Title
Missing Middle Housing Analysis Update
Recommended Action
Briefing and discussion; no action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a status update on the Missing Middle Housing Analysis.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, CP&D, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, CP&D
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, CP&D
Background and Analysis:
The term 'Missing Middle' refers to a range of multi-unit housing types that are compatible in scale with single-family homes. In other words, they provide 'middle' density housing. There have been little of these types of housing constructed in Olympia (and nationwide) over the past 40 years - thus, they are referred to as 'missing.' Some examples of missing middle housing types include tiny houses, modular units, cottage homes, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, small multi-family apartments, and accessory dwelling units.
The Missing Middle Housing Analysis is reviewing existing city regulations - such as zoning, permit fees, development standards, utility connection charges, etc. - for potentially disproportionate effects on the ability to provide for a variety of housing types in the City's low-density, residentially zoned areas. The Planning Commission received a briefing at its last meeting December 4, 2017, on the public process, Missing Middle Work Group discussions, draft staff recommendations and public comments received (including preliminary results from a public survey).
A Missing Middle web page has been updated regularly to provide updated information and offer an on-going opportunity to provide comments. The City's planning e-newsletter also provides regular updates on the project.
City staff hosted two public Question & Answer sessions December 11 and 13, 2017. Questions were recorded in writing and are included with written responses in a Frequently Asked Questions document on the Missing Middle web page.
As a result of continued analysis and revi...
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