Gatekeepers or defenders?
The Seattle Design Review Boards have come under similar scrutiny. Some in the housing world blame them for stopping or slowing the construction of new homes rather than encouraging good design, as the boards were intended to do.
For large projects, generally those over 35,000 square feet, developers and architects must go before one of the eight design review boards scattered throughout the city that are made up of volunteers, who often have design or architectural experience. Smaller multifamily developments go through what’s called administrative design review, an internal process completed by city staff.
Using a list of guidelines, the Seattle Design Review Boards are charged with evaluating
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