CITY
OF
SHORELINE
CITY COUNCIL
Fire Department Headquarters
City Council:
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Gustafson, and Ransom
ABSENT: Mayor Hansen and Councilmember Gustafson
Also Present from the Planning Commission:
Chair David Harris, Commissioners Broili, Hall, and Kuboi
Prior to the meeting being called to order at
Tim Stewart, Director of Planning and Development Services
for the City of
Paul Cohen, a Planner at the City of
Following the presentation meeting attendees were encouraged to ask questions and provide comments. The following is a summary of those questions, answers and comments:
v Interested in a “long term” look at the history/effects of cottage housing. People who moved into a neighborhood zoned R-4 expect R-4 development in that neighborhood – not higher density. Cottage housing is a way to get around maximum density.
v Why is the meeting not being run by elected officials? Answer: There are 5 Council members and 4 Planning Commissioners in attendance. Council directed staff to prepare and conduct this meeting. Council is the final decision making authority on the issues regarding cottage housing.
v Zoning protections are being lost without public input. Large lots attracted people to Shoreline along with good schools, adequate access for emergency vehicles, etc. Cottages are linked to speeding, increased traffic, loss of ambiance. Note: property values are up 11% not 4%.
v Although he does not like cottages, at first he thought they might be an option for the elderly. He now doesn’t even think they work for the elderly. A townhouse is another alternative for the elderly. Some cottages for sale near his home have been on the market for several months at $314,000. They have just changed real estate agents. The singe family house next door sold very quickly. Cottages are not affordable at $314 per square foot. States that real estate agents now ask sellers to disclose if a cottage housing development exists or is proposed in the vicinity. The uncertainty of not knowing where and when a cottage housing development is going to be allowed is difficult. Cottages allow some to profit while others lose property value. Answer: Cottages are not intended to be affordable housing. In fact, cottage development is prohibited from applying the affordable housing density bonus.
v Commenter lives next to Hopper Cottages. The cottages have had an emotional impact on her and her family. Her house is circa 1959. The cottages are built on one side and a very large single family home is built on the other. She worked with the developer for the Hopper Cottages. One problem was their house was not drawn to scale on the site plan for the cottages. Realtor said property values will be reduced by 10%. Who will pay for that loss in value?
v Disappointed that the real reason the meeting was called was not included in the presentation. Stated that the reason the meeting occurred was because of the opposition to cottages in the 8th/191st area and that he was a leader for this charge. Does not care what the rules are they are ridiculous. How many cottages do we want in this City over the next 20 years? Answer: The City has planned on 350 units of cottages.
v
15% of Shoreline’s population is disabled –
about 9,000 people. What are we going to
do to stop discrimination against the disabled?
Cottage housing is not
v Design by committee is not good. There has got to be a better way than cottages. The steps in cottages are unattractive to the elderly.
v He and his wife live in the Greenwood Cottages. They feel they live in vacation land. Their cottage community embraces each other and the surrounding single family homes as a community. Cottages fit the needs of baby boomers looking of low maintenance yards. Cottages are safe choice for single women and single mothers. Greenwood Cottages is a beautiful place to live.
v
How many of the 2600 GMA required units have
been built? Answer: About 100 a year –
1,000 since 1995. Call
v Owner of a .92 acre property located at 1st NW has been working with a developer. The developer stated that in an R-6 zone, the maximum allowed zoning must be granted or it is a takings.
v How does the City determine when and where a traffic problem will occur in relation to proposed developments?
v Property value fears, are just that, fears. Cottages cost more. Small houses are needed for widows and divorcees. Cottage housing is attractive to many because it is single family detached living: no shared walls, people walking overhead, etc. She spoke to the previous issue of traffic impacts: exact same as for single family. She emphasized the need for living options for different people.
v Cottage housing is more appropriate in multi family zones. What are required side yard setbacks?
v Against cottages. Why did the design of cottages change after the construction of Greenwood Cottages? Issues: quality development and parking.
v
What fits better in Shoreline
neighborhoods? Cottages? McMansions?
Can we change the code to do cottages “right”? She lives in
v
Not necessarily opposed to cottages. Citizens
don’t like cottages. Why are they good
for us? Go to state legislature to ask for a variance from the GMA. Suggested that the city come up with a better
model for accommodating growth and changing demographics. Cottages may work if
v
Builder a cottages at
v An alternative to cottage housing: small houses on small lots. She is bothered by the discretionary permits/exemptions. PADS is responsible for enforcing the Code. Public confidence in the enforcement of the Code will reduce fears. Citizens shouldn’t have to enforce the Codes.
v
Comment
regarding a lot at
v Goal – no more impacts by cottages. Main objections: traffic and quality of life. Answer: # of people residing in one traditional SF home is on par or greater than the number residing in two cottages.
v 1) Cottages are condos; 2) No cottages in single family neighborhoods; 3) This may cause problems with GMA, but Council, Commission and staff can find another solution outside of single family zoning.
v Greenwood Cottage resident commented that she does not want large single family homes to be constructed on the lot behind Greenwood Cottages if it redevelops, but would like to see cottages.
v
Father sold homes in Shoreline. He worked on the vision for Shoreline. Shoreline has good real estate. Decision not to buy Firlands from the state
was a mistake. City has done nothing to
improve
v
Comment on good Seattle Times article on
cottage housing in
v Comment regarding cottages at 8th NW/193rd –Some cottages are too tall and look like tall milk cartons.
v Commenter lives on 190th one cul de sac away from proposed 16 units of cottage housing. Not against cottage housing, but do fear the over concentration of it.
v
Commenter has experience with
v Purposeful planning of cottages – well thought out and planned. Cottages do not help with maintaining, sustaining or creating a sense of community with existing community.
v Elaboration on “why does Shoreline allow cottages” answer: to Conserve land, preserve resources, low maintenance yards. If there is not enough housing, prices go up and it becomes too costly for our kids to grow up and live in Shoreline. There is no right or wrong. There is value in all comments. Announced idea of Senior Cottages – community seniors would be given first chance to purchase a cottage in their neighborhood. The senior could downsize and that would also open up a single family home to the housing market. Suggested combining the pro and con groups into one or more integrated work groups.
v Rezoning requires proper public notification. Suggested that cottage housing require a zone change to R-8 or R-12. He mentioned that cities required to meet GMA that are not meeting their housing targets are paying penalties. Questioned the idea of allowing density bonuses for expensive housing or should these bonuses only be allowed for affordable housing.
No On Cottages
Group – led by Matt Torpey
Cottage Housing
Refinement Group led by
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.