Sequim council reviews major rewrite of land-division rules, schedules March public hearing

Travis Simmons, senior planner for the city of Sequim, gave a first-touch presentation on Feb. 23 outlining a comprehensive rewrite of Title 17 (Land Divisions) and a new Chapter 18.21 of the municipal code addressing supplemental housing requirements.

"This is a culmination of, you know, years of work," Simmons said, describing the effort to modernize the land-division code and align local definitions and processes with recent state legislation. The draft would consolidate different land-division types under a single Title 17, update definitions to mirror RCW guidance, and move many standards (landscaping, open space) into a coordinated Title 18 chapter.

The draft includes several substantive changes. Minor subdivisions would be expanded from four lots to nine lots to allow administrative review of more small subdivisions rather than requiring a hearing examiner. Simmons said, "we are going to propose, having minor subdivisions go up to 9 lots." The threshold for major subdivisions would be raised so majors would begin at 10 lots. The draft also incorporates state-required "unit lot subdivisions" intended to support middle housing; unit lots may create smaller individual lots where density is still met on the parent parcel, and units placed on unit lots would count toward density.

On accessory dwelling units, staff said the state is mandating new allowances. The draft follows the state by allowing two ADUs per lot (subject to lot-coverage limits) and clarifies that ADUs do not count toward density unless they are placed in a unit lot subdivision. Simmons said the city will also pursue a limited local approach on parking: "We are not recommending to do any more than we have to," but staff proposed treating the Civic Center-adjacent transit center as a major-transit location for limited ADU parking waivers within a half-mile radius.

Christina Nelson, city attorney, cautioned about retroactivity for existing approvals, noting that recorded conditions of approval remain binding: "If the decision itself articulated a specific way in which an extension or something was to be done, then regardless of whether the code changes, they would still have to follow the process that was in the Conditions of approval."

Simmons also said the draft would make binding site plans consistent with state RCW language, shift many binding-site-plan reviews to administrative processes, clarify procedures for boundary-line adjustments, and revise phased-development rules to require easements or other access to prevent landlocking of future parcels.

Staff summarized two detailed written public comments on the draft and suggested a schedule for next steps. Carla Bowden, director of DCD, said the council could waive the second-touch discussion planned for March 9 if members felt prepared to move to the public hearing; Councilor [name recorded as speaker 13 in the meeting] moved to waive the second touch and advance the item to the March 23 public hearing. The motion passed on a roll-call vote, 7-0.

The council was given the Planning Commission–recommended draft materials, staff reports, and an opportunity for further questions at the March 9 meeting if members chose not to waive the second touch. The public hearing is scheduled for March 23.

What’s next: city staff will post application materials, continue coordination with the Planning Commission and other departments, and prepare for the March 23 public hearing where the council will accept public testimony and consider the draft revisions.