Kennewick adopts middle‑housing package and related planning code updates; council debates lot‑size and parking standards

Kennewick — The Kennewick City Council adopted a suite of ordinances on May 20 that implement the states middle‑housing mandate, adjust planning code language moved from the Kennewick Administrative Code into the Kennewick Municipal Code, and update rules on minor variations and planned residential developments.

The package implements House Bill 1110s requirements and local development standards

Planning director Anthony Muay told council the local ordinances implement House Bill 1110 by allowing up to four middle‑housing units on every single‑family lot in applicable residential zones; the code also provides an option for two additional bonus units if they are restricted as affordable for 50 years. "The bill allows cities, or requires cities to, of Kennewick size to allow 4 dwelling units, 4 middle housing units on every residential lot zoned for single family dwellings," Muay said during the presentation.

Key implementation details adopted or discussed

- Unit density: base allowance of four units per single‑family lot; up to two additional units allowed if those units meet local affordability tests and covenants (50‑year affordability term). Affordability thresholds in the presentation: rental units affordable at no more than 60% MFI; for sale units affordable at no more than 80% MFI. - Parking: the adopted language follows the statutes parking thresholds: lots 6,000 square feet or smaller may be required to provide one parking space per unit; lots larger than 6,000 square feet may be required to provide two parking spaces per unit. Council discussed an amendment (not adopted) to raise the Residential Low minimum lot size to 6,001 square feet so some lots would automatically require two spaces per unit. - Lot size and setbacks: the package adjusts minimum lot sizes, lot widths and some setbacks in RS, RL and RMH zones to provide more infill…