Shared housing zoning text amendments
Proposal to redefine what was single room occupancy (SRO) housing as Shared Housing: smaller units with one or more sleeping rooms and either a private kitchen or private bathroom, but not both. The council has been briefed repeatedly since April 2020; in the March 23, 2021 work session members discussed management plans, annual review, geographic spread and a buffer between sites.
- Where it stands
- In review
- Type
- Code change
- Location
- Citywide
Every hearing and vote
March 16, 2021 · City Council work session
Shared housing zoning text amendments follow-up
Pending
Follow-up on a proposal to redefine single room occupancy housing as Shared Housing, with units that may have multiple sleeping rooms and either a private kitchen or private bathroom but not both.
March 23, 2021 · City Council work session
Shared housing zoning text amendments follow-up
Discussed
Council Member Andrew Johnston asked how shared housing differs from motels and raised concern about neighborhood impacts; the planning director said the difference is amenities and that zoning is a poor tool for regulating behavior outside the use, pointing to bar management plans. Council Members Darin Mano and Ana Valdemoros stressed enforcement, 24-hour management and spreading facilities across the city. Council Members Amy Fowler, James Rogers and Chris Wharton said single-family homes can raise the same issues and that shared housing is a way to help people unable or unwilling to use shelters. Mayor Erin Mendenhall spoke in favor of approving and expanding the ordinance. Senior Advisor Russell Weeks said the council could adopt it with a management plan, yearly review, wider geographic spread, a buffer between sites and business license enforcement, and members discussed whether to sunset the ordinance.