Council adopts development‑code changes to implement housing production strategy after split vote

After a public hearing and a multi‑year technical process, the Lebanon City Council adopted a development code amendment on June 10 that changes how certain housing types are regulated to implement the city’s Housing Production Strategy.

Consultant Darcy Rudzinski of MIG summarized the final package as new standards for small‑lot single‑unit dwellings, revised cottage‑cluster rules, clarified manufactured‑dwelling park language, allowances for tiny homes on wheels as ADUs and in cottage clusters or manufactured parks, and changes to affordable‑housing density/height/parking bonuses.

The planning commission held a public hearing and unanimously recommended adoption. Staff said the code updates had been the subject of four advisory‑committee meetings and multiple briefings to council and the commission and were supported with a DLCD grant.

Councilor David McLean spoke in opposition during the public hearing, saying he believed the proposed changes would increase density and risk to city services and that voters would not support greater density. Councilors debated those concerns during the public hearing and in final action.

Roll‑call on the ordinance showed Councilor Mann and Councilor Workman voting aye, Councilor McLean voting nay, and Council President Conti providing the tie‑breaking vote in favor; the ordinance passed and was adopted as Ordinance 3,036.

Ending

Staff said the amendments implement council policy from the Housing Production Strategy; the city will apply the new standards to future development and evaluate the results as projects arise.