Council holds public hearing on zoning amendments to allow triplexes in residential zones
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Summary
Staff presented proposed amendments to allow triplexes across residential zones, update residential design standards and add definitions; council asked detailed questions about conversions on nonconforming lots and administrative deviation limits and closed the hearing for later ordinance action.
City staff opened a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Leavenworth Municipal Code that would permit triplexes in all residential zones and update residential design standards.
Becky, staff presenter, said the amendments grew from the city’s housing action plan and planning commission review and described the draft code changes that would treat triplexes as attached housing similar to multifamily units. She summarized previous planning commission input, agency review (Commerce) and one addressed comment from Chelan County.
Why it matters: staff said triplexes can increase housing diversity and affordable options, but council asked multiple clarifying questions. Councilmembers sought to ensure the code would allow conversions of existing structures on nonconforming lots (subject to a 20% administrative deviation limit) but would not allow new structures to become more nonconforming than allowed by existing lot-coverage rules. Staff committed to including illustrative diagrams in the ordinance packet to clarify conversion provisions.
Public hearing and next steps: the chair closed the hearing at 07:55. Staff said, if council moves forward, the amendments will return as an ordinance with illustrations and clearer normative language; no final ordinance vote occurred at this meeting.
Direct quote: “These amendments include code changes to allow for triplexes in all residential zones,” Becky said during the staff summary.
The council requested that staff prepare clearer illustrations and return with an ordinance and recommended findings if council elects to proceed.
