Agenda Bill
City Council Meetings - 02 Dec 2019
Department
Community Development
Staff Contact
Thara Johnson, Senior Planner
Agenda Bill Title
Adopt Ordinance No. 724, Zoning Code Amendments on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations and amending the allowance of single-family detached land uses in multi-family zones
Summary
BACKGROUND:
Housing affordability is one of the greatest challenges facing communities in the Puget Sound region and across the country. Rising demand outpaces the supply of additional housing units, driving prices steeply upward. On December 30, 2018, the City of Burien initiated the annual Comprehensive Plan amendment process for 2019. The final Comprehensive Plan docket was adopted by City Council on April 15, 2019, following a recommendation by the Planning Commission on March 27, 2019, and a public meeting that was held on March 13, 2019. In reviewing t
he City’s current housing policies and existing demand for affordable housing, it has
become evident that there are multiple approaches to future housing policy changes. During the 2018 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle, the Planning Commission evaluated policies relating to housing diversity and accessory dwelling units, and incorporated policies that would set the stage for further discussion of middle income housing.
Accessory Dwelling Units
The City of Burien’s current regulations of accessory dwell
ing units include numerous requirements.
Burien’s Zoning Code currently features an owner occupancy requirement, limits the size of the ADU
to 800 square feet for detached ADUs and 1,000 square feet for attached units, and requires an off-street parking space. However, some of these regulations serve as barriers to developing ADUs, resulting in fewer ADU units being constructed, and impacting housing supply and affordability.
The Commission discussed the City’s current ADU regulations at the June 26th, J
uly 10th, July 24th, and August 14th meetings, and made recommendations on changes to the regulations that include removing the owner occupancy requirement, allowing both a detached and an attached ADU on a property, and revising the parking requirement for ADUs based on proximity to transit. Attachment 1 (Exhibit B) includes a copy of the proposed draft regulations.
Single-Family detached land uses in multi-family zones
The Commission also recommended that staff amend the code to remove the provision that allows single-
family detached land uses in the City’s multi
-family zones. The current provision enables the development of single-family homes in areas where denser housing can be accommodated, including areas with greater access to transportation and infrastructure and with potential for additional development capacity. Allowing single-family detached land uses in multi-
family zones limits the City’s potential to
accommodate additional growth and opportunities for housing
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both market rate and affordable housing
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resulting in lower density development in areas most suitable for additional development. As a result, lots in portions of the City are not developed to their zoned capacity, leaving fewer properties available for development, and reducing the likelihood that the City achieves its growth targets. Further, the City does not currently have minimum density standards to ensure that a minimum development density is achieved in each zone. Therefore, this proposed amendment is an important step in ensuring that the City achieves growth in a sustainable and planned manner. The proposed amendment also assists in preserving the character of existing single-family neighborhoods by concentrating growth in multi-family zones. The Planning Commission discussed amending current regulations which allow single-family detached land uses in multi-family zones at their June 26th meeting, and October 23rd, 2019 meetings. Attachment 1 (Exhibit A) incorporates changes to BMC 19.05 which reflects restricting single-family land uses from being located in multi-family zones. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 23rd, 2019 and also recommended approval of the proposed regulations at the October 23rd, 2019 meeting. Staff memos to the Planning Commission relating to the proposed amendments are available for review electronically (see link). Planning Commission minutes where the proposed amendments were discussed, including the public hearing and recommendation are available for review electronically (see link). The City Council discussed the proposed amendments at their November 18th Council meeting, and requested that staff provide minor changes to the draft language to provide additional flexibility relating to location of entrances. Staff has amended the draft regulations to remove the language that includes restrictions relating to location of entrances. The Council also discussed the issue of waiving the off-street parking requirement if the site is located within a ¼ mile of a transit stop and expressed concern with the proposed draft language. As an alternative, staff is providing an option of amending the language to include the provision of a 1/8th mile, rather than a ¼ mile and is including maps which identify buffer distances from transit stops with a 1/8th mile and ¼ mile walkshed (see Attachment 4). If Council determines that the 1/8th mile buffer is more appropriate, than the motion should be amended to reflect this so that
staff can update the draft code language.
Options
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 724. 2. Do not adopt Ordinance No. 724.
Advisory Board Recommendation
Planning Commission recommended approval to City Council at the October 23, 2019 meeting.
Administrative Recommendation
Receive the briefing and presentation from staff and take action on Ordinance No 724.
Suggested Motion
Move to adopt Ordinance No 724, proposed amendments to BMC 19.15 and 19.17.070 to amend ADU regulations and change the allowance of single-family detached land uses in multi-family zones.
Attachments