[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079680,"mediaKeyId","2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509","parentId",2954855,"title","Votes at a glance: Commission approves minutes and directs staff to prepare ADU amendment packet","audioSeconds",46,"startMs",27000,"endMs",73000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509&start=27&end=73","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509/thumbnail_27000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079680/Monroe-City/Snohomish-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Commission-approves-minutes-and-directs-staff-to-prepare-ADU-amendment-packet","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079680-7ad057e43256a1d0015298624c4379b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590196&Signature=BIWHHFsJJFwznu2PM0O4Gz~PRKh78-aPOReruMNFdkXR5betb2P~4Qpq6oBCivdhRUnFCjFMQrl7U9rmgt0cD3pcLBfeyBktQnMT5~hxll5uPY8bWDPKb~6FyTL~KflFXowiFel8B~DuAGSCRAB5uGiDS9~ET8gu5Z-hEuLBf3F5XqfC20ituBIyxIvJ6HAeCzv81INOC2xOEzae1WzP1teltLTaNebLWKYhAEAgwVsn3X~i-bZaALgNOGl6UzKlZOdHg7YeGZYAwBJMlB~Cm7Vr~E7N2J5qy1RFrOxHQ4Fnu6bkMsZAYxQWmgjHLolDehxPFZPBfxcsuBiDDm~xPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe City, WA","date","2025-04-11T00:50:08.013Z","article","At its March 10 meeting the Monroe Planning Commission recorded two formal actions: approval of the Feb. 10, 2025 meeting minutes, and a motion directing staff to prepare a formal accessory dwelling unit (ADU) amendment packet and schedule a public hearing.

Approved: Minutes from Feb. 10, 2025

- Motion: Approve minutes of the Feb. 10, 2025 meeting.
- Mover: Brandy.
- Second: Carla.
- Vote: Voice vote; clerk recorded \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

Approved: Direct staff to prepare ADU amendment packet and schedule public hearing

- Motion: \"Direct staff to prepare a formal amendment packet and schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission\" (exact wording from meeting record).
- Mover: Brandy.
- Second: Not specified in transcript (record shows the motion was seconded).
- Vote: Voice vote; commissioners responded \"Aye.\" Outcome: approved.

Notes: Both actions were completed by voice vote during the meeting. The ADU motion was the formal direction that begins the public outreach and hearing process for the code amendment discussed at length during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Monroe, WA Planning Commission - March 10, 2025 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission approved minutes from the Feb. 10 meeting and voted to direct staff to prepare a formal ADU amendment packet and schedule a public hearing; both motions passed unanimously by voice vote.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",71110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079685,"Commission begins drafting unit-lot subdivision rules required by state law; raises density and utility questions",2074,2554000,4628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509&start=2554&end=4628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509/thumbnail_2554000.jpg","/articles/6079685/Monroe-City/Snohomish-County/Washington/Commission-begins-drafting-unit-lot-subdivision-rules-required-by-state-law-raises-density-and-utility-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079685-987d55bae9399ab87ac700995dbd7e38/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590196&Signature=OWKopVLE747XatGyP-A57lNRDPoHyOX8PyuC0Cw513X8GTLX1YY8RT4U7667FpjnCj1ikIsQwMS5re92jLKLH6p9Pr3Q0Te0Yk86sL9tt0tyCAFmyPFhSW1vP1IanOD0~2Jfr2W1r3erJCaxDJohodkMm56o5Ca9RgII-JFVIo25SamRRPl49sqlJwLn5je3~JY6lwUxpQ9QS~WtgzmAf9zk47g8ZJd9NTwc-6FHAopqeqeIOjPu8BE-lKUKcTn24kgX3xo9ZDWX5rIB5sx-66NWETbj07hU086X1efWX-F0zsF5xoM5M33VL0GMCruGoHXwXFisgGDTNoJ5lbZz3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff introduced a required amendment to Monroe's subdivision code to add procedures for unit-lot (fee-simple) subdivisions, a state-mandated option that lets a parent parcel be divided into separately owned unit lots while retaining some common areas. Commissioners discussed policy choices including allowable housing types, deviations from dimensional standards, parking, common-area mechanism (easement or homeowners association), utility connections and impact fees. Staff will draft code language and return for further policy direction.

What staff presented

Planning staff explained unit-lot subdivisions as a short-plat-like process created by 2023 Senate Bill 5258 that allows a parent lot to be divided into individually owned unit lots (fee-simple parcels) while portions of the parent lot not subdivided are owned in common or held by an HOA. Staff advised that the parent lot must meet zoning bulk standards while unit lots can get limited deviations (setbacks, lot width, coverage) to enable infill townhouse, cottage or small-multiplex development.

Policy issues commissioners flagged

- Housing types: Commissioners and staff discussed allowing duplexes, townhomes, cottage housing and whether ADUs should be convertible into unit lots. Staff cautioned that treating ADUs as fee-simple lots could affect how density and impact fees are applied.

- Density and fee parity: Staff and commissioners noted a tension: some unit-lot configurations effectively increase sellable units without the same frontage, utility or impact-fee obligations that a conventional subdivision would trigger. Staff said accessory dwelling units are treated differently under Monroe's density rules and that using a unit-lot mechanism for ADUs could produce unequal outcomes or avoid impact fees.

- Utilities and frontage improvements: Staff said the unit-lot process would follow short-plat procedures, including separate utility connections and required frontage improvements; engineering would confirm technical details for connections and easements. Commissioners asked whether shared or easement-based utilities would be feasible on small infill parcels.

- Parking and common areas: Staff proposed allowing common parking areas (with required stalls per unit retained in the rules) and asked whether common areas should be handled by recorded easement or an HOA. Commissioners generally favored easements for lower cost and administrative simplicity, but left the final choice to staff recommendation.

Timing and next steps

Staff identified code sections to amend (definitions, subdivision chapter, permit-processing chapter) and a June 30, 2025 statutory timeline to meet. Staff said they will prepare a draft ordinance modeled in part on neighboring cities' examples (Snohomish) and return for a future Planning Commission meeting with proposed language and illustrations for commissioner review.

Quoted material in this story is taken from the March 10 Planning Commission meeting transcript and staff presentation.","Staff introduced a required unit-lot subdivision (fee-simple unit lot) code amendment tied to 2023 Senate Bill 5258; commissioners discussed parking, common-area ownership (easement vs HOA), whether ADUs should be eligible, and utility/impact-fee implications; staff will return with a draft code before the June deadline.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079690,"Planning commission advances draft ADU code that would allow two accessory units and larger maximum size",2482,61000,2543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509&start=61&end=2543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954855-a11c174e10a609a29fab7d6739bdb509/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6079690/Monroe-City/Snohomish-County/Washington/Planning-commission-advances-draft-ADU-code-that-would-allow-two-accessory-units-and-larger-maximum-size","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079690-4f93cd8331e1e8bb70b26498e0b56f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590196&Signature=X-yr8qGi60JyxTENosg6bzY80cYoGo~AEYeJ08f~2itrOroWqzOYwrxb7Np8B00a9uBU51NIq6w2hmCntbTouvO77eT8A0vTyBKqiExxEQM0vUL2-WOJWMG-lYFZ1Bij9eZyeR0Re8GvKwm07nFy9eq61HPsK7NmPs4joy0dZgvLimldrErjCkn-NhJeH3mXIr2YvTrzQBZFSnpS4Lkvs4ZRAINvvyvoWb2ouk6xETBP1FVx-y6pDykUh0OTxMxJmTcPFOUrvJivgUPRN34ZoYJny7INT8i2t2Ki6V7YaW5DIkOQmFhKAR1ReFbe7R10lOgHfBXjewf6g1DDAwMDtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe Planning Commission on March 10 reviewed proposed amendments to the city's ADU (accessory dwelling unit) rules aimed at implementing recent state law changes and speeding permit review. Planning staff presented options on permit type, unit counts, size limits, parking and short-term rental treatment, and commissioners directed staff to prepare a formal amendment packet and a public hearing date.

The proposal would move the land-use review of ADUs from a Type 2 permit to a Type 1 permit to shorten processing and reduce neighborhood notice requirements. Planning staff said the city currently allows one attached or detached ADU; the draft text would allow two ADUs in any combination on a lot. Planning staff reported the proposed maximum floor area would be “the larger of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the total floor area of the principal dwelling unit, excluding any related garage area.” Planning staff also proposed removing an owner-occupancy requirement and retaining a requirement for one additional off-street parking space per ADU.

Why it matters: The changes are driven in part by state legislation that limits the ways cities can restrict ADUs and by local priorities to make permitting faster. Commission members said the proposals affect neighboring property notification, design outcomes, parking demand and the potential uses of new units (for families, renters, or short-term rentals).

Key details discussed

- Permit processing and notice: Staff recommended changing ADU land-use review from Type 2 (includes mailed notice and a notice of decision/appeal period) to Type 1 (administrative, no mandatory neighbor notice). Staff said that while neighbors can still submit comments, if an application meets the adopted code the city must approve it.

- Unit counts and size: \"We currently allow 1 attached or detached ADU, and we're proposing to allow 2, in any combination, either attached or detached,\" Planning staff Danielle Bridal said during the presentation. Bridal summarized the proposed size standard as \"must not exceed a thousand square feet or 50% of the floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater.\" Commissioners discussed whether the 50% test should apply differently to attached versus detached units and raised split-level and basement conversion scenarios as potential edge cases.

- Parking: Staff proposed keeping one additional required off-street parking space per ADU. Staff noted a state rule that can eliminate that requirement where robust transit (a bus every 30 minutes most of the day) is available; Monroe does not meet that transit threshold.

- Preapproved plans and building review: Staff reviewed experience from Seattle and other jurisdictions, saying preapproved building plans can reduce building-review time (one example cited a roughly 50-day savings at the building stage) but still often require multiple correction cycles. Seattle data presented by staff indicated a sharp rise in ADU permit applications after the city allowed two units; staff framed those figures as background, not local predictions.

- Short-term rentals and affordability: Staff said Monroe currently does not regulate short-term rentals and that roughly 10% of ADUs in Seattle reportedly operate as short-term rentals; the planning packet also noted Department of Commerce guidance that many ADUs end up in middle- to upper-income bands rather than the lowest-income affordability tiers. The commission discussed that ADUs alone are unlikely to meet the city's lower-income housing targets.

Next steps and public process

Commissioners, after discussion, moved to direct staff to prepare a formal amendment packet and schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Staff will prepare draft code language and return with a public-notice schedule and materials for the hearing.

Staff and participants quoted in this report are drawn from the March 10 Planning Commission meeting transcript.","Planning staff presented proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) code changes including permitting type, allowing two ADUs per lot, and a maximum size set as the larger of 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling; commissioners directed staff to prepare a formal amendment packet for public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Commission approves minutes and directs staff to prepare ADU amendment packet

Commission begins drafting unit-lot subdivision rules required by state law; raises density and utility questions

Planning commission advances draft ADU code that would allow two accessory units and larger maximum size