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Montgomery councilors ask staff to draft residential design and structural standards amid rapid build-out
Summary
Council members asked building-code staff to draft options for adding design and structural standards and a review process for single-family and duplex development to address long-term quality, flooding and traffic concerns tied to recent subdivision growth.
Councilors asked city building-code staff on a work-session agenda item to prepare options for adding design and structural standards for single-family and duplex development as the city sees an influx of new subdivisions and residential build-outs.
The request came during a discussion in which a council member asked Robert Morgan of the building-code division to develop “an addendum to our ordinance that stipulates some structural and design standards” so future neighborhoods would not face widespread code or nuisance problems in 10 to 15 years. Morgan said the new zoning code already includes design standards for nonresidential, mixed-use and large commercial projects and that the city can add standards for smaller residential types, but it must avoid “stifling the creativity of the good architects” and adding steps that would increase housing costs or slow permitting.
Morgan told the council he would prepare “a number of different options” for how standards and a review process could work, including who would review architectural submissions and how that review would occur at the start of projects. He warned that additional review layers can increase time and cost, and recommended choices that balance oversight with permitting efficiency.
Council members pressing for the change repeatedly referenced problems from recent storms and traffic pressures. One councilor said neighborhoods that historically had not flooded are now seeing feet of standing water, and urged that flood and traffic impacts be addressed “on the front end” before permits are issued. Planning staff replied that the new zoning code is “considering” traffic-study thresholds and that traffic engineers may be asked to decide whether a study is required for a proposal.
Councilors and staff discussed the possibility of routing design-review work to the planning commission or a designated reviewer as part of permit submittal, and of tailoring standards so they do not materially increase the price of new homes. Morgan said he would assemble options and share them with councilors for follow-up, including whether some reviews should be routed through the planning commission.
