RE: SMC 17C.300: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS – REVIEW AND SUGGESTED UPDATES

 

April 21, 2022 

 

RE: SMC 17C.300: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS – REVIEW AND SUGGESTED UPDATES


Dear Spokane Planning, Ms. Murphy, Plan Commission, and Councilmembers:

 

Thank you for your work in implementing the city’s Housing Action Plan, and for moving the needle forward on greater housing supply.

As you’re well aware, there is a critical need to increase housing supply in Spokane. We are simply failing at producing the needed numbers that will result in 6,791 new units by 2037 (or 400+ units per year) per the City’s 2020 Housing Needs Assessment. Unless bold changes are made, then we will continue to push would-be home-owners and renters, and community members to the margins.

Please consider moving quickly in adopting and codifying relaxed and flexible standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a preliminary, ‘low-hanging fruit’, opportunity. I would encourage the Plan Commission and City Council to ratify polices suggested by in RCW 36.70A.600(1)(n),(o),(p),(q),and (x) regarding additional flexibility, and lessening restrictions, for accessory dwelling units.

The draft changes to “17C.300 SMC Accessory Dwelling Units” attempt to ratify some of these policies.

Please consider the following suggestions / modifications to the proposed draft ADU updates: 

·       17C.300.100 (B)(2) – Multiple ADUs in all Residential Zones may be permitted through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

·       17C.300.100 (B)(2) – Development standards of the underlying district may be modified pursuant to the provisions of this section.

·       17C.300.110 (A)(1) – Reduce minimum size of principal structure to 500 square feet.

·       17C.300.110 (A)(1)(a) – Floor area of internal ADU not more than 50% the floor area of the principal structure, or 800 square feet, whichever is greater.

·       17C.300.110 (A)(2) – Per WA House Bill 1660 - Floor area of detached ADU not more than 850 square feet for lots less than 4,500 square feet, and 1,350 square feet as the combined floor area for both attached and detached ADUs on lots greater than 4,500 square feet. 

·       17C.300.110 (B) – Per RCW 36.70A.600(1)(p) - Remove owner-occupancy requirements, i.e. ‘Draft Option SMC 110.C.1’

·       17C.300.130 (A)(5) - Remove all off-street parking requirement, i.e. 'Draft Option SMC 130.A5.1'

Thank you for your consideration and seeking to address dire need.

With Regards,

GrannyFlatSpokane

ryan@grannyflatspokane.com 

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