Commission debates narrower block lengths, stricter variances and cul-de-sac ban in subdivision code update

The commission spent an extended portion of the meeting reviewing proposed updates to Livingston's subdivision regulations derived from the city's recently adopted growth policy. Planning Director Jen Severson presented the staff'recommended changes and said the package is being phased: technical conforming changes were addressed in a prior round, this meeting covered growth-policy recommendations, and a later meeting will address "community experience" items.

Severson said key proposed changes include reducing the maximum block length from 1,600 feet to 1,000 feet, increasing minimum block width to roughly 300 feet where feasible (to allow two tiers of lots with alleys), prohibiting cul-de-sacs and permanent T-turnarounds except where a variance is approved, and strengthening variance…