Under the "living building" pilot program, a handful of developments get to bypass the usual zoning for sticking to some of the most stringent building standards in the world. But one developer wants an additional 10 feet of height for it.
Eric Pyne asks: "How much flexibility is too much?"
"[Lee] Raaen, the Wallingford Community Council president...says he's as concerned by the process the city is following as by the proposed building's size.
The city's Department of Planning and Development has drafted an amendment to the pilot program allowing planners to award qualifying projects another 10 feet of height - but only on sites zoned like Skanska's.
That change in the program still must be approved by the City Council. Meanwhile, the department announced last month that the amendment doesn't warrant an environmental-impact statement."
FULL STORY: Ultra-green Seattle office project draws corporate HQ, complaints
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
PeopleForBikes Urges Action on Highway Safety Rule Changes
The bike advocacy group says recently proposed changes to federal road safety regulations would help reduce traffic deaths and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.
Maine Law Promotes Smart Growth
New state legislation encourages cities to plan around ‘smart growth’ principles to preserve farmland and open space, and use infill development to build more housing.
Atlanta Infill Project Takes Inspiration From Dutch Design
A residential development includes a central courtyard designed to be shared by pedestrians and cars.
City of Costa Mesa
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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