18.23.030 Residential Target Area Designation and Standards:
A. Criteria. Following notice and a public hearing, as prescribed in RCW 4.14.040, the City Council may, in its sole discretion, designate one (1) or more residential target areas. The designated target area must meet the following criteria:
1. The target area is located within an urban center.
2. The target area lacks sufficient available, desirable, and convenient residential housing to meet the needs of the public who would likely live in the mixed use center if desirable, attractive, and livable places were available.
3. The provision of additional housing opportunities in the target area will assist the city in achieving the following purposes:
a. Increasing residential opportunities within the target area.
b. Stimulating the construction of new multi-family housing.
c. The rehabilitation of existing vacant and under-utilized buildings for multi-family housing.
4. In designating the target area, the City Council may also consider other factors, including:
a. Whether additional housing will attract and maintain an increasing number of permanent residents and help alleviate detrimental conditions caused by a lack of investment in underutilized vacant buildings.
b. Whether an increased permanent residential population in the targeted area will help the city achieve the planning goals mandated by the Growth Management Act under RCW 36.70A.020.
c. Whether additional housing may contribute to revitalization of a distressed neighborhood or area within the City.
B. Target Area Standards and Guidelines. For the designated residential target areas, the City Council shall adopt basic requirements for both new construction and rehabilitation, including the application process and procedures. The City Council may also adopt guidelines to include the following:
1. Requirements that address demolition of existing structures and site utilization.
2. Building requirements that may include elements addressing parking, height, density, environmental impact, public benefit features, compatibility with surrounding property, and such other amenities as will attract and keep permanent residents and will properly enhance the livability of the residential target area.
3. The required amenities shall be relative to the size of the proposed project and the tax benefit to be obtained.
The City Council may, by ordinance, amend or rescind the designation of a residential target area at any time pursuant to the same procedure as set forth in the original designation.
C. Designated Target Area. The City Council has adopted Residential Target Area as indicated on the attached map. (Ord. 2183, 11/23/04)