A Microscope on Pioneer Square, Again

Pioneer Square - looking south on First Avenue near Yesler / Photo: Historic Seattle

On Monday April 25, 2011, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to approve the Livable South Downtown Ordinance, establishing significant zoning changes for Pioneer Square, Japantown, Chinatown/International District, Little Saigon and portions of SODO. This was the culmination of a multi-year planning effort by the City, led by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). In addition to City staff and City Council members, particularly the Committee on the Built Environment (COBE), many others were part of the planning process including an advisory group, community stakeholders, residents, business owners, property owners, developers, neighborhood organizations, the Pioneer Square Preservation Board and International Special Review District Board. Moving forward, Seattle now has a workable model for a more livable and vibrant South Downtown that encompasses two local and national historic districts. The goals for more density, increased housing opportunities, and more economic vitality can hopefully be achieved by this plan and legislation, while respecting the historic built environment.

What grabbed attention in the last few months before the South Downtown legislation was passed was not the wonky land use planning process but the debate about building heights in Pioneer Square, Seattle’s first designated historic district and oldest commercial neighborhood. Early this year, preservationists advocated against an 11th hour request by a local developer and downtown business interests to increase heights in a large portion of the historic district to 180’. This request came in after public hearings were held about the Livable South Downtown Plan. This request also came in well after the Final Environmental Impact Statement was published in May 2008 and was not part of any environmental review or analysis. Preservationists became concerned about the future integrity of the district if out-of-scale development overwhelmed the character of the district’s core. Growth is happening around Pioneer Square and within the historic district at the south edge with more than 600 residential units being developed on the North Lot (the project, with a height limit of 240’, is breaking ground this summer.) (more…)