Leavenworth greenlights cottage housing in efforts to increase affordable options

LEAVENWORTH – Cottage housing will be a new development option in residential zones after receiving near-unanimous approval from City Council on May 28.

Cottage housing is defined by the city as “a group of smaller detached dwelling units with shared common space, including a shared courtyard or open space.” The new code would permit cottage housing in the RL-6, R-8, and Multifamily zones. The number of cottage houses allowed on a lot will be determined by the city's cottage housing standards, including requirements for height, setbacks, parking, and open space.

According to the recently adopted code, each unit would not exceed 1,200 square feet in habitable floor area, and be no taller than 25 feet. A shared courtyard of at least 20 feet by 20 feet would be required, as well as one parking space for each unit. Cottage houses and associated accessory buildings must meet setback requirements of 20 feet in the front yard, five feet in the side yard, and eight feet in the rear yard. 

The adoption of cottage housing was recommended by the Planning Commission, which deliberated the development option and its parameters over the course of the fall and winter. The idea for cottage housing was originally proposed by the Housing Action Plan, which considered it as an opportunity to increase housing supply, housing diversity, ownership opportunity and rental housing.

“We spent a lot of time crafting this specifically for Leavenworth and saying, “How can we come up with a code that will allow more small units on a lot in a way that maintains the character of our town?” said Planning Commissioner Allison Miller.

Prior to the vote, City Council received comments from community members and representatives of the Planning Commission, Housing Advisory Committee, and Residents Coalition of Chelan County (RC3).

RC3 Board of Directors wrote a letter in opposition to the adoption, stating that increased densities on single-family residential lots without affordable housing provisions would create more market-rate units on lots designed to support a single unit. In a spoken statement, RC3 Board Member Ken Yalowitz expressed concern of more density equalling more vacation homes.

“People want to own second homes here. If we just create more housing, that housing is going to get bought up for vacation homes…Consider whether or not there's some alternative to making sure that the new housing that comes into the city is at least partially available for local residents and not all vacationers,” said Yalowitz.

Those opposed asked for the city to table cottage housing, and explore deed restrictions, land trusts, and inclusionary zoning.

Those in favor of the adoption pushed back on the idea of creating more vacation homes, stating that smaller units with a shared yard would be unappealing to second home buyers, and would instead appeal to young families and aging occupants. 

“Not only does [cottage housing] create increased community opportunities, given that it's a high density situation with families living close together, it creates opportunities for lower income housing…Creating more custom homes is simply going to exacerbate the issue of people coming in and buying second homes,” said Luke Dixon, a member of the Housing Advisory Committee.

The City Council recognized RC3’s concerns, but were favorable to the adoption of cottage housing. Nearly all members voted in favor, with the exception of Councilmember Rhona Baron, who abstained.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media