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Builders association proposal for new R-1C zone moves forward after staff, fire and city review
Summary
A proposal to create an R-1C zoning classification for narrower single‑family detached lots advanced in ordinance committee discussion; the draft increases minimum side-yard setbacks to 6 feet (from 5) following fire-department input and removes rear‑alley language, with staff planning to present a final draft to the ordinance committee for May.
A proposal to add a new R-1C zoning classification—intended to allow owner‑occupied single‑family detached homes on narrower lots—advanced in discussion at the April 2 ordinance committee meeting after staff and public stakeholders reviewed a draft developed with the builders association.
Steve Schreckengas, who described the proposal and outreach work, said the draft would allow 40‑foot wide lots to accommodate single‑family detached homes that sit between typical R-1B lots and townhouse zones. "The intent is to have single family detached homes on a smaller lot, with the intent of owner occupied detached homes," Schreckengas said. He told the committee staff and public‑safety stakeholders met and agreed on most items during a March 17 workshop.
One notable change from the builders' draft was a shift from 5‑foot side yards to 6‑foot side yards to satisfy fire‑department concerns. "One item we agreed to was 6 foot side yards instead of 5 foot side yards," Schreckengas said. Committee members and staff noted that moving to 6‑foot side yards aligns the new classification with other local zoning standards and avoids incorporating building‑code elements such as fire‑rated assemblies into the zoning ordinance.
The draft also removes references to rear‑alley or rear‑load garage language so that rear‑load development would be considered through PD or other planning processes rather than being prescriptive in the base district. Conversations with both Lafayette and West Lafayette fire departments, county building officials, and economic development representatives informed the revisions, and staff said a follow‑up debrief with those parties indicated no unresolved objections.
Staff reported the item would be on the ordinance committee agenda the next day for further review; if the final draft is acceptable to the safety and permitting stakeholders, staff expects to present the zoning text at the May ordinance committee and move it forward to the APC process thereafter. "If it's good, then will it be on the, May's ordinance committee meeting? I don't see why not," one staff member said. Advocates said the classification aims to provide another tool to produce lower‑cost single‑family housing without requiring a planned development.
The committee did not finalize text at the meeting but agreed to continue coordination with public‑safety reviewers and circulate the draft to legislative bodies; staff will notify committee members of any changes and plan to present a final draft at the May ordinance committee meeting.
