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(1) Arrangement.

(a) Cottage housing developments shall contain a minimum of four cottages arranged on at least two sides of a common open space on a minimum lot of 8,000 square feet.

(b) A development may have several clusters with clear separation.

(c) Cottage housing developments should promote a sense of community both within the development and with respect to the larger community. It should not “turn its back” on the larger community. Units along the public right-of-way should have an inviting facade such as a primary or secondary entrance facing the right-of-way.

(d) All other units shall be arranged around the central common area and have their primary entry facing that common space.

(e) Attached structures containing two units shall be allowed as part of a cottage development but they shall be similar in design to the detached cottages. The number of attached units in a development shall not be more than one-third of the total number of units.

(2) Base Density and Density Bonuses for Affordable Units and Green Development.

(a) Cottages shall be built at a maximum base density of 12 du/acre.

(b) Increased density shall be allowed if the units meet certain affordability criteria described in CMC 18.90.030 and 18.90.040.

(c) Under certain conditions stipulated in those sections, each unit affordable to households earning under 50 percent and under 80 percent of median income (known as “benefit units”) allow the construction of up to one and one-half bonus units up to 150 percent of the base density allowed in the zone.

(d) If all the units in the development meet the affordability criteria, then two times the base density is allowed.

(e) Increased density shall be allowed if the cottage development achieves Built Green™ four-star or five-star certification or LEED for Homes certification at the gold level. One and one-half times the base density shall be allowed for a development which meets either of these standards.

(f) Affordable housing and green building density bonuses may be combined up to a maximum density of no more than two times the base density.*

(3) Clustering. Critical area buffers may count toward the gross lot area, allowing for clustering of development, and providing a maximum of 50 percent of the common open space requirement.

(4) Lot Coverage. Principal and accessory structures in the development shall account for no more than 35 percent of the gross lot area.

(5) Setbacks.

(a) Setbacks shall be 10 feet from the public right-of-way and from the property line.

(b) There shall be a minimum of five feet side yard, allowing a minimum of 10 feet of space between adjacent buildings.

(c) Front and back yards shall be a minimum of five feet from common areas, structures or internal driveway.

(6) Impervious Surface. No more than 50 percent of the gross lot area may be covered with impervious surface. Use of pervious paving materials is encouraged. (Ord. 08-21 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 10-10 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 10-09 § 1 (Exh. A))

*A “benefit unit” is an affordable unit. “Bonus units” are the extra units that are added to the base density. (Base density = underlying density in the zone, such as 12 du/acre in MHO). Depending on the affordable income level and whether there is a covenant binding the home to 15-year or 30-year affordability, more or less bonus units can be earned, ranging from .75 bonus units (no covenant required) to one bonus unit (15-year affordability) to one and one-half bonus units (30-year affordability). The maximum bonus units earned can be no more than 150 percent of the base density, or 200 percent if all the units are affordable. For green development, the whole development (including all bonus units) shall meet the certification requirements. If it does, then 150 percent of the base density is allowed. If the base density is 12 du/acre, then a “Built Green™” development could build up to 18 du/acre. By also building six affordable units with 15-year affordability, the developer would gain six more bonus units, up to the maximum of 24 units allowed (two times base density of 12).