News and Information

Stimulating economic growth by removing City mandates that require homebuilders and businesses to build parking they don't use or need

Proposed changes to parking requirement before City Council is aimed at stimulating economic growth by removing City mandates that require homebuilders and businesses to build parking they don't use or need. Commission supports (with some modifications) the proposal.

Read the Commission March 30, 2012 recommendations here.

Commission supports Roosevelt rezone Option 2
On December 13, 2011 we provided comments to City Council in support of rezone Option 2 in the Roosevelt light rail station area. The Commission has been closely tracking this project for many years. Our Seattle Transit Communities report identified this area as one of the city’s 14 transit communities with the most urgent near-term planning needs; we further identified the ‘high school blocks’ as some of the key potential redevelopment sites. Read our recommendations here.

Commission supports West Seattle Triangle Rezone
On November 8, 2011 we provided comments to City Council in  support the of zoning proposal by DPD for the West Seattle Triangle.  While the Commission proposes a few modest changes we feel the rezone is a well-conceived, thoughtful proposal and along with the Urban Design Framework and Streetscape Concept Plan, does an impressive job of equitably accommodating new households and businesses while taking into consideration preserving and enhancing important community assets. Read our recommendations here.

On June 29th we recommended a Citywide Transit Communities Policy to maximize transit investment in Roosevelt, Capitol Hill, Mt. Baker, Beacon Hill, Othello, South Lake Union, West Seattle Triangle, and other Seattle Transit Communities. Read it here

Updated Backyard Cottage Guide Released!

The Planning Commission and the Department of Planning and development have released an updated version of their incredibly successful A Guide to Building a Backyard Cottage which helps a homeowner successfully design and build a backyard cottage. The Guide now reflects the December 2009 legislation allowing backyard cottages citywide.

Status Check: Seattle Citizens Assess Their Communities and Neighborhood Plans
In the summer of 2009 the Planning Commission helped convene a discussion with people who live, work, have businesses and go to school in 24 of Seattle's neighborhoods to 'check-in' on current status of their neighborhood plans and changes in neighborhoods since the plans were adopted a decade ago. This civic engagement effort helped us better understand the perceptions of the community regarding changes in their neighborhoods and how well the plans are working. An executive summary was prepared that highlights the feedback.