Ashley (planning staff) presented a draft text amendment to implement state middle‑housing requirements under the legislation staff referred to as House Bill 2721. The draft would add a “middle housing” use category (duplex, triplex, fourplex, townhomes) and accompanying definitions to Gilbert’s Land Development Code; staff proposed allowing middle housing on lots zoned for single‑family use that are wholly within a one‑mile buffer of the Central Business District (the Heritage District) and on no more than 20% of lots in any new contiguous development of 10 acres or more.

Ashley explained statutory limitations the town must respect: local code cannot require owner occupancy, cannot impose a floor‑area ratio more restrictive than single‑family rules, cannot require more than one parking space per unit, and cannot force commercial building codes or sprinkler systems beyond state/building code requirements. Staff proposed amending the use table to add middle housing with a parking requirement of one space per unit to comply with statute, clarifying the application and review process and adding a supplemental use section (proposed section 5.10.18) to set development standards.

Commissioners asked for clarification on building‑code implications, parking and implementation timing. Ashley said building‑code elements (for example, sprinkler requirements) are managed by the Building Department and not set through the LDC. The staff plan is to return to the Planning Commission in November with a formal recommendation and then forward an ordinance to Town Council for adoption before the statutory deadline. Commissioners offered general feedback and no final action was taken at the Oct. 1 session.

Staff emphasized that if the town does not adopt regulations by the statutory deadline, middle housing will be allowed on single‑family zoned lots without the local limitations staff is proposing. The commission did not take a vote on the draft; staff will produce the recommendation and more detailed code language for the November meeting.