backyard cottage legislation update

The legislation encouraging more backyard cottages has been delayed due to an appeal filed by Marty Kaplan of the Queen Anne Community Council. http://web6.seattle.gov/Examiner/case/W-16-004.  Seattle City council is now hoping to vote on the legislation by the end of the year.  

When the legislation was made public, the Office of Planning and Community Development for the City of Seattle issued a determination that the legislation would not have significant adverse environmental impacts. The Queen Anne Community Council is challenging that determination and will appeal to the Hearing Examiner. The process of being heard by the Hearing Examiner can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. More information about the timeline will be available after the hearing date is scheduled.  

Council member Mike O'Brien will continue his work in the interim focusing on means to reduce the cost of backyard cottage construction. Most significantly working to reduce or eliminate the sewer capacity charge for backyard cottages. He will also work with lenders to establishing backyard cottage financing tools.

Those considering building a backyard cottage will for a time be left in limbo.  While the proposed legislation was not likely to alter the decision to build a backyard cottage, the changes are significant enough to drastically impact their design.  Unfortunately, this will make the planing process that much more complicated and add yet another barrier to their construction.