Aurora staff outline timeline for UDO changes to expand compact single‑family options

Aurora planning staff told the Planning and Economic Development Policy Committee on Aug. 13 that they are preparing draft code changes to expand compact single‑family housing options in the city and expect to return to stakeholders with a second developer roundtable in late September or early October.

Brandon Cammarata, manager in the Planning and Business Development Department, said the project is examining whether wider allowances for small‑lot configurations such as green courts and motor courts can increase attainable price points. "This is a project focusing on compact single family housing options in Aurora," Cammarata said. He said staff are finishing a code audit and initial listening sessions and aim to have draft priorities for the next roundtable so the consultant can begin codifying options.

The work grows out of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Aurora's zoning code adopted in 2019, which added several compact housing types. Cammarata told the committee those options "have been pretty heavily used over the last 5 years," and that the city has received follow‑up requests to increase allowances and percentages for smaller lots.

Janine Rustad, director of Planning and Business Development, emphasized tradeoffs the code must address. "If we front load a lot of them, the street becomes unparkable," she said, noting street layout, on‑street parking and the public realm are key considerations when allowing higher densities of small lots. Rustad said staff are reviewing national best practices and are working with developers on pilot projects that meet parameters such as street connectivity, walkable open space and access to commercial uses.

Committee members asked about speed and process. Council member Gardner said developers have expressed impatience with the length of the work; Gardner asked whether duplex and small‑lot changes could move faster. Rustad noted the city previously implemented some "low‑hanging fruit" UDO amendments — including duplexes on motor courts — and said the September/October roundtable will present a potential list of changes for feedback before staff identify policy discussions for City Council.

Mayor Mike Kauffman and other members urged staff to weigh durability and long‑term neighborhood character, not only short‑term marketability. "Sometimes a project looks good on paper... and it doesn't age well," Kauffman said, arguing the committee should examine how examples perform over five to 10 years.

Staff said they will continue one‑on‑one meetings with developers and roundtable outreach; they aim to complete the project in the first quarter of 2026, with code drafting occurring in parallel with policy discussions. Rustad asked the committee how frequently it would like code changes brought forward to allow enough time to review complex amendments.

Discussion vs. decision: the meeting was informational. No UDO amendments were approved at the Aug. 13 session; staff presented progress, timelines and criteria for pilot projects and upcoming engagement steps.

Votes at the meeting: the minutes were approved at the start of the session (approval recorded; mover/second and roll‑call tally not specified in the transcript).

What happens next: staff will hold a second developer roundtable in late September or early October, continue targeted one‑on‑one outreach, and bring a recommended list of code changes to the committee and then, as appropriate, to City Council for policy direction and ordinance drafting.