Based on a history of park-friendly ordinances, Seattle parks and urban forests are largely off-limits to developers. Landowners who flout these regulations must provide the city with an adjacent and equivalent parcel.
Seattle is becoming a very attractive place to live, going by real estate prices at least. "With more density and higher property values, it seems possible a developer might call up the Parks Department and make an enticing offer. Could Seattle parks be turned into housing developments?"
Overall, the answer appears to be a resounding no. From the 1970s onward, Seattle residents have been adamant that parkland remain protected. After a series of proposals to develop park land failed at the voting booth, "In 1997, the city passed the Initiative 42 ordinance, which makes it nearly impossible to develop city land designated for park purposes."
"According to the initiative, the first step to turning even a single square foot of parkland begins with a public hearing. Then the city must pass an ordinance saying there's no reasonable alternative. Then the city would have to receive a piece of land of equal or better size and value in exchange."
Typically only individual landowners, not big developers, have taken advantage of this provision, and then only "in exchange for several square feet."
FULL STORY: Why Have Seattle's Urban Forests Dodged Development?
Santa Monica Mountains Acquires More Land For Conservation
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Luxury Condos, Not Luxury Single-Family Homes, Take the Blame in the Affordability Debate
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State Law Allows for Local Reform of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
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The Five Most-Changed American Cities
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Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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