GBHA director reports on zoning, short-term rental discussions and occupancy; housing study near completion

During the meeting the GBHA director delivered a routine staff report covering multiple planning and policy updates. The director said the city budget had been approved through the council and staff are working on a two-pronged short-term rental discussion and zoning text amendments intended to increase housing supply by allowing smaller lot sizes, accessory dwelling units and other changes. The director said the zoning amendments had completed a first reading and a second reading is expected at the city council in December.

Staff described draft policy options for short-term rentals including limiting the number of days in a year or a minimum-stay requirement to reduce nuisance risks and help replenish the middle housing market. The director also described permit-based approaches for accessory dwellings that would require conditional use permits and noted concerns heard at a municipal attorneys' conference about a unit converted for relatives becoming a rental.

Staff gave brief development updates, saying permitting had begun for several notable projects (including a US Bank building conversion and a project near the shipyard) and that the housing study is being finalized with mapping and is expected in December. An occupancy report showed two vacancies at Mason Manor expected to be filled soon and zero vacancies at scattered sites; staff said Mason Manor will be fully occupied once those units are filled. Waiting-list times were reported at approximately six to nine months.

The board did not take policy votes on zoning or short-term rental changes during this meeting; staff indicated the matters will return to the council for the next steps and potential ordinance or code amendments.