Planning commission moves to align zoning with Monroe 2044 plan, proposes citywide rezone and map adjustments

Planning staff on Monday outlined the first phase of implementing the Monroe 2044 comprehensive plan, proposing a citywide rezone that would remove the R‑4 (four dwelling units per acre) designation across much of the city, increase large swaths to R‑7 (a higher maximum density), and convert specific areas to mixed‑use designations intended to allow attached housing and limited commercial uses.

Kate, a planner with the city, told the Planning Commission that Phase 1 focuses on “low‑hanging fruit” to bring zoning into consistency with the adopted future land use map. Staff said the proposed actions include changing residential R‑4 parcels to R‑7 in several neighborhoods (including Friedlands and Foothills), creating mixed‑use general or neighborhood designations north of U.S. 2 and along parts of Main Street/State Route 2, and removing the Transportation zoning district that currently covers right‑of‑way land along the U.S. 2/State Route 522 corridors.

T…