A. R. Redburn Records, 1951-1974

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle City Planning Commission
Title
A. R. Redburn Records
Dates
1951-1974 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.6 cubic feet, (3 boxes)
Collection Number
1650-05
Summary
Correspondence and files of the Planning Commission's assistant director for administration.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The City Planning Commission was created by ordinance in 1924 and was first included in the City Charter in 1946. The Commission’s role was to prepare plans and gather data for the development of the City, to advise City Council on current problems and long range planning, and to participate in administration of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. It was provided with the authority to hire as needed to carry out its planning and advisory functions. However, the Planning Commission’s decisions needed to be passed by ordinance before they became effective.

Between 1924 and 1974, the Commission’s membership was changed periodically by ordinance. It varied in size from 9 to 25 members. The composition of the Commission also varied but always consisted of a percentage of the following: Mayoral appointees, ex-officio members from various government departments, as well as representatives elected by various government agencies.

With the creation of the Department of Community Development in 1969, the Commission became a part of the Department of Community Development. For the purpose of having a more broad-based membership, in 1974 the Commission membership was changed to be comprised of 15 Seattle citizens, appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council. If at all possible, the citizens would come from different neighborhoods and a variety of disciplines would be represented.

Due to reorganizations in city government, the Planning Commission became a part of the Office of Policy Planning in 1974 then was returned to the Department of Community Development in 1979. In 1980, an independent office of the Planning Commission was established. The Planning Commission would no longer review site-specific land use applications and permits. Its city planning functions were transferred to the Department of Community Development.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Correspondence and files of the Planning Commission's assistant director for administration. Includes material relating to the zoning ordinance, zoning administrative system reform, the zoning condemnation for Thornton Creek and conditional use/variance applications.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], A. R. Redburn Records, Record Series 1650-05. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

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

1650-05:   A. R. Redburn Records, 1951-1974Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Correspondence (25 folders)
1951-1965
2/1
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1962-1964
2/2
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1968-1969
2/3
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1969-1970
2/4
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1972
2/5
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1972
2/6
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1972
2/7
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1972
2/8
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1973-1972
2/9
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1972-1973
2/10
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1973
2/11
Zoning Administrative System Reform
1973
2/12
Zoning Administrative System Reform (News Clippings)
1973-1974
3/1
Condemnation for Thornton Creek
1968-1972
3/2
Condemnation for Thornton Creek
1965-1971
3/3
Condemnation for Thornton Creek
1964-1968
3/4
Zoning / Rezoning Procedural Information
1971
3/5
Planning Commission Correspondence
1973
3/6
Planning Commission Correspondence
1973-1974
3/7
Print Photos - City Council, Planning
1966-

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • City planning--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Ordinances, Municipal--Zoning--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • Redburn, A. R.

Corporate Names

  • Seattle Planning Commission

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)