Final Director’s Rule Available

On June 12, we published a final joint Director’s Rule with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON).

The Rule expands on the new requirement that all projects going through Design Review must conduct community outreach before beginning the early design guidance (EDG) process. The final Rule builds on a public review draft that was shared in May 2018 and a staff draft that was shared in August 2017.

New Webpage & Resources

Check out DON’s new Early Community Outreach for Design Review webpage! This webpage provides guidance about the process, along with the resources and tools to help you implement it.

Information Sessions

We will host an information session for developers interested in learning more about the new requirements for early community outreach.

Wednesday, June 20

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Ave), 19th Floor

Can’t make it to the meeting? We will also be hosting two Reddit “Ask Me Anything” sessions online:

July 10, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

August 14, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Find us on Reddit’s AMA board day-of, or under DON’s username SEA_Neighborhoods.

Background

The new requirement for early community outreach was adopted by City Council as part of Ordinance No. 125429 in October 2017. It will go into effect on July 1, 2018.

Other Changes Coming July 1

Other changes to the Design Review program that will go into effect on July 1 include: changes to the thresholds that determine which projects are required to go through Design Review; and what type of Design Review would be required. Read a summary of the changes and view the detailed thresholds rules.

Contact

For questions about how the new requirements may impact a specific development project, please contact:

Lisa Rutzick, SDCI, at (206) 386-9049 or lisa.rutzick@seattle.gov

Danielle Friedman, DON, at DREarlyOutreach@seattle.gov

For general questions about the requirements for early community outreach, you may also contact: