City of Olympia wants your thoughts on middle housing code updates, ADU allowances
The City of Olympia has launched a survey asking the public to provide input on proposed code amendments and zoning aimed at providing places for middle housing.
The survey can be found on the city’s Engage Olympia website. It’s open until April 30.
Joyce Phillips, long-range planning manager, said a public draft of proposed changes was posted in January. Some of the changes are required to meet state law, but others provide the city with flexibility. The survey looks to gain feedback on those areas where the city made a policy choice. Feedback will then be used to help craft a public hearing draft.
What’s in the survey?
Phillips said the survey covers a number of areas, from accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to transportation. In all, the set of code amendments addresses five bills passed in the state legislature.
She said one of the policy questions is about ADUS. Under new state law, the city has to allow two ADUs instead of one per lot. Cities must also allow ADUs to be up to 1,000 square feet in size, raising the maximum from 850 square feet. The survey asks if there should be a maximum size cap at all.
Phillips said one of the provisions in the middle housing bills is based on the size of the city’s population. Cities are divided into three tiers.
Tier 1 cities have a population of 75,000 or more, and Tier 2 cities have a population of 25,000 to 75,000. Olympia is a Tier 2 city currently, with a population of about 55,400, but by 2030, Olympia and its urban growth area are projected to meet the Tier 1 population threshold.
“Technically, Olympia is a Tier 2 city under the population provisions, but we wrote the draft to meet the requirements for a Tier 1 city, and so I’m providing a little context around what those standards are,” Phillips said. “And then I’m asking people, ‘Do you believe we should continue using a Tier 1 approach?’”
She said the survey also asks about transit. Under state law, there are certain requirements of a city in areas within a quarter mile of a major transit stop. By the state’s definition, Olympia and its UGA don’t have a major transit stop.
In the city’s code amendments draft, they instead use the term “frequent transit routes,” Phillips said. It’s something the city uses in its parking code to determine residential parking requirements. One of the questions asks whether it’s appropriate to continue using that verbiage.
She said the survey also includes some open-ended questions, as well as areas for more feedback and general thoughts.
Phillips said there’s an FAQ page on the city’s Middle Housing webpage to help people understand the proposed concepts.
“I’m really wanting people to understand that some of what’s in the code is required,” she said. “You can tell me all day long that you don’t want two ADUs per lot, but the draft and the final draft and the final outcome are going to include two ADUs because we have to under law.
“So I’m trying to help people focus in on where their comments would have the most influence on changing the final draft.”
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