The document outlines a strategy for establishing Neighborhood Conservation Districts in Seattle. Such districts are designed to maintain neighborhood character through design review of changes. The presentation discusses criteria for new district nominations, including boundaries and character elements. It provides examples of design guidelines and review processes from other cities. Establishing districts in Seattle would engage neighborhoods in deciding how to balance preserving character with accommodating change.

1. NEIGHBORHOOD
CONSERVATION
DISTRICT STRATEGY
Lund Consulting, Inc.
Community Outreach
March 23, 2015
City of Seattle

2. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Tonight’s Presentation
1. Describe Neighborhood Conservation Districts
2. New District Nomination Criteria
3. Design Review Process
4. Governance
5. Next Steps: Legislation & Neighborhood
Involvement
6. Q & A

3. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
AS REPORTED IN A 1999 MEMO
TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
Background in City of Seattle
“At least 34 neighborhoods have included in their neighborhood plans at least
some recommendations related to conserving or enhancing community
character. As envisioned by some neighborhoods, a conservation district would
provide guidelines, support and potential incentives for the conservation of
important neighborhood buildings and design characteristics, but would not be
as prescriptive as the landmark and special review districts that the City currently
uses. ...”

4. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Madison Valley In-Fill

5. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
What is a Neighborhood
Conservation District?
 A City-designated district with a distinct character and clear
geographical boundaries.
 Changes to buildings are overseen by a board that includes
neighborhood representatives and design professionals.
 Other cities that have implemented districts could be described as
a hybrid of the City’s landmark/special review districts and the
City’s Design Review program.

6. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Some Cities with Neighborhood
Conservation Districts

7. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Research Conducted
 City staff and consultants conducted a literature review and
analyzed the reviewed regulations and programs from over 25
cities nationwide.
 Among the cities with the richest examples and experiences with
neighborhood conservation districts are:
• Cambridge, MA
• Chapel Hill, NC
• Charlottesville, VA
• Dallas, TX
• Davis, CA
• Denton, TX
• Greenville, TX
• Philadelphia, PA

8. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Philadelphia:
Queen City
Conservation
District
Top photo:
neighborhood
character
Bottom photo:
typical
alterations that
led to district
formation

9. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Philadelphia
In-Fill
Top photo:
new housing
with design
review
Bottom photo:
infill before
neighborhood
conservation
district

10. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Conservation District Goals
 Maintain and reinforce neighborhood character.
 Manage development in neighborhoods with a distinctive character.
 Accommodate change in a manner that is compatible with the area.
 Conserve and enhance existing architectural and cultural identity.
 Provide tailored guidelines and regulations to respond to the unique
development conditions in each neighborhood district.
 Foster new construction in harmony with the scale and physical
character of existing buildings.

11. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Neighborhood Participation Key
Factor in New District Formation

12. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Typical Nomination Process
 New districts may be nominated by neighborhood property
owners, city departments or members of the public. (typically
over 50% owner agreement.)
 Nominations identify design features significant to the district,
consistent with criteria provided by the City, including:
• Elements that contribute to the neighborhood’s
character.
• District boundaries.
• Survey of the area to determine what buildings,
landscape, and streetscape features are to be included.
 The Council would need to approve designations.

13. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Sample District Eligibility Criteria
 Could be patterned on the Seattle Landmarks Ordinance but adapted
to meet neighborhood conservation objectives.
 Must contain at least one block face. (Some cities have larger
minimums.)
 May include residential and non-residential buildings.
 Must include distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style,
period, or method of construction.
 A majority of the buildings and contributing landscape and
streetscape features in the proposed district must be at least 25 years
old.

14. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Example of District Boundaries

15. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Example Character Structures Ballard

16. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Georgetown Character

17. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Contributing & Non-Contributing Buildings

18. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Street Rhythm

19. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Design Guidelines
 Clear and specific guidelines established
for each district.
 Identify character-defining features of
contributing structures or landscapes.
 Certificates of approval would be required.

20. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Menu of Features Board Might Review Based
on Those Features Neighborhoods Value
 New construction, including infill development
 Demolition of contributing buildings
 Proposed departures from development standards
 Major alterations
 Building siting
 Building height or width
 Accessory buildings
 Building materials
 Landscaping, sidewalks, and planting strips
 Porches, fences, and retaining walls
 Doors and windows

21. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Possible Design Elements

22. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Example Street Setbacks University
Park

23. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
In-Fill: NCD New York and North Carolina

24. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
More In-Fill Examples

25. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
District Governance and
Administration
 A citywide board composed of:
• design professionals
• neighborhood representatives
• other stakeholders with a demonstrated interest
 Staffed by an administrator responsible for:
• neighborhood outreach
• nomination review
• guideline development
• certificates of approval
• permit review
• administration

26. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
What Can Neighborhood Conservation
Districts Do for Seattle?
 Help residents preserve the most important
characteristics of their neighborhood to support
quality of life and enjoyment of where they live.
 Engage neighborhoods in deciding specifics:
• boundaries
• types of changes reviewed by a district board
• changes left to individual homeowners'
discretion
 Neighborhood Conservation Districts Do Not
Prevent All Change.

27. City of Seattle
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STRATEGY
March 23, 2015
Questions?

28. THANK YOU.
Lund Consulting, Inc.
Community Outreach City of Seattle
Neighborhood Conservation Districts
March 23, 2015