Rezoning Proposed for Seattle's University District

"Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) released draft recommendations on the University District rezone and urban design proposal in late May," reports Stephen Fesler. "The draft recommendations consist of a large breadth of changes to development regulations in the neighborhood and substantially increase development capacity," focusing especially near a light rail station expected to open in 2021.

This is the third article by Stephen Fesler, writing for The Urbanist, on the subject of the draft rezoning. The first provided an overview of key policy ideas, and the second focused on the proposed development regulations. The latter includes discussion of height limitations, setbacks, and open space requirements, among other urban design considerations.

The third article focuses on "how the proposal would regulate floor area and height, implement mandatory affordable housing and incentive zoning, and preserve historic and vulnerable masonry structures." [Emphasis in the original.]