The city's planning commission wants to use "incentive zoning" to encourage the development of taller buildings and generate revenue for the city's affordable housing fund.
"Developers should be able to build taller than current zoning allows if they pay for public amenities such as affordable housing, the Seattle Planning Commission said Tuesday.
Mayor Greg Nickels favors such a plan and is working on so-called incentive zoning proposals for the South Lake Union, Interbay and South Downtown areas. Nickels intends to roll out his proposals in the next year. They would be similar to new downtown building rules Nickels and the City Council approved last year.
The downtown rules let developers build more than 100 feet above zoning limits if they pay roughly $19 per square foot into an affordable-housing fund.
The Planning Commission is a volunteer advisory group with no real power, but city officials sometimes cite the commission's advice in setting policy. Most of its members are architects, planners and real-estate experts."
Thanks to ArchNewsNow
FULL STORY: Seattle may get taller — at a cost

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ for Office Conversion
A formula for the ideal office-to-housing candidate.

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

Millennials Now Majority Homeowners
Just over half of people in the ‘Y’ generation now own homes, but the largest generation also continues to dominate the rental market.

Minnesota Lawmakers Propose New Ridehailing, Delivery Fees
The proposed fees on transportation network companies and delivery services would help cover buddget shortfalls for transportation and transit in the state.

Part of Houston’s Main Street to Be Permanently Pedestrianized
A seven-block stretch downtown will remain closed to cars after the success of a pandemic-era outdoor dining program.
Strategic Economics Inc
Strategic Economics Inc
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.