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Commissioners favor expanding community mixed‑use and consolidating downtown mixed‑use districts; parking and heights raised as key issues
Summary
Planning staff proposed expanding Community Mixed Use (CMU) to increase walkable multifamily near downtown and suggested consolidating Downtown Mixed Use 1 and 2; commissioners discussed parking, permitted uses and lowering some downtown height allowances.
Planning staff described proposals to expand the Community Mixed Use (CMU) designation in areas near downtown and along segments of East Washington to create additional opportunities for apartments and mixed‑use development. The commission discussed vacant parcels near Fifth and Seventh streets, the presence of existing larger structures (rehab center, apartments) and the opportunity to allow multifamily rather than strictly single‑family development on certain parcels.
On downtown zoning, staff proposed consolidating Downtown Mixed Use 1 and 2 because the only substantive difference is an allowance for outdoor storage; consolidating would simplify the code but could make an existing outdoor‑storage business (Thomas Lumber) nonconforming. Commissioners discussed parking requirements, which drew mixed public feedback previously (some say too little, others say too much), and whether parking minimums should be adjusted for a walkable downtown. Commissioners also discussed downtown height limits: current code sets downtown core at 45 feet and DMU1/DMU2 at 38 feet; staff suggested standardizing and lowering heights to ~38 feet to preserve downtown character and to avoid large new structures that would change the small‑town feel.
Staff also flagged the community’s interest in allowing certain commercial uses in CMU while restricting incompatible uses through conditional permits if needed. Staff will return with draft language for expanded CMU boundaries and consolidated downtown standards and said they will consider conditional‑use or infill standards for single‑family residential within downtown zones so homeowners are not constrained by commercial development standards.
Ending: Commissioners generally supported expanding CMU in the areas identified and consolidating downtown zones with refined development standards; staff will draft ordinances and design standards for further review.
