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Council hears update on housing work: middle housing, ADUs and Department of Commerce deadline
Summary
Councilmembers were briefed on planning work to meet a Department of Commerce deadline related to middle housing and on longer-term conversations about incentives for affordability and options such as a land bank.
Lake Forest Park staff and councilmembers updated each other Thursday on progress toward increasing housing availability, with a focus on middle housing and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Staff said the city must meet a Department of Commerce deadline (materials due by June 15) to satisfy requirements tied to the city’s tier designation; planning staff and the Planning Commission are working toward a recommendation that will come to council in February or March. The immediate work will largely address state minimum requirements for middle housing types and quantities; Planning Commission discussion has also included whether to adopt incentives that would exceed the minimums and encourage on-site affordability.
Councilmembers noted community interest in tools such as land banking and said those options are more likely to be discussed in separate forums or housing group meetings rather than as part of the immediate code update. Staff emphasized the workload involved and said a full review of every potential tool is unlikely before the June deadline but that the council and Planning Commission will have opportunities for follow-up later in the year.
No formal votes were taken; the Planning Commission will finalize its work plan and forward recommendations to the council for legislative action as required by state law.
