You’ve heard the term “middle housing”, but what does it mean? Is it the kind of housing we want in Snohomish? Why or why not?
“Middle housing” is the range of housing types that fall between single-unit detached homes and apartment buildings.
You’ve heard the term “middle housing”, but what does it mean? Is it the kind of housing we want in Snohomish? Why or why not?
“Middle housing” is the range of housing types that fall between single-unit detached homes and apartment buildings. These are generally house-scale, meaning they look like single-unit homes. Middle housing can include duplexes, triplexes, four-plexes, townhomes, cottage housing, and accessory dwelling units (aka mother-in-law units or granny flats). They are considered more affordable to both buy and build. The reason this type of housing is “missing” is because most are not allowed in Single Family zones. This is true in Snohomish and in many other places, where zoning rules made them illegal at some point after World War II.
The City received a grant from the Department of Commerce to look at middle housing in greater detail, and decide whether it works for us. The grant does not require the City to adopt any new regulations or rezone any properties. What it does is provide the City with an opportunity to take a closer look at middle housing types, and at the same time to conduct a racial equity and anti-displacement analysis that is required for the Comprehensive Plan periodic update.
So what do you think about middle housing? What are your concerns and priorities about housing in general? Click the link to learn more about the project, take a look at some pictures of middle housing types, and then to fill out a 5-minute survey.
Contact Planning Director Brooke Eidem for more information.