As the City of Seattle continues work on a potential rezone of the Uptown Urban Center, residents will have an opportunity this week to get more information on the plans identified in the Uptown Urban Design Framework process.
On Thursday night, the city’s Office of Planning & Community Development will host an open house and public hearing from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Seattle Center Armory (Lofts 3 and 4). The evening is a chance for community stakeholders to learn about the three alternatives, ask questions, and provide public comment.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement considers three alternatives
The “no action” alternative retains the current building heights and zoning for parcels expected to be redeveloped, and does not include design and development standards specific to Uptown to guide that growth.
The “mid-rise” alternative would include new neighborhood design standards, and buildings spanning five-to-seven stories with mandatory housing affordability requirements.
Finally, the “high-rise” alternative also includes the affordability requirements and design standards, but with taller, thinner, 16-story buildings in areas of the urban center.
Along with the three zoning alternatives, attendees can also learn more about the Uptown Arts & Culture District, the upcoming Seattle Center and Uptown Strategic Parking Study, housing affordability policies, and potential transit improvements.
Written public comments on the plans can be submitted via email through Sept. 1 to jim.holmes@seattle.gov.
The final rezone environmental impact statement, and the draft rezone recommendation will be released in the fall, with the city council taking up the recommendation early next year.