Planning staff to map split-zoned lots after board raises neighborhood concerns

Planning staff proposed adding a provision to address lots that are split across zoning district boundaries, allowing owners to extend uses and standards of one district up to 100 feet onto the portion of a lot in a different zone. Board members asked staff to prepare maps showing split lots and to consider limiting any allowance where residential zones are affected.

Director Mears said the city has more than 100 lots split between two or more zoning districts and staff reviewed neighboring municipalities’ approaches. The draft language would allow the uses and standards of either district to extend up to 100 feet beyond a zoning boundary where the lot was in single or joint ownership when the boundary was established. The provision would not apply to overlay districts.

Board members discussed potential impacts. Planning Board member Witham raised examples where extending commercial or industrial uses into otherwise residential areas could create neighborhood impacts and suggested staff look closely at instances involving residential adjacency. Planning Board member Barton asked whether a de minimis exemption for narrow strips would be appropriate to avoid dual zoning for very small residual strips; staff said the draft does not yet include such an exemption and that a mapping exercise would help identify problem areas.

The board did not act on the amendment at the meeting and asked staff to return with maps showing split-zoning parcels, highlighting where residential adjacency could be affected and suggesting potential carve-outs or thresholds.

No formal vote was taken.