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A OPCD Blog

Mayor Durkan Signs Legislation to Create Path for More In-Law Apartments and Backyard Cottages by Reducing Regulatory Barriers, Also Signs Executive Order to Do More to Address Financial and Permitting Barriers  

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New Complementary Actions Work Together to Reduce Barriers for Development of More Accessory Dwelling Units in Single-Family Zoned Neighborhoods throughout Seattle 

 Standing next to a backyard cottage in the Whittier Heights community, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today signed legislation and an Executive Order to advance the development of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) like backyard cottages and in-law apartments in single-family zoned neighborhoods throughout Seattle.   

Mayor Durkan signed legislation to loosen regulatory restrictions on backyard cottages and in-law apartments. Mayor Durkan also signed her new Executive Order to streamline the ADU permitting process and lower financial barriers. The legislation and Executive Order complement each other by each addressing different barriers facing homeowners today when developing an ADU. Mayor Durkan’s Executive Order delivers solutions to financial and permitting challenges that keep ADU development out of reach for many Seattle residents.  

“Seattle has a housing crisis, and we have a responsibility to grow the supply of housing options as quickly as possible. We need to use every tool in our toolbox to boost the supply of housing. That’s why we are knocking down barriers for homeowners to build more backyard cottages and in-law units. With this legislation and my new Executive Order, we can address the serious regulatory, financial, and permitting challenges for backyard cottages and in-law apartments in Seattle,” said Mayor Durkan. “Now, we will work to implement these needed changes, and continue to take action in the coming weeks to addressing housing in Seattle. We also will monitor the impact accessory dwelling units as we work to increase the affordable options available across the City, and we will work to mitigate any impacts on green space.” 

Mayor Durkan’s Executive Order’s new steps include:  

  1. Assisting homeowners navigating the complex design and permitting processes. The Executive Order directs the Department of Construction and Inspections to make pre-approved plans available at low cost. Additionally the department will hire an “ADU Navigator” to guide homeowners through the permitting process. The Office of Planning and Community Development will develop a website with a comprehensive inventory of resources to help connect prospective ADU owners with the design and construction community. 
  2. Piloting strategies that support equitable ADU development and affordability among homeowners and tenants. Offer low-interest financing to help homeowners develop ADUs or habitable space through the Office of Housing’s Home Repair Loan Program. The City will also explore additional financing tools, including loan terms suitable to incentivize the affordable creation of ADUs.  
  3. Convening a workgroup to advise on ADU programs and services provided by the City, including stewarding ongoing assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of our ADU regulatory changes, services, and programs within three years.  

“I am thrilled that after years of work and legal delays, Seattle residents will have an easier time building backyard cottages and in-law units, creating more housing options in Seattle neighborhoods,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Northwest Seattle). “I support the efforts of the Mayor and various departments to further reduce barriers to building accessory dwelling units such as streamlining the permitting process, reducing design costs, and increasing financing options for low-income homeowners. Over the past few years I have spoken with so many Seattle families who are looking for ways to build housing options that fit their families, whether it is an in-law unit for an aging parent, a backyard unit for a college-aged child, or a space to rent to a neighbor.”   

The ADU legislation modifies rules by: 

  • Increasing from one to two the number of ADUs allowed per lot; 
  • Removing off-street parking and owner-occupancy requirements;  
  • Introducing a floor area ratio (FAR) limit for single-family lots; and
  • Relaxing certain size and location standards to allow ADUs that serve families with children, people with limited mobility, and other households types. 

The new regulatory rules will go in effect August 8, 2019.   

In addition to the new Executive Order and signing the ADU legislation, Mayor Durkan continues to make significant investments to increase housing options for all of Seattle.   

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EMERALD CITIES COLLABORATIVE FELIPE FLORESCA “HIGH-ROAD” FELLOWSHIP

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The Emerald Cities Collaborative – a national nonprofit network of organizations working together to advance a sustainable environment – has announced a 12-month experiential learning program in implementing sustainable energy, water and food projects that include and benefit low-income and communities of color. The program provides a $50,000 annual stipend plus benefits.

Applicants must provide all requirements of the Application Package by August 4th, 2019.

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Opportunity Zones Convening, June 26

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The Federal Government has created tax benefits within “Opportunity Zones” that are designed to spur economic development. Seattle Foundation, King County, and City of Seattle would like to convene community organizations and investors to share information and discuss strategies to support equitable development.

Wednesday, June 26, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Ethiopian Community of Seattle, 8323 Rainier Ave South Seattle, WA 98118
Free admission

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT.

For More Information:

Contact Ubax Gardheere at (206) 256-5415 or email ubax.gardheere@seattle.gov.

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Lake Union Seaplane Warning Buoys to be Installed for Summer

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Now that summer boating season is here, the Lake Union seaplane landing advisory buoys will be installed on May 22. The five buoys will flash when seaplanes are landing and taking off, warning boaters to give them plenty of room. Boaters are encouraged to stay 200 feet from the buoys when they flash.

Flyers have been distributed to Lake Union boat rental businesses to help inform their customers of the warning system. The installation of warning buoys does not affect the U.S. Coast Guard’s navigation rules.

Like last year, the advisory buoys will be removed after Labor Day Weekend.

The Coast Guard, the Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol, and Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) received no reports of concerns after the first deployment of the buoys last summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Questions can be directed to OPCD’s Jim.Holmes@seattle.gov.

OPCD obtains annual permits for the warning buoys from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The buoys were paid for with a grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation and are installed by Kenmore Air.

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Why we’re listening to community about backyard cottages and in-law apartments in Seattle.

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As Seattle faces a housing and affordability crisis, we need more housing options for working and middle-class families across the city.  

One important option are backyard cottages and in-law apartments (formally known as Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs). They offer badly needed options in single-family neighborhoods, where homeownership is out of reach for too many people, and housing options are limited. 

We’ve allowed these options in Seattle for years, but only two percent of single-family lots include them.  

We’ve also heard from community that backyard cottages help homeowners stay in their neighborhood, either by providing additional rental income or giving empty-nesters a place to downsize in their own backyard. They allow more families to live in quieter, less urban neighborhoods near parks and schools. And for intergenerational families who want to be close – for childcare, to share housing costs, or simply to spend more time together – a home with a backyard cottage or in-law unit is a great solution.  

For all these reasons, the City of Seattle has been working to lower the hurdles for property owners who hope to make this choice. 

By helping remove financial barriers, streamlining the permitting process, and supporting people interested in ADUs, we can promote more flexible and space-efficient housing choices. Other cities have taken this step – Portland, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. Seattle should, too.  

One step we’ve already taken was when Mayor Durkan directed us to fast-track pre-approved designs for backyard cottages.  

With the Hearing Examiner decision this week opening the door to legislative action to encourage backyard cottages and in-law apartments, we want to hear more from community about the barriers we can remove to make these homes part of our housing solution. For most families, costs of construction make an ADU unattainable, and the permitting process is too lengthy, which leaves only the wealthiest and developers able to construct ADUs. That’s why we’ve been holding community roundtables and having conversations all across Seattle about the future of backyard cottages in Seattle.

Thank you to those who have already made recommendations on this effort or attended the many community meetings, open houses, and listening sessions. We appreciate you showing up and making your voice heard. We also thank those who have weighed in on the environmental analysis we prepared so that policymakers understand the potential outcomes in our neighborhoods and city.  

The City of Seattle continues to listen to your feedback. Send your comments to the Office of Planning and Community Development at nicolas.welch@seattle.gov. And if you can, testify at the Council hearing at City Hall on June 11

The finish line is in sight. Now in the final stretch, we need your help and input one last time so we can make sure Seattle gets this housing option right.

Sam Assefa, OPCD 

Andrés Mantilla, Department of Neighborhoods


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Clearing the Path for More Backyard Cottages in Seattle

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Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today heralded the Hearing Examiner ruling on the Final Environmental Impact Statement that clears the path for more accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or backyard cottages, across Seattle.

“Seattle faces an affordability and housing crisis, and we are acting to increase the supply of housing options as quickly as possible. We need to use every tool in our toolbox to boost the supply of housing – and that includes knocking down barriers for homeowners to build more backyard cottages and in-law units. We must address the significant financial barriers and lengthy, complicated permitting process for backyard cottages in Seattle,” said Mayor Durkan. “Now, we will continue listening to community on how we can best move forward and giving homeowners – not developers – more flexibility and renters more choices.”

In her ruling, Seattle Deputy Hearing Examiner Barbara Dykes Ehrlichman found that the City’s environmental analysis, or Environmental Impact Statement, of several additional policy options to encourage ADUs adequately explores the potential outcomes. The ruling clears the way for legislative action on a proposed ordinance.

To streamline the City permitting process for ADUs, Mayor Durkan has directed City departments to offer pre-approved backyard cottage designs to save owners time and money. As Council discusses and adopts new ADU standards this summer, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections will issue a call for submissions of cottage plans for pre-approval. A jury of volunteer members of the Seattle Design Commission, Planning Commission, Design Review Boards, and Construction Code Advisory Board will recommend plans to be reviewed and pre-approved by SDCI. Pre-approved cottage plans will be available to the public by the end of the year.

ADUs inside the home have been allowed in Seattle since 1994. Backyard cottages were first piloted in 2006 and allowed citywide in 2010. They provide the only new housing options other than a detached house in Seattle’s single-family zones.

The City’s environmental analysis found that with these policy options, we can expect about twice as many ADUs constructed over 10 years – up to 4,400 from less than 2,000 under current rules. The analysis also found the number of existing detached houses demolished to make way for larger homes would decline by 22 percent.

The Office of Planning and Community Development is asking the public to submit comments on ADUs by emailing nicolas.welch@seattle.gov. The City Council public hearing on its ADU proposal, another opportunity for public comment, is scheduled for June 11 at City Hall.

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Urban Innovations: Station-Area Planning

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Cities around the globe continue to invest in transit systems to provide transportation options, reduce highway congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. What are cities doing to ensure that new housing, commercial spaces, and livable communities are planned along with these transit investments? How can station-area planning support the success of transit systems, equitable development, and climate goals? And how do we ensure that all residents benefit?

Wednesday, May 22, 5:30 p.m. at Seattle City Hall (600 4th Ave. S.), free admission.

Our Panelists:

Erika Sellke, Chicago
Erika Sellke is an urban planner with the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.  Her expertise is industrial area modernization and innovative zoning regulations. Most recently, Erika managed framework plans for the North Branch and Kinzie industrial corridors; including data collection, goal development, writing and vetting new zoning regulations, and successful presentation to Chicago Plan Commission and City Council.  Erika is currently overseeing two TOD planning exercises on the south side of Chicago and provides design review for planned developments and city-assisted projects.  Previously, Erika was a White House Strong Cities, Strong Communities Fellow placed in Detroit, MI, and a senior planner in the New York City Department of City Planning who managed land use and zoning review for over 60 developments in Manhattan. Erika also represented NYC Planning on the development team that led the design and construction of the world-renowned High Line elevated park

Amanda Harland, Auckland
Amanda is the lead growth and spatial advisor at Auckland Council with over 20 years’ experience in strategic and growth related planning in both brownfields and greenfields.  She has led a number of spatial planning projects including most recently the urban and transport integration work stream for Auckland’s first light rail project extending 24 km from the City Centre to Mangere and the Auckland Airport.  Amanda has also contributed to the development of Auckland’s growth and development strategies  including the Auckland Plan and its refresh in 2017 which sets out how Auckland will grow and develop over the next 30 years.
Amanda’s passion for quality urban outcomes extends to seeing these outcomes achieved in the newly identified greenfield areas of Auckland.  She has led the identification, high level planning and sequencing of future urban areas to ensure these areas are developed sustainably to their maximum potential, achieving high quality outcomes including transit orientated development outcomes.  

Edna Cuvin, Toronto
Edna Cuvin is the Program Manager of the City Planning unit dedicated to facilitating the delivery of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Finch West LRT, and the Line 2 East Extension, totalling over $15 Billion in public investment, through the municipal planning approval processes. Over the years, her multi-disciplinary team became master hand holders and horse traders while protecting City interests. Lessons learned from their work shape the template for transit project governance. Edna studied and lived in Hong Kong for over 10 years where she worked as an Architect and Urban Designer prior to joining the City in 2003.

María Beatriz Diaz, Bogota
Maria Beatriz Diaz is part of the Real Estate Development division for Metro de Bogotá. She currently works in the elaboration of strategies for urban renewal, value capture models around the Metro stations and TOD tactics to apply to Bogota’s future transportation system.

After completing her Masters in Real Estate Development at Columbia University, María was project manager at Sugar Hill Capital, a private equity fund in New York where she worked on different renovation projects, including a residential conversion project in Brooklyn, NY.

Prior to moving to New York, María graduated in architecture at Los Andes University and was project development architect in two development companies based in Bogotá; the first one focused on low-income and affordable housing, and then at a commercial, hospitality and luxury housing developer.

Moderator: Dan Beekman, The Seattle Times

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Know Your Rights & Be Counted for Census 2020!

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The $1 million Regional Census Fund will help community organizations get the resources they need to inform our communities about the importance and challenges of the 2020 Census.

The Regional Census Fund application portal is now open! Nonprofit organizations in King County are able to apply for funding to support their outreach, education, and engagement work for a complete, informed, and safe Census. Applications will be accepted until May 15, and funds will be available in summer 2019.

OPCD will work with our community partners to ensure a complete, informed, and safe Census count.

We have one year to prepare for the 2020 Census. We acknowledge that community members may be fearful in participating. But so much is at stake for Seattle in the 2020 Census because the federal government uses Census data to help decide where your taxpayer money should go and how your communities will be represented in Congress. Local groups will play a crucial role in building trust, empowering residents with information, and organizing communities.

This Fund is a partnership between @cityofseattlegov @KingCountyWA @SeattleFoundation.

The Regional Census Fund Applications are due May 15. Apply today: seattlefoundation.smapply.org/prog/2020_census/.

Learn more about Seattle’s work to ensure our communities know their rights and are counted in the U.S. 2020 Census at www.seattlecensus.org.

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In a Significant Step toward Creating A More Affordable Seattle, Mayor Durkan Signs Mandatory Housing Affordability into Law

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Joined by affordable housing advocates and other community members, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed into law the ordinance to implement Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) in Seattle’s 27 urban villages and all other commercial and multifamily residential areas.

“Today, Seattle took another step toward more affordable housing choices and a more affordable, welcoming city for all,” said Mayor Durkan. “We need more affordable housing as quickly as possible because too many people are being priced out of our city. We want a city where people who work in Seattle can afford to live and raise a family in Seattle. This legislation is one way we can build a more affordable future for all. Even as we celebrate this step, we have a lot of work to do to make Seattle more affordable and build more affordable housing options. We must listen to community and continue our investments in our housing levy, renew the Multi-Family Tax Exemption program, invest in parks and green spaces, and continue to have critical investment from our state, regional, and federal partners. Working with community members, business, labor, and City Council, in 2019 we must double down on our commitment to building more affordable housing as quickly as possible.”

“MHA has been shaped by years of community input and engagement. For three years running, my days have been filled with discussing how to reach our goal of creating more units of housing in the next decade. As such, I view MHA as one of the primary strategies to create more affordable housing, as well as address the legacy of ‘redlining’.  And today’s vote is an exclamation point on our recognition of its impact on housing inequality for all Seattleites,” said Councilmember Rob Johnson (District 4, Northeast Seattle)

On Monday, after more than a year of Council meetings and public hearings, the City Council unanimously approved implementing MHA’s affordable housing requirements citywide. The ordinance will generate an estimated 3,000 new affordable homes over 10 years, doubling the number of anticipated new affordable homes created through the 2017 implementation on new developments in the University District, Downtown, South Lake Union, Chinatown-International District, along 23rd Ave in the Central Area, and Uptown, helping the City to meet the 10-year goal of 6,000 new affordable homes generated by MHA.

Today over 45,000 Seattle households spend more than half of their income on housing. Under MHA, the cost of a rent-restricted two-bedroom apartment for a family of four earning $60,200 would be $1,353. For an individual making less than $42,150, a one-bedroom would cost $1,128.

[Read more…]

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City Selects I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Consultant Team

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The Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) has selected a consultant team led by WSP, a global engineering firm with extensive local experience, for a feasibility study to explore opportunities for further lidding Interstate 5 between Denny Way and Madison Street in downtown Seattle. The WSP team also includes the local and national firms of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, OJB Landscape Architecture, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, BergerABAM, Rule Seven, Framework, HR&A Advisors and Enviroissues.

The I-5 Lid Feasibility Study will evaluate potential lidding options through a range of technical, economic, financial and social equity analyses to help inform next step recommendations and an implementation strategy, including funding strategies as well as long-term operations. Funds for the $1.2 million study come from an $83 million public benefit package associated with the expansion of the Washington State Convention Center. A stakeholder committee will advise the City and the consultant team, and the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods will assist with additional community outreach. The study is anticipated to be complete by early 2020.

“While we rely on Interstate 5 as a primary transportation spine for our city and region, it comes at a cost. The feasibility study is a key next step toward creating new lids across I-5 that can help reconnect our neighborhoods, reduce air and noise pollution impacts, and create new opportunities for public space, housing and other uses in the most built-out part of Seattle,” said Sam Assefa, Director of OPCD, which is leading the study effort in collaboration with other key agencies, including the Seattle and Washington State Departments of Transportation. “We are excited to have such a well-qualified team leading this effort, and look forward to getting the process underway in the coming weeks.”

Additional information about the study process and scope can be found on Lid I-5 website.

For questions, contact OPCD’s Project Manager, Lyle Bicknell, lyle.bicknell@seattle.gov.

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