Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Redmond planning commission pauses code change after debate over townhouse rear setbacks and parking
Summary
Commissioners and public participants debated a proposed increase in rear setbacks for alley-access townhouses from 5 to 20 feet to address off-street parking; concerns about lost units, HOA costs and state limits under House Bill 2001 led the commission to continue the hearing and leave the record open for more stakeholder meetings.
Redmond’s Urban Area Planning Commission paused action on a proposed change to townhouse rear setbacks after a lengthy hearing in which commissioners, staff and members of the public weighed competing goals of parking, livability and housing supply.
Staff said the amendment would raise the minimum rear setback for townhouses with alley-access garages from 5 feet to 20 feet to match the setback required of single-family dwellings with attached garages. "We're looking to, bump that up to 20 to match the single family dwelling standard," the presenter said, citing concerns about off-street parking dimensions and vehicles ending up parked sideways on properties.
The measure is framed by state law. Staff noted House Bill 2001 limits local governments from imposing more restrictive requirements on middle housing than on comparable single-family homes; the proposal seeks parity in this narrow area while addressing observed parking problems around recent developments.
Public commenters and several commissioners said the change could reduce developable area on already-small townhouse lots, raise homeowner association (HOA) fees and undercut housing capacity. One commenter argued the state’s middle-housing rules "forced" smaller lots and said mandating larger setbacks could increase costs and reduce units. The same commenter urged the city to consider whether buyers would accept smaller garages or higher HOA obligations.
Commissioners discussed tradeoffs such as allowing reduced front setbacks to recoup buildable area if rear setbacks are increased. Staff said many recent townhouse lots exceed the 1,500-square-foot statutory minimum but acknowledged the commission should evaluate sample plats to quantify impacts.
No formal recommendation was made on the setback change. A motion to continue the hearing so staff could meet with stakeholders and investigate alternatives carried; the record was left open and the hearing was continued to Dec. 10, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. for further deliberation and any additional written testimony.
The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled Dec. 3; the full code amendment package is expected to be discussed at city council on Dec. 9 as part of the council’s review of Planning Commission recommendations.
