Based on a survey done by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, the public's concerns about the impacts of backyard cottages don't seem to be playing out in southeast Seattle where they are currently allowed.

The Seattle City Council Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee had its first discussion of legislation to allow backyard cottages citywide on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The backyard cottages were described by Anrea Petzel from the Department of Planning and Development as an accessory “dwelling unit separate from the main home but on the same lot as that primary home.” They are often referred to as "mother-in-law" units.

This type of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) has been permitted in southeast Seattle since 2006. They differ from attached AUD’s, such as above a garage or in a basement, which are already permitted citywide.

Since ADU's are already permitted citywide, this is not an issue of re-zoning, explained Petzol. The reasoning behind the cottages is to provide affordable housing in singe-family neighborhoods and a place for extended family or caregivers to stay.

Petzol explained that despite public concern about crowding, parking shortage and fitting in with neighborhood character, there is little evidence to support that any have been an issue. This was based on a door-to-door survey conducted by the Department of Planning and development of 118 homes in southeast Seattle who have been living around a property with a backyard cottage.

“One of the really surprising things is that over half didn’t know they were there, sometimes even living next door, ” said Petzel.

Eighty four percent surveyed said they saw no impact on parking, and 71 percent felt it fit in with the character of the neighborhood.

“It was nice to see that those fears did not actually play out,” said Petzel.

Council member Tom Rasmussen added, “I haven’t received a single complaint” on the cottages currently in southeast part of the city.

However, he said that the cottages were more “town house” in appearance than expected, and wanted to improve some of the design standards to fit in better with the neighborhood.

“I like the concept,” said Rasmussen, “but my goal would be to be sure they fit in a little better than we saw in southeast.”

There are restrictions in terms of eligibility, which leaves only 101,619 homes as candidates for backyard cottages. That number decreases with certain development requirements such as; only 35 percent of the lot can be covered and only 40 percent of the backyard.

Prior to the meeting, Andrea Petzel gave council members a tour of a few of the backyard cottages residing in southeast Seattle.

Questions and concerns raised by council members at the tours and during preliminary discussions include:

- Questioning whether to increase the cap of 50 backyard cottages to be built each year.

- Is the 800 square feet limit appropriate or should it be less if it does not include a garage?

- What should be the restrictions on low-grade homes? Currently the 800 square feet limit does not include area below ground, so should it?

- Questioning placement of windows in terms of privacy for and from the neighbors versus leaving a blank wall.

- Whether there should be criteria for geographic disbursement of the cottages?

- Should there be more rigorous setback requirements for taller cottages?

- Should there be screening requirements to assure the above things happen?

The council members are hoping to do a tour of all of the cottages before the next meeting.

“A photograph just doesn’t do it,” explained Rassmussen. “How it fits in, that’s what I’m really looking for.”

Council member Sally Clark did, however, request photographs of all the cottages so a slideshow could be posted on her Web site for the public to see.

There will be another discussion on the cottages Sept. 9, a public hearing Sept. 15, and another discussion or possible vote on Sept. 23.