Council holds public hearing on duplex standards; debate over special-use table vs. allowing duplexes by right

The City Council and its land-use committee held a public hearing on proposed amendments to Appendix A of the zoning ordinance that would restore a dimensional table for duplexes, update fence permitting and adjust a drive-through canopy-clearance standard.

Tom Kravitz, the city planning director, told the committee the table previously existed in the special-use permit section and was removed during a prior code overhaul. Staff recommended returning the table to require larger minimum lot sizes for duplexes in zone districts where small-lot two-family conversions have become common, so the planning board retains discretion and neighborhoods retain existing character.

Several residents, particularly from Ward 6, testified in favor of reinstating the table. They said recent proposals converted single-family lots into multiple dwellings and cited concerns about traffic, sewer capacity and the cumulative density effects of multiple duplexes on small lots. Supporters described specific projects where one house was replaced by two duplexes (four families) and asked the council to restore the dimensional standards.

Council members debated two approaches: retaining the administration'recommended special-use permit table that sets larger minimum lot areas by zone (and thus gives planning board discretion), or adopting an amendment to make duplexes allowed by right wherever dimensional standards are met (the approach urged by some council members who argued it would increase housing supply and owner-occupancy opportunities). Representatives asked whether accessory dwelling units (ADUs) would be affected; planning staff clarified ADUs are treated separately and would not be reclassified as duplexes.

The council voted to advance the measure for further consideration, corrected minor typographical errors identified in the ordinance text, and set the item for continued floor-level consideration. No final rezoning or ordinance adoption occurred at the hearing; council members signaled they would continue deliberation on whether to keep the special-use table or change the use to allowed by right.