City hears scope of required development‑code changes: ADUs, duplexes, unit‑lot subdivisions and parking adjustments

Consultants from SCJ Alliance briefed the council on the development‑code work tied to Liberty Lake’s 10‑year comprehensive plan periodic update, summarizing state‑mandated changes and council questions about practical effects in local neighborhoods.

"My name is Genevieve Dial. I work with SCJ Alliance," the consultant said, then summarized the required changes: increased allowances for accessory dwelling units (up to two ADUs per residential lot where zoning and minimum lot conditions permit), reduced restrictions on duplexes so they cannot be treated more strictly than single‑family homes, addition of unit‑lot subdivision language to permit parent/child parceling (allowing, for example, an ADU footprint to be sold separately under shared common area rules), revisions to parking standards in targeted contexts, updates to critical area ordinance language to reflect best available science, and about 50 new or revised definitions to conform with state law.

Council members repeatedly raised concerns about parking impacts in denser districts (including the river district), whether HOA covenants can remain more restrictive, and how ADUs apply to PUDs. Staff and the consultants committed to follow‑up materials and visuals and scheduled a deeper work session to walk through examples, lot‑size rules, setbacks, and the draft code language ahead of a 60‑day state review window.

The council approved the GMA periodic update grant contract on the consent agenda to fund continued work on the package.