Missing Middle (TC-5-20)
Missing Middle (TC-5-20)
This text change proposes amendments that are intended to increase housing options throughout the City. It expands the range of housing types that are allowed in residential zoning districts, adjusts minimum lot and setback requirements, and changes how the maximum number of dwelling units on any given lot or site is calculated. Read the full TC-5-20 draft ordinance.
Background Information:
For more information on Missing Middle housing, please visit our webpage.
Current Rules:
Under the current regulations, the only residential districts that allow attached houses (duplexes) are the R-6 and R-10 districts. The only residential district townhomes are permitted in is the R-10 district. Apartment buildings are permitted in the R-10 district but require a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. In all residential districts, the number of dwelling units on any given lot or site is capped by density limits on units per acre (e.g. – two units per acre in R-2, four units per acre in R-4, etc.) even though the minimum lot sizes may be smaller than what is required to achieve compliance with the density restrictions.
Compact and Conservation developments allow smaller lot sizes and increased density (Conservation only) when significant amounts of open space are preserved. These development types require large minimum site sizes (starting at 5 acres and up to 20 acres depending on zoning district) in order to be utilized.
Proposed Text Change:
For conventional developments, the proposed text change will allow attached houses in all residential zoning districts except R-1 and will allow townhomes in R-6 in addition to R-10. Apartment buildings will be permitted on smaller lots in R-10. Compact and Conservation developments will be permitted on smaller sites, provided a minimum amount of open space is preserved (starting at .5 acres and up to 8 acres depending on the development type and zoning district). In Compact developments, townhouses will be allowed in R-4, and in Conservation developments, townhouses will be allowed in R-2 and R-4.
Other changes include:
- Removes units per acre density limits in all residential zoning districts except R-1 and replaces with a minimum lot or site sizes, or minimum lot area or site area per dwelling unit, depending on building type.
- Adjusts minimum lot sizes and setbacks.
- Changes to setback types for townhome developments.
- Removes the requirement for minimum ground floor elevations to be met for all building types.
Public Meeting Schedule:
This text change is scheduled for the Planning Commission meeting on April 13, 2021. The Commission may act on that date or refer to their Text Change Committee for further discussion. We will be collecting comments here through April 12, 2021. Comments after this date should be submitted directly to Justin Rametta via email.