The city administration's proposal to increase some Interbay height limits from 40 feet to 85 feet has been approved by the council's Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee.

Because it in an area-wide rezoning change, it requires a change in the city municipal code.

The change requires 11percent of developments in the area to include affordable workforce housing.

The mayor's proposal would have been permitted seven to 10 units but Clark proposed 20 percent of developments should be required to be affordable to people making 80 percent of the area's median income for rentals. An analysis however, showed the council's proposal would only require six units.

"What's tricky is that you see the executive number is a lower percentage but will apply to more floors in a development while the council has a higher percentage but applies to fewer floors," said David Yeaworth, legislative assistant to Clark. "It's not quite like comparing apples to apples."

The rezone would permit buildings to have an additional two or three floors without being required to create workforce housing. However, if a developer chooses to build above 65 feet or to a maximum of 85 feet, they are required to create more affordable housing or pay a fee.

The full Council's sentiments on Interbay is in support of the rezone said Yeaworth. The rezone will permit the creation of an Interbay neighborhood and that could mean more affordable housing on transit lines and for other neighborhoods looking for development assistance.

The open space south of the rezoned Interbay area would provide a significant area for future residents, the Seattle Planning Commission previously told the Council. Since Dravus is along a transportation corridor and a proposed RapidRide bus station, it will be critical that any type of increase density have accessible transportation.

The proposal will go before the full council on Monday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall 600 4th Ave., Seattle.

Allison Espiritu may be reached at 783-1244 or allisone@robinsonnews.com.