A City Council committee passed the once-controversial Broadway upzone unanimously yesterday, allowing new buildings to go up to 65 feet instead of 40 - the current limit. The upshot is that new buildings may now be six stories high, rather than four, giving developers an incentive to revitalize Broadway with new mixed-use commercial and residential buildings. Likely targets for redevelopment include the old QFC and Safeway sites on the north end of Broadway, which have been sitting vacant since last year. New restrictions will require that all development above 40 feet be used for housing.

Meanwhile, Peter Steinbrueck dropped an amendment (opposed by the mayor, who originally proposed the rezone) that would have required that one out of every five housing units be affordable to people making up to 60 percent of median income. Instead, the city will create a plan to "encourage" more affordable housing in the area. The resolution, which goes before the full council on Monday, also says the city will also adopt policies to ensure that new developments fit in with the character of the neighborhood, improve public safety, enhance the streetscape, and preserve historic properties.