Council holds public hearing on zoning changes to ease small‑lot infill, planning commission backs amendments

Lebanon City Council held a public hearing May 13 on proposed zoning code and map amendments intended to support small‑lot and infill housing, including reduced setbacks, a planned unit development (PUD) overlay, and map changes for several neighborhoods.

City Planner Greg Morris presented the proposed changes, which staff said would ease constraints that leave many existing lots “nonconforming” and make routine improvements — such as adding porches or modest additions — difficult or impossible under current standards.

Morris told council that affected neighborhoods include Bert Avenue, Holland Avenue, North Broadway (near the fire station), Suncrest Drive and Meadow Lane, where lots were platted at 40 to 50 feet but are zoned R‑1C requiring 70‑foot lot widths. “Nonconforming lots were created where existing homes do not comply with the basic zoning standards such as setbacks,” Morris said, and the proposed rezoning to R‑1B or R‑1D with a PUD overlay would better match historic lot patterns and make repairs and reinvestment easier.

Staff recommended allowing front porches as close as 5 feet from the right‑of‑way within the PUD, narrower side yards (reducing combined side yards from 20 feet to 14 feet in some districts) and design standards to limit the visual impact of denser building types (for example, requiring full front porches for homes with front garages). Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning and map amendments.

At the hearing, resident Michael McNeil asked whether the rezoning would let owners build on existing 40‑foot lots and whether setback reductions would let homeowners add porches. City staff responded that the code changes are intended to reduce barriers and make it easier to build on smaller lots and to permit porches without requiring variances in many cases; staff noted some very narrow lots remain technically nonconforming and could still require a Board of Zoning Appeals review.

Council moved the item forward for a first reading as ordinance 2025‑05‑057. Staff emphasized the proposed PUD overlay and new lot‑width allowances are meant to encourage single‑family detached infill, rear‑access townhome options in limited locations, and administrative clarifications to address recurring issues (for example, limiting creek rock mulch near building perimeters and clarifying architectural requirements for industrial districts).

The hearing drew questions and positive comments from council members and at least one public speaker. Council did not take a final rezoning vote; the item was advanced on first reading and will return for subsequent legislative steps.