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Planning commission gives favorable recommendation for text amendment allowing multifamily as accessory use in C-2 parcels adjacent to R-3/R-4
Summary
The commission voted 4-1 to give a favorable recommendation on a countywide text amendment allowing multifamily dwellings as an accessory use on C-2 parcels directly adjacent to R-3 and R-4 residential districts, with a maximum density written at 10 units per acre as proposed.
The Worcester County Planning Commission on June 16 gave a favorable recommendation (4-1) on a proposed text amendment that would allow multifamily dwelling units as an accessory use on C-2 (general commercial) parcels that are directly adjacent to R-3 (multifamily residential) or R-4 (general residential) districts.
County staff presented the narrowly scoped text amendment as a targeted version of a prior, broader proposal. The amendment applies countywide but only to C-2 parcels that are directly adjacent to R-3 or R-4 zoning; it requires that at least 65% of the net parcel area be improved with commercial uses and sets a maximum density for the accessory multifamily use at 10 units per acre (with lot-area and setback standards retained).
Presenters and staff framed the change as a tool to encourage mixed-use, walkable development along commercial corridors (for example, segments of Route 50 in West Ocean City) and to provide housing types that may support year-round workforce needs for nearby businesses. Commissioners debated whether the 10-units-per-acre maximum should be reduced (several commissioners suggested 8 units per acre to better match adjacent residential densities), raised concerns about aggregation of multiple C-2 parcels to achieve higher density, and discussed the need for clear "directly adjacent" language in the code. Staff noted that the zoning text amendment sets a maximum; any specific development would still require site-plan review and must meet lot-area, parking, open-space and setback requirements.
After discussion the commission moved, seconded and voted in favor of a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners as written; the record shows a 4-1 vote in favor of the proposal as drafted (maximum 10 units per acre). The dissenting vote was recorded in the transcript but not individually attributed by name in the portion of the record provided.
Implications and next steps: the favorable recommendation advances the text amendment to the county commissioners for final action. If adopted by the county, developers wishing to use the accessory multifamily allowance would still be subject to site-plan review and other development standards; commissioners observed that parcel consolidation or lot-line adjustments could enable higher aggregate capacities and would be addressed at development-review time.
