City of Olympia staffers are drafting new housing code amendments to meet the state requirements for the “middle housing" option.
The city will hold a comprehensive public outreach strategy, including public meetings, surveys, FAO documents, focus group meetings, community feedback opportunities and public hearings to gather input on key policy decisions.
Joyce Phillips, principal planner with Olympia's Community Planning and Economic Development Department, provided an overview at a Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20.
The code amendments also include accessory dwelling units and co-living housing.
The proposed changes aim to address provisions from House Bill 1110 and House Bill 2321 (related to middle housing), as well as HB 1337 (for accessory dwelling units) and HB 1998 (for co-living housing).
The city received a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to help cover the costs associated with the work.
"This first draft is our attempt to combine that into one set of code amendments," Phillips told the committee. "It amends multiple titles within the municipal code. The majority of them are in OMC (Olympia Municipal Code) 1804, which is the residential districts chapter."
Phillips said the city is proposing to revise different parts of the OMC and integrating state mandated changes.
She highlighted some items in the 103-page draft that the city expects will be of great interest and importance to the community.
Tier 1 compliance: A document outlining the policy decision points shows Olympia aims to meet the requirements for a Tier 1 city. Currently, the city is classified as Tier 2.
According to the document, Olympia has a current population of approximately 55,400. However, the city and its urban growth areas are projected to surpass 75,000 residents by 2030, making it a Tier 1.
To avoid the need for frequent code revisions, the proposed amendments are being drafted to meet the Tier 1 requirements now. This means increasing the base unit density to six units per lot near major transit stops or when two or more affordable units are provided for at least 50 years.
Major transit stop: Rather than using the state's definition of a "major transit stop," the draft code amendment proposes using the city's own local definition of "frequent transit routes." Olympia is opting to use the same criteria as its parking code; transit stops that have four or more trips per hour for 12 or more hours per day.
Distance from a major transit stop: The draft code proposed applying the increased unit/lot density allowance to properties within a one-half mile of frequent transit routes, as defined by the city's local criteria. The state code ties the density increase to the proximity of a "major transit stop" within a one-quarter mile.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and density: The draft code proposes that ADUs will be counted toward the maximum unit/lot density allowed. The state's model ordinance gives cities the option of including ADUs in the density limits.
ADU maximum size: The draft code sets the maximum size allowed for an ADU at 1,000 square feet. This is an increase from Olympia's previous maximum ADU size of 850 square feet. The change is required, as state law no longer permits cities to adopt a size limit of less than 1,000 square feet for ADUs.
Number of stories: Currently, Olympia's residential zoning districts that allow 12 or fewer units per acre have a maximum building height of 35 feet. However, these districts also limit the number of stories to two.
The draft proposal maintains the 35-foot height limit, but removes the restriction on the number of stories. This would allow up to three stories in these lower-density residential zones.
Unit lot subdivisions: The draft code proposes allowing unit lot subdivisions as a short plat process, which applies to the division of land with nine or fewer lots. Divisions of land with 10 or more lots would need to go through a preliminary plat process.
Councilman Robert Vanderpool emphasized the importance of surveys and outreach to understand how missing middle housing and ADUs can provide more affordable and diverse housing options for the community.
He suggested including questions about individual experiences and interest in building ADUs or other moderate-density types currently lacking in Olympia.
Vanderpool stressed the need to make it "less expensive and easier to do missing middle and ADUs than it would be doing single-family homes." This could involve lowering fees, developing pre-approved plans, and being as "flexible as possible to development" on standards like setbacks and height limits.
Councilman Jim Cooper mentioned two specific ideas he discussed with former CP&D Director Leonard Bauer.
He suggested minimizing or eliminating setback requirements in neighborhoods, noting the city should test this approach and gauge public feedback before making a final decision.
Cooper also proposed allowing a second driveway access for corner lots, particularly to accommodate ADUs. He acknowledged this may require further review from a code perspective.
Responding to Cooper's suggestions, Phillips said there are some proposed revisions to setbacks in the draft, though not a complete elimination.
On the idea of allowing a second driveway access for corner lots, particularly to accommodate ADUs, Phillips indicated there are some provisions that allow for that, but it is not an automatic or common exception. She said she would have that conversation with the public works staff.
Committee Chair Dani Madrone said she is interested in knowing who the city is hearing from — whether they are renters, owners or builders — to understand their perspective and role in housing. She also suggested reaching out to people who have previously tried to build ADUs or missing middle housing but faced barriers.
The city is planning a series of public meetings, focus groups and online engagement opportunities to gather feedback on the draft plan through May. A revised proposal is expected to be released in June, followed by public hearings and a final decision by the city council.
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northbeachcomm
The City of Olympia is giving a huge prize for the rich real estate developers, again!
The City only has a population of 55,400 people, which is a Tier 2 City.
The City wants to call ourselves a Tier 1 City, which is a population of 75,000 people; this is a lie!
The City wants the WA state rules and regulations for a Tier 1 city to apply; but Olympia is a Tier 2 City!
The City wants to make it easier for real estate developers to go forward with what ever
they want in our city; we are not talking about 'LOW INCOME" Housing.
We are talking about expensive housing costs, which the City is now calling "Affordable Housing"(Market rate), this is a lie. This city has become one that is not affordable for low income, not affordable for middle income people. The City council people think that the expensive housing will help issues in our city. It will destroy our city. Wake up!
Tuesday, February 25 Report this
JnNwmn
It is wrong for the City of Olympia Planners to claim that zoning regulations be changed from the existing Tier 2 designation to Tier 1 designation. The upscale would create an rezone of 1/2 mile on either side of a major transit corridor. That is 1 mile swath of rezoning for the all of Olympia. Residents would not be allowed to question any major construction in their neighborhoods. This is a bad choice.
Tuesday, February 25 Report this
HeikeSypeck
I'd be interested in finding out if or when there will ever be a rezoning for the outskirts of Olympia/Lacey for ACU units on lots smaller than 10 acres (or was it 5?). We, in the Thurston County area, are affected by rising housing costs as well and our children are searching for affordable housing as well. Yet we have restrictions that does not allow us to build free-standing ACU's to allow family members to live on our property. It needs to be "removable", like a trailer. But we don't want to cheapen our property with a trailer, we want to build a mother-in-law unit that adds value. Small lots in the city are allowed to cramp all sorts of things on their lots but out here, where we actually have some more backyard area available, we are hindered by zoning that is completely outdated. I understand that we cannot add housing however or wherever we like but with large, new neighborhood basically growing out of the ground overnight all around me here in the more rural areas, I think we, the private landowner, are being played for a fool with the zoning requirements.
Tuesday, February 25 Report this
HappyOlympian
The city population to grow by 15k in 5 years? It took about 25 years to get from 42,000 - 55,000, this during an era of huge growth statewide. Aside from annexations, hard to see this happening without continuing the massive tax-giveaways to developers.
Wednesday, February 26 Report this
S2345S23456
Pfff! WHO ARE THESE OUTSIDERS COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITY TRYING TO CHANGE THINGS WITHOUT REGARD FOR THE FLAVOR OF OUR CITY??? As for "Olympia has a current population of approximately 55,400" & "city and its urban growth areas are projected to surpass 75,000 residents by 2030, making it a Tier 1." 75,000 residents by 2030? 25,000 people to move here within 5 years? 5,000 people per year!!?? HELLO!! WELCOME TO TRAFFIC CITY!! Olympia will become the next L.A.! Olympia STREETS CAN'T HANDLE THAT MUCH TRAFFIC & I5 IS ALREADY A MESS!!!! This area does not have enough clinics and doctors to handle a population boom as such. Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophesy just so developers can take advantage. Those 25,000 new residents can only happen if homes are built for people to move to. Let's not let that happen! We don't need or want that many more people to move here. Not only that, remember dry wood is kindling for fire, and rising sea levels mean the city is going to need to pull boundaries back from flood lines. Besides, who is going to move here if there are no well-paying jobs?? Pff!! All that development would turn Olympia into a generic city, causing it to lose its flavor. Pfff!! Keep those developers out!! Keep Oly weird!!
Wednesday, February 26 Report this