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Council agrees to study eliminating patio-home option in zoning code, sends item to next work session
Summary
A council member asked the city to propose an ordinance removing patio homes as a zoning option; council directed staff to research impacts and report back, and the item was placed on the next work session agenda for more detailed review.
Councilman Steven Sherwin asked the council to consider changing the zoning code to eliminate patio homes, a development type that allows reduced lot sizes and smaller private lots with common open space. Sherwin and several council members said recent patio-home developments prompted resident complaints about proximity, drainage, and neighborhood fit.
Why it matters: Supporters of the change argued the code provision leads to dense development that can create drainage and maintenance problems and reduce neighborhood quality of life; others urged a careful review of land-use consequences. Staff noted patio-home rules have existed in the code since roughly 1980 and that the use is permitted in certain residential districts as written.
Council action: Members agreed to put an ordinance to examine the patio-home provision on the next work session agenda and asked staff to prepare pros and cons, comparative examples from peer cities, and information on how eliminating patio homes would affect housing supply and developer options. No code change was adopted at the work session.
Next steps: Planning staff will analyze code change impacts and return to council with findings and suggested ordinance language or alternative measures for consideration at a subsequent council meeting.
