Staff proposes transition window, small‑lot options and religious‑use clarifications in ZOMOD draft

County staff described three substantive clarifications or additions to the ZOMOD draft that board members requested after the August work session: a temporary transition window for existing 19.1 zoning applications, an approach to smaller single‑family lots in townhouse or alternative residential districts, and clarified wording about religious institutions and accessory uses.

First, staff proposed amending the procedure section (19.247(d) in the draft) to give cases filed under the existing 19.1 ordinance an option: if ZOMOD is adopted, applicants with pending 19.1 applications would have until 180 days after the ZOMOD effective date to choose to proceed under 19.1 rather than being immediately converted to 19.2. Staff said the provision would expire after the 180‑day window.

Second, the staff presentation addressed whether smaller single‑family detached lots should be allowed in the townhouse (TR) district. Staff recommended pausing for about six months to observe early ZOMOD cases; as an interim alternative they proposed allowing townhouse development paired with smaller single‑family lots within the alternative residential (AR) district rather than immediately expanding the TR district to include very small detached lots. Staff emphasized that changing lot configuration standards would not increase the total unit count on a site but would allow smaller lot products that could lower unit cost and offer additional ownership options.

Third, staff revised ZOMOD language about religious institutions after public concerns. The revised language clarifies that typical ancillary activities that occur in conjunction with worship services (for example, Sunday school occurring during services) are not intended to be regulated as private schools or day‑care uses requiring a conditional use; by contrast, a standalone private school or day‑care associated with a religious institution would follow the county’s existing conditional‑use process. The county attorney told the board the proposed ZOMOD language complies with federal religious land‑use law and other applicable law.

Staff said other minor edits have been added since the August workshop and that the County Attorney and senior staff reviewed legal conformity. No final action to adopt ZOMOD occurred in the recorded discussion; staff indicated they would prepare language for formal consideration and public hearing.