A new kind of small, alternative housing will be allowed in Puyallup under temporary rules the City Council approved Tuesday night.
The demonstration ordinance, which has drawn debate at council sessions in recent months, authorizes a single cottage-housing development of between four and 18 homes in the city of 37,000 people – with the possibility of two more such developments later.
Cottage homes are no larger than 1,500 square feet, are limited mostly to single-family residential zones, and are generally clustered around an open space, such as a community garden. More houses can be built on a site than would normally be allowed under city land-use rules.
“It’s my belief that our community needs some alternative housing,” said Councilman Kent Boyle, adding that not everyone looking to buy a home wants one with a larger footprint.
“We’re not a one-size-fits-all community,” said Councilwoman Nicole Martineau.
The council’s vote was 5-2. Councilmen John Knutsen and Rick Hansen cast the dissenting votes.
Knutsen said he worries about overdevelopment in areas such as downtown, and also doesn’t like that a committee of nonelected officials was given selection authority.
Hansen cited concerns including that cottage homes could become transitional rentals instead of stable housing.
The new rules allow for one demonstration project, and say the council could allow two more to be selected by the committee.
The ordinance expires in three years. The council eventually could consider creating a permanent “innovative housing program,” the ordinance says.
The city will make a call for proposals, which will be sent for review to a five-member committee consisting of a Planning Commission member, a Design Review Board member, a citizen and two city staffers.
The committee will then select one proposal to advance to the city’s normal development application process.
There are cottage-home projects already established in Puget Sound cities such as Kirkland and Redmond, said Katie Baker, associate planner for the City of Puyallup.
Some developers in Puyallup have expressed interest in cottage-type projects, Baker said. She said they are a “slightly more affordable” housing option for people such as empty nesters and young professionals, but it’s not intended to be affordable housing.
Before the council’s vote on Tuesday, a handful of citizens spoke for and against the new alternative-housing effort.
Lewis Pugh Jr. said cottage housing is billed as innovative but seems to be a way for developers to cram more homes onto smaller pieces of land.
But Charles Emlet, who’s on the city’s Aging in Place committee, told the council that cottage homes are a good option for older citizens.
“Personally, I like the idea of cottage housing. My wife and I have talked about (one day) buying into such a community,” Emlet told a reporter before the meeting. “I like the idea of being connected to your neighbors.”
Sara Schilling: 253-552-7058
sara.schilling@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/street
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