23.80.004

A. In reviewing an application for a proposed essential public facility, except for light rail transit facilities, the decisionmaker shall consider the following: 1. Interjurisdictional analysis. A review to determine the extent to which an interjurisdictional approach may be appropriate, including consideration of possible alternative sites for the facility in other jurisdictions and an analysis of the extent to which the proposed facility is of a county-wide, regional, or state-wide nature, and whether uniformity among jurisdictions should be considered. 2. Financial analysis. A review to determine if the financial impact upon The City of Seattle can be reduced or avoided by intergovernmental agreement. 3. Special purpose districts. When the public facility is being proposed by a special purpose district, the City should consider the facility in the context of the district's overall plan and the extent to which the plan and facility are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 4. Measures to facilitate siting. The factors that make a particular facility difficult to site should be considered when a facility is proposed, and measures should be taken to facilitate siting of the facility in light of those factors (such as the availability of land, access to transportation, compatibility with neighboring uses, and the impact on the physical environment). B. Except as provided in subsection 23.80.004.C, if the decisionmaker determines that attaching conditions to the permit approval will facilitate project siting in light of the considerations identified above, the decisionmaker may establish conditions for the project for that purpose. However, the decisionmaker may waive or modify development regulations only to the extent that a waiver or modification is approved pursuant to Section 23.80.014 . C. Light rail transit facilities. Proposed light rail facility development shall comply with the development standards and permit processes in this subsection 23.80.004.C and Sections 23.80.006 and 23.80.008 . 1. Light rail transit facilities necessary to support the operation and maintenance of a light rail transit system are permitted in all zones and shoreline environments within Seattle, except the CP Environment; such facilities are allowed in the CP Environment if in or on existing bridges, existing tunnels, or existing infrastructure related to a bridge or tunnel, or if other locations are infeasible under regulations of Chapter 23.60A . 2. The Director may approve a light rail transit facility pursuant to Chapter 23.76 only if the alignment, transit station locations, and maintenance base location of the light rail transit system have been approved by the Council by ordinance or resolution. 3. When approving light rail transit facilities, the Director may impose reasonable conditions in order to lessen identified impacts on surrounding properties. A Master Use Permit is not required for the following, unless required by Chapter 23.60A or Chapter 25.09 : a. At-grade, below-grade, or above-grade tracks and their supporting structures; b. Below-grade facilities; c. Minor alteration of light rail transit facilities involving no material expansion or change of use; or d. Minor new construction that, according to the determination of the Director, is not likely to have significant adverse impacts on surrounding properties. 4. When approving light rail transit facilities, the Director may impose conditions to ensure consistency with adopted City of Seattle Light Rail Design Guidelines developed for the light rail system by the City and the applicant. 5. The Director may waive or modify development standards applicable to a light rail transit facility if the applicant demonstrates that waiver or modification of a development standard: a. Is reasonably necessary to allow the siting or proper functioning of a light rail transit facility; or b. Will lessen the environmental impacts of a light rail transit facility on site or on surrounding properties; or c. Will accommodate future development that will comply with development standards better than if the development standard waiver or modification were not granted; or d. Will fulfill the intent of adopted City of Seattle Light Rail Design Guidelines better than if the development standard waiver or modification were not granted. 6. The Director may impose reasonable conditions on any waiver or modification of development standards to ensure consistency with design guidelines developed for the light rail system by the City and the applicant, and to lessen, to the extent feasible, environmental impacts of a light rail transit facility on site or on surrounding properties. 7. Notwithstanding any contrary language in subsection 23.80.004.C.5, the Director shall not waive or modify a development standard in Chapter 25.09 for a light rail transit facility unless the applicant has applied for and been denied an environmentally critical areas exception according to subsection 25.09.300.A.2. (Ord. 127376 , § 71, 2025; Ord. 127228 , § 32, 2025; Ord. 124105 , § 33, 2013; Ord. 123649, § 56, 2011; Ord. 122198, § 5, 2006; Ord. 121563 § 5, 2004; Ord. 121278 § 9, 2003; Ord. 119974 § 3, 2000; Ord. 117430 , § 84, 1994)