Taylor planning commission backs special-use permit requirement for most large multifamily, mixed-use and RV projects with sunset tied to state bill

The Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council require special-use permits (SUPs) for large multifamily developments, mixed-use projects that include multifamily units, and recreational vehicle parks, while excluding live/work units, duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes from the requirement. The commission’s recommendation includes a condition that the local SUP requirement automatically expire on the effective date of pending state legislation (House Bill 1585) that would restrict out-of-jurisdiction Housing Finance Corporations (HFCs).

Commission Chair Amy Everhart opened the public hearing and asked staff to present the proposal. Scott Dunlop of the city’s planning staff said the ordinance amendment responds to a City Council directive and to a January council resolution (Resolution 2025-O2) aimed at preventing tax-exempt entities from acquiring multifamily property and removing it from the tax rolls. Dunlop said the SUP would not change what uses are allowed in zoning districts; rather it would add a discretionary permit step before construction permits are issued so the city can require financial disclosures and evaluate whether a project would be tax-exempt and therefore shift service costs to other taxpayers. “This does not add or remove any use or sale or lease. All it does is add an additional permit requirement if you want to build multifamily, mixed use with multifamily, or an RV park,” Dunlop said during his presentation…