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Council advances Climate Friendly Area zoning package to second reading with affordable‑housing height bonus
Summary
Council approved first readings of four ordinances to create Climate Friendly Area overlays, lift some maximum densities, revise downtown standards and add solar access provisions. An amendment requires 25% affordable units to qualify for a 60‑foot height bonus.
The Ashland City Council on May 6 advanced a four‑ordinance package to create Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) intended to support compact, walkable mixed‑use neighborhoods.
Community Development Director Brandon Goldman and Planning Manager Derek Severson presented the package, accompanied by Elizabeth Decker of Jet Planning. The proposed code changes include a new CFA overlay chapter, map amendments to apply the overlay, alignment of site design review boundaries with the CFA extents, and a set of code amendments to chapters across the Land Use Ordinance. Key elements presented: removal of maximum densities in some zones, new minimum densities (15 du/acre in R‑2, 20 du/acre in E‑1 and 25 du/acre in C‑1), allowance of multifamily and attached single‑family dwellings as mixed use, expanded pedestrian‑oriented design standards, solar access provisions for buildings within 100 feet of residential zones, and increased maximum heights (50 ft generally; up to 60 ft for affordable housing).
Council discussed solar setbacks, height and floor‑area ratio (FAR) exceptions for larger mixed‑use buildings, and whether historical preservation criteria could be preserved by not designating certain areas as CFAs. Council adopted an amendment that applicants seeking the 60‑foot height bonus must provide 25% of dwelling units as affordable under the cited standard. The motion (Bloom; second Kaplan) moved Ordinances 3249, 3250, 3251 and 3263 to second reading on June 3, 2025 and directed staff to prepare written findings for adoption at that hearing. Roll call: Dahle, Bloom, DuQuenne, Kaplan and Hansen — yes.
The ordinances implement objectives identified in the Climate Friendly & Equitable Communities (CFEC) work program and follow Planning Commission recommendation to adopt the proposed zoning and code changes. Staff said findings will address how CFA standards meet state statute requirements. The amendment tying a height bonus to a 25% affordable housing threshold will be incorporated into exhibit language and findings for second reading.
