LCC Weighs In On Accessory And Detached Accessory Dwelling Units

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published this information in a recent newsletter:

Accessory Dwellings 

LCC submitted environmental scoping comments on the proposed changes to regulations in the Land Use Code removing restrictions on accessory dwelling and detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs and DADUs) to Seattle’s Legislative Department.  

LCC supports the “no action” alternative or development of a third alternative that would more adequately preserve and protect single-family neighborhoods. The current proposal would essentially duplex or triplex single family neighborhoods with no assurance that affordable housing would be created.  

Single-family homes should not be allowed to have both an ADU and a DADU.  Requiring one parking space off-street for each dwelling unit must be retained and require owner occupancy.  We need that assurance of owner commitment firmly in the Code.  

Minimum lot size should not be decreased for DADUs. The 1,000-maximum square footage should include garages and storage area and square footage for DADUs should not be increased from 800 to 1,000 square feet. The maximum height of DADUs should not be increased by one to three feet.   Rear lot coverage limits should not be increased from 40 to 60 percent.  

The City must protect wildlife habitat by saving the trees and greenery we have and prevent  further lot coverage within the built environment.  

The EIS should study the privacy impact of allowing DADU entrances on any façade to provide some protection to adjacent neighbors.  

The number of unrelated people allowed to live on a single-family lot should not be increased from 8 to 12 and other options should be explored. Numbers are too high and create maintenance issues, excess noise, and lack of parking.  

The EIS must address the affordability issue for lower- and middle-income families. Displacement impacts and the impacts on existing housing, the potential elimination of housing, and destruction of our tree canopy require study in the EIS.