seattle townhomes

We have a widespread perception in Seattle that the land use code regarding multifamily design is broken, as evidenced by the rapid proliferation of the same townhouse design all over town like a cancer (probably more like measles--not fatal, but might leave some scarring).  

I just got back from a 'charette' (a design brainstorming session) with about 40 architects, talking about fixes for the code to allow greater flexibility, and therefore diversity in new developments.  Sadly, I have to report that there are few new ideas out there, mostly deviations that game the existing land use code, or throw backs to traditional forms.  Not that that is bad, I wish we could build up row houses, courtyard housing, etc., but is that going to be palatable to Seattle neighborhoods? Probably not in the short term, although row houses in some shape or form were the subtext of just about every scheme presented.    

The only thing that is going to radically change the code, is the reduction in the importance of the automobile.  Right now, parking, access, and garages dictate the design, and if the solution to larger problems in the city is mass trans and higher density, the car is going to need to be stricken from the equation.  

With gas topping $140 a barrel, and gas at 4.50 a gallon  (this will probably seem like a sweet deal in a month), we may be on the verge of a massive shift in thinking in the public realm about planning for the future.  But I remain cynical enough people will be willing to make the sacrifice necessary to evolve the city on a large scale.  The breaking point is still some years away. 

In the meantime, we should just agitate for a row house plausible by code, because it seems to be on everyone's brains, as a transitional form to a more dense urban environment.