The Harrisburg City Council conducted a first reading of an ordinance to rezone a group of lots in Sunny Haven Estates from R‑2 (residential, multifamily/two‑family) to R‑1 (single‑family detached).

Staff said roughly 50 lots in Sunny Haven were originally zoned R‑2 when the land was developed because it was unclear whether builders would construct single‑family homes or twin homes. In practice, staff said, those lots were built as single‑family homes. The presenter told council that when the city set annual fee rates, any R‑2 lot that contained a single‑family dwelling was charged at the R‑1 rate this year; the rezoning measure would formally match zoning to the existing development pattern.

The presenter said the Sunny Haven group likely represents only the first of many such cleanup rezones: he estimated at least another 100–200 lots across Harrisburg could be zoned R‑2 but used as single‑family, and that staff will bring additional rezoning items forward as they are ready.

Council moved to set a second reading for Ordinance 2024‑16 on Dec. 17, 2024; no final adoption vote was taken at the meeting.

Why it matters: Rezoning to match existing development can streamline permitting and ensure the city’s zoning maps align with built conditions; it also affects fee calculations and land‑use records. The city said it has already been charging many such lots at the R‑1 fee rate for the coming year.

Next step: Second reading scheduled for Dec. 17, 2024, when council may vote on adoption.