2023/07/12 Council Agenda Packet

`EVERETT City Council Agenda Item Cover Sheet Project title: Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Council Bill # interoffice use CB 2306-35 Agenda dates requested: 6/28, 7/12, 7/19/23 Briefing 6/28/2023 Proposed action 7/12/2023 Consent Action Ordinance 7/19/2023 Public hearing 7/19/2023 X Yes No Budget amendment: Yes X No PowerPoint presentation: X Yes No Attachments: Staff Memorandum Planning Commission Resolution 22-04 Ordinance Amendment Supplemental Department(s) involved: Planning Contact person: Becky McCrary Phone number: X7133 Email: ramccrary@everettwa.gov Initialed by: Department head Administration Council President Project: An ORDINANCE Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units, AMENDING Everett Municipal Code Chapters, 19.04 Definitions, 19.05 Uses, 19.06 Lots, Setbacks and Residential Densities, 19.08 Residential Uses and Development Standards, 19.22 Building and Structure Heights, 19.28 Historic Resources, and 19.34 Parking, Loading, and Access Requirements. Partner/Supplier: NA Location: Citywide Preceding action: Planning Committee Briefing 12/19/2022 Fund: NA Fiscal summary statement: No direct fiscal impacts to the city budget. Project summary statement: Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are relatively small (under 1,000 square feet) dwellings that are secondary to and either attached to or detached from a principal building on a lot. ADUs provide important housing options, which are more likely to be affordable, in city neighborhoods at a small scale. ADUs can provide an income stream for homeowners, housing choices for a variety of household types and living arrangements, and work for small-scale developers and builders. Reducing obstacles and simplifying regulations for development of accessory units will help meet city goals related to housing affordability, variety, ownership, and capacity. State law, multicounty planning policies, countywide planning policies, Everett's comprehensive plan, and the Rethink Housing Action Plan are all supportive of additional housing choices such as accessory units. The proposed ordinance implements Rethink Housing Action Plan strategy 1.1: 1.1: Promote Accessory Dwelling Unit development through changes to regulations and processes. Review and refine regulations and processes for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) to facilitate new development. This may include: • Removing the requirement for owner occupation from EMC 19.08.100(C) • Providing free model base plans to be used as part of a streamlined permit approval process • Waiving lot coverage restrictions for ADUs • Supporting additional fee waivers for new ADU construction. The proposed ordinance would allow up to two accessory dwelling units on lots that meet size, shape, and lot coverage requirements, remove owner occupancy requirements and subjective design guidelines, allow ownership segregation to permit ADU ownership, and streamline, simplify, and in some cases reduce, regulations addressing setbacks, height, maximum size, and parking. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal between March and December 2022, heard public comment, and recommends approval via Planning Commission Resolution 22-04. Recommendation (exact action requested of Council): Adopt the proposed Ordinance amending sections of the Everett Municipal Code Title 19 for Accessory Dwelling Units.