For Immediate Release November 4, 2010
Contact: Bryan Stevens, 206.684.5045 bryan.stevens@seattle.gov
Rebecca Baker, 206.615.1171 rebecca.baker@seattle.gov
Streamlining Sustainable Development
Seattle Launches Priority Green Expedited Permitting for Residential, Multifamily
and Commercial Projects
Interested in faster review times? A single point of contact ? Priority Green has been expanded to meet your needs. To simplify and better direct you to the appropriate program, all green permitting incentives have been organized under the Priority Green name. Seattle is now providing incentives accessible to any applicant designing a green project.
“We are fortunate that the Seattle community has a strong culture of sustainability. Our Priority Green permit incentive program is designed to make green building standard practice and accessible to all our applicants so that we can work together to build a sustainable future.” Diane Sugimura, Director of Seattle Department of Planning and Development
DPD’s Priority Green program began with a goal of facilitating very innovative projects showcasing emerging sustainable design. The program has evolved with input from stakeholders, most notably the Green Building Task force. The task force recommended an expedited permitting program and technical support for code challenges. These recommendations have been realized with Priority Green Expedited focusing on typical green building projects and the Innovation Advisory Committee focusing on emerging technologies.
Priority Green Expedited has been expanded to include multifamily and commercial projects in addition to single family and townhome projects that began in October 2009. DPD will continue to incentivize innovative and Living Building projects meeting Architecture 2030 through Priority Green Facilitation.
“Priority Green is a fantastic way to encourage green building in Seattle. The inventive programs meet the city’s environmental goals while leveraging existing city services. Expedited permit review saves time and money while promoting healthier, more sustainable residential and commercial building practices.” Richard Franko, Mithun, Green Building Task Force Member.
All Priority Green projects benefit from:
- Dedicated staff facilitation
- Priority intake appointments, routing and issuance
- A single point of contact for prompt responses
Priority Green EXPEDITED shortens review times for new single family and townhomes (formerly Green Q), and multifamily and commercial projects. Minimum levels of participation are Built Green 4 Star or LEED Silver (single family and townhomes projects) or LEED Gold (multifamily and commercial projects). Smaller residential projects may also choose DPD’s Alternative Path.
Benefits include
- shorter initial plan review:
o 4 weeks faster for single family and townhomes
o 2 weeks faster for multifamily and commercial
Priority Green FACILITATED assists all project types that meet innovative green building standards that may encounter code challenges. Projects must meet DPD’s criteria for Innovative projects or participate in the Living Building Challenge.
Benefits include
- priority plan review
- integrated review to identify and resolve issues
- flexibility in applying the Seattle Land Use Code for Living Building Pilot projects
Priority Green TOOLS provide additional code incentives to assist applicants in developing green projects. Includes early code review of innovative green strategies through the Innovation Advisory Committee, additional development potential for green projects utilizing Incentive Zoning, and early issuance of demolition permits for Residential Deconstruction.
Successes to Date
Fifteen projects have applied for the Priority Green Facilitated program, one has been completed and 3 others are under construction. Twelve single family and townhomes applications have been received since 2009 for DPD’s expedited process, representing about 9% of projects of this type. Ten have received permits and are under construction.
For more information visit www.seattle.gov/dpd/prioritygreen
Jess Harris
Seattle Green Permitting Lead
206.684.7744
jess.harris@seattle.gov
Rebecca Baker, LEED AP
City Green Building
Seattle Department of Planning and Development
rebecca.baker@seattle.gov
206.615.1171
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