Seattle's incentive zoning program is paying dividends and funding projects. Look for 110 affordable units to be built in the Capitol Hill neighborhood by 2019.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray recently "announced $47 million in funding for affordable housing via the City’s optional incentive zoning program and the housing levy," reports Doug Trumm.
Seattle's incentive zoning (not to be confused with inclusionary zoning) "allows developers an extra floor above normal height limits in exchange for either the performance option of restricting some units below 80% [area media income] on site or the payment option of contributing to the City’s affordable housing fund," explains Trumm.
While the city of Seattle prepares its initial forays into mandatory inclusionary zoning with the upcoming University District rezoning, "Incentive Zoning receipts were $13 million larger than the Seattle Office of Housing anticipated." Paired with "$15 million earmarked for affordable multi-family housing from the 2009 Housing Levy," the city now has enough affordable housing funding to build 610 units. Among those 610 units are 110 affordable units to be built on a site in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, as detailed in the article.
FULL STORY: Incentive Zoning Nets $32 Million To Help Fund 610 Affordable Homes

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.

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.

Planners Look to ‘Activity Centers’ for Sustainable Development
Existing hubs of ‘hyperlocal’ economic activity provide a model for urban density.

Study: Seattle’s Lower Speed Limits Reduced Crash Injuries
A change in the city’s speed limits has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries during collisions.

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.
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Strategic Economics Inc
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.