Bothell holds public hearing on multimodal transportation impact fees and Title 17 updates

Bothell staff opened a public hearing Feb. 3 on proposed updates to the city’s transportation impact fees and corresponding changes to Title 17 of the municipal code that would implement a multimodal level‑of‑service framework.

Boyd Benson, Utilities and Development Services manager, told the council the 2024 comprehensive plan requires measuring person‑trips across vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit rather than vehicle trips alone. The update ties the impact‑fee schedule to the plan’s project list and establishes concurrency procedures that align verification timelines to permit types. Benson said staff plan to bring an adoption ordinance to the council on March 10 and recommended an April 1 effective date to simplify administration.

Key policy elements: the proposal would (1) adopt multimodal level‑of‑service standards as the basis for concurrency, (2) update the impact‑fee project list, (3) change timelines for concurrency verification to match permit types, and (4) add exemptions and reductions intended to encourage affordable housing and interim uses. Benson described reductions based on area median income bands (a 20% reduction for units between 50–80% AMI and up to an 80% reduction for units under 30% AMI) and a 10% reduction for growth within a quarter‑mile of rapid transit. The draft also proposes a change‑of‑use exemption for interior changes that do not substantially redevelop a site.

Public input: City clerk reported one written comment from Donald Warren supporting waiving fees for businesses. Matt Tarimba, owner of Zulu’s board game cafe, spoke in support and called the changes “a game changer” for small businesses seeking to open. Staff told the council they believe the change‑of‑use exemption and targeted reductions will address concerns raised by prospective business owners while preserving mitigation for larger redevelopment.

Next steps: staff will return to the council on March 10 with an ordinance for consideration and recommended an April 1 effective date if adopted. Council members asked for clarifications on how added square footage and change‑of‑use calculations would be applied; staff said fees would be charged only on newly generated area, and a follow‑up email and packet material will address additional technical questions.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing; the council closed the hearing and scheduled consideration on the stated timeline.