SEATTLE, WA – January 12, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – Mayor Greg Nickels has sent legislation to the City Council to improve the character and design of townhouses, and require environmentally sensitive building and landscaping.
“Most of us would agree that multifamily development must fit better into our neighborhoods,” said Nickels. “These regulations will help ensure that this housing is attractive, sensible, and welcoming, while also supporting our affordable housing goals.”
For many Seattle residents, multifamily development is a valuable option for housing and can provide an entry into home ownership. The proposals are the first major update to multifamily zoning in Seattle in 20 years. The changes cover about 10 percent of the city zoned for multifamily construction, from low-rise development throughout the city to high-rise residential towers on First Hill. Highlights of the proposal include:
- Better townhouse design. This proposal adds more design standards for all townhouses, requires lower fences and more doors and windows on street sides to open up to the neighborhood and provides better access to larger garage parking spaces so they are more likely to be used. Administrative design review for all townhouses is proposed in related legislation.
- Protecting our single-family neighborhoods. This proposal affects only areas currently zoned multifamily. There would be no zoning changes in single-family areas and the proposal includes setbacks and other height restrictions that would provide important transitions between multifamily and single-family zones.
- Green construction and landscaping. Current landscaping requirements would be increased 15 to 20 percent, which would include in many cases green roofs and vegetated walls. Where additional development capacity is allowed, the development must also meet LEED™ Silver or Built Green™ Four Star construction standards.
- Affordable housing. This proposal makes no changes to height restrictions for areas zoned for duplexes, triplexes or townhouses in LDT, L1 and L2 zones. In some areas already zoned L3 for three-story apartment buildings – about 5 percent of the city’s land – the proposal would allow an additional 7 feet if the developer agrees to provide affordable housing. Some mid-rise, and high-rise residential towers on First Hill, would also be eligible for additional height only if contributions are made through the Work Force Housing Incentive program. Contributions would have to be made to affordable housing, or preserving landmarks and providing open space in the high-rise zone.
For more information, visit:
http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/Multifamily_Code_Update/Overview/
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