Major Institutions Zoning Project Records

Series

Identifier: 4605-03

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, and recommendations regarding the major institutions policy in the Seattle land use code. A major institution is a public or private organization providing educational, religious, medical, or recreational services to a community, and that dominates an area based on the amount of land owned and number of staff, clients, or visitors, and traffic impacts.

Dates

Creation: 1979-1990
Creation: 1980-1983

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). Legislative Dept. (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access note

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

The Legislative Department is comprised of the City Council, Office of the City Clerk, and Central Staff (policy analysts and budget support). The City Council is responsible for setting City-wide policy through the adoption of ordinances and resolutions, overseeing the Executive's implementation of policies and programs, and passing the City budget. The first City Charter, in 1869, established a seven-member Common Council. In 1890, the new City Charter created a bicameral legislative branch with a nine-member Board of Aldermen and 16-member House of Delegates. The 1896 Charter returned to a single body of 13 members elected from 11 wards and two at-large. As the number of wards increased, the number of Council members grew to 18 in 1907. A City Charter Amendment in 1910 reduced the number to nine, all elected at large, and made elections non-partisan. In 1946 Councilmember terms were increased from two years to four years. The Office of the City Clerk and the Office of the City Auditor became part of the Legislative Department in 1993. In 1999 the Office of the City Auditor became an independent department.