Medical Lake planning commissioners recommend zoning overhaul to allow ADUs, cottage and specialized housing

The Medical Lake Planning Commission voted March 26 to recommend a package of zoning changes to the city council that would formalize rules for specialized housing, add standards for cottage housing, and implement state-mandated rules for accessory dwelling units.

Chair Joe David called for deliberation after a detailed staff presentation. The city planner summarized key elements of the proposal, saying it groups “transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, emergency housing, emergency shelters, outside encampments, temporary tiny housing, and safe parking” into a single specialized-housing category and proposes language and memorandums of understanding to manage impacts while complying with state requirements. The planner cautioned that some uses are specifically enabled by state law for religious organizations and therefore “we have to allow it,” although local MOUs and conditions can shape implementation.

Commissioners focused on oversight for group-living arrangements. One commissioner argued the commission should retain conditional-use review for group homes to ensure mitigation of traffic, employee parking and other externalities. The planner agreed and said she would change the draft to restore conditional-use review for most group-living proposals while explicitly allowing single-room-occupancy units where state law preempts local review.

The package also includes changes to accessory-building and building-coverage rules. The planner illustrated how proposed coverage changes (examples shown for a 6,000-square-foot lot) and an accessory-building allowance equal to 17% of lot area would increase potential footprints for detached shops or garages. She also noted state ADU requirements—maximum 1,000 square feet and a maximum height of 24 feet—that the city must accommodate. “The state is requiring quite a bit, through House Bill 1337,” the planner said, and added that the draft aims to fit those requirements while preserving the city’s neighborhood character.

On cottage housing, staff presented site-plan examples and proposed standards for common open space, parking, building spacing and ownership/maintenance arrangements. Staff recommended conditional-use review for cottage developments so that land divisions and potential critical-area impacts receive public review.

After discussing several editorial corrections and outstanding citations staff agreed to complete before sending the ordinance to council, Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the amendments and forward them to the city council with the staff clarifications discussed that night; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the five items flagged in the staff report and file an ordinance for the city council hearing. The Planning Commission’s vote was a recommendation; the council will make the final decision.