Springfield staff advance code concepts to add housing in commercial and mixed-use districts

Haley (planning staff) opened the Technical Advisory Committee meeting by presenting code concepts to allow more housing in Springfield’s commercial and mixed‑use districts, including options for Main Street and designated climate friendly areas.

Haley said the city’s code and plan audit found “too few homes are being built and that we need roughly 470 new homes every year to meet the targets set by the state.” She told the committee the audit identified three main barriers: housing is generally not allowed as a standalone use in most commercial districts; mixed‑use development is often economically infeasible; and some development standards (height, setbacks, lot coverage, design rules) need adjustment.

The presentation described two topics the committee would address that evening: (1) expanding opportunities for housing in commercial districts, and (2) reducing barriers to mixed‑use development. Sandy Balson, a consultant on the project, summarized the Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) framework: a primary CFA in the Glenwood riverfront area (already allowing high densities, including up to 50 dwelling units…