Executive’s Recommended Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments
Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan guides decisions about growth over a 20-year horizon by articulating goals and policies that accommodate growth while preserving community values. The annual amendment cycle provides an opportunity to propose amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to address changing conditions or emerging issues. This year members of the public, City departments, the Seattle Planning Commission and City Council members proposed amendments for consideration.
Based on staff evaluation, the Mayor is recommending that City Council adopt 17 amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, including:
Re-Connecting First Hill and Capitol Hill to Downtown Over I-5
A. Add a policy in the neighborhood planning element regarding opportunities to re-establish pedestrian connections between Downtown and Capitol Hill/First Hill by constructing lids over I-5.
Livable South Downtown
B. Change the Future Land Use Map designation of land within the Little Saigon neighborhood and along the northern portion of Rainier Avenue from Industrial to Commercial Mixed Use.
C. through E. Amend three existing policies in the Downtown neighborhood plan to allow establishment of a transfer of development rights program to encourage preservation of historic properties in South Downtown.
South Lake Union
F. Change the Future Land Use Map designation of land within the South Lake Union Urban Center from Industrial to Commercial/Mixed Use in accordance with the South Lake Union neighborhood plan.
Pedestrian Access to Transit Stops
G. Add a policy encouraging transit agencies to site transit stops and stations in locations that facilitate pedestrian access.
Reducing Trips and Vehicle Miles Traveled in the City
H. Amend existing policy related to reducing vehicle miles traveled by noting the beneficial impact of that policy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Affordable Housing Action Agenda
I. Add a policy supporting sufficient density and incentives to provide affordable housing near transit hubs.
J. Add a policy addressing infrastructure and amenities in areas where density is likely to increase, e.g., near light rail stations.
K. Add a goal of implementing strategies and programs to help ensure a range of housing opportunities affordable to those who work in Seattle.
L. Amend existing land use policies to seek opportunities to provide affordable housing when land is rezoned.
Additional Priority Uses for Surplus City Properties
M. Amend existing open space policies to include parks, forested areas, and viewpoints among the priority uses for surplus City properties.
N. Add policy identifying parks, viewpoints and P-patches to be included among the priority uses for surplus City property.
Anticipating the Effects of Climate Change
O. Augment the Environment Element to recognize that, in addition to striving to prevent future climate change, we need to plan for the effects of climate change that will occur.
P. and Q. Add a complementary goal and policy directing the City to prepare and plan for addressing the likely impacts of climate change.
Next Steps
Public review copies of proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments will be available at the DPD Public Resource Center, Seattle Municipal Tower, Suite 2000, 700 Fifth Avenue, or online at www.seattle.gov/dpd/planning/compplanannual/. The City Council will hold a public hearing on these proposed amendments before the Planning Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee on Monday, September 22, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Direct any comments to:
Councilmember Sally Clark
City Hall
600 4th Avenue, Floor 2
P.O. Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025
For more information on the Mayor’s proposed 2008 Comprehensive Plan amendments, contact Mark Troxel, Urban Planner, at (206) 615-1739 or mark.troxel@seattle.gov. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan annual amendment process, contact Ketil Freeman of Council Central Staff at (206) 684-8178 or via email at ketil.freeman@seattle.gov.