Comprehensive Plan Amendment Recommendations
Seattle's Comprehensive Plan guides decisions about growth over a 20-year span by articulating goals and policies that accommodate growth while preserving citizens' values. The annual amendment cycle provides an opportunity to propose amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to address changing conditions or emerging issues. Residents, City departments, the Seattle Planning Commission and City Council members proposed amendments for consideration this year. Based on staff evaluation, the Mayor is recommending that City Council adopt 17 amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.

You can access the Comprehensive Plan Amendments online or at the DPD Public Resource Center, 2000 Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Avenue. The City Council will hold a public hearing on these proposed amendments before the Planning Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee meets on Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

For more information on the Mayor's proposed 2008 Comprehensive Plan amendments, contact Mark Troxel, Urban Planner at (206) 615-1739. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan annual amendment process, contact Ketil Freeman of Council Central Staff at (206) 684-8178.

Mayor Nickels is recommending that City Council adopt 17 amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Electrical Contractors Needed: Construction Codes Advisory Board Application Due September 15
DPD is recruiting electrical contractors to apply for a voluntary position on the Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB). This term runs through June 2011. The deadline for applications is Sept. 15, 2008.

DPD relies on the advice of professionals and citizens in developing workable construction codes. Seattle's Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) is a 13-member voluntary board, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. CCAB reviews proposed construction-related technical code amendments and Director's Rules related to those codes (building, residential, energy, fuel, gas, electrical and mechanical codes). CCAB also hears applicant appeals of department decisions and provides the code official with advisory opinions.

Meetings are held on an as-needed basis on the first and third Thursdays of the month from noon until 2 p.m. in the Seattle Municipal Tower. Regular attendance is important for continuity and decision-making quorums. Seattle-based applicants are encouraged to apply. Residency is preferred, though not required. Applicants do not need to have their professional office(s) located within the City limits but should do a significant portion of their business within the City.

Electrical contractors interested in code development may submit a resume and a letter of interest to Mayor Greg Nickels c/o Vicki Baucom, Code Development Analyst. Questions about the CCAB or submissions may be directed to Vicki Baucom or by calling (206) 233-2757. For more information, please visit the CCAB overview page.

The term runs through June 2011. The deadline for applications is
Sept. 15, 2008.

Peat Settlement-Prone Area Ordinance Takes Effect
The intent of the Peat Settlement-prone Area designation is to address impacts from new development in areas of peat-rich soils. Impacts include settlement on adjacent sites by lowering the groundwater table. Within all peat settlement-prone areas, new development below the groundwater level will be prohibited except for specific features such as utility connections and required structural components including shallow foundations or pilings. This requirement may limit the construction of new basements in areas with high water tables. Parking requirements may be reduced to help offset lost underground parking potential in some zones. Also, allowances for additional height or floor area may be granted in commercial zones where a high groundwater table prevents underground parking. In some areas, the introduction of new impervious surfaces must be offset by an infiltration facility or soil amendment project to replace lost infiltration function. For more information, please visit the Peat Deposit website.

For more information, please visit the Peat Deposit website.

SDOT Street Use Counter Now Located on Floor 23
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Street Use counter is now located on the 23rd floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Avenue) as of Aug. 19. Street Use is a division of SDOT that provides health, safety and well being of its citizens, by ensuring the integrity of its streets and the appropriate use of the rights-of-way are in good repair and free from unnecessary obstacles. Street Use manages activities and construction occurring in the rights-of-way through issuing of permits, inspection, project coordination, public outreach, utility record keeping and plan review.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Street Use counter is now located on Floor 23 of the Seattle Municipal Tower.

Discontinuing Checklist Decision for Lot Boundary Adjustment Form -- Beginning October 1
On October 1, DPD will no longer generate or mail the checklist decision for the lot boundary adjustments form. This change was made to help streamline DPD's processes and to support the City of Seattle's PaperCuts Campaign. Applicants will still receive a letter from the land use planner documenting the Director's decision and identifying any outstanding fees that will need to be paid prior to recording.

DPD will no longer generate or
mail the checklist decision for the
lot boundary adjustments form.

Client Assistance Memo (CAM) 313 Updated
CAM 313, Required Predesign Conferences for High-Rise Structures and Buildings with an Atrium, was recently updated to meet the 2006 Seattle Building Code. DPD added a new form to the CAM listing, which will provide systematic code analysis to assist the designer and the reviewer in preparation for the predesign meeting. Required predesign conferences are designed to identify and resolve potential major code problems before they surface during the plan review phase of the permit process. For more information on the updated CAM, please contact Vicki Baucom, Code Development Analyst at (206) 233-2757.

CAM 313, Required Predesign Conferences for High-Rise Structures and Buildings with an Atrium, was recently updated to meet the 2006 Seattle Building Code.

Before you Visit...Check Out the ASC Wait Times
Need to visit the Applicant Services Center (ASC)? Then check out the ASC Estimated Wait Times for Service. But please note that these times are ESTIMATES ONLY, based on historical average visit times. The ASC is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday, the ASC is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ASC sign-in services may end at 4:30 p.m. or earlier based on the number of customers.

The ASC wait times application provides estimates only.