The northwest section of Loyal Heights could soon be designated as a new “Neighborhood Center” in the city’s growth strategy, a change that would expand where denser housing and commercial development could be built.
The designation is part of an amendment to the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan now under review by the City Council’s Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan.
The amendment, sponsored by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, would restore eight neighborhood centers that were studied by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) but left out of the mayor’s final proposal. Loyal Heights is one of them, alongside areas such as Alki, Broadview, and South Wedgwood.
Under the proposal, the Loyal Heights Neighborhood Center would span roughly 110 acres, stretching north to south between NW 85th St and NW 75th St. Its western boundary would run along 28th Ave NW and 27th Ave NW, while the eastern boundary would connect with the existing Crown Hill Urban Center for one block on 21st Ave NW, then shift to 22nd Ave NW south of NW 83rd Street.
Most of the land within the proposed center is currently zoned Neighborhood Residential, consisting largely of single-family homes with some scattered duplexes and townhouses. The northern edge along 85th includes Neighborhood Commercial 1-40 zoning, while 24th Ave NW between NW 80th and NW 77th is already zoned Neighborhood Commercial 2. South of that stretch, a Lowrise 3 zone supports multifamily and townhouse development. (See a summary of neighborhood zoning here.)
The area already has a mix of uses: multifamily housing, small businesses, and Loyal Heights Elementary, located near 25th Ave NW and NW 80th St. The Loyal Heights Playfield and Community Center fall just outside the proposed boundaries.
Transit access would center on Route 40, which provides frequent service along 24th Ave NW and NW 85th St. While parts of the area are as much as 1,500 feet from a frequent stop, they are within a block of Route 45, which runs on NW 85th but does not meet frequent-service standards.
If approved, the designation could pave the way for future zoning changes to encourage more housing and commercial activity in the Loyal Heights business district. The amendment is scheduled to come before the City Council later this month, with votes expected between September 17–19, unless it is withdrawn before then.
Thanks Jacque for the tip!