Topeka planning staff, housing committee propose allowing duplexes by right in single‑family zones

Topeka planning staff and members of the Planning Commission’s housing committee presented a proposal July 8 to allow duplexes in single‑family residential zones through an administrative building‑permit review and to allow triplexes and four‑plexes through conditional‑use permits.

The proposal, offered by Jim Kaup of the Planning Commission’s housing committee, is intended to increase “missing‑middle” housing — duplex through small apartment buildings — and respond to findings in Topeka’s 2020 housing market study that the committee and staff said showed a persistent shortage. “We are trying to provide more diversity in our housing stock to achieve a number of benefits for the community,” Kaup said. The committee’s presentation said 87% of Topeka’s residential zoning is single‑family and estimated demand of roughly 14,400 additional housing units over 20 years.

City staff described specific draft standards that would apply to duplexes built through administrative review, including a…