The purpose of the urban residential zone is to reinforce the City’s planned concentration of pedestrian-oriented mixed use residential development at intensities that support and are supported by multi-modal transportation options, including high capacity transit. The urban residential zone provides opportunities for a mix of jobs and high-density residences, cultivates a respectful relationship among development within the area, the natural environment, and nearby traditional neighborhoods, and provides a framework for future infrastructure and service decisions. The urban residential zone provides public benefits in the form of affordable housing, increased pedestrian connectivity, quality design, and incentives to preserve significant tree groves where they exist. [Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

The following uses listed in Table A are identified as permitted, conditionally permitted or prohibited uses in the urban residential zone:

1. Each use is limited to maximum 5,000 square feet per use and 15,000 square feet total contiguous nonresidential area within the development.

2. Mobile food service is permitted subject to the following requirements:

a. For a stand, location shall be on a sidewalk or near a storefront consistent with barrier-free regulations;

b. For a stand, location on the sidewalk or near a storefront shall provide for at least four feet of unobstructed sidewalk between the stand and the sidewalk edge for pedestrian movement;

c. No permanent fencing, walls, or other structures are installed which hinder removal of the structure from the site;

d. No required parking stall shall be blocked or rendered unusable as a result of the mobile food service;

e. Safe ingress and egress to the site shall be maintained. Visibility for transportation and pedestrian access shall be maintained;

f. The limited duration of the mobile food service shall be established as a condition of approval of any applicable permits; if accessory to a use, such operation is removed daily at the time of or prior to the close of business hours;

g. A sign permit is required for exterior signage in accordance with the sign code, Chapter 18.42 KMC.

3. No outdoor storage of materials shall be permitted.

4. A standalone townhouse development is prohibited.

[Ord. 25-0631 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 24-0607 § 2 (Exh. A(XI)); Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

Accessory uses, when consistent with the definition in Chapter 18.20 KMC, are allowed as determined by the city manager. [Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

The following development standards in Table B apply in the urban residential zone:

1 Sleeping units are calculated as one sleeping unit equals one-fourth dwelling unit.

2 Portions of any property that are within 50 feet of an R-1, R-4, R-6, or MHC zoning district shall have a maximum height of 35 feet within that area to provide a transition in height to the lower intensity uses.

3 Building heights and orientation for proposals within the great blue heron rookery buffer shall be carefully assessed through the required habitat management plan (see Chapter 18.55 KMC, Articles XIII through XV). In particular, potential impacts related to the flyway and shadowing of nest trees shall be evaluated. The city manager may require adjustments to maximum building height and/or building orientation to protect the rookery.

4 Minimum lot width measurement is described in KMC 18.30.110.

5 Any proposed development adjacent to an R-1, R-4, R-6, or MHC zoning district shall be required to provide a setback of 15 feet on the side of the property facing that zone. The setback shall be landscaped with Type II landscaping as described in KMC 18.35.045 to provide a visual buffer.

[Ord. 25-0631 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

Development containing residential units shall provide affordable housing as described in Chapter 18.77 KMC. [Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

Development within the urban residential zone shall comply with Standard 1 provisions of the design standards, as set forth in Chapter 18.52 KMC. [Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

Development in the urban residential zone should remove impediments to pedestrian use of the district and the downtown area by fostering the creation of an extensive network of sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.

Development proposals shall:

A. Provide any direct pedestrian connections between proposed development and transit facilities, or arterials providing transit access, in order to minimize walking distances to transit.

B. Comply with the design standards pertaining to pedestrian walkways, as set forth in KMC 18.52.100.

C. Properties abutting water bodies (i.e., wetlands or streams) shall provide a public access trail paralleling the water body from one property line to the next with setbacks that are consistent with the requirements of KMC Title 16 and Chapter 18.55 KMC. The public access trail shall connect to a public right-of-way.

1. Where a development proposal abuts a property with a public access trail segment, the public access segment on the subject property shall connect to abutting property public access segment(s).

2. The public access easement for public access trails shall be documented on the face of the plat or plan and recorded with the King County Department of Records and Elections. Public access easements shall run with the land in perpetuity. [Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]

Use allowances and development regulations for wireless communication facilities in the urban residential zone shall be as specified in Chapter 18.60 KMC for the underlying zoning district. [Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A).]