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Commission discusses bylaw changes and SR‑174 rules for antiquated subdivisions; asks staff to return revised language
Summary
At a work session the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed proposed bylaw revisions on attendance and discussed a potential text amendment to SR‑174 to allow accessory structures prior to principal residences in certain antiquated subdivisions; staff will draft formal language for June.
Commissioners reviewed proposed updates to the Planning and Zoning Commission bylaws and held a work session on a potential SR‑174 text amendment that would affect development rules in older, unbuilt subdivisions such as SunSites.
On bylaws, commissioners expressed broad support for stricter in‑person attendance expectations while preserving limited electronic participation. The body agreed to a revised rule that would trigger a notification to the Board of Supervisors when a commissioner is absent from more than three regular meetings within a 12‑month period; commissioners asked staff to prepare a redline for the next meeting.
In a separate work session, staff summarized issues arising in "antiquated subdivisions" (notably SunSites Unit 2): many lots are platted in the 1960s and 1970s but lack infrastructure and have not developed. Under current SR‑174 rules, accessory structures generally cannot be built before a principal residence and manufactured homes are restricted, which has driven applicants to seek RU‑4 rezoning instead. Staff offered three options for the commission's consideration: leave the regulations unchanged; amend county zoning to allow accessory structures to be built before a principal residence (and to exceed the residence in size) in antiquated subdivisions that meet defined criteria; or adopt the same changes but limit them explicitly to identified antiquated subdivisions.
Commissioners debated whether to define a quantitative cap (square footage or height) for accessory structures and whether such changes should be limited only to subdivisions that demonstrably predate zoning and lack infrastructure. Several members urged a narrow approach applying only to recognized antiquated subdivisions and asked staff to draft a proposed text amendment that defines "antiquated subdivision" and clarifies whether accessory structures may exceed the principal structure by square footage or height. Commissioners also asked staff to consider how changes would interact with building‑code limits (e.g., maximum heights) and to bring a concrete draft for vote at the June meeting.
Staff will prepare marked‑up bylaw language and draft SR‑174 text amendment language for the commission to review next month.
