Supporting Documentation:
It will be helpful to download and print these documents as you read through the proposal.  Some are larger files and may take a moment to download.
Rezone Pamphlet (4 page executive summary dated 2.8.2010)
Proposal for Legislative Rezone (8 page planning study dated 6.26.2009)
Seattle’s Commercial Zones (City of Seattle Chart)
Seattle’s Multifamily Zones (City of Seattle Chart)

Related Links:
Town Center Specific Recommendations
City of Seattle Council on the Built Environment (COBE)
City Council Agenda Sign Up
City Council Comprehensive Plan Amendments

The rezone is an effort put forward by the Greater Greenwood Design & Development Advisory Group (GGDDAG).  They have assembled a rezone pamphlet which a result of multiple workshops/meetings with planners, architects, landscape architects, developers and other professionals in early 2009.  One of their goals was to identify appropriate zoning within and around the Greenwood Town Center.  Consideration was given to pedestrian/bike/vehicle circulation, local business impact, housing density and several other factors identified in the rezone documentation.  Details of the proposal can be found in the Rezone Pamphlet.  For more information click on the link “Rezone Pamphlet” at the top of this page.

The Community Council presented the rezone to community members in July 21st 2009 and the information was discussed at multiple other meetings where community members provided their input.  Some community members have strongly opposed a portion of the rezone outside what we describe as the core of the Town Center.  The advisory group makes a distinction between the rezone of the commercial core and the rezone the commercial properties to the south of the core & the single family properties to the west and north of the core.  They are individually identified as layers in the proposal and community members are encouraged to support or oppose any layer they believe is appropriate.

This is a confusing process to many people so here one way to look at it:
There are 2 distinct parts to this rezone proposal and it’s not necessary for them both to be passed.
1) rezone of the town center core from a Commercial “C” zoning designation to Neighborhood Commercial “NC”.  This is supported by the Community Council because we have received strong support to revise the current auto-centric zoning.
and
2) rezone of the periphery around the town center core; including the parcels approximately 100′ south of 85th Street, west of 3rd Avenue, and north of 87th Street.  This is not  for which there is mixed opposition & support (others aside from the GGDDAG have expressed support, it’s just harder to get them to a meeting) – hence is not endorsed by the community council, however it’s not the place of any Community Council to deny it’s neighbors a voice.  This issue stands on it’s own merits and the Community Council will remain an outlet for community ideas and will do it’s best to encourage/enable all it’s members to voice their opinions.

This is a complicated solution that addresses many complex issues.  The description above is a synopsis of a much longer process.  If you have questions, suggestions or would like to become involved please email us at

Current Status:
A part of the proposed rezone changes single family properties to a 35′ “lowrise” designation.  This is proposed for about 100′ west of 3rd Ave and north of 87th.  For those parcels, the City must amend the Future Land Use Map (FLUM), which is a part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.  This is not required for any other part of the proposed rezone, but it must be done before the single family properties may be considered for another zoning type (eg. the L3 proposed).  The word “considered” is important because this does NOT change the zoning.  It allows the next step in the process which would be to review the rezone.  Both processes allow public input and require a vote by the full City Council.  The document containing the proposed amendment can be found in the Comp Plan Amendments document.  To download it click on the “Comp Plan Amendments” at the top of this page.  The amendment that affects Greenwood is O. Greenwood FLUM and Neighborhood Plan Amendment, which actually begins on page 26.

The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.  To sign up for notification of COBE meetings please click on the “City Council Agenda Sign Up” under Related Links at the top of this page.