Tumwater Planning Commission weighs new subdivision process, other development code updates 

Tumwater staffers are preparing a new round of development code updates to implement state requirements, including a new subdivision process that would allow separate ownership of accessory dwelling units. 

Housing and Land Use Planner Erika Smith-Erikson briefed the Tumwater Planning Commission about the process called unit lot subdivision, as well as other proposed changes. She made her remarks at a meeting on Jan. 13.

Smith-Erickson said, unlike the short plat process, which requires subdivided lots to meet minimum size requirements under the underlying zoning, unit lot subdivision would allow the size of subdivided lots to not meet those standards as a means to create more opportunities for home ownership. 

To codify the process, she said the city would need to resolve several questions, including how it would align with density limits, whether subdivisions could occur on vacant sites, and how utilities would be permitted. 

Commissioners raised concerns about the potential social and public safety impacts of that type of housing, as well as the long-term strain it could place on city services. 

Commissioner Brandon Staff inquired what fencing would look like, while Commissioner Sandra Nelson expressed concern that shared spaces for the units could lead to disputes between neighbors and increase demand for police services. 

Commissioner Grace Anne Edwards also wondered whether there would be demand to own such properties in the long term. 

Smith-Erickson acknowledged the concerns and said significant work remains to define the process. She noted allowing unit lot subdivisions does not guarantee they will be built, as development will ultimately rest with the private sector.

She added that any such projects would still be required to comply with building, utility and infrastructure standards. 

Required amendments 

In addition to unit lot subdivisions, the update includes other state mandated amendments. That includes allowing the reuse of existing commercial, industrial and institutional buildings for housing; reducing impact fees for smaller housing units and documenting how those fees are calculated; and updating the code to reflect expanded exemptions for housing projects under Washington State Environmental Policy Act. 

Additional amendments would address essential public facilities, development near natural resource lands and state highways. 

The update would also include staff amendments, such as adding definitions and permitting standards for recreational vehicle and boat storage, allowing traffic impact fees to be used for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and codifying permitted uses for data centers and battery energy storage systems. 

Smith-Erickson said staff would work through March to develop the amendments, with internal review beginning in April to ensure consistency with existing city plans.  

Staffers aim to begin the formal adoption process with the planning commission as early as May, before forwarding the proposed amendments to the city council by June, when many of the changes are due under state law.