Seattle Upzones its Urban Core

A large swatch of downtown and an adjacent neighborhood can develop taller and denser after the Seattle City Council approved zoning changes this week.

1 minute read

April 16, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

Artazum / Shutterstock

"The Seattle City Council voted 9-0 Monday to approve an upzone of downtown and South Lake Union," reports Daniel Beekman.

Under the rezoning, new developments will be required to include rent-controlled units or pay in-lieu fees, according to the regulations put forth in the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability program. The downtown and South Lake Union zoning changes are calibrated to create an estimated 2,100 rent-restricted units.

While this rezoning is taking place in the urban core of the city, many other neighborhoods should expect similar zoning changes in the near future. "The upzone is the second of more than two dozen that Mayor Ed Murray wants the council to approve this year and next," adds Beekman. "He says the upzones and MHA program can create 6,000 rent-restricted units over 10 years."

Hat tip to Antonio Pacheco for sharing the news of the upzoning decision.

FULL STORY: Taller buildings coming: Seattle council approves upzone in downtown, South Lake Union

Monday, April 10, 2017 in The Seattle Times

Housing Land Use Urban Development Washington Seattle Upzoning Mandatory Housing Affordability Zoning Changes Rent Control Land Use Regulations View More

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