MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Mercer Island limits size of single-family homes

Sep 20, 2017, 1:07 PM

Mercer Island...

(File, KIRO Radio)

(File, KIRO Radio)

It was a discussion that could only happen on Mercer Island.

“Can we have houses built bigger than 12,000 square feet on the waterfront?”

After consideration, the Mercer Island City Council passed new regulations that limit the size of new homes built on the island to no more than 40 percent of the lot.

Those for the new ordinance say it is aimed at limiting how large mega-mansions can be. Those against the ordinance, including builders, say the rules, along with new laws on trees, are too restrictive.

The new ordinance limits the scale of new homes and many expansions on the approximately 7,000 single-family lots on the island.

The council also added language that directs the city to take another look at the rules in a few years and make any necessary adjustments.

KIRO 7 contributed to this story.

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