Governmental Consideration of Large Developments in Urban Areas

Governmental review of a large development in an urban area requires consideration of the unique circumstances of the development and its effect on the community. The city of Seattle evaluated the economic and social benefits and the adverse environmental impacts of three large developments and determined that they could be constructed if additional mitigating measures were implemented. The projects were Columbia Center, a 76‐story office building; the expansion of the University of Washington; and a new effluent transfer system for the area's secondary treatment facility. The developments were approved after considering shoreline, environmental, zoning, construction, and street use requirements, and special ordinances enacted in response to the unique circumstances pertaining to the projects. The impacts of the Columbia Center and University proposals primarily pertained to traffic and transportation, while the proposed effluent transfer system affected traffic, soil stability, shorelines, and a greenbelt.