Locals invited to comment on City’s Design Review program

With so many new buildings being constructed in both our neighborhood and the city as a whole, the City of Seattle’s Design Review program is exploring ways to make it easier for the public to learn more about projects planned for their neighborhood, and to make it easier to provide input on the design of these projects.

The City of Seattle’s Design Review program reviews private developments in neighborhoods throughout Seattle, including multifamily structures and commercial buildings.

The mission of the Design Review program is to foster design excellence, provide a forum for the public to weigh in on projects planned for their neighborhood, and to provide flexibility, when appropriate, in how land use code requirements are applied.

The Design Review program is made up of seven Design Review Boards, which each represent a different district (Ballard being represented by the NW district). The Design Review Boards review projects in their district and provide advice, guidance and feedback on topics like:

• The overall appearance of the building
• How the proposed project relates to adjacent sites and the street
• How vehicles or pedestrians will access the building
• The type and quality of materials used, open space provided, and landscaping

To improve how the Design Review program engages the public in its work they are seeking local feedback via an online survey.

All of the questions included in the non-scientific survey are optional. Results will help inform potential future changes to the Design Review program and how it engages the public.

A second online survey will be distributed later this year, with additional questions about the Design Review program and potential opportunities for improvement.