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Coupeville staff previews middle-housing code draft, residents urge limits on ADU density
Summary
Planning staff told the Coupeville Planning Commission that a draft zoning update on accessory dwelling units, middle housing and parking will be ready for public review in about two weeks; several residents urged the commission to protect the town's small‑town character, limit ADU density and prioritize affordable units.
Coupeville planning staff told the Planning Commission on Jan. 21 that a draft of middle‑housing and accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) code changes will be released for public review within about two weeks, with a public hearing expected March 4, 2025.
The proposal updates development regulations for ADUs and “middle housing” and would be followed by a staff report, public notice and a recommended vote by the commission to send a recommendation to Town Council. "By next week, end of next week will be when that sort of ready to go draft and related comments and staff report will be sort of item available," Planning staff member Josh said.
The announcement prompted multiple public commenters to urge caution on density and affordability. Sharon Godier, a Coupeville resident, said residents repeatedly told planners they want to "preserve the small town" nature of Coupeville and expressed concern that allowing two ADUs per lot, relaxed setbacks and other changes could make the town "much denser" and alter its rural character. Godier also asked the commission to prioritize ADUs for "low and moderate income" households rather than weekend or vacation homes.
Susan McClellan, a Coupeville resident who said she lives in a house built in 1893, raised similar concerns about a specific parcel behind her home that is proposed to move from medium‑density to high‑density. McClellan asked how historic homes on South Main Street will be protected and how landlocked lots would obtain emergency access if redeveloped. "How is a landlocked lot...going to be accessed?" McClellan asked.
Carol Beeman, a resident who lives in condominiums near the wharf, urged the commission to consider the island's water supply when allowing more units. "We have a problem with that, and I think that we have to be very careful on Coupeville, because we need to share our water with farmers around us," Beeman said.
Commission discussion and staff comments identified two recurring implementation questions: parking and utility access. Staff reported that Town Council feedback focused on parking and whether parking reductions should be used to incentivize affordable housing; the council was said to be uncomfortable with a piecemeal, ad hoc approach to right‑of‑way improvements to accommodate new on‑street parking. "A lot of the conversation centered around parking," Josh said, adding that unit‑lot divisions and design standards remain to be clarified.
The staff presentation included schedule and next steps: staff will publish the draft and related materials, accept public comment, hold the commission’s public hearing on March 4, 2025, and then forward a recommendation to Town Council. After council review the council may hold its own hearing if it proposes further substantive changes.
Residents pressed staff to include safeguards that would favor long‑term occupancy by local workers and limit speculative weekend rentals; staff said those policy choices would be considered as part of the public review and Council deliberations.
The commission did not take formal action on the code at the Jan. 21 meeting. The item remains in staff review and will return to the commission for the March public hearing and subsequent recommendation process.
Looking ahead, staff said the forthcoming draft will explain unit‑lot division rules, parking requirements and outreach steps and will summarize how the proposed zoning revisions interact with Coupeville’s housing targets and sewer availability.
