Stow planning panel proposes smaller lot minimums, limited multiunit allowance on select streets

Planning staff presented proposed changes to residential zoning that would lower minimum lot sizes in Stow’s low- and medium-density districts and allow limited multiunit housing on designated corridors.

The committee moved toward trimming the R‑1 minimum lot area to 15,000 square feet and R‑2 to 10,000 square feet while leaving the proposed R‑3 standard at 7,000 square feet, Planning staff said. "It's the lot size," Planning staff Zach said when explaining the difference among R‑1, R‑2 and R‑3. "R1, right now it requires a larger lot size. R2 is slightly smaller, R3 is slightly smaller, so it's intensity better."

Why it matters: staff and committee members said the changes are intended to reduce the number of variances now required and to allow modest infill or lot splits (for example to build a house for a family member). Planning staff noted accessory dwelling unit regulations will also be considered as an alternative to lot splits.

Several committee members warned that changing minimums could create nonconforming lots. "It doesn't make sense to me to rewrite this code and create a majority of nonconforming lots in a district," a committee member said during the discussion, and urged consideration of intermediate reductions (for example, a 15,000 square‑foot base instead of higher figures) to limit future nonconformity. Staff answered the committee that lowering lot area can allow owners of larger parcels to subdivide to add single‑family homes, and that setbacks and other dimensional standards would also be reviewed to avoid creating unbuildable parcels.

The draft also would permit duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and townhomes as limited uses on specific corridors identified by staff. "These areas, Kent Road, Darrow, Fish Creek, Grama, those are already identified as locations for duplexes," planning staff said, adding the proposal would extend allowances to triplexes, quadplexes and townhomes on those streets. Staff said the multiunit allowances would be limited uses, permitted only in the listed locations.

Committee members raised technical details to be resolved before adoption. One member noted that a 7,000‑square‑foot lot combined with the proposed 40‑foot and 30‑foot setbacks could leave many lots effectively unbuildable and urged review of setback columns. Staff replied that side setbacks around 8 feet are likely acceptable but front and rear setbacks will be revisited.

Next steps: staff said they will refine lot‑area and setback calculations, continue small‑group reviews of the drafts, and return with revised language for committee review.