The Woodland Planning Commission held an in-depth workshop on state-mandated housing changes and local code updates, asking staff to draft implementing language.

Travis Goddard reviewed several state measures: House Bill 1337, which requires jurisdictions to allow up to two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per single-family lot and removes local owner-occupancy and occupancy-load restrictions; a Senate bill that could raise local SEPA categorical-exemption thresholds for infill (potentially increasing the exemption from four units to 9–20 or more depending on local choice); and a bill addressing local project-appeal procedures intended to limit delay tactics.

Goddard explained how the city’s existing code contains multiple ADU criteria that are now inconsistent with the state law (owner-occupancy, occupancy-load limits, size/placement restrictions). He asked the commission whether staff should prepare draft code language implementing the state changes; several commissioners supported staff drafting language and noted that some prior 2019 ordinance work could be revised rather than re-created.

Commissioners also reviewed a previously drafted “missing middle” ordinance (Ordinance 14-80) that would raise short-plat thresholds, encourage duplexes/triplexes/fourplexes, and require a net density of roughly 6 units per acre in targeted zones. Staff recommended returning a redraft to the commission, noting most of the heavy lifting had been done in earlier work and that January would be a suitable time for further discussion with new council members participating.

Direction from the meeting: staff will prepare draft ADU language and redline code updates for the commission to review in a future meeting (staff suggested January), and will research whether existing nonconforming residences in commercial zones would be affected by the new ADU rules.