On Thursday, Oct. 7, the Seattle Builders Council (SBC) received a presentation from Tadashi Shiga and Cybil Tribie on “Understanding the Washington State 2018 Energy Code.”

This week, the Marysville City Council adopted updates to the city’s Downtown Master Plan (DMP) and Planned Action Ordinance (PAO). The DMP update expands the boundary and updates zoning and design standards.

The Snohomish County Engineer has signed EDDS changes sought by our association related to Chapters 1, 3, and 8 of the County’s Engineering Design and Development Standards, aimed at making more efficient road and pedestrian facility standards.

The Snohomish County Council is working on code change provisions to potentially expand the use of development agreements to better address proposals that may be consistent with adopted County policies but are inconsistent with specific codes.

On October 2, 2018, we took to social media to discuss the benefits of more flexible accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and various cottage housing ordinances throughout our two-county region.

The Snohomish County Council has completed its consideration and adoption of Countywide Planning Policy (CPP) changes. The CPP’s form the foundation of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. Notable is that Council adopted the County Executive recommended version of the document and not that produced by Snohomish County Tomorrow.

Document highlights 41 actionable ideas to enable more housing choices.

The Everett City Council has unanimously adopted the city’s Housing Action Plan (HAP). The HAP is a set of short- and long-term recommended strategies intended to address housing needs in the community.

The SeaTac City Council adopted its final draft Housing Action Plan (HAP) on Tuesday, September 14.

Seattle attorney Tim Wilson of Wilson Law Group of WA gave a presentation to the Seattle Builders Council (SBC) on current condominium law. This creates the unique opportunity to increase density and home ownership opportunities.

The cost of lumber is up a staggering 280%. The cost of housing has increased significantly: constructing just one single-family home is now nearly $36,000 more expensive because of skyrocketing lumber prices. A variety of market conditions and consumer choices are driving shortages and increasing prices. This is on top of already higher lumber prices due to tariffs on Canadian lumber imports implemented in 2017.

King County recently announced progress on the implementation of a procedure change to save members time and money.

On Tuesday, September 21, the Duvall City Council adopted a citywide six-month interim emergency moratorium on the issuance of most sewer connection certificates.

In an effort to cut permit wait times before the new electronic permitting system goes live in October, Kent’s reviewers will provide comments to applicants as soon as comments are prepared, upon request.

The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District allowed the sewer connection moratorium on the northern part of the city to expire on August 23. With the moratorium expired, the District is once again accepting sewer connections with an adjusted process.

On August 16, the Kenmore City Council unanimously adopted an emergency six-month moratorium on the acceptance of permits for any development within the TOD District Overlay.

On Tuesday, October 5, Kirkland City Council adopted on consent new transportation impact fees. The fee was last updated in 2015. Council increased the fees for both single family and multifamily residential with phasing in over three years.

The Snohomish County Council recently adopted Ordinance 21-048 that updates Planning and Development Services permit fees. The update is part two of the fee update initiated earlier this year.

The Senate Housing & Local Govt Committee held a work session on Monday, Sept. 20, looking at, among other things, the rising cost to build housing caused by high fees and long permit timelines.

On September 2, the Sammamish Planning Commission held a public hearing on proposed amendments to Chapter 21A.105 SMC – School Impact Fees, regarding the local impact percentage the developer contributes to the school impact fee calculation.

Responding to MBAKS and member concerns over cost, Snohomish County Public Works has adjusted its final lift bond calculation worksheet and released the worksheet and other supporting documents.