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Mercer Island council schedules second reading for interim middle-housing, ADU ordinance
Summary
On Feb. 4 the Mercer Island City Council set March 4 for a second reading of Ordinance 25 C-O-2, interim regulations to implement state middle-housing and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) mandates, and heard a staff presentation; no public testimony was given.
Mercer Island City Council on Feb. 4 set a March 4 second reading for Ordinance 25 C-O-2, interim regulations that amend local code to implement state middle-housing and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requirements. The council voted unanimously to place the ordinance on the March 4 agenda after a staff presentation; no members of the public provided testimony at the public hearing.
City planning staff said the interim ordinance is intended to meet state deadlines for code changes and to preserve time for a later Phase 2 process that will develop permanent, locally tailored rules. Community Planning and Development Director Jeff Thomas introduced the item and turned the presentation to Allison Van Gorp, deputy community planning and development director, who summarized the draft.
Van Gorp described the ordinance’s main changes: it would allow middle-housing types (duplex, triplex, fourplex, townhouse, courtyard apartments and stacked flats) in residential zones with unit density standards permitting two to four units per lot; it would permit more than one ADU per lot (up to two); raise the maximum ADU gross floor area to 1,000 square feet; remove the owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs; add parking requirements for both ADUs and middle housing; and add a gross floor area (GFA) incentive for attached ADUs when an additional off-street parking space is provided. “This section will permit six new housing types in the residential zones,” Van Gorp said, summarizing the proposal and its coding changes. The presentation also noted proposed additions to Mercer Island’s zoning definitions and a new code section (Mercer Island municipal code chapter referenced in the presentation: 19.02.025, middle housing).
Staff told the council the interim ordinance responds to state legislation discussed earlier in the process (identified in the presentation as related bill references from the prior year and a forthcoming Senate bill item). The ordinance is presented as an interim measure to be in effect by the June 30 statutory deadline; staff said a Phase 2 process will follow to shape permanent regulations with additional community engagement.
Council members asked one clarifying question about whether any provisions go beyond statutory requirements. Van Gorp said the main item that may be more permissive than the state minimum is the GFA bonus tied to providing an additional parking space for an attached ADU. No public speakers were present for the public hearing; the city clerk confirmed registered commenters were not in attendance and the public portion of the hearing was closed.
The council moved to set Ordinance 25 C-O-2 for second reading on March 4, with Councilmember Jacobson moving and Councilmember Reynolds seconding the motion. The roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.
Staff also informed the council of related next steps: a second ordinance (25 C-O-6) on unit lot subdivision will be brought for public hearing and first reading on March 4 and return for second reading March 18; a resolution to update the city fee schedule to add impact fees for middle housing and ADUs will be presented on March 4. The interim ordinance and related fee updates were described as targeted to take effect on or before the June 30 deadline stated in state law.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve tonight’s agenda — moved by Councilmember Weinberg; seconded by Councilmember Reynolds. Outcome: approved (roll-call ayes recorded for all council members present). - Motion to approve the consent agenda (including payroll certifications, proclamations, various interlocal agreements, and the second reading item for Fire Apparatus Acquisition and Financing, Ordinance 25-O-4) — moved by Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum; seconded by Councilmember Reynolds. Outcome: approved (roll-call ayes recorded for all council members present). - Motion to set Ordinance 25 C-O-2 (interim middle-housing and ADU regulations) for second reading on March 4, 2025 — moved by Councilmember Jacobson; seconded by Councilmember Reynolds. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call vote).
