23.48.230

A. Applicability and general provisions. For structures in the SM-SLU 175/85-280 zone designed for research and development laboratory use and administrative office associated with research and development laboratories, structures that do not exceed a height of 120 feet are not subject to the floor area limits of subsection 23.48.245.B, provided the project complies with all the requirements of this Section 23.48.230 . In order for a structure to qualify for the exemption from the floor area limit, at least one complete MUP application for a structure on the same block that has been permitted to extend up to a height of 120 feet without floor area limits shall be filed within nine months of February 17, 2010. B. Location. A structure may be exempt from floor area limits of subsection 23.48.245.B if the structure is located on a block that is: 1. Designated SM-SLU 175/85-280; 2. Bounded by arterial-designated streets on at least two sides; 3. Greater than 60,000 square feet in size and does not exceed 100,000 square feet in size; and 4. Not bisected by an alley or other public right-of-way. C. Street-level uses. Street-level uses shall be provided as required by subsection 23.48.205.C. D. The applicant shall make a commitment that the proposed development will meet the green building standard and shall demonstrate compliance with that commitment, all in accordance with Chapter 23.58D . E. Open space. A minimum of 20 percent of the lot area shall be usable open space. The purpose of the open space shall be to allow for public seating, passive recreation, and a mid-block pedestrian connection. For a multi-phase project, the open space requirement and the other requirements in this subsection 23.48.230.E shall be calculated and applied to the total project. The following standards apply to open space required under this subsection 23.48.230.E: 1. The open space shall be open during daylight hours and accessible to the general public, without charge, for a minimum of ten hours per day, except that access may be temporarily limited as required for public safety, security, scheduled events, or maintenance reasons. Members of the public may not be asked to leave for any reason other than conduct that unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of the space by others, unless the space is closed to the general public consistent with this subsection 23.48.230.E.1. No parking, storage, or other use may be established on or above the surface of the open space except as provided in this subsection 23.48.230.E. Use of the open space by motor vehicles is prohibited. The open space shall be clearly identified with signage placed at a visible location at each street entrance providing access to the open space. The signage shall indicate, in letters legible to passersby, the nature of the open space, its availability for general public access, and directional information as needed. 2. The open space shall contain at least one contiguous area with a minimum of 3,000 square feet and a minimum horizontal dimension of 10 feet. 3. A minimum of 35 percent of the open space shall be landscaped with grass, ground cover, bushes, and/or trees. 4. The open space shall include seating in an amount equivalent to either one lineal foot of permanent seating or two movable chairs for every 200 square feet of open space during hours of public access. 5. The open space shall be located and configured to provide easy access from streets or other abutting public spaces and convenient pedestrian circulation through the open space. The open space shall have a minimum frontage of 30 feet at grade abutting a sidewalk, and be visible from sidewalks on at least one street. 6. The open space shall be provided at ground level, except that some separation of multiple levels may be allowed, provided they are physically and visually connected. 7. Up to 20 percent of the open space may be covered by features accessory to public use of the open space, including: permanent, freestanding structures, such as retail kiosks, pavilions, or pedestrian shelters; structural overhangs; overhead arcades or other forms of overhead weather protection; and any other features approved by the Director that contribute to pedestrian comfort and active use of the space. The following features within the open space area may count as open space: areas for temporary kiosks and pavilions, public art, water features, permanent seating that is not reserved for any commercial use, exterior stairs and mechanical assists that provide access to the open space and are available for public use, and any similar features approved by the Director. Seating or tables, or both, may be provided and reserved for customers of restaurants or other uses abutting the open space, however, the area reserved for customer seating shall not exceed 15 percent of the open space area or 500 square feet, whichever is less. 8. Public art shall be included in the public open space. The artwork may include but need not be limited to water features, or two or three-dimensional works in all media. The artwork shall be clearly visible to people using the open space, and, wherever possible, should be visible from the abutting streets. The property owner is responsible for maintaining all art features for the life of the buildings on the lot. F. Transportation Management Program (TMP). A TMP shall be required and prepared according to the provisions of Section 23.52.010 and any applicable Director's Rules. 1. For purposes of measuring attainment of SOV goals contained in the TMP, the number of SOV trips shall be calculated for the p.m. hour in which an applicant expects the largest number of vehicle trips to be made by employees at the site (the p.m. peak hour of the generator). 2. Compliance with this Section 23.48.230 does not affect the responsibility of any employer to comply with Seattle's Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Ordinance. (Ord. 127392 , § 2, 2026; Ord. 127375 , § 53, 2025; Ord. 125291 , § 7, 2017; Ord. 125163 , § 10, 2016; Ord. 124883 , § 13, 2015.)