New rules support affordable housing and sustainable building
Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the first major update to multifamily zoning in Seattle in 20 years. New regulations would improve the character and design of townhouses, and require environmentally sensitive building and landscaping.
“We can grow in ways that enhance and enrich our lives,” said Nickels. “These regulations will help us make sure that new multifamily housing is attractive, sensible, and fits in with their neighborhoods, while also supporting affordable housing.”
The changes would affect the 10 percent of the city zoned for multifamily construction, from low-rise development throughout the city to high-rise residential towers on First Hill. Design review would be required for all townhouses, providing better oversight of design quality and more flexibility for designers.
All multifamily buildings will be required to use green landscaping, which could include green roofs, trellised walls, or planting strips. Developers wishing to increase height and floor area above current zoning in the city’s urban centers, urban villages and areas around light rail stations, will be required to meet LEED Silver or Built Green Four Star sustainable construction standards. Developers would also have to agree to dedicate units for work force housing.
The new rules will reduce required parking in all multifamily areas to one space per unit. In urban centers and areas around light rail stations, there will be no required parking.
“The mayor and I have both heard a lot lately about how growth is affecting our neighborhoods, not all of it is positive,” said City Councilmember Sally Clark, who joined Nickels at the announcement. “I look forward to working through these proposals from the mayor to reach a goal we share for smart growth that keeps Seattle on course as a regional center of quality neighborhoods and dynamic business districts.”
The proposal is scheduled to go to Council later this summer. New regulations are anticipated in early 2009.