In Seattle, Detached Garages May Be Approved For Apartments

With an aim toward affordable housing and helping homeowners pay their mortgage, Seattle considers allowing backyard apartments, much to the chagrin of local opponents.

1 minute read

June 30, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By Matt Baumann

"The City Council will consider a proposal this week to allow such apartments in Southeast Seattle as an experiment, despite protests from other parts of Seattle, where activists consider the plan a step toward permitting 'backyard houses' citywide.

The debate, while centered on the appearance and character of individual streets and neighborhoods, goes further. It offers a glimpse at the challenges of creating affordable housing in Seattle, where 70 percent of the land is zoned for single-family houses, and land for apartments is scarce and increasingly expensive in the rush to build upscale condos."

Thanks to Matt Baumann

Read the full story: Seattle may experiment with backyard apartments

Tuesday, June 27, 2006 in The Seattle Times

Housing Land Use Urban Development Washington

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