In an effort to keep houses from being built on side lots of existing houses, the grass-roots neighborhood organization, ‘One Home Per Lot’, continues to advocate for residents in Seattle. (Read a column about this issue on Fremocentrist.com for October 2012.)
According to a press release sent out this week, Washington State Representatives Gerry Pollet and Gael Tarleton have proposed a law, called House Bill 2311, to force the City of Seattle to notify neighbors of backyard/side yard development projects, before they are built or after the City approves a permit for one.
‘One Home Per Lot’ has asked that supporters of notification e-mail or call these legislators, thank them for proposing the bill and give them support. Also, consider spreading the word and getting other supporters to call or e-mail as well.
A representative for the construction industry has argued that Seattle already provides notices, however these notices are posted on a City website, with twice-weekly reminders sent for review to those who have requested them. The owner of a home with a project proposed on a neighboring property would have to know the project is proposed before they would likely find the notice. And currently any effort to stop a permit approved by the City must be filed in 21 days after the proposal.
House Bill 2311 would require cities in the State of Washington that have a population of 500,000 or more (currently, that is only Seattle,) to adopt regulations and procedures for providing notice to all adjacent landowners and residents regarding “land use decisions related to the preliminary short plat approval of a short subdivision or the approval of a boundary line adjustment.” Read the full bill on-line.
To contact Representative Gerry Pollet, visit his website, email online, or call 360/786-7886. To contact Representative Gael Tarleton, visit her website, email on-line, or call 360/786-7860. If neither Representatives Pollet or Tarleton are your State Representative, please consider contacting the legislator that does represent you. Find your representative on-line.
Learn more about the troubles created by a lack of notice to neighbors on the ‘One Home Per Lot’ blog.