Although we have a lot of disagreements, there *are* definitely times when I can agree with ideas CM Robertson puts forward. Devil's in the details of course, but it's nice to be on the same playing field at least some of the time.
Conversation
DM Nieuwenhuis w/ further EBCC questions, 1) how many faith properties are in the jurisdiction, and 2) what were concerns expressed at the courtesy hearing?
1) about 20% of the faith parcels are in EBCC borders, 2) EBCC members didn't want AH *just* put in their neighborhoods.
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After some confusion from CM Lee, staff note that the developments resulting from this LUCA would be entirely affordable housing no more than 80% AMI. Seems in an ideal world, he would want these density bonuses to apply to market rate housing too. Doesn't have majority support.
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Council unanimously directs staff to draft a LUCA based on staff's recommendation of a 50% density bonus. Also asks for staff to draft a map of areas that will be reviewed as part of their Phase 2 work and draft a workplan that'll look at incentives for deeper affordability.
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Moving onto the East Main LUCA discussion, which likely will prove to be even meatier than the previous discussion. All the topics highlighted below will be discussed.
I learned what floor plate size is tonight, since IANA architect.
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Pushing back against some of the testimony heard this evening, staff is saying that allowing certain things to be decided through a DA will ultimately allow for the development of more affordable housing, so long as Council votes to approve the respective DA.
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A side-by-side comparison of staff's recommendations to Council vs. stakeholder requests, many of which were heard in public testimony this evening.
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"We have heard from Wig Properties that high-rise residential development w/ affordable housing is not financially feasible at this time, but this position is not supported by the type of development we're seeing DT as well as the city's economic analysis." Staff w/ the 🔥🔥🔥
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Basic dynamic I'm hearing tonight is that developers are asking for things advantageous to them to be directly incorporated into the LUCA, whereas staff is sticking with the plan to prioritize housing in the LUCA but allow Development Agreements to contain mods to the LUCA.
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Mayor Robinson is going to have Council give their feedback on each staff recommendation individually. Hopefully this is a relatively quick roundrobin, otherwise we'll be here all night.
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Staff also note that the DA path would allow for more flexibility should the economic conditions change. CM Robertson notes that she herself has not seen the report she's mentioning, but is apparently basing her reservations of staff's recs on it. Hm.
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Zahn: staff rec, notes going above 400' would trigger additional SEPA review.
Nieuwenhuis: staff rec for building heights, 30% for minimum housing.
Robinson: staff rec.
Majority of Councilmembers are seeking staff rec for max building height and min housing units.
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For public amenity:
Lee: stakeholder request
Barksdale: staff rec
Robertson: stakeholder request
Zahn: staff
Nieuwenhuis: stakeholder
Robinson: staff
Stokes: staff
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For affordable housing fee-in-iieu:
Mayor Robinson suggests a "deed in lieu" program, allowing developers to deed a portion of their land to a nonprofit, who would then build the affordable housing. She intends this to supplement staff's recommendation.
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Staff says it's an interesting concept, but it would need more study and calibration. It could, for example, be explored as part of a development agreement, but for right now info seems scarce.
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Seems nearly all CMs are unifying around staff's recommendation in addition for a deed-in-lieu option in a DA. CM Lee again expressing concerns on if a deed-in-lieu option would pencil out economically for a developer. He supports the stakeholder rec.
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On floorplate size & setback, nearly all CMs are actually supportive of the stakeholder's request. CM Stokes expresses concerns about the lack of air and light to the street that would be provided by such buildings but is open to learning more.
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Motion to direct staff to draft the LUCA to be given to Council for approval at a later meeting passes unanimously. Moving onto the final item for tonight, which Mayor Robinson notes should mainly be procedural - the LUCA on removing the limit on nonrelated people in a unit.
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