MYNORTHWEST NEWS

New push for backyard cottages pits city against neighborhood groups

Oct 12, 2018, 1:14 PM | Updated: 2:27 pm

backyard cottage...

(Courtesy of Backyard Cottage Blog)

(Courtesy of Backyard Cottage Blog)

Building a backyard cottage is legal, but current regulations make doing so almost as expensive as building an actual cottage. For years, the city’s attempts to ease the process for building so-called accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have been thwarted by homeowner groups concerned about the greater impact on neighborhoods.

“The proposal is basically going to fix the regulations that have been getting in the way and making it difficult to build these things in their backyards or add them to their houses,” Dan Bertolet from the Sightline Institute told Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross.

Such changes were last proposed by the city in 2016 and opposed by the Queen Anne Community Council, arguing that allowing these units will negatively impact parking and utilities, and undermine the stability of the neighborhood. The community hearing examiner agreed, forcing the city to do additional environmental review before it can move forward. Now that they have, another appeal may be in the works.

RELATED: How backyard cottages could open up Seattle’s housing market

The city is looking to simplify and streamline the process for homeowners to build ADUs on their properties, known colloquially as backyard cottages or in-law units.

Homeowners would then be able to rent these units out, providing an additional source of income that could then be put toward anything from day-to-day living to mortgage payments. Alternatively, it also opens up more housing options for renters.

“The culprit in delaying these rules changes is the state’s environmental policy act,” Bertolet said. “People who want to oppose new housing projects or rules changes like these can sort of hijack the state environmental rules to create all kinds of delays. The city council has no control over these state laws.”

New regulations are looser in nature and would not require off-street parking, allow ADU construction on smaller lots, and would not require the homeowner to live on-site. The city also released its updated environmental review, which reached the same conclusions as the last one. It argues that that such housing will have little negative impact on neighborhoods, with regards to parking, utilities, and aesthetics.

Are environmental rules being abused by those opposed to backyard cottages?

Bertolet believes the environmental rules are being abused by neighborhood groups, and that it’s necessary to update them in order to move ADUs forward.

“These rules were originally set up to deal with things like if somebody wanted to put a nuclear waste dump in a neighborhood. It’s as if these anti-housing activists are treating homes as radioactive waste,” he said.

“They’re co-opting these laws to stop housing. But these laws are also used for legit purposes. So the problem is how to update the state laws so they don’t keep impeding home building, yet still offer protection from the things that we really do need protection from.”

MyNorthwest News

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

1 hour ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

1 hour ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

2 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

5 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

7 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

8 hours ago

New push for backyard cottages pits city against neighborhood groups