Monroe City Council held a public hearing May 20 on an interim ordinance that adds townhomes (attached dwelling units) as a permitted use in the R-7 zoning district. The interim ordinance, adopted March 25, 2025, takes immediate effect while staff prepares a permanent ordinance.

Why it matters: The change implements the city's housing policy goals in Imagine Monroe and the 2024 comprehensive plan by creating a zoning category intended to increase middle-housing options. Using an interim ordinance lets the city act quickly while it completes the standard code-amendment process for a permanent rule.

What the interim ordinance does

- Adds attached dwelling units (townhomes) as a permitted use in the R-7 district.
- Inserts bulk and dimensional standards for attached units into the land-use tables (lot dimensions, setbacks, lot coverage, etc.).
- Adds design standards for townhome development to Chapter 22.42.

Public hearing and next steps

- The hearing on the adopted interim ordinance was required within 60 days of adoption; staff opened and closed the hearing on May 20 and invited public comment. No additional action was required that night beyond the public hearing record.

- Staff will draft a permanent ordinance and return within the required timeline (six months) to complete the ordinary code amendment process.

Speakers

- Anita Marrero, Staff member (presenter)

Authorities

- Interim Ordinance No. 002/2025 (adopted March 25, 2025)

Clarifying details

- The interim ordinance is intended as a stopgap to authorize townhomes in R-7 while the permanent code is developed; staff has six months to return with the permanent ordinance.

Next steps

- Staff will prepare the permanent ordinance and return to council for the standard code-amendment process before the interim measure expires.

Provenance: the interim ordinance adoption (March 25) and the May 20 hearing (required by state rules) were part of the city's phased implementation of middle-housing policy.