Infill Housing

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Infill Housing Task Force Project

The Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 2001 supports residential infill development. The Comprehensive Plan was followed up by the adoption of development regulations that allow smaller lot sizes, zero lot line development, cottage housing and similar tools that encourage infill. Although these regulations have been supportive of development alternatives, the Planning Director determined last year that with all the changes in the housing market, it was time to take another look at those regulations and determine if updates were needed.

In December of 2008, a representative task force of interested individuals and organizations was formed to look at our existing regulations and incentives to determine if we could make improvements in the regulations. The Infill Housing Task Force completed draft updates to our cottage housing ordinance. The task force has now set aside the cottage ordinance and will focus on other infill housing opportunities, such as townhouses, small lot development, the lot size transition requirements and other related code provisions. The intent is to take an infill housing package of code amendments to the Plan Commission and City Council within the next year if not sooner.

At their meeting this January, the task force decided to organize in a way that will help complete the task of addressing infill housing. The group elected Len Zickler and Kathy Miotke as co-chairs of the task force. They will take an active role in leading the group, including setting agendas, research, etc. Planning staff will provide input and direction as needed and continue to play an active role in the task force. The group will identify a list of work products and develop a work program. The group will be meeting on a once a month schedule until the work is completed.

Resources:

This publication was prepared by The Housing Partnership, through a contribution from the Washington Association of Realtors. The Infill Task Force has been reviewing this document to help guide the update of the infill housing standards.

Contact

Nikole Coleman, City Planner (509) 625-6883 or ncoleman@spokanecity.org

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