Stillwater council approves rezoning and special-use permit for 320 S. Walnut despite neighbor objections

The Stillwater City Council on Sept. 8 voted 4-0 to approve a map amendment rezoning 320 South Walnut from RSS (small-lot single-family residential) to RT (two-family residential) and to grant a specific-use permit allowing three townhome units on the 13,000‑square‑foot lot, with conditions. Councilors required an 8‑foot solid fence on the west boundary and asked that “every effort be made to, not have lighting going into the neighbor's backyard on the West Side.”

The rezoning and specific-use permit were requested by a developer who has owned the lot for several years and worked with city staff and a design firm. Planning staff told the council RT allows a maximum density of 11 units per acre—equating to a maximum of three units on this parcel—and that the proposed site plan shows three four‑bedroom units requiring 12 parking spaces. Staff said the plan shows nine parking spaces on the west side of the property and six on the east side in the public right-of-way; half of the public spaces may count toward the requirement, so the applicant’s plan met the minimum parking requirement as drawn.

Neighbors and nearby residents opposed the rezoning during the public hearings, saying the lot is about 13,000 square feet—below minimum lot-size thresholds they said were used for other multifamily designations—and that the proposal would break up an existing single‑family block. One neighbor said, “I feel like we're really kinda putting a square peg in a round hole here,” and asked that any parking be moved away from the rear yard and that screening prevent headlights from shining into bedrooms. The applicant and the project architect said they had worked with staff and could consider moving the parking if requested and that the 20‑foot rear setback shown on the plan would still apply.

Planning commission members had recommended approval of the map amendment (4–0 on July 8, 2025) and, on the specific‑use permit, recommended approval with a condition for a 6‑foot opaque screen (3–1 on July 8, 2025). Council members discussed neighborhood transition and infrastructure pressures, and one councilor said two‑family zoning can be an appropriate transition between higher‑density uses across the street and single‑family lots to the west. After public comment and discussion, a councilor moved approval of the planning commission’s recommendation for the rezoning and then moved to approve the specific‑use permit with the two conditions recorded in the minutes: (1) an 8‑foot solid fence be installed along the western boundary and (2) every effort be made to direct parking and exterior lighting away from adjacent backyards. The motions each passed 4 to 0.

Council and staff clarified that a two‑family (duplex) structure would be allowed by right in RT; the specific‑use permit was required because townhome configurations with separate entrances count as a different use class in the code. Staff explained the specific‑use permit process allows council to impose conditions, including height limits and screening; the plan as drawn falls under the 35‑foot height limit for RT and did not require variances.

Councilors and residents also raised traffic and infrastructure concerns, including existing congestion near fraternity/sorority parking lots on Walnut Street, and residents asked the city to consider whether approving one rezoning would set a precedent for further conversions in the neighborhood. The developer said the proposal was reduced from five units to three after parking constraints and that they expect the project to “be a really a nice addition to an older neighborhood.”

The council’s approval advances the project to the building‑permit review and conditions the townhome permit on final site‑plan compliance and the imposed screening and lighting measures. No dates for construction or building-permit issuance were provided at the meeting.