Cottage housing will come to Lake Forest Park only when the proposed cottage housing demonstration project ordinance is acceptable, Lake Forest Park City Council members said at the June 28 study session at City Hall.
“We need to do a lot of work on this ordinance and make sure every little thing is taken care of,” Councilman Ed Sterner said. “…and then my worry is that I may get so concerned with those things and cause (the ordinance) to not go very far.”
Mayor Dave Hutchinson, council members, city administrator David Cline and city planning director Steve Bennett discussed possible changes to a draft of the proposed cottage housing demonstration project ordinance.
“As a demonstration project, it may make sense that some sites are better than others,” Councilman Roger Olstad said when the fact that the ordinance gives no specific direction for possible cottage housing sites was brought up.
Council members also discussed whether they want to be involved in the selection process of potential developers before the Planning Commission has an opportunity to review such applications.
“Maybe there needs to be a first step where the council looks at (applications) and then sends them off to the Planning Commission,” Sterner said. “That way at least when the finalists get back to us we won’t be surprised.”
Council members agreed that they want to be involved in the early process of choosing potential developers.
“If (council) gets the first shot at it, I think it’s only fair that they hear from all the applicants,” Bennett said.
Discussion ensued about whether a community building would be a part of a development, what “green” or environmentally friendly building practices should be included and what consideration sensitive areas should receive.
“Depending on the property all sorts of things may make sense,” Sterner said. “We don’t want to discourage wonderful, creative proposals.”
Council members said they did not want to model a cottage housing demonstration after what was tried and eventually led to a moratorium on cottage housing in the city of Shoreline. Several council members said they believe attention to details will help lead to a positive demonstration.
“Every jurisdiction that has taken it on since Shoreline has done what we’re doing,” Bennett said.
While reassuring to council members, councilman Alan Kiest told other members that he still wonders what is on the minds of Lake Forest Park residents when it comes to the issue of cottage housing.
“I don’t want them to think that while legal, (the council) shoved (an ordinance) down our throats or crafted it so (cottage housing) is not only a good idea but is perceived as a good idea by the community,” he said.
Councilman Donovan Tracy said he’s in favor of the demonstration.
“I think it has possibilities,” he said. “I also hope we don’t pile so much into this that cottage housing becomes the most unaffordable housing in Lake Forest Park.”
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