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Council presses on middle-housing rules, historic-district protections in housing element
Summary
Council members questioned state-mandated allowances for duplexes, triplexes and ADUs in single-family zones and asked staff for ways to protect Chehalis— historic neighborhoods while meeting state requirements; staff outlined regulatory tools (lot coverage, open-space minimums, design standards) that can be used within legal limits.
Council discussion on June 30 focused at length on the housing element of Chehalis City—s comprehensive plan update, with multiple members expressing concern about new state mandates for "middle housing" and how those rules could affect designated historic neighborhoods.
Kirsten (planning staff) explained the state—s recent changes and the city—s limited discretion: "There's some requirements of the state ... there's low, medium, and high growth projections" and the city must demonstrate capacity to accommodate its assigned share of growth over the plan—s 20-year horizon.
Council members and attendees repeatedly raised parking and neighborhood character concerns. One participant said the draft—s description of state oversight was "poppycock" and warned that allowing…
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