Sometimes even I forget that I started my work on Seattle For Growth in an effort to expand supply of single-family housing. Yes, that’s right, my first assignment as it were was to support a solution to the “small-lot problem.” Back in 2012 and 2013 developers had found a way to subdivide single-family lots and build more single-family housing in single-family zones. Without getting into the detail (you can read this for more) it was an innovative solution to building smaller, more affordable homes in desirable single-family neighborhoods. The City Council wouldn’t tolerate that! So they banned the ability to build these small houses.

We proposed some predictability with a rule that would allow developable single-family lots to be as small as 80 percent of the average size of lots on a block. We fell back to 100 percent of the lot size. Here’s an analysis from way back then about how many new lots that would create and the difference between the two proposals:

Zip Code	80 Percent of Block Face	100 Percent of Block Face	Difference
98102	4	1	3
98103	222	49	173
98105	42	10	32
98107	42	9	33
98108	9	8	1
98109	45	11	34
98112	43	15	28
98115	86	20	66
98117	94	19	75
98118	102	28	74
98119	68	24	44
98122	101	26	75
98133	6	0	6
98144	85	25	60
98199	21	3	18
Total potential new lots	970	248	722

Here’s the letter we sent to Councilmembers urging they keep the 100 percent rule which we managed to get passed out of committee. The Council would gut this, and add even more prohibitions and rules that essentially suffocated most new single-family housing in single-family zones.

May 12, 2014

Dear Councilmember O’Brien,

Please support Council Bill Number 118052as amended and passed unanimously by the Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee on May 6.

This legislation resolves issues associated with small lot legislation, allows the development of more new homes, and provides predictability for both neighbors and builders. The legislation creates height limits and set backs that ensure appropriate scale for new homes, and it includes the 100 percent rule.

We urge you to keep the 100 percent rule in the legislation if there is an attempt to amend the legislation to remove it at full Council on Monday, May 19^th.

Here’s why we ask for you not to amend the bill. The 100 percent rule:

• Is a compromise 2 years in the making. We originally advocated an 80 percent rule that would have created more developable lots, but we accepted the 100 in discussions with you and staff;
• Would result in a modest number of new lots, about 250 new developable lots. The 80 percent rule could have created almost 1000;
• Includes a minimum lot size of 2500 square feet, set backs, and a height limit of 22 feet; and
• Is a new exception, but so are the 75/80 rule and dozens of other exceptions throughout the code. The purpose of exceptions is to allow our city to grow. Remember, most single-family lots are smaller than the zone (5000,7200, or 9600 square feet) they are in. Not granting exceptions would result in zero growth.

We believe this legislation will allow meaningful creation of new housing at a time when housing, especially single-family homes, is in great demand in our city.Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Roger Valdez

So now that the Planning Commission is on board, maybe some “urbanists” out there or champion of opening up single-family for more density will resurrect this idea. Take it an run with it!