Commission approves middle‑housing ordinance to comply with state law; code adds definitions, limits and application steps
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Summary
The commission approved a text amendment implementing state middle‑housing requirements (HB 2721) by adding definitions and allowing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes in single‑family zones within the one‑mile CBC buffer and on 20% of new developments ≥10 acres.
Staff presented a text amendment to implement Arizona House Bill 2721 requirements for middle housing. The draft ordinance adds middle‑housing definitions and a use classification permitting duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes in single‑family zoning within the one‑mile buffer around the Central Business District (the Town designated the Heritage District as its CBD for this purpose). It also provides that 20% of new development that is 10 contiguous acres or larger be available for middle housing, expressed both as a percentage of net area and a percentage of lots to ensure clarity.
The draft includes development standards intended to comply with the statute’s limits: the town will not require middle housing to be less than two stories, cannot set a floor‑area‑ratio cap specific to middle housing, and cannot require more onerous approval procedures than other single‑family lots. The draft limits townhomes to four units for middle‑housing purposes and bars accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for townhouse lots to avoid compounding density. The ordinance sets parking at one space per unit as required by state law, and staff added clarifying application pathways: single‑lot middle housing may proceed by building permit if it meets standards; larger middle‑housing tracts inside a subdivision will follow preliminary/final plat and standard‑plan processes.
Staff recommended approval and the commission voted to adopt the draft text amendment; staff will forward the ordinance to Town Council per the statutory schedule.
