Planning Commission forwards townhouse-access wording change to town council with approval recommendation

The Planning Commission voted to forward a zoning ordinance amendment related to townhouse access to the town council with a recommendation to approve.

The amendment changes the text of Section 27-53(b)(1), subsection (d), so that townhome units must have vehicular access from a private street rather than explicitly requiring that units "front on" a private street. Planner Louis Pancati told the commission the wording will permit developers to orient front doors and pedestrian walkways toward existing public streets while preserving a private street for vehicular access.

Pancati said the existing requirement could force the rear yards and accessory structures of units to face more heavily traveled public streets. "Instead of stating that townhome units shall front on private streets, the proposed language states that units shall have vehicular access from a private street," he said. "This amendment . . . will allow the developer to orient units that also abut a public street, and they'll be able to basically turn the front of the unit towards the public street." He also said the change aligns with the comprehensive plan's goal to improve aesthetic design guidelines.

Commissioners questioned why the amendment keeps the private-street requirement rather than allowing rear streets to be public. Commissioner Serio asked, "Reason why we need to to have vehicular access on a private street? Can we just take the word private out?" Pancati and other commissioners explained that the town council previously rejected removing the private-street requirement and that private streets offer design options not allowed on public streets — for example permitting tighter curb-cut frequency or turn radii in limited circumstances. Pancati noted the town's facility standards manual defines private-street construction standards and where private streets are permitted.

A commissioner moved to forward the amendment "as presented" to the town council with a recommendation to approve; the motion passed on a voice vote with all commissioners present voting in favor. The maker of the motion was not identified in the transcript.

The commission amended the motion on the record to add a rationale for the minutes: the change is primarily a language clarification rather than a functional change, it better reflects how traffic will flow between public and private streets, and it supports the comprehensive plan's objective of improving public-street frontage so front doors face the public right-of-way rather than parking areas.

The Planning Commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the town council for its consideration at upcoming hearings.