Planning commission backs middle-housing text amendment to allow duplexes, triplexes and townhomes near Glendale core
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Glendale planners recommended approval of a UDC text amendment to allow 'middle housing' (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes) on single-family lots within a one-mile radius of the Central Business District and require 20% of new development over 10 continuous acres to include middle housing; recommendation will go to city council.
The Glendale Planning Commission on Oct. 23 voted to forward a text-amendment recommendation to the City Council that would allow "middle housing"—duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes—on single-family zoned lots within one mile of the city’s Central Business District.
Staff presented ZTA25-03 as an amendment to the Unified Development Code (UDC) to add Section 35.20.1011 (Central Business District) and to align local regulations with the Arizona statute cited by staff. The amendment would permit middle housing on single-family lots within a one-mile radius of the Central Business District and require that at least 20% of any new development covering more than 10 continuous acres include middle-housing types. Staff noted the one-mile radius extends beyond Glendale city limits in places but emphasized the rules apply only to Glendale properties.
Commissioners asked about lot-size and development limits. Staff answered there is no specific lot-size exemption for middle housing in the one-mile area; properties must still meet the development standards of the underlying zoning district (setbacks, building heights and lot coverage). Staff clarified existing development standards such as lot coverage limits (staff cited a 40% lot coverage figure during discussion) and other applicable setback and height rules remain in force.
ZTA25-03 also traces to prior local policy: staff reminded the commission that the Central Business District was created by Resolution 1907 in 2019 to encourage investment in the city core and that the UDC was adopted in December 2023 and took effect January 2024. Staff reported notifications were sent to interested parties and no comments were received in response to the mailed notice.
Commissioners voted to recommend approval as written; the recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration.
If approved by the council, the amendment would change where middle-housing forms can be built in and near Glendale’s downtown core; final implementation would remain subject to the UDC development standards for each zoning district and any site-specific permitting requirements.