Seattle's Popular Capitol Hill Neighborhood Getting New Design Guidelines

The new guidelines will allow for new design decisions in a neighborhood undergoing rapid change.

1 minute read

May 30, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Washington

Cascade Creatives / Shutterstock

"The design of the next waves of Capitol Hill redevelopment could get a refresh under a set of proposed design guidelines that would govern buildings in the neighborhood," reports Ari Cetron from Seattle.

The Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development is holding a series of pubic hearings to gather feedback on the draft version of the updated Design Guidelines.

"The previous set [of design guidelines approved in 2005 and revised in 2013] had been more focused on allowing the neighborhood to hold on to its historic character," according to Cetron. "The new guidelines, however, ask developers to not only respect the history but also to make use of contemporary techniques."

"New buildings are asked to preserve the scale and mass of existing buildings, but to use new materials and styles," Cetron adds.

More discussion of the details included in the updated guidelines, along with the expected effect for developers in the growing neighborhood, are also included in the article.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 in Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Converted garage to housing unit in London, UK.

Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan

The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.

1 hour ago - Fox 17

Curb cut at corner of sidewalk with yellow panel with bumps to indicate wheelchair ramp.

Baltimore Ordered to Improve Sidewalk Accessibility

The city is one of many to face lawsuits for failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

This Toronto Suburb Has More Bus Riders Than Columbus, Ohio

Brampton, Ontario used gradual improvements in service to prove that if you build it, they will ride.

3 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab