The grants are available due to last year’s passage of House Bill 1923, strongly advocated for by MBAKS. We’ve long advocated for these changes in Bothell and it appears they are on their way to finally doing so.

These measures are designed to bring greater efficiency to the permit process and save time for both city staff and the applicant.

The plan is the result of significant site and artifact disturbance that happened in Phase I of the Bear Creek rehabilitation project in 2013.

Several MBAKS members testified on some of the larger energy code issues that would represent significant cost increases on new housing.

The changes include removal of density caps, new density calculation methods, design flexibility, and the removal of a utility easement prohibition. This measure was one of MBAKS’ priority pieces of legislation this year.

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.

MBAKS previously expressed interest to King County staff and Council to further consider amendments to the County’s cottage housing and ADU codes. Both were identified by the Council as areas of interest.

Recent changes by the Puget Sound Regional Council on the qualifications for Growth Center status have prompted the exercise.

This year is a short, 60-day session, but our agenda remains vigorous. Included initiatives are: Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation; missing middle housing; expansion of last year’s HB 1923; and WUCIOA (or Common Interest Community) changes and exemptions.

County staff informs us multiple short plat duplex projects have recently been submitted. The County’s duplex code was adopted in 2015 and is now beginning to gain popularity.

The new regulations retain the current administrative review/recommendation process, excludes minor façade changes/upgrades, and will now require public notices will for all new applicable projects.

It’s hoped these amendments will improve communication and streamline process by eliminating confusion and multiple reviews from incomplete information in applications.

Beginning Dec. 2, 2019, SDOT is eliminating the requirement to get a street restoration (51M) permit before submitting the water service application to SPU.

The rate increase under consideration is intended to result in a revenue-neutral fee adjustment across all projected land use development classifications and locations.

The total permit fees paid for some projects will go down depending on how these factors, along with process improvements, impact staff time needed to complete the work.

For your reference, MBAKS staff has compiled impact and mitigation fee data by jurisdiction.