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Commission reviews zoning-map simplification and a state ADU rule that limits local size controls
Summary
Commissioners discussed simplifying local residential zones and the need to update the city's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules after state action that prevents cities from setting ADU size limits.
At the March 18 meeting, the City of Green River Planning Commission discussed a possible simplification of the city’s zoning map and changes needed to comply with a recent legislative rule affecting accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
David, a city staff member, told the commission that a recent legislative change prevents cities from dictating how large an ADU can be relative to the primary dwelling. “Cities cannot dictate how big that ADU is,” David said, summarizing the statute’s effect, and he said staff will bring a proposed ordinance amendment to the commission at a future meeting.
Commissioners said Green River currently uses three residential zones: R1 (single-family), R2 (multifamily and manufactured-home parks), and R3 (boarding homes, townhomes and similar higher-density uses). Several commissioners expressed support for consolidating or clarifying zones so the city can better allow mixed building types and mixed-use conversions, such as motels transitioning to longer-term housing or ground-floor commercial with upper-floor apartments.
Why it matters: Commissioners said simplifying zones could reduce the risk of inflexible building outcomes (for example, a single permitted height or lot type producing uniform, single-style buildings) and could make it easier to approve mixed-use development where appropriate. The commission noted that R2’s current definition largely covers manufactured-home parks and trailer parks and questioned whether that category should be preserved as a distinct zone or folded into a higher-density residential category.
Next steps: Staff will prepare ordinance amendments and map options for commission review, including proposed ADU language to comply with the state restriction on local ADU size limits. No formal vote or ordinance change occurred at the March 18 meeting.
