Staff to prepare draft neighborhood compatibility ordinance; commission discusses ADUs, minimum floor sizes and a flexible redevelopment zone

Pocomoke City planning staff told the Planning Commission on March 19 that it will prepare draft zoning text amendments addressing neighborhood compatibility, accessory dwelling units and the city's minimum floor-area requirement for single-family dwellings.

Staff said a recently effective state law (referred to in the meeting as House Bill 538) has increased interest in placing manufactured or modular homes within the city and created urgency around a neighborhood compatibility ordinance. The staff speaker told commissioners a draft neighborhood compatibility ordinance could be presented as a work-session item at the commission's next meeting.

The commission also discussed the city's minimum floor-area rule for single-family dwellings, which the transcript records as currently 950 square feet. Staff said lowering that minimum — for example to 750 square feet — or creating a conditional-application process could…