The ordinance proposal “to remove barriers to the creation of backyard cottages…” (Municipal codes Sections 23.04.041, 23.44.041, and 23.84A.032) deserves a thorough media exposure. It entails the destruction of single family zoning. It will allow BOTH attached dwelling units AND detached dwelling units plus the existing single family home on the same single lot. It eliminates any requirement for off street parking. It, in fact, turns every single family zoned lot into a lot zoned for a triplex with no off street parking, even in non-transit areas. It also reduces the owner occupancy requirement to only the first year after the units are added and no longer requires a 50% ownership. This would allow developers to make one tenant a .00001 % owner for a year, immediately converting it to defacto all rental housing, and permanently rental with no owner occupant after that. This is exactly what the Mayor said was off the table.
The city is attempting to hide this in what they make sound like a simple noncontroversial policy change to help with creating what used to be thought of as mother in law units. These changes are a complete give away to the developers and the end of true single family zoning in all areas of Seattle.
Citizens may send comments to Nick Welch at Nicolas.welch@seattle.gov..
Mark Schletty
West Seattle resident
