Council takes first reading on zoning text amendment to allow mixed-use planned developments and change density calculations

The Georgetown City Council on June 23 held a lengthy first reading of a zoning text amendment that would revise several sections of the Georgetown-Scott County zoning ordinance to introduce mixed-use planned unit developments in multiple zones and change how residential density is calculated (from net acreage to gross acreage) in several zoning districts.

Holden, a planning staff member presenting the item, described two primary themes: introducing planned unit developments to allow mixed-use projects in more zones, and shifting density calculations from net to gross to simplify early-stage planning. "For new developments, typically utilize gross; net density is typically utilized for infill developments," Holden said, explaining that gross acreage is a simpler, earlier-stage calculation and net acreage removes roads or other infrastructure before calculating allowable units.

Council members expressed concern that changing to gross acreage could increase theoretical unit counts and thereby allow denser development. "So you are gonna be able to have more houses. Is that correct?" asked one council…