Title
Housing Options Code Amendments - Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the Housing Options under consideration.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
The Growth Management Act (GMA) was amended in 2019 to encourage cities to adopt regulations to "increase residential building capacity" within its zoning districts. The GMA includes a list of options for cities to consider in order to do so. The list is provided in Section 1 of RCW 36.70A.600.
Late in 2019 the City Council made a referral to the Planning Commission. The Council identified three options to increase residential building capacity in Olympia and directed the Planning Commission to develop an ordinance to implement at least two of the three following provisions, as summarized:
* Authorize a duplex on each corner lot within all zoning districts that permit single-family residences;
* Authorize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on all parcels containing single-family homes, provided the city does not require on-site parking, owner occupancy requirements, or square footage limitations below one thousand square feet. To allow local flexibility, ADUs may be subject to such regulations, conditions, procedures, and limitations as determined by the local legislative authority;
* Authorize at least one duplex, triplex, or courtyard apartment on each parcel in one or more zoning districts that permit single-family residences unless a city documents a specific infrastructure of physical constraint that would make this requirement unfeasible for a particular parcel.
Other
These housing options are not targeted at any specific income group. These options are not intended to result in changes to zoning district boundaries or the allowed densities of the underlying zoning distric...
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