Lake Forest Park planning commission narrows 2026 work plan, creates subgroup to pursue smaller-scale housing incentives

The Lake Forest Park Planning Commission spent much of its most recent meeting refining its 2026 work plan and making a near-term push to promote housing diversity in the city.

The commission agreed to form a small volunteer subgroup to research incentives and code changes aimed at encouraging smaller-scale housing — cottage housing, stacked flats and similar building types — that commissioners said would add diversity to the local housing stock.

Why it matters: Commissioners said Lake Forest Park’s existing code and recent regional market pressures are likely to produce larger, higher-priced townhomes rather than smaller units that would broaden housing choices for seniors, young families and single residents who want to remain in the city. Members argued that targeted incentives or modest code changes could help align what gets built with the types of units the city has said it wants to allow in its comprehensive plan.

What the commission decided and who will do the work Janek Aya offered to chair the subgroup to explore incentives and examples from nearby cities; Sheree Fonazo and Marty Ross volunteered to…