Planning staff outline comp‑plan directions on low‑rise density, mixed‑use hubs and employment land

Michelle Bennett, senior planner, and planning staff told council the comprehensive‑plan process is shifting from public engagement to drafting and described Planning Commission directions on housing, mixed‑use hubs and an employment district.

Planning staff said public engagement showed support for modest densification in low‑rise residential areas — illustrations for triplexes and quadplexes (roughly four units per parcel) received support — but the Planning Commission asked whether form‑based limits (scale and height) might be a better control than strict unit caps. Staff said the commission recommended considering up to four stories in some low‑rise areas, emphasizing form over…