Resolution 333PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION V0. 333
A RESOLUTION TO THE CITY.COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS RECOM-
MENDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE REVISING
THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR APARTMENTS AND DUPLEXES, SECTION
12.13.060 THRU 12.13.130, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANNING COMMIS-
SION FILE NO. ZO-2-70
WHEREAS, the.Planning Commission of the City of
Edmonds, pursuant to proper notice and publication, held public
hearings on a proposed amendment to the.Official Zoning Ordi-
nance of said City revising the.development standards for
apartments and duplexes, Section 12.13.060 thru 12.13.130; and
WHEREAS, having made the findings set forth in Exhibit
"A" attached hereto, the Planning Commission determined that the
above -named sections should be amended as explained in Exhibit
"B" attached hereto; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of said
City that recommendation be and the.same hereby is made to said
City Council that the proposed amendment be approved.
DATED as of the. 20th day of May, 1970.
Chairman, Edmonds Planning Commission
Edmonds City Planner
File No.: ZO-2-70
Initiated by: City Council
Date of Hearings: 2/18; 3/18; 4/15; 5/20
EXHIBIT '.'A" Resolution ##333
During the.past few years numerous multifamily structures
have been built with inadequate attention to the.charac-
teristics of good community development. Too often such
structures have had inadequate parking and landscaping,
poor spacing and site arrangements, poor quality site.im-
provements and inadequate.concern for adjoining properties.
The result of such development is a poor quality community
and residential blight. For these reasons the.Planning
Commission believed.that improved development standards
were needed which give the.City greater review authority
over multi=family developments.
EXHIBIT "B"
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 333
REVISED TWO FAMILY 6 MULTIPLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Revised paragraphs or sections are indicated by a single asterisk (*) and double
spaced. New paragraphs are indicated by a double asterisk (** ), and double spaced.
All section numbers are underlined for readability. This proposal removes two
paragraphs from the Apartment regulations: (1) the secondary use, "motels without
restaurants", Section 12.13.120, D; and (2) the capability to round -off the maxi-
mum number of dwelling units, Section 12.13.130, D.
SECTION 12.13.060 Intent (RD) The principal intent of the RD classification
and its application is to protect quiet residential areas now developed or develop-
ing, while at the same time allowing a limited increase in population density in
those areas to which this classification applies by permitting two attached dwell-
ing units on a minimum -sized lot. The maintenance of a desirable living environ-
ment is provided for by means of the standards and requirements establishing mini-
mum lot areas and yards and open spaces. Additionally, a related consideration is
to make it possible to more efficiently and economically design and install all
physical public service facilities in terms of size and capacity to adequately
and permanently meet the needs resulting from a defined intensity of land use.
Section 12.13.070 Primary Uses (RD) In an RD zone only the following primary
uses are permitted and as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed by this
section, subject to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in this title.
A. Two-family (duplex) dwellings;
**B. Townhouses, subject to a design review procedure as outlined
in Section 12.13.130. A townhouse is defined as a single-
family dwelling attached to two or more similar structures.
One or both sidewalls must abut the sidewalls of the adjacent
dwellings. The dwelling space for each family must extend
throughout the full vertical dimension of the structure with
each unit containing front and rear yard areas.
C. Any primary use permitted in the single-family, RS, classifi-
cation as described and regulated therein; but specifically
excluding Mobile Homes and Trailers.
Section 12.13.080 Secondary Uses (RD). In an RD Zone only the following
secondary uses are permitted and as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed
by this section, subject to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in
this title.
A. Any secondary use permitted in the single-family, RS, classifi-
cation as described and regulated therein except as follows:
1. Guest House;
2. Roomers;
Page 1 of 6
3. Small animals (household pets) exceeding one per household;
4. Stables or horses.
Section 12.13.090 Bulk and Dimensional Regulations (RD)
Minimum lot area per duplex or townhouse unit is 3600 sq. ft.
excluding access easement areas.
B. Lot Width: Every duplex structure shall have a minimum lot
width of 60 ft. Every townhouse unit shall have a minimum
lot width of 30 ft.
C. Front Yard: Every lot in the RD zone shall have a front yard
with a depth of not less than 25 feet;
D. Side Yards: Every duplex and group of attached townhouse
units shall have side yards of at least 5 feet;
E. Rear Yards: Each lot in an RD zone shall have a rear yard
of not less than 25 feet measured from the rear property
line.
F. Permissible lot coverage: Except for churches, community
and non commercial recreation facilities including clubs and
schools, which shall conform to the lot coverage limitations
set forth for each in the RS classification, all building,
including accessory buildings and structures, but not in-
cluding any open areas used to provide required parking,
shall not cover more than 35 percent of the total area of
an interior lot and not more than 40 percent of the total
area of a corner lot;
Maximum Building Height: In an RD zone no structure shall
exceed a height of 25 feet except for church steeples, chim-
neys, antenna and similar uses as may be incidental to the
permitted uses of the main building. No exterior wall shall
exceed the permitted building height.
H. Accessory buildings and structures shall observe front and
side yard restrictions applied to the principal structure
and shall observe a five-foot setback from the rear lot line.
*-I. Offstreet Parking: Two off-street parking spaces are required
per dwelling unit. Parking spaces will be so designed that
motorists shall enter and leave any street classified as an
arterial in a foreward direction.
Page 2 of 6
**J. Privacy Walls: 6 ft high solid, view -obscuring walls shall
be required around rear yard areas of townhouses.
RM - Multiple Residence Districts
Section 12.13.100 Intent (RM) The principal objective and purpose to be served
by the RM classification and its application is to establish areas permitting a
greater population density than is allowed in more restrictive classifications,
while at the same time maintaining a residential environment consistent with such
greater population density. By establishing two RM districts, it is intended to
allow both a choice of density to potential residents and a more intensive use of
certain smaller parcels. It is also the purpose of this classification to make
it possible to more efficiently and economically design and install all physical
public service facilities in terms of size and capacity to adequately and perma-
nently meet needs resulting from a defined intensity of land use.
Section 12.13.110 Primary Uses (RM) In an RM zone only the following primary
uses are permitted and, as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed by this
section, subject to the off-street parking requirements and the general provisions
and exceptions set forth in this title.
A. Multiple -family dwellings; apartments, cooperatives, condominiums;
B. Any primary use permitted in the RS and RD zones, as regulated therein,
but specifically excluding Mobile Homes and Trailers;
C. Boarding and room house, not to exceed four persons at board;
D. Fraternity and Sorority houses;
E. Municipal buildings, police and fire stations;
F. Professional offices, subject to Conditional Use Permit grant;
G. Nursing, convalescent and rest homes; home for the aged, sanitariums;
H. Hospitals, except alcoholic, mental, and penal;
I. Retirement homes.
Section 12.13.120 Secondary Uses (RM) In an RM zone the following uses only are
permitted as secondary uses and as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed
by this section.
A. Any secondary use permitted in the RS and RD residential classifications,
as described and regulated therein, except as follows:
1. Guest house;
2. Small animals (household pets) exceeding one per family in residence;
3. Stables or horses;
Page 3 of 6
B. Signs with a maximum sign area of one square foot per six lineal feet
of lot frontage. The maximum size of any one sign shall be 25 sq. ft.
except with the approval of the Board of Adjustment upon the request
for a Conditional Use Permit. Ground or pole signs shall have a maxi-
mum height of 10 ft.
The following are prohibited: Sandwich board signs, roof -mounted
signs, off -premise advertising of goods or services, signs projecting
over the public right-of-way, flashing lights or moving parts.
C. Garages provided for exclusive use of residents; such garages or
parking structures shall not exceed two stories or a maximum of 20
feet in height above mean finished grade;
D. Greenhouses, private and non-commercial, for propagation and culture
only, not to exceed 40 square feet of bed area;
E. Beauty shops, specifically excluding barber shops, subject to the
grant of a Conditional Use Permit, in the following uses only:
multiple -family dwellings; apartments; cooperatives; condominiums;
nursing, convalescent, and rest homes; homes for the aged; retirement
homes; and professional office clinics, provided that the professional
office clinic must be located within 200 feet of a commercially zoned
area and abut an arterial street.
**Section 12.13.130 Development & Dimensional Regulations (RM) The preliminary
site plan of all projects on sites in RM zones shall be submitted for approval by
the City Planner who shall evaluate the design on the basis of the following desir-
able site characteristics.
a. adequate spacing between buildings for the purposes of light and air;
b. visual interest by means of various building line setbacks;
C. proper relationship between the length and width of buildings;
d. preservation of existing ground forms through the control of grading.
e. preservation of existing streams or mature trees;
f. provision for recreation areas and landscaping.
The developer may appeal the City Planner's decision to the Planning Commission who
shall hear the appeal at a regular public hearing. If the developer is unwilling to
accept the decision of the Planning Commission, he may appeal to the City Council
by submitting a letter of appeal accompanied by a $50 administrative fee.
**A. Recreation Areas Required: On sites containing a potential for over
6 dwelling units, an area of 200 square feet per unit shall be developed
for appropriate recreational use. Site plans submitted in application
for a building permit shall designate these areas. All such facilities
shall be of a permanent nature. Indoor or roof -top recreation areas,
Page 4 of 6
except private and semi -private patios, may be used to satisfy
these requirements.
*B. Guarantee of Proper Site Improvements: Prior to the issuance of a
building permit for any building on apartment zoned property, the
developer shall provide to the Planning Department a performance
bond or similar security to guarantee the installation all the
required site improvements excluding the underground utilities.
The developer shall prepare a cost estimate based on the approved
site plan and the amount of the performance bond shall be set
by the City Planner based on current site improvement costs.
*'-C. Parking Areas: All parking areas shall be improved and maintained
as required by Section 12.14.010 and 12.14.020, General Provisions.
In addition, vertical curbs a minimum of 4 inches in height shall be
installed between all planting areas and pavement areas. Any re-
quired sidewalks shall be raised 4 to 6 inches above the parking
area pavement with vertical curbs to separate parking areas from
walking areas with.sidewalks to be constructed of concrete or
equal. Where parking bays face toward and adjoin- a building
wall or fence, a wheel stop shall be installed to protect the
structure.
D. Churches, community and non-commercial recreation facilities, clubs,
and schools shall conform to the lot coverage limitations set forth
for each in the RS classification. Lot coverage restrictions apply
to all structures, principal and accessory, but not to open areas
used to provide required parking;
E. The maximum height in RM zones shall be as set forth below in the
Table of Bulk and Dimensional Requirements for Multiple Residence
Districts, except for church steeples, chimneys, antennas, and
similar uses as may be incidental to the permitted structures.
Page 5 of 6
**F. Table of bulk & dimensional requirements.
Lot area required
per dwelling unit (D.U.)
Minimum Yard
Sizes, Frontl, 2
Rear
Side2
Maximum lot
Coverage
Minimum Lot Width
Off-street Parking
Required per D.W.
Maximum building
Length to width Ratio
* Maximum height3
RML ZONE
lst D.U. - 2600 Sq. Ft.
ea. add'n- 2400 Sq. Ft.
15 ft .
20 ft.
10 ft.
35%
60 Ft.
RMH ZONE
lst D.U. - 2600 Sq. Ft.
Ea. Add'n- 1600 Sq. Ft-
15 ft.
20 ft .
10 ft.
35%
None specified
2 spaces per unit plus one space for each three
additional dwelling units.
5to1
5 to 1
Building height shall be limited to three stories
which shall not exceed 32'feet. The situations
illustrated by diagrams 1 and 2 below are to be
prohibited. No exterior wall shall exceed the
permitted height.
1 Corner lots shall observe a 15-foot setback from both streets, exclusive of alleys.
2 Front and side' yard requirements of multiple family dwellings are not applicab e
in the BC Zone provided that all other bulk and dimensional requirements are
observed.
3 Hospitals as defined in Section 12.12.090 of the Edmonds City Code and RCW 7.41.020
of the Lags of the State of Washington, and licensed as acute care hospitals by the
State Department of Health, which are fully sprinklered, may be built to a maximum
building height of 115 feet subject to the grant of a conditional use permit by the
Board of Adjustment.
finished
w _ _ grade es-
tablished
- — — — — by rockery
— — — -- or earth
Pape 6 of 6
finished
grade
established
by retain-
ing wall