Warrenton approves residential zoning changes after public concerns about lot coverage and design requirements
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Summary
Board passed code amendments affecting multifamily and residential standards (Bill 43-25); a resident warned a new 35% lot coverage limit, increased lot-width rules and firewall design requirements will make multifamily development impractical on many lots.
Warrenton —1 The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday approved amendments to the city's residential zoning code that change standards for lot coverage, setbacks and multifamily development after a presentation from staff and public comment. Director of Planning and Development Tim Perks told the board the amendments to chapters 405 and 410 had been considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission and returned with a favorable recommendation. The planning commission vote, Perks said, was 6-0 with three absences and one vacancy. During public comment, resident Michael Schlenter said his family supports adding multifamily housing back to R-3 lots but warned the new 35% lot coverage cap combined with wider minimum lot widths would sharply reduce buildable area on typical lots. "On a 70 by roughly 143 or a 10,000 square foot lot, setbacks leave about 4,920 square feet usable, but the 35% cap reduces that to 3,500 square feet buildable," Schlenter said, describing what he called "a loss of 1,420 square feet of building area" on a typical lot. He said the percentage cap "punishes oversized lots" and reduces usable building area to as little as one-third on some parcels. Schlenter also asked the city to change a technical provision about firewalls that he said should "extend through the ceiling and end at the bottom of the roof sheeting" rather than requiring parapet-style construction that he said adds cost without clear benefit. The ordinance, described as "amending various sections of chapter 405 and 410 of the municipal code regarding various residential zoning uses, procedures and standards" (Bill 43-25), passed on second reading by roll call vote, recorded as unanimous. Nut graf: The council approved the code changes after the planning commission recommendation, but the public comment highlighted potential practical impacts for small-lot multifamily projects — specifically a 35% lot coverage cap, increased minimum lot width requirements for attached units, and a clarified firewall wording sought by developers and residents. Supporters of the code update and city staff said the amendments update standards for contemporary multifamily construction and procedural clarity; the council did not modify the provisions on the dais during the meeting. Perks told the board the code changes incorporated two edits recommended by the planning commission prior to the council vote. Ending: The approved ordinance will be codified in the municipal code; staff and applicants may pursue any necessary boundary adjustments or conditional approvals in subsequent permitting steps, including the boundary-line adjustment the Robinettes intend to seek if an alley abandonment is approved for their lots.
