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Commission recommends shrinking minimum lot size in Commercial Neighborhood from 0.5 to 0.25 acre to spur small-scale redevelopment
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously forwarded a recommendation June 19 asking City Council to reduce the Commercial Neighborhood minimum lot size from 0.5 acre to 0.25 acre to encourage small-scale, neighborhood commercial redevelopment.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously June 19 to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council to reduce the minimum lot size requirement in the Commercial Neighborhood (CN) land-use district from 0.5 acre to 0.25 acre.
Staff said an analysis of the CN zone found the average lot size is about 0.2 acres and that only four of the 105 parcels in the district meet the current 0.5-acre minimum. Staff explained that the 0.5-acre minimum, previously reduced in 2022 from one acre, continues to create nonconforming parcels and has not produced redevelopment (no new construction in much of the district since 2007). Lowering the minimum to one-quarter acre aims to bring more parcels into conformity, simplify redevelopment, and encourage small, neighborhood-serving businesses that are consistent with the district's intent.
Staff said the quarter-acre threshold was selected as a balance between allowing viable small-business development (enough area for building and parking) and preserving design quality; commissioners noted the choice could have been lower but accepted staff's quarter-acre recommendation. The commission received no public comment and forwarded the recommendation to City Council by unanimous vote.
If adopted by City Council, the change would allow more property owners in the CN district to expand or redevelop without acquiring additional property; projects would still be subject to other development and design standards and applicable permitting.
