23.66.100

A. During the city of Seattle's relatively brief history, it has had little time in which to develop areas of consistent historical or architectural character. It is recognized that the Pioneer Square area of Seattle has many of these rare attributes and consequently is an area of great historical and cultural significance. Further, the regional sports stadiums, constructed in and near the Pioneer Square area, and the traffic and activities that they generate have resulted in adverse impacts upon the social, cultural, historic, and ethnic values of the Pioneer Square area. To preserve, protect, and enhance the historic character of the Pioneer Square area and the buildings therein; to return unproductive structures to useful purposes; to attract visitors to the City; to avoid a proliferation of vehicular parking and vehicular-oriented uses; to provide regulations for existing on-street and off-street parking; to stabilize existing housing, and encourage a variety of new and rehabilitated housing types for people of all incomes; to encourage the use of transportation modes other than the private automobile; to protect existing commercial vehicle access; to improve visual and urban relationships between existing and future buildings and structures, parking spaces and public improvements within the area; and to encourage pedestrian uses, there is established as a special review district, the Pioneer Square Preservation District. The boundaries of the District are shown on Map A for 23.66.100 [13] and on the Official Land Use Map. B. The District is depicted on Map A for 23.66.100. All property in the entire District shall be developed and used in accordance with the use and development standards established in this Chapter 23.66 and the use and development standards for the underlying zone in which the property is located. In the event of irreconcilable differences between the use and development standards of this Chapter 23.66 and other provisions of this Land Use Code, this Chapter 23.66 applies, except that nothing in this Chapter 23.66 shall permit any use or development on a lot from which TDR or TDP are transferred that is inconsistent with the restrictions applicable as a result of such transfer pursuant to Chapter 23.49 or Chapter 23.58A . C. Reasons for designating the Pioneer Square Preservation District 1. Historic significance. The Pioneer Square Preservation District is unique because it is the site of the beginning of The City of Seattle. The area also retains much of the original architecture and artifacts of its early history. The District has played a significant role in the development of Seattle, the Puget Sound region and The State of Washington. It was the first location of industry, business, and homes in early Seattle and the focus of commerce and transportation for more than a half-century. 2. Architectural significance. As a collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century buildings of similar materials, construction techniques and architectural style, the District is unique, not only to the City but to the country as well. Most of the buildings within the District embody the distinctive characteristics of the Late Victorian style. Many buildings are the work of one architect, Elmer H. Fisher. For these and other reasons, the buildings combine to create an outstanding example of an area that is distinguishable in style, form, character, and construction representative of its era. 3. Social diversity. The District represents an area of unique social diversity where people with a wide range of incomes live, shop, and work. It is an area with market-rate housing as well as low-income housing, emergency shelters, and human services. 4. Business environment. The District is an area of remarkable business diversity. The street level of the area north of S. King Street is pedestrian-oriented, with its storefronts occupied primarily by specialty retail shops, art galleries, restaurants, and taverns. The upper floors of buildings in the historic core are occupied by professional offices, various types of light manufacturing, and housing for persons with a wide range of incomes. The area south of S. King Street includes the stadium's north parking lot, a number of structures occupied by light manufacturing and warehousing use, and several structures converted to office, residential, and mixed use. The stadium's north parking lot may be redeveloped to accommodate a mix of uses, including a substantial amount of housing. The ongoing restoration and sensitive rehabilitation of many District structures, combined with proposed compatible new construction, will continue to enhance the District's economic climate. 5. Educational value. The restoration and preservation of the District will yield information of educational significance regarding the way of life and the architecture of the late nineteenth century as well as adding interest and color to the City. Restoration of the District will preserve the environment that was characteristic of an important era of Seattle's history. 6. Geographic location. The District is uniquely situated adjacent to Seattle's waterfront, the central business district, the International District, and sports stadium and exhibition center facilities. (Ord. 126855 , § 57, 2023; Ord. 123589, § 77, 2011; Ord. 119484 § 34, 1999: Ord. 112134 § 1(part), 1985.)