EVERETT — A packed hearing to consider new rules for a type of housing development that proponents say combines the affordability of condominiums with the look and feel of single family houses drew impassioned testimony before the Snohomish County Council Wednesday, April 11.
Hundreds of the developments, known as “air condos” because they’re small single-family houses sharing a common lot, have already been built throughout the county. But officials in cities – including those in Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace – worry that the developments violate city building standards that ensure safety and livability.
Proposed rules would mandate open space, landscaping and parking requirements the county doesn’t now require. The county council is expected to make a decision on the new rules on Wednesday, April 18.
Lynnwood officials say they’re especially concerned with the housing projects, which are built in the county’s low density multi-family zones that also allow apartments, because many are showing up just outside city limits but within the city’s urban growth area.
Lynnwood is preparing for the possibility that it may annex as many as 10,000 residents into the city by 2010.
Though several of the controversial developments have already been approved for construction, Lynnwood and several other county cities want to make sure future air condos meet city development standards.
Lynnwood Mayor Don Gough testified that the county should require public hearings during the review process, as it does for single-family development proposals.
“I think the open hearing process is essential,” he said. “These are the kinds of proposals that need to have public hearings.”
Developers oppose such a requirement. They argue it would slow a process that’s supposed to be handled administratively. They also oppose parking and open-space requirements the cities want, said Mike Pattison, spokesman for the Master Builders Assocation of King and Snohomish Counties.
Building several homes on common property has allowed developers to bypass county rules that would otherwise require landscaping, open space and safe walkways.
Fire department officials have been vocal in their opposition to existing air condo standards.
“The permanent solution is build the roads wide enough, so we have access,” testified Jim Kenny, a Snohomish County Fire District 1 commander and representative for the Sno-Isle Fire Commission.
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