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Committee advances first round of zoning changes to match new state housing rules (ADUs, parking, subdivision thresholds)
Summary
Planning Officer Anya Colette presented proposed code edits to comply with state housing laws and draft rulemaking: ADUs on lots with up to 3 units, ADU minimum size reduced to 160 sq ft, reduced parking for affordable housing (2 spaces per 3 units), and subdivision review threshold changes. The committee voted to forward the first package to council.
Planning Officer Anya Colette told the committee that staff drafted a first round of zoning and code changes to comply with recent state housing laws and draft rulemaking, focusing on urban zones and clearly defined items while awaiting additional state guidance for rural/developing areas.
Key proposed changes include allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on lots that contain one to three dwelling units (previously limited to single‑family lots) and reducing the state‑minimum ADU floor from 190 to 160 square feet. For affordable housing developments, Colette said minimum parking would be reduced to two spaces per three units; the draft rules also allow developments that meet the state’s definition of affordable housing to exceed local maximums under some circumstances.
Colette described zone‑specific adjustments: in URD1 staff propose capping certain allowances at four units; URD2 could allow up to six units per lot and use the affordable‑housing density bonus; and minimum lot sizes were adjusted in the draft to reflect the state’s four scenario framework for public water/sewer and growth‑boundary status. She also outlined minor site plan review for small parking lots (5–19 spaces) and off‑site parking allowance within 0.25 miles where legally binding agreements exist.
The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to forward the first round of edits to the full council for consideration. Staff said companion changes (for boarding homes and other conditional uses) may follow as part of subsequent drafts.
Colette cautioned that some zone and rural detail will await the full state draft rulemaking; the committee agreed to send the presented package to council and to revisit remaining items when more state guidance is available.
