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Council hears first reading of zoning changes to reduce setbacks and minimum lot areas in SR-4 and SR-6
Summary
The planning commission-recommended amendments would reduce minimum lot areas, setbacks and maximum building coverage in SR-4 and SR-6 zones to enable construction on smaller, nonconforming lots and encourage infill housing.
City Administrator Steve Bark presented a first reading on Feb. 25 of Ordinance No. 15-28, proposed amendments to Marshfield Municipal Code sections 18-28 (SR-4) and 18-29 (SR-6) to change minimum lot area, setbacks and maximum building coverage for those residential zoning districts.
Bark said the code changes respond to many small or nonconforming lots that are currently difficult or impossible to rebuild under existing standards. He told the council that development-services staff and the housing committee flagged the issue; staff recommended the changes and the plan commission held a public hearing on Feb. 18.
The amendments would reduce certain dimensional standards (minimum lot area, side and rear setbacks, and building coverage limits) to allow houses on lots as narrow as about 44 feet and similar smaller parcels. Bark and commissioners said the changes aim to spur infill housing on vacant or underused lots in higher-density areas without changing the overall character of neighborhoods.
Council members discussed communication and outreach. Alderman Spieros asked how affected lots and property owners would be informed; Bark said staff could use existing records to compile an initial list and that targeted publicity to property owners, realtors and lenders would help uptake. Several aldermen, including Alderman O’Reilly and Alderman Fire, praised staff and the plan commission for advancing the ordinance. The item was on first reading and will return for second reading in two weeks.
