The Mayor’s recommendations for a new Peat Settlement-prone Area designation are now before the Council’s Environment, Emergency Management, and Utilities Committee (EEMU). This proposal would implement additional development standards in areas of peat-rich soils to prevent new development from causing settlement impacts on nearby parcels.

The EEMU Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Richard Conlin, will hold a public hearing to take comments on the proposal on May 14, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. The hearing will be held in Council Chamber, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue. A sign-up sheet will be available outside the Council Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing for those people who wish to testify at the hearing.

If unable to attend the public hearing, your comments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m., May 13, 2008. Please send comments to Phyllis Shulman at Phyllis.Shulman@seattle.gov or by mail to:

Councilmember Richard Conlin
Legislative Department
600 Fourth Avenue Floor 2
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

Information on the proposal including scientific background, summary documents, and the proposed ordinance is available at www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/Peat_Deposits/Overview.