Guide to the Zoning Commission Minutes
1920-1925

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Overview of the Collection

Creator: Seattle (Wash.). Zoning Commission
Title: Minutes
Dates: 1920-1925 ( inclusive )
Quantity: .2 cubic foot (1 box)
Collection Number: 1651-01
Summary: Proceedings of meetings of the Zoning Commission, 1920-1925. Minutes discuss zoning and classification of districts and properties.
Repository: Seattle Municipal Archives

PO Box 94728
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3
Seattle, WA 98124-4728
Phone: 206/233-7807
Email: archives@seattle.gov
http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives

Languages: Collection materials are in English. 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical Note

The Zoning Commission was established in 1920 to survey the City, divide it into districts or zones, and recommend land use in those areas. The City Engineer, Superintendent of Buildings, one Parks Trustee, and six individuals appointed by the Mayor comprised the Commission membership. In 1923, the Commission presented a draft ordinance to City Council which became the City's first Zoning Code. Commission activities were superseded by creation of the City Planning Commission in 1924. Although inactive, the Commission was not abolished until 1936.

Content Description

The Zoning Commission minutes consist of proceedings of regular and special meetings. Minutes contain information on members present, petitions and letters from Seattle citizens or citizens' groups, resolutions of the Commission, and reports of special committees. Classification of properties or districts (into such categories as Business, Residence, or Manufacturing), as well as building height limits and suggested amendments to zoning code, are discussed in the minutes.

The early minutes include reports from other cities regarding zoning used by Seattle as the city began the process of establishing zoning districts. Harland Bartholomew, City Plan Engineer of St. Louis, visited Seattle to assist the Zoning Commission; many of his reports and communications are discussed in the minutes. Also of interest are the minutes relating to controversy regarding packing houses in the Beacon Hill neighborhood; the late 1920 and early 1921 minutes discuss the issue at length.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Records are open to the public.

Preferred Citation :  

[Item and date], Zoning Commission Minutes, Record Series 1651-01. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative Information

Arrangement :

Minutes are arranged chronologically.


Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Zoning Commission Minutes, 1920-1925
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 Zoning Commission Minutes (March - June) 1920
1/2 Zoning Commission Minutes (July - November) 1920
1/3 Zoning Commission Minutes (December) 1920
1/4 Zoning Commission Minutes (January - February) 1921
1/5 Zoning Commission Minutes (March - May) 1921
1/6 Zoning Commission Minutes (June - December) 1921
1/7 Zoning Commission Minutes (January - June) 1922
1/8 Zoning Commission Minutes (July - December) 1922
1/9 Zoning Commission Minutes 1923
1/10 Zoning Commission Minutes 1924
1/11 Zoning Commission Minutes (January - February) 1925

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Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

  • Geographical Names :
  • Seattle (Wash.)--Politics and government
  • Subject Terms :
  • City planning--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Packing-houses--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Zoning--Washington (State)--Seattle
    • Form or Genre Terms :
    • Minutes

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