A large swatch of downtown and an adjacent neighborhood can develop taller and denser after the Seattle City Council approved zoning changes this week.
"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
Which Cities Are Upzoning?
A recent study surveyed 800 jurisdictions in 50 U.S. metropolitan areas to quantify the amount of change in zoning regulations throughout the 21st century so far.
Seattle Councilmember Calls for Transit-Oriented Density
Seattle Councilmember Abel Pacheco writes on opinion piece for The Urbanist to make the case for transit-oriented density on The Ave in the city's University District.
Debating the Future of One of Seattle's Pedestrian-Friendly Gems
The corridor along University Way is currently exempt from the wave of upzoning implemented by the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability program, but that exemption is only temporary.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service