Urban Villages 1.9

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Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.1

Urban Village Element urban village element

Table of Contents

Introduction 1.3

A Urban Village Strategy 1.3

A-1 Categories of Urban Villages 1.9

A-2 Areas Outside of Centers & Villages 1.21

B Distribution of Growth 1.22

C Open Space Network 1.25

D Annexation 1.27 January | 2005

Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.3 Urban Village Element

Introduction

discussion Together, these tools form the urban village strategy. As Seattle’s population and job base grow, urban Seattle is prepared to embrace its share of the Puget villages are the areas where conditions can best sup- Sound region’s growth. To ensure that it remains a port increased density needed to house and employ urban village element vibrant and healthy place to live, Seattle has planned the city’s newest residents. By concentrating growth for the future of the city as a whole and for each ur- in these urban villages, Seattle can build on suc- ban center and urban village that is expected to grow cessful aspects of the city’s existing urban character, and change. The City will use these plans to shape continuing the development of concentrated, pedes- changes in ways that encompass the collective vision trian-friendly mixed-use neighborhoods of varied in- for the city as identified in this Plan. tensities at appropriate locations throughout the city.

This Plan envisions a city where growth: helps to build stronger communities, heightens our steward- A Urban Village Strategy ship of the environment, leads to enhanced economic opportunity and security for all residents, and is accompanied by greater social equity across Seattle’s discussion communities. The City has made a commitment to growing wisely, to growing in ways that ensure a liv- Urban villages are community resources that enable able future, and to growing sustainably. Growing sus- the City to: deliver services more equitably, pursue a tainably also means building on the city’s successes. development pattern that is environmentally and economically sound, and provide a better means of man- Seattle’s successes include its neighborhoods. Se- aging growth and change through collaboration with attle, at the beginning of the 21st Century, has a the community in planning for the future of these large number of appealing mixed-use neighborhoods areas. The urban village strategy is a comprehen- that serve as the cores of broader communities. Ar- sive approach to planning for a sustainable future. eas as diverse as Lake City, Columbia City, Uptown, This approach is intended to maximize the benefit of and Georgetown provide goods, services, housing, public investment in infrastructure and services and and employment to Seattle’s residents and are key promote collaboration with private interests and the contributors to Seattle’s livability. community, to achieve mutual benefits. A

Seattle’s strategy for accommodating future growth Locating more residents, jobs, stores and services

and creating a sustainable city builds on the founda- in close proximity can reduce the reliance on cars January | 2005 (2013) tion of these neighborhoods and brings together for shopping and other daily trips and decrease the a number of tools to create a better city: amount of fossil fuels burned and the amount of greenhouse gases emitted. Increasing residential and • diverse housing and employment growth, employment densities in key locations makes transit and other public services convenient for more people • pedestrian and transit-oriented communities, and therefore makes these services more efficient.

• the provision of services and infrastructure The urban village strategy tries to match growth targeted to support that growth, and to the existing and intended character of the city’s neighborhoods. Four categories of urban villages • enhancements to the natural environment and the city’s cultural resources. 1.4 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

recognize the different roles that different areas will lages and defining conditions desired within them, play in the city’s future: the Plan addresses conditions outside these areas.

1. Urban centers are the densest neighborhoods in Areas outside urban villages will accommodate some the city and are both regional centers and neigh- growth in less dense development patterns consist- borhoods that provide a diverse mix of uses, housing primarily of single-family neighborhoods, limited ing, and employment opportunities. Larger urban multifamily and commercial areas and scattered centers are divided into urban center villages to industrial areas. The strategy of focusing future de- recognize the distinct character of different neigh- velopment in urban villages continues to direct new borhoods within them. development away from Seattle’s single-family areas. 2. Manufacturing/Industrial Centers are home to the city’s thriving industrial businesses. As with goals urban centers, Manufacturing/Industrial Centers are regional designations and are an important UVG1 Respect Seattle’s human scale, history, regional resource. aesthetics, natural environment, and sense of community identity as the city changes. 3. Hub urban villages are communities that provide a balance of housing and employment, gener- UVG2 Implement regional growth management ally at densities lower than those found in urban strategies and the countywide centers con-

urban village element centers. These areas provide a focus of goods, cept through this Plan. services, and employment to communities that are not close to urban centers. UVG3 Promote densities, mixes of uses, and transportation improvements that support 4. Residential urban villages provide a focus of walking, use of public transportation, and goods and services for residents and surrounding other transportation demand management communities but may not provide a concentra- (TDM) strategies, especially within urban tion of employment. centers and urban villages.

In addition to these centers and villages, this Ele- UVG4 Direct the greatest share of future devel- ment of the Plan puts further emphasis on transit opment to centers and urban villages and communities -- those areas within easy walking dis- reduce the potential for dispersed growth tance of frequent transit service. Most of those tran- along arterials and in other areas not con- sit areas overlap with the geographic areas of urban ducive to walking, transit use, and cohesive villages, and the presence of frequent and reliable community development. A transit service reinforces the intended function of the urban villages by providing viable mobility options UVG5 Accommodate planned levels of household for residents and employees. Each of these areas is and employment growth. Depending on intended to see growth and change over time, and the characteristics of each area, establish together they will accommodate the majority of the concentrations of employment and housing city’s growth over the life of this plan. The City will at varying densities and with varying continue to work with its residents, businesses, and mixes of uses. institutions to promote conditions that will help each of its communities thrive, but will pay special atten- UVG6 Accommodate a range of employment ac- tion to those areas where the majority of growth and tivity to ensure employment opportunities change is expected. are available for the city’s diverse resi- January | 2005 (2008) (2013) dential population, including maintaining Policies in this Plan provide direction for that change healthy manufacturing and industrial areas. and growth. In addition to designating urban vil- Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.5

UVG7 Use limited land resources more efficiently policies and pursue a development pattern that is more economically sound, by encouraging UV1 Promote the growth of urban villages as infill development on vacant and underuti- compact mixed-use neighborhoods in order lized sites, particularly within urban villages. to support walking and transit use, and to provide services and employment close UVG8 Maximize the benefit of public investment to residences. in infrastructure and services, and deliver

those services more equitably by focusing UV2 Promote conditions that support healthy urban village element new infrastructure and services, as well as neighborhoods throughout the city, includ- maintenance and improvements to existing ing those conducive to helping mixed-use infrastructure and services, in areas expect- urban village communities thrive, such as ing to see additional growth, and by focus- focused transportation demand management ing growth in areas with sufficient infrastruc- strategies, vital business districts, a range of ture and services to support that growth. housing choices, a range of park and open space facilities, and investment and reinvest- UVG9 Collaborate with the community in planning ment in neighborhoods. for the future. UV2.5 In areas surrounding major transit hubs, UVG10 Increase public safety by making villages except in industrial zones, allow densities places that people will be drawn to at all sufficient to take advantage of significant in- times of the day. vestment in public transportation infrastructure. Use incentive zoning programs and UVG11 Promote physical environments of the high- other strategies to help ensure the provision est quality, which emphasize the special of affordable housing. identity of each of the city’s neighborhoods, particularly within urban centers UV3 Consider the following characteristics ap- and villages. propriate to all urban village categories except Manufacturing and Industrial Centers: UVG12 Distribute urban villages around the city so that communities throughout the city have 1. Clearly defined geographic easy access to the range of goods and ser- boundaries that reflect existing devel- vices that villages are intended to provide. opment patterns, functional characteristics of the area, and recognized UVG13 Encourage development of ground-related neighborhood boundaries. A housing, which is attractive to many 2. Zoning sufficient to accommodate

residents including families with children, January | 2005 (2008) (2009) (2013) (2015) including townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, residential and employment growth ap- ground-related apartments, small cottages, propriate for that village. accessory units, and single-family homes. 3. The ability to accommodate a range of employment or commercial activity UVG14 Provide parks and open space that are compatible with the overall function, accessible to urban villages to enhance the character, and intensity of development livability of urban villages, to help shape specified for the village. the overall development pattern, and to enrich the character of each village. 4. Zoning that provides locations for commercial services convenient to residents and workers and, depending 1.6 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

on the village designation, serving a citywide and regional clientele. 2. Zoning sufficient to accommodate the employment growth targets established 5. Zoning sufficient to allow a diversity for that center. of housing to accommodate a broad range of households. 3. The ability to accommodate a range of 6. Zoning regulations that restrict those industrial activity compatible with the public facilities that are incompatible overall function, character, and with the type of environment intended intensity of development specified for in centers and villages. the center.

7. Most future households are accommo- 4. Zoning regulations that restrict dated in multi-family housing. those public facilities that are incompatible with the type of environ- 8. Additional opportunities for housing ment intended in manufacturing and in existing single-family areas, to the industrial centers. extent provided through neighborhood planning, and within other constraints 5. Public facilities and human services consistent with this Plan. that reflect the role of each center as a

urban village element 9. Public facilities and human services focus of employment. that reflect the role of each village category as the focus of housing and UV5 Consider suitable for urban village designa- employment and as the service center tion areas where: for surrounding areas. 1. Natural conditions, the existing devel- 10. Parks, open spaces, street designs, and opment pattern, and current zoning are recreational facilities that enhance conducive to supporting denser, mixed- environmental quality, foster public use pedestrian environments where health and attract residential and public amenities and services can be commercial development. efficiently and effectively provided. In some instances, the urban village 11. A place, amenity, or activity that serves designation is intended to transform as a community focus. automobile-oriented environments into 12. Neighborhood design guidelines for use more cohesive, mixed-use pedestrian A in the City’s design review process. environments, or within economically distressed communities to focus UV4 Consider the following characteristics economic reinvestment to benefit the appropriate to Manufacturing and existing population; Industrial Centers: 2. Access to transportation facilities is 1. Clearly defined geographic good or can be improved; boundaries that reflect existing development patterns, functional charac- 3. Public and private facilities, services teristics of the area, and recognized and amenities, such as parks, schools, neighborhood boundaries. commercial services, and other com- January | 2005 (2013) (2015) munity services, are available, or can be provided over time; and, Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.7

4. Existing public infrastructure has capacity or potential to UV10 Maintain and enhance retail commercial accommodate growth. services throughout the city, especially in areas attractive to pedestrians and tran- UV6 Establish clearly defined boundaries for sit riders, to support concentrations of centers and urban villages that reflect residential and employment activity, with existing development patterns, functional special emphasis on serving urban villages. characteristics of the area, and recognized

neighborhood boundaries. Use boundar- UV10.5 Encourage the location of grocery stores, urban village element ies to guide development activity, monitor farmers markets, and community food growth and other development conditions, gardens to support access to healthful food and evaluate performance towards meet- for all areas where people live. ing neighborhood and comprehensive plan goals for services and amenities.

UV7 In order to support the existing character of areas outside of urban villages, and to encourage continued investment in all of Seattle’s neighborhoods, permit areas outside of urban villages to accommodate some growth in a less dense development pattern consisting primarily of single-family neighborhoods and limited multifamily, commercial, and industrial areas.

UV7.5 Coordinate public and private activities to address transportation, utilities, open space and other public services to accommodate the new growth associated with subarea rezones (e.g., in transit station areas) that result in significant increases in density.

UV8 Involve the public in identifying needs for, planning, and designing public facilities, pro- A grams, and services. Encourage and provide

opportunities for extensive public involve- January | 2005 (2009) (2013) (2015) ment in City decisions, and encourage other agencies to provide similar opportunities.

UV9 Preserve developments of historic, archi- tectural, or social significance that contrib- ute to the identity of an area. 1.8 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

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A-1 Categories of Urban Villages UV12 The intended functions of the urban village categories are generally:

discussion • Urban centers, and the urban villages within them, are intended to be the Seattle’s urban village categories build on the urban densest areas with the widest range of center and manufacturing/industrial center designa- land uses. tions called for in the Countywide Planning Policies.

The designation of an area as an urban center, • Hub urban villages will also accommo- urban village element urban village, or manufacturing/industrial center date a broad mix of uses, but at lower guides other City actions to enhance the charac- densities, especially for employment, ter and function of that area and to accommodate than urban centers. growth in a manner that supports the Countywide Centers growth concept. Urban village designations • Residential urban villages are intended supplement the regional growth management con- for predominantly residential cept by shaping it to fit Seattle’s established, densely development around a core of developed, and complex urban neighborhoods. commercial services.

A village designation recognizes the contributions • Manufacturing/industrial centers are a particular area makes to the city and provides intended to maintain viable industrial guidance regarding the intended function, character, activity and promote intensity, type and degree of growth anticipated for industrial development. an area. UV13 Designations of areas as hub urban villages goal and residential urban villages, as indicated in Urban Village Figure 1, shall be consis- UVG15 Guide public and private activities to tent with criteria developed to address the achieve the function, character, amount of following factors: growth, intensity of activity, and scale of development of each urban village consis- • existing zoned capacity tent with its urban village designation and • existing and planned density adopted neighborhood plan. • population • amount of neighborhood policies commercial land • public transportation investments A-1 UV11 Based on the functions and densities they and access

can support, designate categories of urban • other characteristics of hub or January | 2005 (2013) villages in order to guide planning for the residential urban villages as provided in mixed-use environments that are smaller or this Plan, or further refined less dense than the urban center designations of the Countywide Planning Policies UV14 Establish goals for the mix of uses, target as follows: densities for employment and housing, the scale and intensity of development, and 1. Urban center villages within the types of public improvements desired urban centers to make each village category function 2. Hub urban villages as intended. 3. Residential urban villages 1.10 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

urban centers goals use, or opportunities exist to provide pubic open space in the future. UVG16 Designate as urban centers unique areas of concentrated employment and housing, 6. Zoning that permits the amount of new with direct access to high-capacity transit, development needed to meet the fol- and a wide range of supportive land uses lowing minimum density targets: such as retail, recreation, public facilities, parks, and open space. a. A minimum of 15,000 jobs located within a half mile of a UVG17 Recognize areas that provide a regionally possible future high capacity significant focus for housing and employ- transit station; ment growth as urban centers. Enhance the unique character and collection of busi- b. An overall employment density of nesses and housing types of each center. 50 jobs per acre; and

UVG18 Designate urban center villages within c. An overall residential density of 15 larger urban centers to recognize different households per acre. neighborhoods within a larger community. UV16 Designate the following locations as urban

urban village element urban centers policies centers as shown in Urban Village Figures 2-7 below: UV15 Designate as urban centers those areas of the city that are consistent with the 1. Downtown Seattle following criteria and relevant Countywide 2. First Hill/Capitol Hill Planning Policies: 3. Uptown Queen Anne 4. University Community 1. Area not exceeding one and one-half 5. Northgate square miles (960 acres). 6. South Lake Union

2. Accessibility to the existing regional UV17 Designate urban center villages within transportation network including access the Downtown, First Hill/Capitol Hill and to other urban centers, with access University Community urban centers as to the regional high-capacity transit shown in Urban Village Figures 2, 3 and 5. system to be provided in the future. While the Uptown Queen Anne, South Lake A-1 Union, and Northgate centers are presently 3. Zoning that can accommodate a broad considered to be too small to be subdivided mix of activities, including commercial into center villages, this does not preclude and residential activities, as appropri- the designation of urban center villages ate to the planned balance of uses in within those urban centers in future neigh- the center. borhood planning processes. Goals and policies for urban center villages apply to 4. The area is already connected to sur- all urban centers. rounding neighborhoods by bicycle and/or pedestrian facilities or can be UV18 Promote the balance of uses in each urban connected through planned extensions center or urban center village indicated by January | 2005 (2013) (2015) of existing facilities. one of the following functional designations, assigned as follows: 5. The area presently includes, or is adjacent to, open space available for public Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.11

Urban Center Functional Designation Village Belltown 1. Primarily residential. Capitol Hill 2. Mixed, with a Pike/Pine residential emphasis. Denny Triangle Pioneer Square Chinatown/International urban village element District 3. Mixed residential First Hill and employment. 12th Avenue University District Northwest Ravenna Northgate* Uptown Queen Anne* South Lake Union* 4. Mixed, with an Downtown employment emphasis. Commercial Core

* These urban centers are not divided into urban center villages.

A-1 January | 2005 (2015) 1.12 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle urban village element

A-1 January | 2005 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.13 urban village element

A-1 January | 2005 1.14 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

Urban Village Figure 4 urban village element

A-1 January | 2005 (2007) Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.15 urban village element

A-1 January | 2005 1.16 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle urban village element

A-1 January | 2005 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.17 urban village element

A-1 January | 2005 1.18 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

6. Reasonable access to the regional manufacturing/industrial centers goals highway, rail, air and/or waterway system for the movement of goods. UVG19 Ensure that adequate accessible industrial land remains available to promote a UV20 Designate the following locations as manu- diversified employment base and sustain facturing/industrial centers as shown in Seattle’s contribution to regional high-wage Urban Village Figure 1: job growth.

1. The Ballard Interbay Northend UVG20 Promote the use of industrial land for Manufacturing/Industrial Center; and industrial purposes.

2. The Duwamish Manufacturing/ UVG21 Encourage economic activity and devel- Industrial Center. opment in Seattle’s industrial areas by supporting the retention and expansion of UV21 Promote manufacturing and industrial em- existing industrial businesses and by pro- ployment growth, including manufacturing viding opportunities for the creation of new uses, advanced technology industries, and businesses consistent with the character of a wide range of industrial-related com- industrial areas. mercial functions, such as warehouse and distribution activities, in manufacturing/ urban village element manufacturing/industrial industrial centers. centers policies

UV22 Strive to retain and expand existing manu- UV19 Designate as manufacturing/industrial facturing and industrial activity. centers areas that are generally consistent with the following criteria and relevant UV23 Maintain land that is uniquely accessible Countywide Planning Policies: to water, rail, and regional highways for continued industrial use. 1. Zoning that promotes manufacturing, industrial, and advanced technology UV24 Limit in manufacturing/industrial areas uses and discourages uses that are not those commercial or residential uses that compatible with industrial areas. are unrelated to the industrial function, that occur at intensities posing short- and 2. Buffers protecting adjacent, less inten- long-term conflicts for industrial uses, sive land uses from the impacts A-1 or that threaten to convert significant associated with the industrial activity in amounts of industrial land to these areas (such buffers shall be non-industrial uses. provided generally by maintaining existing buffers, including existing UV24.1 The City should limit its own uses on land industrial buffer zones). in the manufacturing/industrial centers to uses that are not appropriate in other 3. Sufficient zoned capacity to accommo- zones and should discourage other public date a minimum of 10,000 jobs. entities from siting non industrial uses in manufacturing/industrial centers. An 4. Large, assembled parcels suitable for exception for essential public facilities industrial activity. should be provided.

5. Relatively flat terrain allowing efficient January | 2005 (2008) (2013) (2015) industrial processes. Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.19

hub urban villages goals 5. Within 1/2 mile of the village center a minimum of one-third (at least 20 UVG22 Accommodate concentrations of housing acres) of the land area is currently and employment at strategic locations in zoned to accommodate mixed-use or the transportation system conveniently commercial activity. accessible to the city’s residential population, thereby reducing the length of 6. A broad range of housing types and work-trip commutes. commercial and retail support services

either existing or allowed under current urban village element UVG23 Provide convenient locations for commer- zoning to serve a local, citywide, or cial services that serve the populations of regional market. the village, surrounding neighborhoods, the city, and the region. 7. A strategic location in relation to both the local and regional transportation UVG24 Accommodate concentrations of employ- network, including: ment and housing at densities that support pedestrian and transit use and increase a. Transit service with a frequency opportunities within the city for people to of 15 minutes or less during peak live close to where they work. hours, and 30-minute transit headways in the off-peak hours, hub urban villages policies with direct access to at least one urban center, with the possibility UV25 Designate as hub urban villages areas that of improved connections to future are consistent with the high capacity transit stations following criteria: b. Located on the principal 1. Zoning that allows a mix of uses to ac- arterial network, with connections commodate concentrations of employ- to regional transportation facilities ment and housing. c. Routes accommodating 2. Sufficient zoned capacity to accommo- goods movement date a minimum of 25 jobs/acre and to accommodate a total of at least 2,500 d. Convenient and direct, connections jobs within 1/4 mile of the village cen- to adjacent areas by pedestrians A-1 ter, and to accommodate at least 3,500 and bicyclists dwellings units within 1/2 mile of the

village center. 8. Open space amenities, including: January | 2005 (2013) (2015)

3. The area presently supports, or can a. Direct access to either existing or accommodate under current zoning, a potential public open spaces in the concentration of residential develop- immediate vicinity ment at 15 or more units/acre and a total of at least 1,800 housing units b. Accessibility to major open space within 1/4 mile of the village center. resources in the general area via either existing or potential urban 4. Surroundings comprised primarily of trails, boulevards, or other open residential areas that allow a mix of space links, or anticipated major densities, and non-residential activities public investment in open space. that support residential use. 1.20 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

9. Opportunities for redevelopment 1. The area presently supports, or can because of a substantial amount of accommodate under current zoning, a vacant or under-used land within concentration of residential develop- the village. ment at a density of at least 8 units per acre, with a capacity to accommodate UV26 Designate as hub urban villages areas a total of at least 1,000 housing units ranging from those able to accommodate within 2,000 feet of the village center growth with minor changes and public in small to moderate scale structures. investment to those requiring more extensive public investment, where the potential 2. The area includes one or more centers exists to achieve desired village conditions of activity that provide or could provide through redevelopment over time. commercial and retail support services to the surrounding area, including at UV27 Designate the following locations as hub least 10 acres of commercial zoning urban villages as shown on Urban Village within a radius of 2,000 feet. Figure 1: 3. The area is generally surrounded by 1. Lake City single-family and/or lower-density

urban village element 2. North Rainier multifamily areas. 3. Bitter Lake Village 4. Ballard 4. The area is presently on the city’s 5. West Seattle Junction arterial network and is served by a 6. Fremont transit route providing direct transit service to at least one urban center or UV28 Permit the size of hub urban villages to hub village, with a peak-hour transit vary according to local conditions, but limit frequency of 15 minutes or less and their size so that most areas within the 30-minute transit headways in the village are within a walkable distance of off-peak. employment and service concentrations in the village. 5. The area has the opportunity to be connected by bicycle and/or pedestrian residential urban villages goal facilities to adjacent areas and nearby public amenities. A-1 UVG25 Promote the development of residential urban villages, which function primarily as 6. The area presently includes, or is adja- compact residential neighborhoods pro- cent to, open space available for public viding opportunities for a wide range of use, or opportunities exist to provide housing types and a mix of activities that pubic open space in the future. support the residential population. Support densities in residential urban villages that UV30 Balance objectives for accommodating support transit use. growth, supporting transit use and walking, maintaining compatibility with existing de- residential urban villages policies velopment conditions, maintaining affordable housing, and responding to market January | 2005 (2013) (2015) UV29 Designate as residential urban villages preferences for certain types of housing, areas that are consistent with the through the density and scale of following criteria: development permitted. Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.21

UV31 Allow employment activity in residential A-2 Areas Outside of urban villages to the extent that it does not Centers and Villages conflict with the overall residential function and character of the village, provided that goal a different mix of uses may be established through an adopted neighborhood plan. UVG26 Support and maintain the positive qualities of areas outside of urban centers UV32 Designate the following residential urban and villages.

villages as shown on Urban Village urban village element Figure 1: policies

1. Crown Hill UV35 Provide that the area of the city outside 2. 23rd Avenue S @ S Jackson – Union urban centers and villages remain 3. Madison-Miller primarily as residential and commercial 4. Wallingford areas with allowable densities similar to 5. Eastlake existing conditions, or as industrial areas, 6. MLK@Holly Street or major institutions. 7. South Park 8. Upper Queen Anne UV36 Protect single-family areas, both inside and 9. Roosevelt outside of urban villages. Allow limited 10. Aurora-Licton multifamily, commercial, and industrial uses 11. Green Lake outside of villages to support the surround- 12. Rainier Beach ing area or to permit the existing character 13. Morgan Junction to remain. 14. Admiral 15. North Beacon Hill UV37 Recognize neighborhood anchors designat- 16. Greenwood/Phinney Ridge ed in adopted neighborhood plans as im- 17. Columbia City portant community resources that provide 18. Westwood/Highland Park a transit and service focus for those areas outside of urban villages. UV33 Permit the size of residential urban villages to vary according to local conditions, but UV38 Permit limited amounts of development consider it generally desirable that any consistent with the desire to maintain location within the village be within easy the general intensity of development that walking distance of at least one center of presently characterizes the multifamily, A-2 activity and services. commercial, and industrial areas outside

of urban centers and villages and direct January | 2005 (2013) (2015) UV34 Include among areas considered suitable the greatest share of growth to the urban for designation as residential urban vil- centers and villages. lages those areas that possess the desired characteristics and infrastructure to support UV39 Accommodate growth consistent with a moderately dense residential popula- adopted master plans for designated major tion and those areas that, while lacking institutions located throughout the city. infrastructure or other characteristics of a residential urban village, warrant public investment to address inadequacies in order to promote a transition to a higher density residential neighborhood. 1.22 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

B Distribution of Growth Within the city, jobs and households are not evenly distributed. For instance, the four contiguous urban centers (Downtown, Capitol Hill/First Hill, South Lake discussion Union, and Uptown) contain almost one-fifth of the city’s households and nearly one-half of the city’s The urban village strategy directs Seattle’s future jobs – on less than 5 percent of the city’s land. And growth primarily to areas designated as centers and among the city’s urban centers, there are substantial villages. The greatest share of job growth will be differences in the distribution of jobs and housing. accommodated in urban centers – areas that already Downtown, for instance, has about ten times more function as high density, concentrated employment jobs than housing units. This Plan’s growth targets centers with the greatest access to the regional indicate that the expected growth in households will transit network. Growth in industrial sector jobs change the ratio between jobs and households in will continue to be accommodated primarily within some urban centers to be somewhat closer to the the two manufacturing/industrial centers where this citywide average over the next 20 years. However, activity is already securely established. Job growth the growth targets also show that the role these will also occur in hub urban villages, which are centers currently play as primarily job centers is distributed throughout the city to promote additional likely to continue. employment concentrations in areas easily accessible to the surrounding residential population, thereby 20-year targets of the growth of each urban center

urban village element locating jobs and services near where people live. and urban village can be found in Urban Village Appendix A. The greatest share of residential growth will also be accommodated in urban centers, increasing oppor- goals tunities for people to live close to work. The next most significant share of residential growth will be UVG27 Encourage growth in locations within the distributed among the various hub and residential city that support more compact and less urban villages throughout the city in amounts com- land-consuming, high quality urban living. patible with the existing development characteristics of individual areas. UVG28 Concentrate a greater share of employment growth in locations convenient to Modest growth will also be dispersed, generally at the city’s residential population to promote low density, in various areas outside centers walking and transit use and reduce the and villages. length of work trips.

B Growth estimates at the citywide level represent the UVG29 Plan for urban centers to receive the city’s share of King County’s projected 20-year popu- most substantial share of Seattle’s growth lation and employment growth. The City plans its consistent with their role in shaping the zoning and infrastructure to accommodate estimated regional growth pattern. growth citywide as well as estimated growth in the individual urban centers. UVG30 Plan citywide for 70,000 additional housing units and 115,000 additional jobs between Across the city, there are currently just under two 2015 and 2035 and encourage growth in jobs for every household. The 20-year growth Seattle’s urban centers and manufacturing/ targets this Plan anticipates will continue that ratio. industrial centers to be distributed gener- Similar ratios apply throughout King County and the ally as shown in Urban Village Figure 8. January | 2005 (2013) (2015) four-county region. Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.23

Urban Village Figure 8 Growth Estimates for Urban Centers and Manufacturing/Industrial Center 2015 - 2035

Location Housing Units Job

Urban Centers Downtown 10,000 30,000 First Hill/Capitol Hill 7,000 4,000 urban village element South Lake Union 4,700 20,000 Uptown 3,500 3,500 University District 2,700 8,000 Northgate 1,600 5,000 M/I Centers Duwamish 3,000 Ballard/Interbay 1,500 Remainder of city (Urban Villages and areas 40,500 40,000 outside centers/villages) Total 70,000 115,000

UVG31 Plan for growth that accomplishes the 2. The center’s role in regional growth goals of the urban village strategy, and management planning recognizes local circumstances, community preferences as expressed in neighborhood 3. Accessibility to transit plans, and the need for an equitable distribution of growth across the city. 4. Existing zoning, including capacity for employment and UVG32 Achieve development within urban villages residential development at a pace appropriate to current conditions in the area. 5. Existing densities B UVG33 Allow limited amounts of development in 6. Current development conditions, recent areas of the city outside urban centers and development trends and plans for villages to maintain the general intensity of development by public or private sector January | 2005 (2013) (2015) development that already characterizes these developers, such as major areas and to promote the level of growth institution plans estimated for centers. 7. Density goals for each type of center policies 8. Plans for infrastructure and public UV40 Base 20-year growth estimates for each amenities and services necessary to urban center and manufacturing/industrial support additional growth center on: 9. The relationship of the center to the 1. Citywide estimates for housing and job regional transportation network growth over 20 years from the County- wide Planning Policies 1.24 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

UV41 Promote the concentration of development • amending growth estimates; or within centers over the 20-year timeframe of this Plan, by: • working with other public agencies to address community goals. 1. Establishing 20-year growth estimates that do not exceed 80 percent of zoned capacity for development, as calculated C Open Space Network by the City

2. Maintaining the 80 percent capacity goals margin in each center whenever zoning is modified UVG34 Provide safe and welcoming places for the people of Seattle to play, learn, con- 3. Making reasonable efforts to provide template, and build community. Provide services, facilities, and incentives to healthy spaces for children and their fami- accommodate the estimated growth lies to play; for more passive activities such as strolling, sitting, viewing, picnicking, UV42 Review, monitor and publish the rate of public gatherings, and enjoying the natural growth in centers and villages along with environment; and for active uses such as

urban village element other measures indicate changes in the community gardening, competitive sports, center or village over an extended period and running. of time. Evaluate the significance of the changes with center or village residents, UVG35 Through the creation, preservation, and business owners, and other community enhancement of the city’s open spaces, stakeholders in light of the expectations support the development patterns called underlying the neighborhood plan for the for by this Plan, enhance environmental area, the actual level of growth, progress quality, provide light, air, and visual relief; toward neighborhood plan implementation, offer community-building opportunities; and the relative maturity (level of mixed- provide buffers between residential areas use development, the pedestrian environ- and incompatible uses; provide spaces for ment, infrastructure, and public facilities) sports and recreation; and protect environ- of the area as an urban center or village. mentally sensitive areas.

Establish by resolution, percentage thresh- UVG36 Enhance the urban village strategy through B old criteria to identify growth conditions the provision of: over an extended period of time that indicate a need to initiate a neighborhood re- 1. Amenities in more densely view process. In the neighborhood review populated areas process, identify appropriate responses to significant growth or changes, including but 2. Recreational opportunities for daytime not limited to:

January | 2005 populations in urban centers

• community-led activities; 3. Mitigation of the impacts of large scale development • additional planning for, or re-prioritization of, City programs or infrastructure 4. Increased opportunities to walk regu- improvements; larly to open spaces by providing them close by • partially or entirely updating a neighborhood plan; Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.25

5. Connections linking urban centers and UV50 Direct efforts to expand the open space villages, through a system of parks, network according to the following boulevards, community gardens, urban considerations: trails, and natural areas 1. Locations for new facilities: 6. A network of connections to the regional open space system a. Urban centers and villages with the largest share of estimated

7. Protected environmentally critical areas residential growth; especially those urban village element existing high density residential 8. Enhanced tree canopy and understory areas presently not served accord- throughout the city ing to the population-based or distribution goals for urban village policies open space;

UV43 Strive to accomplish goals in Urban Vil- b. Other urban village locations where lage Appendix Figures A-1 and A-2 for the an adopted subarea plan or recog- amount, types, and distribution of open nized neighborhood plan includes space. open space recommendations consistent with these policies; and UV44 Designate and preserve important natural or ecological features in public ownership c. Specific locations enumerated in as green spaces for low-intensity open the Parks functional plan outside space uses. urban centers or villages.

UV45 Identify City-owned open spaces on the Fu- 2. Types of open space acquisitions and ture Land Use Map. facility development:

UV46 Consider open space provisions identified a. Village open space sites, urban in adopted neighborhood plans, including center indoor recreation facilities, specific open space sites and features, in village commons sites, and guiding the expansion of the open community gardens; space network. b. Critical open space linkages, con- UV47 Establish, through the combined systems nectors, and corridors that are C of urban trails, green streets and designat- highly accessible for active use

ed boulevards, a network among the city’s within or directly serving urban January | 2005 (2013) (2015) varied open space features and urban vil- villages, high density and/or high lages and urban centers as well as connec- pedestrian, bicycle, or transit tions with recreational and natural areas use areas; within the Puget Sound region. c. Open space linkages, connec- UV48 Provide unstructured open play space for tors, and corridors that are highly children in or near residential neighborhoods. accessible for active use serving other high pedestrian, bicycle, or UV49 Guide development of shoreline public ac- transit use areas; and cess and recreation as important elements in the city’s open space network. 1.26 Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle

d. Other types of open space within D Annexation or adjacent to urban villages that is accessible from adjacent policies urban villages. UV55 Seek, through cooperative efforts with UV51 Promote sustainable management of public adjacent jurisdictions, an equitable and bal- and private open spaces and landscaping anced resolution to jurisdictional boundar- including preserving or planting native and ies of the remaining unincorporated areas naturalized vegetation as appropriate to adjacent to the city’s limits. Future an- the landscape, removing invasive plants, nexations to Seattle and/or city boundary protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat, changes shall be based on the following: and using an integrated pest management approach which favors natural over chemi- 1. The area has access or can easily be cal pest management. connected to areas already served by the City, allowing efficient delivery of public projects policies services to the area;

UV52 Seek to provide public open space in con- 2. The City can readily provide services to junction with major public projects such as the area; and

urban village element utility and transportation projects, with the amount of open space based on the size of 3. The boundary changes or interjurisdic- the project, open space needs of the adja- tional agreements will result in a fair cent areas, and the opportunities provided and equitable distribution of revenues, by the particular project. facilities development and maintenance and operating costs, and transfer UV53 Emphasize flexibility in planning, of assets. designing, and developing new open space and encourage development of UV56 Designate as Potential Annexation Areas innovative projects. areas that include parcels currently owned by the City or small areas almost completely UV54 Promote inter-agency and intergovern- surrounded by land currently within Seattle’s mental cooperation to expand community city limits. Areas meeting these conditions gardening opportunities. are designated as Potential Annexation Areas as shown in Urban Village Figure 9. C UV54.5 Create opportunities for people to experi- ence the natural environment by including UV57 Favorably consider annexation requests by parks, forested areas, urban agriculture the residents of unincorporated areas to (P-Patches, farms, orchards and commu- meet regional growth management goals. nity gardens), and viewpoints among the priority uses to be considered for the City’s UV58 Support annexations of unincorporated surplus properties. areas to surrounding jurisdictions by being involved in public participation efforts to determine local sentiment regarding an- January | 2005 (2015) nexations, participating in the development of interlocal agreements concerning final annexation plans with the goal of eventu- ally eliminating any unincorporated island areas, and participating in the evaluation of any proposals to create new jurisdictions in these areas. Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan | Toward a Sustainable Seattle 1.27 urban village element

D January | 2005 (2007) (2012) (2015)