Title
Approval of an Ordinance Related to Missing Middle Housing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee recommends adoption of the attached ordinance, amending the Olympia Municipal Code to address infill housing and directing a study of the methodology for calculating impact fees and general facilities charges.
City Manager Recommendation:
Approve the ordinance amending the Olympia Municipal Code to address infill housing and directing a study of the methodology for calculating impact fees and general facilities charges on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to adopt an ordinance, as recommended by the Land Use and Environment Committee, to permit Missing Middle housing types in additional areas of the city.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development
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 relatively few of these types of housing constructed in Olympia (and nationwide) over the past 40 years compared to single-family homes - thus, they are referred to as "missing." Missing Middle housing types addressed in the ordinance include cottage homes, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, courtyard apartments, single-room occupancy buildings, and accessory dwelling units.
The Missing Middle Housing analysis was initiated to implement several policies of the Olympia Comprehensive Plan, as listed on the Missing Middle web page on the City's website (see attached link). The analysis included a review by an appointed Work Group of existing city regulations - such as zoning, permit fees, development standards, utility connection charges, etc. - for potentially disproportionate effects on the abilit...
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