Title
Middle Housing Infrastructure Policy Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss Middle Housing infrastructure code amendments.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss Middle Housing infrastructure code amendments.
Staff Contact:
Nicole Floyd, Director of Planning, Community Development, 360.753.8087
Zulaika Kim, Engineering Plans Examiner, Community Development, 360.709.2732
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Manager, Public Works Water Resources, 360.753.8321
Presenter(s):
Nicole Floyd, Director of Planning
Zulaika Kim, Engineering Plans Examiner
Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Manager, Water Resources
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia recently amended its Municipal Code (Title 18) to comply with Washington State’s Growth Management Act related to middle housing. These amendments expand opportunities for Middle Housing, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and co-living housing throughout the city. They also further the City’s growth strategy by moving towards a mix of residential types being allowed on all lots.
The changes have now been in effect for several months, which has resulted in the identification of gaps in current code language. City staff across a wide range of divisions have come together to evaluate these gaps and make recommendations on how to best provide necessary infrastructure to ensure our growth targets are achieved.
To promote homeownership opportunities, specific infrastructure must be installed at the point of initial development. Affordability is also a key consideration of requirements that add cost to development. A multi-department workgroup evaluated code policy change approaches and gaps over the last several months. This staff group is now seeking feedback on their recommended approach before drafting amendments.
Central to the topic are the number of individual utility lines (aka connections) required for each property...
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