Affordable Housing Proposal

This proposal was presented at the Bothell Planning Commission meeting on October 19, 2022 and includes the key project criteria, ,partnership asks from the City of Bothell, and our zoning requests to create new affordable I/DD housing.

Executive Summary

The Puget Sound Area has a significant shortage of affordable housing, even more so for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Many members of our community are connected in some ways with the I/DD community, whether it is family members, neighbors or friends. The vision is to partner with Bothell City Council and Planning Commission to make a positive impact here in Bothell for the I/DD community

and all of the numerous connected relationships they have. In addition, the desire is for this community to be inclusive and have affordable housing for other members of our community.

Key Criteria For Location:

The vision is to create this caring community for adults with disabilities and other members of the Bothell community in need of affordable housing. The key desired housing factors that were described most often in a national study of families of I/DD individuals included:

• Safety, security, and freedom from crime

• Cost & location

• Close to family

• Close to work, school, day services, and/or other services

• Transportation & Activities and things to do

The location of Thorsk & 96th Ave NE meets the criteria listed above. Of particular interest, the Alyssa Burnett Center where many programs for the I/DD community are held is just blocks north of this location. The proposal is to build an affordable housing community on five undeveloped lots at the corner of Thorsk & 96th, just southwest of Pop Keeney Field. These lots have already been acquired and are reserved for this purpose.

How Can Bothell Partner With This Project?

The areas that Bothell Planning Commission and Bothell City Council can impact is primarily as follows:

1. Rezone the properties such that they are included in the Downtown Transition District

2. Provide zoning amendments to allow the project to have a higher number of units/greater impact on

3. community and lower the cost per unit

Currently the building lots are zoned as Single Family 9600 sq ft. The first request is to rezone the property as part of the Downtown Transition Zone. The properties are in a multifamily area and this isn’t a change in the character of the neighborhood. The property borders Pop Keeney, "THE POP" 5 story apartments, the Fieldhouse Townhomes, Park Royal apartments, & The Landing Townhomes. Many of these homes are more expensive properties and affordable housing under the right circumstances can work in this location.

Secondly, cost of construction in our area is very high. The lack of affordable housing is directly related to the cost of construction. Significant costs like building materials and labor can be minimized through competitive bidding, but cost savings are typically modest.

By having the City of Bothell provide leeway on the setbacks, parking and building height, this will greatly assist in the desire to provide privately funded affordable compact units in a downtown neighborhood which really needs more affordable housing. The plan is to:

• Have primarily smaller sized units (~300 to ~450 sq ft per unit)

• Highest number of full rental unit floors possible

Specific Zoning Requests:

The way to create the largest number of efficient, cost effective and affordable homes is to have some flexibility in the Downtown Transition Affordable Housing Overlay zoning guidelines, specifically in these two areas:

1. Significantly Reduce Parking Requirements

   1. It is likely that none of the I/DD residents would have vehicles. They would rely on public transportation and walking.

   2. Good public transportation is readily available, 6 minutes to major bus routes, 12 minutes to the future light rail station at 145th & I-5. Easy access to Burke Gilman Trail.

   3. Increased usage of ride sharing, car sharing and future autonomous vehicles

2. Setback guidelines

   1. Building offset of 65’ on floors 4 & 5 waived

      1. Given the building is set into the sloped hillside with a retaining wall, there is no disruption to views or sunlight to existing SFH homes.

      2. Minimal disruption to potential future homes to the North, views can be mitigated with landscaping

   2. Required building setback of 25’ to the North reduced to 15’

      1. Given the slope of the area and placement of the building low and close to Thorsk & 96th, no disruption to views or sunlight to existing SFH homes.

      2. Minimal disruption to potential future homes to the North, views can be mitigated with landscaping

Summary

We are excited about the potential to build a truly inclusive and affordable community for residents of Bothell. We believe the above requested adjustments to parking and setbacks will make this affordable housing community a reality. We look forward to working with the Planning Commission and City Council to move this project forward.