CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning; amending Sections 23.49.008, 23.49.011, 23.76.004, and 23.76.006 of the Seattle Municipal Code to encourage voluntary setbacks in the Downtown Office Core 2 zone between existing residential towers and new towers by authorizing additional height and density.
body
WHEREAS, in April 2017, the City Council passed Ordinance 125291, which increased height and density in some neighborhoods in the Downtown and South Lake Union Urban Centers to implement Mandatory Housing Affordability requirements; and
WHEREAS, Section 46 of Ordinance 125291 established the Council's intent to consider a bill authorizing the Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to increase height or density limits for new development in DOC2 zones that "voluntarily provides a greater separation than would otherwise be required from existing residential towers on the same block"; and
WHEREAS, increased separation from existing residential towers can increase penetration of light and air to residences and reduce conflicts between uses in adjacent towers; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 23.49.008 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125291, is amended as follows:
23.49.008 Structure height
The following provisions regulating structure height apply to all property in Downtown zones except the DH1 zone. Structure height for PSM, IDM, and IDR zones is regulated by this Section 23.49.008, and by Sections 23.49.178, 23.49.208, and 23.49.236.
* * *
F. In the DOC2 500/300-550 zone, as a Type I decision, the Director may increase the maximum height for residential uses to 640 feet provided that:
1. The structure is located on a block with an existing tower that exceeds 160 feet in height and that has at least 50 percent of gross floor area in residential use; and
...
Click here for full text