December 13, 2012 marks the six month anniversary of the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee’s first discussion of the South Lake Union rezone proposal.  As we enter our seventh month of analysis, it is useful to keep in mind several facts that informed the legislation and that should frame our consideration going forward. […]

My Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee will hold our second public hearing on the proposed South Lake Union Rezone on Wednesday, November 14, at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers.  We held an initial hearing in August, and have discussed the proposed rezone several times in Committee.  The legislation is now in final […]

As the City Council considers the comprehensive rezone legislation for South Lake Union (SLU), it will also take up legislation that will authorize and implement the ‘TDR for TIF’ program –‘Transfer of Development Rights for Tax Increment Financing’.  That arcane phrase describes a way to implement growth management by protecting rural land and investing in […]

Seattle has accepted a big challenge:  to turn around the loss of tree cover from developing a City on this formerly forested land, and to restore and regrow as much of the urban forest as we can.  Trees not only because they make the City more beautiful and our neighborhoods more livable, but also help […]

Since the revisions to the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan and its designation as an Urban Center, South Lake Union (SLU) has led the City in developing new jobs and housing, just as was hoped.  By investing in infrastructure there, the City has successfully encouraged this development.  This year, the Council will consider additional rezones […]

The Council has unanimously adopted changes to the ‘Living Building Challenge Pilot Program’ that will tighten the qualifications for participation and provide additional incentives for builders to participate in the program.  We expect at least one additional building to be able to proceed into construction as a result of this change. The Living Building ordinance […]

On Monday, July 23, the Council unanimously approved Council Bill 117430, a regulatory reform package that makes a series of modest changes to land use regulations.  Consistent with Economic Recovery Resolution 31282, adopted in 2011, these changes will promote economic development by making regulatory processes less convoluted and allowing more creativity in business locations and […]

University Link is under construction between downtown and Husky Stadium.  The line from there to Northgate is going into final design and engineering.  And Seattle is also getting a new light rail station on the East Link between downtown and Redmond. East Link has already been approved by the Sound Transit Board, although there are […]

The Local Food Action Initiative (LFAI) is designed to increase gardening and farming in the City, encourage farmers markets and other connections to local producers, and emphasize food as an important part of our economy.  We know that eating more locally can reduce the cost of transport, provide access to food that is healthier and […]

Seattle Public Utilities has developed an updated water plan covering 2013-2018, with some analysis and projection for future years as far out as 2060.  It’s a good news plan, demonstrating that Seattle’s commitment to water conservation has been extraordinarily successful, and projecting continued success in the future. The bottom line is that total average demand […]