Last year, the City established interim standards limiting lot area exceptions and the height of homes on some undersized lots that qualify for separate development. This decision was made in response to residents of single-family neighborhoods who were concerned that certain developments on undersized lots in single-family zones were incompatible with their surroundings. The interim regulations extend until September 2014 or until they are replaced by permanent regulations.
Developing Small Single-Family Lots
On June 27, DPD made our draft proposal available for public review. We also issued a related environmental review (under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)) and decision. You can submit comments or appeal our proposal until July 18, 2013.
Preliminary Recommendations for Developing Small Single-Family Lots
DPD’s preliminary recommendations (http://bit.ly/YrPoGI) were presented on the March 14, 2013 meeting of the City Council’s Planning Land Use and Sustainability Committee (PLUS). At that meeting, DPD provided PLUS with a preliminary briefing, so that the committee members could provide guidance to DPD on the recommendations memo before it is presented to the public for comment and discussion.
Developing on Small Single-Family Lots
DPD generally supports and encourages infill development when consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan goals and policies. DPD recently reviewed the Land Use Code provisions that regulate undersized lots and minimum lot area exceptions. DPD determined that development approved under current standards is often out of character with the surrounding neighborhood and inconsistent with policy. Interim measures were put in place to prevent additional permits on these small lots while this issue is being studied.
