Seattle committee previews interim rules to implement House Bill 11-10, sets one-year window

The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan heard an overview March 29 from city planning staff and the mayor’s office on interim legislation the executive proposes to meet the state requirements of House Bill 11-10.

The presentation said the interim ordinance is narrowly written to “comply with house bill 11 10” and other state laws with similar deadlines while the city works toward permanent code changes. The executive proposes the interim rules take effect by June 30 and remain in place for up to one year while staff prepare a permanent package, subject to the hearing examiner’s pending appeals of the comprehensive plan environmental impact statement.

The interim text would require residential lots zoned for housing to allow a wider range of “middle housing” types. “Under the interim legislation you would have lots would be allowed to have up to 4 units per lot or 6 if they're near major transit or 2 are affordable, consistent with HB 11 10,” said Bridal Staley of the Office of Planning and Community Development. The presenters explained the interim approach applies that 4-or-6-unit allowance to existing lots only; subdividing a lot would not preserve extra unit allowances for the new parcels.

Staff described additional…