Planning commission adopts land-division code changes to implement state lot-split law

The Everett Planning Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 18 to approve Resolution 26-04, a package of code amendments implementing the state residential lot-split law and updating the city’s land-division rules.

Planning Director York Steven Swajda told commissioners the package is intended to ‘‘re‑implement recent legislation on residential lot splitting out of the state, implement policies in the Everett 2044 comprehensive plan that call for supporting homeownership and paths to homeownership, especially along with middle housing,’’ and to modernize procedures for short subdivisions and unit-lot short subdivisions. Swajda said the draft treats residential lot splits as a form of short subdivision to allow the city to apply short-plat benefits up to the nine‑lot limit for short plats.

The package removes public‑notice requirements for short plats and unit‑lot short subdivisions processed as administrative review (review‑1), clarifies administrative appeals (with a proposed exemption for two‑lot short plats to match the state law framework), and proposes conditions on recorded plats to ensure deferred infrastructure is completed before building permits are issued. Swajda also said the city issued a Determination of Nonsignificance under SEPA and does not expect major physical changes beyond modest increases in land‑division activity.

Chair Shelby moved to accept staff modifications to Resolution 26‑04 "as presented this evening," a friendly amendment was accepted, and the commission took roll-call votes; all five commissioners voted yes. The commission directed staff to bring the finalized package forward to the City Council for consideration in September.

Quotes in this article are drawn from the Planning Commission meeting transcript.