Lake City Urban Design
On August 16, 2016, legislation that changed zoning within the Lake City hub urban village and commercial areas along Lake City Way from NE 95th Street to NE 145th Street was signed. The zoning helped create a more pedestrian oriented neighborhood as property redevelops. These changes went into effect in September 2016. You can find more information about the proposed zoning changes below.
- Summary of zoning changes
- Director’s Report about the proposed zoning changes
- Proposed rezoning meeting flyer
More about developing a Shared Vision for Lake City
Lake City is a neighborhood that is diverse and energetic, facing its own real challenges. Residents talk about walkability, public safety, access to recreation, and neighborhood character as important priorities. Bisected by a state highway, the neighborhood has struggled to support local, walkable businesses and services, and to create a community sense of place. Residents hope to see growth and investment, but they also worry about displacing current residents and businesses.
Check out the Enjoy Lake City for the most up-to-date information about what's happening in the neighborhood. As part of developing the UDF, we worked closely with the Office of Economic Development (OED) and Department of Neighborhoods to support your community members who created Lake City Future First, which is funded in part through OED's Only in Seattle grant and other City grants.
Community Resources and Links
- Lake City Neighborhood Alliance (LCNA)
- Meadowbrook Community Council
- Victory Heights Community Council
- North Seattle Chamber of Commerce
- Lake City Greenways
- North Seattle Family Resource Center
- Community Psychiatric Clinic
- Hunger Intervention Program
- Douglas Park Cooperative (DPC)
- Families for Lake City
Draft Urban Design Framework
The Draft Urban Design Framework is being finalized, but there will be opportunities to help shape zoning recommendations. Please check back soon for a schedule of upcoming workshops or contact Katie for more information.
Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments
As part of the Lake City urban design process, we have proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments that will be reviewed by City Council later this year. The amendments would change a small area within the hub urban village from multifamily to commercial zoning on the Future Land Use Map, which is the first step in the zoning process to allow for an expansion of the business district west of Lake City Way along NE 125th Street.
Community presentation materials
The following documents were presented at various community meetings over the past year.
Lake City’s population has nearly doubled in the past twenty years. While neighborhood groups like the Lake City Neighborhood Alliance, North Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and Lake City Greenways are strong advocates for positive change in Lake City, more work can be done to help strengthen the business district and create a safe neighborhood where it’s easy to walk or ride your bike. Our project was coordinated with other efforts, including Lake City Future First, and will create an actionable plan for the future of Lake City.
Planning Background
- 2009 Status Check
- Lake City North District Design Guidelines
- Plan for the Neighborhoods of the Lake City Community
- Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan
- University of Washington’s Lake City Way Visioning Project
Transportation Plans and Projects
Recent Projects
- 2005 Coffee Pot Pergolia public art by Paul Sorey
- Albert Davis Park $854K Pro Parks Levy funding; completed Summer 2005
- Olympic Hills Greenway
Draft Urban Design Framework
The Draft Urban Design Framework is being finalized, but there will be opportunities to help shape zoning recommendations. Please check back soon for a schedule of upcoming workshops or contact Katie for more information.
Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments
As part of the Lake City urban design process, we have proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments that will be reviewed by City Council later this year. The amendments would change a small area within the hub urban village from multifamily to commercial zoning on the Future Land Use Map, which is the first step in the zoning process to allow for an expansion of the business district west of Lake City Way along NE 125th Street.
Community presentation materials
The following documents were presented at various community meetings over the past year.
- May 2015 Lake City Neighborhood Alliance slide show
- April 2015 Lake City Future First Community Conversation posters
- October 2014 Lake City Farmers Market poster
- May 2014 Lake City Future First Community Conversation poster
Lake City Advisory Group
An advisory group of Lake City’s residents and business owners will help guide the development of the UDF. They will work together to provide ideas and recommendations regarding future development, particularly on commercial land in and around the urban village. Group members will also reach out and collect ideas from people throughout Lake City and the North Neighborhoods. Input from other community members will be incorporated through smaller focus group discussions and larger public workshops. Opportunities to provide comment online will be available throughout the process.
We will work with Lake City Future First, the Lake City Neighborhood Association (LCNA), and other community groups to develop a consistent inclusive outreach and engagement plan. Our plan will identify how to bring traditionally under-represented communities into the work underway in Lake City.
The Lake City advisory group meets once a month through October. The advisory group's meeting topics are listed below. Meeting materials will be provided when they are available.
Review maps; discuss how development standards could encourage human scale development; Fire Station 39 update: August 2014
Review North Lake City strengths, challenges, and opportunities: July 2014
Confirm general character (residential, retail) of streets and edges in the hub urban village; discuss strengths, challenges, and opportunities in and around Little Brook; discuss proposed FS39 lease: June 2014
Refined potential features of public spaces and newer buildings and agree on placeholder for annual Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle: May 2014
Continued discussion about project principles and "downtown" Lake City:
April 9, 2014
- Presentation
- Map
- Notes
- Wall Graphics
Review of project principles; strengths, challenges and opportunities in "downtown" Lake City: March 12, 2014
General Overview of existing conditions and identification of issues and aspirations: February 12, 2014
2014
- Begin urban design framework planning
- Urban design advisory group formed
- Inclusive community outreach and public engagement
- Public review of draft urban design framework (3rd quarter)
- Finalize urban design framework (4th quarter)
2015
- City Council review of land use recommendations
- Final decisions by City Council and Mayor