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Commission reviews draft residential-development standards; public hearing planned for June
Summary
Planning staff presented a draft ordinance updating residential development standards: removal of minimum dwelling sizes from most zones, retention of a 1,000-square-foot minimum in RM6S per state/code counsel, increased heights and site coverage in some zones, and adjusted setbacks. The commission agreed to schedule a public hearing in June.
Planning staff presented a draft ordinance on May 20 revising Milford’s residential development standards and the commission directed staff to schedule a public hearing in June to consider recommending the ordinance to city council.
Planning Administrator Lisa Thompson said the draft removes minimum dwelling-square-footage requirements from most residential zones but retains a 1,000-square-foot minimum in the RM6S district after review by the city attorney and reference to state code. "State code says that you can't require a dwelling to be over a thousand square feet," Thompson said; the city attorney recommended keeping that minimum specifically for the RM6S district because it was established as a stricter zone.
Key changes in the draft ordinance discussed by staff and commissioners include: - Front setbacks in RM districts set to 20 to 25 feet (20 feet for the dwelling; 25 feet if a garage fronts the street). - Maximum building height in RM districts increased from 25 to 30 feet. - Site coverage in RM districts increased from 40% to 50%. - Front setbacks in MR districts reduced from 30 to 25 feet. - Side-yard setbacks abutting a street to range 15 to 25 feet depending on building type and garage placement. - Design review requirement retained for projects of four or more homes.
Commissioners asked for illustrative site plans showing a dwelling with a garage to clarify how the setback rules apply; staff said they would request those drawings from staff member Lanae (spelled in the packet) or prepare examples. Commissioners also discussed that the RM6S zone was created in connection with development near the golf course and thus was intended to carry stricter standards.
No action was taken on the ordinance at the May meeting; the commission agreed to hold a public hearing in June and, depending on the hearing outcome, to forward a recommendation to city council.
Staff and commissioners noted the next procedural step is the public hearing; changes to the draft may be made after public comment and legal review before any recommendation to council.
