BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO | ANTHONY BOLANTE

As seen from the rooftop of the Denny Building, the portion of the Denny Triangle bordered by Sixth Avenue, Blanchard Street and Westlake Avenue would be transformed by Amazon.com's plans to build three office towers.

Amazon.com is seeking permits as a planned-community development for a massive office project proposed on three blocks in the Denny Triangle, according to a public filing.

The retail giant is purchasing the land parcels from long-time owner Clise Properties with the intent of building three 1-million-square-foot office towers – one on each of the three blocks. Being designated as a planned-community development would give the online retailer greater flexibility in how it obtains permission to build that much office space on those properties, located between downtown and South Lake Union.

Under city guidelines, a planned community development cannot result in a net loss of housing units or significant alteration to a landmark structure unless the Landmarks Preservation Board approves the changes. City planners can also place conditions on a project to ensure its compatibility with surrounding areas.

Projects need to be environmentally friendly, meeting standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for a LEED silver rating, the third-highest available.

The project must also incorporate three or more of the following elements: low-income housing, townhouse development, historic preservation, public open space, implementation of the neighborhood plan and improvements in transit facilities, pedestrian circulation and urban design. These can be obtained by purchase of transferable development rights from other projects, with the money essentially helping pay for programs that provide child care or projects that supply more affordable housing or preserve landmark properties.

The specific priorities for each planned community development are established by the city’s planning director after a public meeting in which the public can voice any concerns about the project and weigh in on what public amenities it should help support in exchange for permission to build a building of a certain size.

The Downtown Design Review Board will hold a public meeting on the project on March 27 at 5:30 p.m. in Room L280 at 600 5th Ave.

JEANNE LANG JONES covers commercial real estate for the Puget Sound Business Journal. Phone: 206-876-5426 | Email: jlj@bizjournals.com Click here to sign up for the PSBJ Daily Update.