It's about time Seattle leaders do something to address the thoughtless design of some developments that have been sprouting up in our neighborhoods the last several years, especially when there are no signs of the trend abating.

Mayor Greg Nickels attempts to do just that with regulations he's proposing that would, as his office puts it, "improve the character and design of townhouses and require environmentally sesitive buildng and landscape."

The change would affect about 10 percent of the city, the amount zoned for multi-family constriction. It's part of a complex overall "update" to the city's multi-family code and includes several changes for developments in these areas, including allowing taller buildings.

Among new policy for town home developments, a city design review would be required to ensure there's more oversight on the quality of the homes. Built into the proposal there are also green landscaping guidelines, such as requiring green roofs and planting strips. Developers who want to buid higher would have to meet certain sustainability guidelines and gain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Energy Star certification.

This all sounds good, but some builders are worried about the added costs and time associated with the new regualtions, not only to the developer but also the buyer (See the story on Page One).

An extra design review could tack on another eight months to a year for projects according to some builders, in effect bumping up the price for the consumer. But a representative from the city's Department of Planning and Development said it could be no more than another two months for the townhome design review.

Housing prices are expensive enough without an artifial force inflating them. We need good design but we also need homes affordable to a wide range of incomes. Our hope is that the City Council will weigh this when considering the impact the proposal could have on the already bleeding pocket books of their constituency.

The proposal is scheduled to go to the council later this summer and if approved the regulations could be in place by early next year. We urge you to attend council meetings and contact the mayor and council members on this important issue.

For more details on the mayor's multi-family update proposal go to, http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/Multifamily_Code_Update/Overview/.