FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
Legislative	Rebecca Herzfeld/684-4184	Not Applicable

Legislation Title:

AN ORDINANCE related to land use and zoning, amending Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) sections 23.73.002, 23.73.004, 23.73.006, 23.73.008, 23.73.010, 23.47A.005, 23.47A.012, 23.61.006, 23.61.012, 23.55.030, 23.84A.002, and 23.84A.006; adding a new section 23.49.009; and amending the Official Land Use Map at pages 110-111 to expand the boundaries of the Pike/Pine Overlay District, to rename the Overlay District the Pike/Pine Conservation Overlay District, to rezone land within the existing boundaries of the Pike/Pine Overlay District and one small area within the expanded overlay boundaries to add the Pedestrian zoning designation (suffix P), to designate additional principal pedestrian streets within the proposed pedestrian-designated zone, to remove the First Hill Station Area Overlay District, and to remove portions of the Capitol Hill Station Area Overlay District currently within the boundaries of the Pike/Pine Overlay District, in order to clarify the requirements of the Pike/Pine Overlay District and better maintain the character of the Pike/Pine neighborhood.

· Summary of the Legislation:

The proposed legislation would amend and update the Seattle Municipal Code to clarify provisions of the Pike/Pine Overlay District that are out of date or ambiguous due to a series of amendments to the base commercial zoning and the Official Land Use Map. The proposed legislation will also include provisions to promote neighborhood conservation objectives. These actions are part of the ongoing process of implementing the Pike/Pine Neighborhood Plan.

The proposed legislation will amend the Seattle Municipal Code to:

· Restore the intent of the Pike/Pine Overlay District’s original provisions; and

· Expand the overlay’s function to address preservation of the historic scale and character of development in the area as well as other qualities that contribute to the Pike/Pine neighborhood’s unique identity.

· Background:

The Pike/Pine Overlay District was established in 1995 to implement the 1991 Pike/Pine Planning Study.  In 1999, the City Council amended the City’s Comprehensive Plan to adopt key goals and policies from the 1998 Pike/Pine Urban Center Village Plan.

Increased development in Pike/Pine over the last 10 years has raised concerns about the impacts of new, larger projects on the neighborhood.  Some new development has resulted in the loss of small local businesses and the demolition of buildings that contribute to the character of the neighborhood.     

The legislation provides incentives to:

• Retain “character structures” – buildings that are 75 years old or older;
• Promote small local businesses; and
• Retain and promote arts and cultural uses and in the area.  

The proposal is not expected to significantly increase the time required to review permits for projects in the Pike/Pine overlay district, or result in the need for additional City staff.

__X__ This legislation does not have any financial implications.