23.48.640

A. Required setbacks in SM-U zones 1. In the SM-U 85, SM-U 75-240, and SM-U 95-320 zones, a setback is required from specified street lot lines as shown on Table A for 23.48.640. If the required setback allows for averaging the depth of the setback from the street lot line, any setback area further than 10 feet from the street lot line shall not be included in the averaging calculation. Table A for 23.48.640 Required street-level setbacks in the SM-U 85, SM-U 75-240, and SM-U 95-320 zones Street requiring setback from abutting street lot line: Required setback measured from street lot line NE 42 nd Street 3 feet average NE 43 rd Street 3 feet average NE 45 th Street 8 feet minimum NE 50 th Street 5 feet minimum 2. All setback areas required by subsection 23.48.640.A.1 shall either be part of a usable open space or be landscaped according to standards in subsection 23.48.055.A.3, except that for setbacks required from lot lines abutting NE 45 th Street and NE 50 th Street, no landscaping is required if the setback area is paved to match the abutting sidewalk, and the Director, after consulting with the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, determines that the paved setback area will not conflict with Seattle Department of Transportation standards for the abutting sidewalk. 3. Required setbacks in the SM-U/R 75-240 zone. On all streets in the SM-U/R 75-240 zone, an average setback of 5 feet is required from all street lot lines, subject to the following: a. No setback shall be less than 3 feet from the street lot line, and any setback area further than 10 feet from the street lot line shall not be included in the averaging calculation. b. The setback area shall either be part of a usable open space or landscaped according to standards in subsection 23.48.055.A.3. 4. Underground structures are permitted in all required setback areas. 5. Bay windows, canopies, horizontal projection of decks, balconies with open railings, eaves, cornices, gutters, and other similar architectural features that are at least 13 feet above the sidewalk elevation are permitted to extend up to 4 feet into the required setback. 6. Setback areas eligible for floor area bonus. Areas provided as required street-level setbacks under this subsection 23.48.640.A that abut a designated Neighborhood Green Street shown on Map A for 23.48.640 are eligible for a floor area bonus as a green street setback, provided that the setback area complies with the development standards and conditions in Section 23.58A.040 for a green street setback. B. Setback requirements for street-level residential units and live-work units. In all SM-U zones, if a structure contains street-level, street-facing residential units or live-work units, facades that contain those uses shall set back an average of 7 feet from the street lot line, subject to the following: 1. No setback shall be less than 5 feet from the street lot line, and any setback area further than 15 feet from the street lot line shall not be included in the averaging calculation. 2. The following is permitted in the required setback area: a. Landscaped area accessible from individual dwelling units or from the principal entrance to the structure; b. Private or common useable open space or amenity area; and c. Unenclosed stoops, steps, decks, or porches related to the abutting residential or live-work units that are no higher than 4 feet above sidewalk grade, excluding hand rails and guard rails. 3. Bay windows, canopies, horizontal projection of decks, balconies with open railings, eaves, cornices, gutters, and other similar architectural features that are at least 13 feet above the sidewalk elevation are permitted to extend up to 4 feet into the required setback. C. Transparency and blank facade standards. The transparency requirements and blank facade limits in subsection 23.48.040.B apply to all street-facing facades in the SM-U zone. D. Required street-level uses. Street-level uses listed in subsection 23.48.605.C and meeting the standards of subsection 23.48.040.C are required along the street frontages of the streets shown on Map A for 23.48.605. Map A for 23.48.640 Street Classifications E. Mid-block corridor 1. Required mid-block corridor a. In the area shown on Map B for 23.48.640, lots that meet the following criteria are required to provide a mid-block corridor: 1) The lot exceeds 30,000 square feet in area and abuts two north/south streets. Lots exceeding 30,000 square feet that are separated only by an alley and that are developed as a combined lot development under Section 23.48.627 are also required to provide a mid-block corridor to connect the two abutting north/south streets; and 2) The lot has a street frontage that exceeds 250 feet on at least one of the abutting north/south streets. Map B for 23.48.640 Area requiring mid-block corridors b. On lots where a mid-block corridor is required in subsection 23.48.640.E.1, the following standards shall apply: 1) The mid-block corridor shall provide an unobstructed, continuous pedestrian pathway that extends across the lot and any separating alley to connect both of the abutting streets, and if entrances include doors or gates, public access shall be provided as required for a mid-block corridor eligible for a floor area bonus in subsection 23.58A.040.C.4.a; 2) The alignment of the pedestrian corridor and the point at which it intersects each street shall be no closer than 150 feet to an east/west street abutting the block; 3) Entrances to the corridor at the street shall be accessible to pedestrians at grade level from the sidewalk, and the length of the corridor shall be at ground level, except that minor changes in grade are permitted to accommodate conditions on sloping sites, provided that all segments of the corridor are physically and visually connected and accessible to persons with disabilities; 4) The average width of the corridor shall be 25 feet, with a minimum width of 15 feet. Any completely covered segment of the pedestrian corridor shall have a minimum width of 20 feet; 5) The corridor shall include at least one usable open space with a minimum area of 1,500 square feet and a minimum horizontal dimension of 30 feet; 6) The corridor shall be open to the sky, except that up to 35 percent of the length of the corridor may be covered and enclosed if located on private property, provided the minimum height of covered portions is 13 feet; 7) If the pedestrian corridor crosses an alley, the alley right-of-way shall be improved for pedestrian safety and to reinforce the connection between portions of the corridor on either side of the alley; and 8) The corridor shall include lighting for pedestrian safety during all hours that the corridor is available for public use. c. The Director may allow modifications from the standards for mid-block corridors in subsection 23.48.640.E.1.b as a Type I decision if the applicant demonstrates that alternative treatments will better serve the development by enhancing pedestrian comfort, better integrating the feature as part of the surrounding pedestrian network, and promoting greater use of the connection. d. The mid-block corridor requirement may be waived by the Director as a Type I decision if the Director has determined that one or more of the following conditions apply: 1) A mid-block corridor already exists on the block and, given the proximity to the proposed development site, an additional corridor would not significantly enhance pedestrian circulation in the area and could detract from pedestrian activity on the street; or 2) The location of existing buildings or amenities retained on the lot, such as a Landmark structure, make the inclusion of a mid-block corridor impractical or undesirable. 2. Optional mid-block corridor. A mid-block corridor that is provided on a lot in an SM-U/R 75-240, SM-U 75-240, or SM-U 95-320 zone that is not within the area shown on Map B for 23.48.640, or that is on a lot within the area shown on Map B for 23.48.640 but is not required because of the lot size, is eligible for the mid-block corridor floor area bonus under the provisions of Section 23.48.624 , provided that the corridor meets the standards in subsection 23.48.640.E.1.b and applicable standards in Section 23.58A.040 . 3. A mid-block corridor provided under this subsection 23.48.640.E, whether required or not, is eligible to qualify as amenity area for residential uses under Section 23.48.045 , or required usable open space under subsection 23.48.650.C, or both, provided the applicable standards of Section 23.48.045 and subsection 23.48.650.C are met. 4. A mid-block corridor provided according to the provisions of this subsection 23.48.640.E shall also qualify as required open space in Section 23.48.650 , provided that the mid-block corridor meets the standards in Section 23.48.650 . F. Overhead weather protection 1. Continuous overhead weather protection, provided by such features as canopies, awnings, marquees, and arcades, is required along at least 60 percent of the street frontage of a structure, except that any portions of the street frontage occupied by residential dwelling units and any portion of a designated Landmark structure or vulnerable masonry structure shall not be included as part of the street frontage subject to this requirement. 2. The covered area shall extend a minimum of 6 feet from the structure, unless otherwise provided in this subsection 23.48.640.F, and unless there is a conflict with existing or proposed street trees or utility poles, in which case the Director may adjust the width to accommodate such features as provided for in subsection 23.48.640.F.6. 3. The overhead weather protection must be provided over the sidewalk, or over a walking area within 10 feet immediately adjacent to the sidewalk. When provided adjacent to the sidewalk, the covered walking area must be within 18 inches of sidewalk grade and meet Washington State requirements for barrier-free access. 4. For overhead weather protection extending up to 6 feet from the structure, the lower edge of the overhead weather protection shall be a minimum of 8 feet and a maximum of 13 feet above the sidewalk or covered walking area. For weather protection extending more than 6 feet from the structure, the lower edge of the weather protection shall be a minimum of 10 feet and a maximum of 15 feet above the sidewalk or covered walking area. 5. Lighting for pedestrians shall be provided. The lighting may be located on the facade of the building or on the overhead weather protection. 6. Where the standards listed in this subsection 23.48.640.F conflict with the vertical and horizontal clearance requirements in the street right-of-way, the standards may be modified by the Director as a Type I decision in consultation with the Director of Transportation. (Ord. 125603 , § 40, 2018; Ord. 125267 , § 26, 2017.)