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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Launches Industrial Jobs Initiative
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
8/29/2007 12:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Mayor (206) 684-4000
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Mayor Launches Industrial Jobs Initiative
New land use recommendations safeguard industrial lands
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the launch of his Industrial
Jobs Initiative to continue his support for Seattle’s industrial and
manufacturing businesses. At the heart of the mayor’s initiative are
new land use recommendations which will maintain existing businesses and jobs
while encouraging new industries.
“Seattle’s manufacturing and industrial businesses generate more
than $31 billion in revenue annually, providing family wage jobs, a strong
tax base, and a diverse economy,” said Nickels. “With these new
land use measures, we can grow our economy by providing opportunities for more
industrial businesses and more good paying jobs.”
Overall, Seattle’s industrial sector generates more than 120,000 jobs,
including those in related fields supporting industry. On average, industrial
jobs in Seattle pay $55,500 annually.
The land use recommendations are the result of a yearlong review of Seattle’s
industrially zoned land and related businesses, and include recommendations
to:
- Set new limits on office and retail uses on industrially zoned property;
- Define
research and development uses to ensure continued success of R&D
laboratories in Seattle’s industrial areas;
- Ensure the growth
of Starbuck’s headquarters at its current location;
and
- Review industrially zoned properties on the edges of the industrial
centers and isolated industrially zoned properties for potential rezoning
In addition to the land use recommendations, the city will continue its support
of welding and machinery classes at South Seattle Community College, as well
as English-as-a-second-language classes specifically geared to vocational pursuits.
Seattle First, founded by the Nickels administration in 2004 with the Manufacturing
and Industrial Council, will hold workshops in 2008 for manufacturing and industrial
businesses seeking to expand or upgrade their facilities in Seattle.
Details of the land use recommendations:
- Reduce allowed office and retail uses in Industrial General zones from
current maximums of up to 100,000 square feet of office and up to 75,000
square feet of retail to a maximum of 10,000 square feet per site for these uses.
- Reduce allowed density for office and retail uses in Industrial General
zones from 2.5 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to 0.5 FAR.
- Clarify the definition of research and development in the land use
code to ensure the continued growth of R&D laboratories in industrial
areas.
- Consider changes in zoning designation for industrially zoned sites
along the edges of the industrial centers (Duwamish and Ballard/Interbay
[Manufacturing and Industrial Centers]), and industrially zoned sites not
in the MIC.
- Allow Starbucks to expand its existing headquarters in the Duwamish
MIC with potential for increased FAR.
Process for developing the recommendations: began review in fall of 2006;
Department of Planning and Development and Seattle Planning Commission co-sponsored
public forums; brought in outside experts; surveyed business owners.
Next steps: legislation to City Council within a week for new limits on office
and retail uses; other recommendations to be acted on in the coming year.
Online information: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/IndustrialLands/Overview/default.asp
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity
and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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