Redmond says ‘yes’ to higher density housing

More affordable housing is coming to Redmond. The city council said yes Tuesday to six new higher-density zones. The decision means developers will be able to build more units per acre than currently allowed in certain areas.

Right now, Redmond’s zoning allows up to 24 units per acre. In these designated areas, the number will increase to 30 units per acre.

Mayor George Endicott said Wednesday that increasing density is one of the city’s strategies to tackle the affordable housing issue, because it will make each unit less expensive.

Most of the plots of land chosen are either sitting empty or have abandoned structures on them.

“There’s some in the north, some in the middle, some on the south” end of the city, Endicott said. “They’re just scattered all around town. And the idea was to not build a cluster, but make them fit in and be compatible with the surrounding area.”

The first area sits at 701 Spruce Avenue, the second is 1511 S.W. 15th Street, while the third area includes 2466 Canal Boulevard and 1890 Salmon Avenue. There are two planned off Southwest Reindeer Avenue, one on Quartz Avenue, the other on Canal Boulevard. The last site is at 2052 Southwest Helmholtz Way.

Because the ordinance just passed, no construction is planned as of now, but Endicott said he’s heard some ideas being discussed.

“One of the sites that we’re aware of is a 10-acre site where the owner wants to put 300 units, hence the 30 units per acre number,” he said. “That’s a lot of affordable housing, and a big apartment complex in Redmond.”

Endicott said some of the developers have just been waiting for the council’s approval. They still have to submit site plans, but the mayor said there could be a groundbreaking as early as this summer.

To view Redmond’s recently adopted Affordable Housing Plan, click here: http://www.ci.redmond.or.us/home/showdocument?id=2706