Middleton planning workshop outlines new residential zones, higher minimum lots and revised setbacks

City planning staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission at a workshop on Oct. 26 discussed a proposed rewrite of Middleton's residential zoning categories that would replace the current R-1, R-2 and R-3 labels with a clearer tiered system and new minimum lot sizes, setbacks and design rules.

City Planner said the future land use map "is more of a vision and a guidance" while the zoning map and code provide the concrete rules for what can be built. The planner directed commissioners to Title 5, chapter 4 (the land use, setback and area table) and to the use table in the code as the primary tools for deciding allowable uses and dimensional standards.

The commission's discussion centered on three goals: (1) limit the broad flexibility of the current R-3 designation that commissioners said has been used to increase density, (2) create distinct residential categories to match community expectations, and (3) simplify administration by using clear lot-size minima and consistent frontage and setback standards.

Commissioner Walter said he favored reintroducing a stricter R-3 standard…