part of the Urban Form Study, the City is working with key neighborhood groups to develop an Urban Design Framework.  This framework will build on past planning efforts (see links on the right to review past planning efforts) and new opportunities to inform development of proposals to increase height and density in a way that is consistent with the goals of the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan. Key planning goals of the Urban Design Framework include:

 

  • Creating safe, attractive streets and public spaces as the setting for the neighborhood’s public life, with a hierarchy of high-quality spaces, including vibrant retail streets and plazas for gathering, “green streets” with gracious pedestrian connections, and gateways that improve connections to adjacent districts. 

  • Encourage innovative, equitable development that maximizes opportunities for diverse housing types and commercial uses, provides for comfortable street enclosure, sun access and public views, optimizes circulation and access, increases affordable housing opportunities, and promotes sustainable design.

  • Identify opportunities to improve access to community services over time through creative partnerships that could attract cultural organizations, service providers, and possibly a school to the neighborhood.

DPD and other City staff are working with an advisory group representing key neighborhood groups including SLUFAN (South Lake Union Friends and Neighbors Community Council) CNC (Cascade Neighborhood Council) LUOA (Lake Union Opportunity Alliance) and the South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce.  The architectural firm Weber + Thompson is generously donating services to help with this effort, which should be complete this summer.

 

As the Urban Design Framework is developed, information for public comment will be posted on this website.

 

The Mayor’s City Center Strategy

 

The Mayor's Center City Seattle strategy focuses on encouraging economic growth, transportation, new housing, and great urban neighborhoods in Seattle's downtown core and the nine centrally located neighborhoods immediately around it.

 

Activities to encourage more housing and employment opportunities in South Lake Union include:

 

  • Amending the Land Use Code to support economic development and provide incentives for public benefits (December 2008). 
  • Rezoning certain commercial areas in South Lake Union to the Seattle Mixed zone that creates more housing opportunities in May 2005.
  • Updating the South Lake Union design guidelines in April 2005.
  • Amending the Land Use Code in December 2003 to encourage more biotech employment opportunities.

DPD is focused on providing opportunities for citizens to generate ideas and input on how to make South Lake Union a livable, walkable and sustainable neighborhood where people choose to live, work and play.

 

Last Updated: May 27, 2009