Council, planning board hear how new housing payments may impression Edmonds

Generally referred to as the Center Housing Invoice or Lacking Center Housing Invoice, HB 1110 requires cities to authorize minimal housing growth densities and allow particular “center housing” varieties in any zone that enables for indifferent single-family residences (RS zones). Center housing consists of housing varieties that fall between indifferent single-family residences and bigger condo complexes, reminiscent of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, stacked flats, courtyard residences and cottage housing. The necessities range based mostly on metropolis inhabitants and don’t apply to city unincorporated areas reminiscent of Esperance.

Cities with populations between 25,000 and 75,000 residents (reminiscent of Edmonds) should enable a minimal of two models per lot that allows indifferent single-family residences. That’s elevated to 4 models per lot in two cases: if the lot is positioned inside one-quarter mile strolling distance of a bus speedy transit station alongside Freeway 99 or the Sounder station or if a minimum of one inexpensive housing unit is offered for at least 50 years.

Cities with populations over 75,000 are required to permit a minimal of 4 models per lot for many heaps, which is elevated to 6 models per lot for the 2 conditions outlined above. Earlier variations of HB 1110 required a minimal of 4 models per lot for smaller suburbs reminiscent of Edmonds, however that was later lowered to 3 models per lot earlier than in the end being authorized on the adopted two models per lot.

“For many of the metropolis,” Levitan wrote, “that is primarily a ‘duplex invoice,’ with duplexes or two-unit townhouses required on most RS-zoned heaps. For these areas that should enable a minimum of 4 models per lot, HB 1110 requires town to permit a minimum of six of the 9 center housing varieties recognized within the invoice.” Cities might enable ADUs to realize the minimum-density necessities, he famous.

Minimal-density necessities aren’t required for heaps designated with essential areas and their buffers and sure watersheds listed as impaired or threatened. “Further steerage is required from the Washington State Division of Commerce on necessities for heaps with minor essential space encumbrances (reminiscent of one small nook of quite a bit with a wetland buffer) that might in any other case accommodate two models on the lot; town expects extra steerage later this yr,” Levitan wrote. HB 1110 additionally permits cities to make use of another density requirement for a minimum of 75% of heaps within the metropolis which might be primarily devoted to indifferent single-family residences.

The invoice additionally notes that cities:

1) Might solely apply administrative design assessment for center housing;
2) Might not required requirements for center housing which might be extra restrictive than these for indifferent single-family residences;
3) Should apply the identical growth allow and environmental assessment course of that apply to indifferent single-family residences;
4) Should enable zero lot line subdivisions;
5) Might not require off-street parking inside a half-mile strolling distance of a serious transit cease (bus speedy transit station or Sounder station); and
6) Might not require a couple of off-street parking house per unit on heaps smaller than 6,000 sq. ft and two off-street parking areas per models on heaps bigger than 6,000 sq. ft.