Commission backs zoning text changes to allow middle housing and ADUs consistent with state law
Loading...
Summary
To comply with recent state legislation, the commission recommended approval of zoning ordinance amendments that add a middle‑housing overlay near downtown, permit accessory dwelling units near Phoenix Goodyear Airport (with military exceptions), and allow objective‑standards addenda to the design guidelines.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 3 voted to forward a zoning‑ordinance text amendment to City Council to align local rules with recent state law affecting middle housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and objective design standards.
Principal Planner Guadalupe Ortiz Cortez said the amendment implements recent state bills by creating a middle‑housing overlay district to allow townhouses, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes on appropriately located single‑family lots near the city’s downtown, and by permitting ADUs near the Phoenix Goodyear Airport (while excluding military airports such as Luke Air Force Base). The amendment also authorizes the zoning administrator to publish addenda to the city’s design guidelines manual to provide objective standards required by state law.
Staff recommended the commission forward the amendment to City Council for its Dec. 15 meeting. The commission moved and voted to recommend approval; if Council approves the ordinance, it will take effect immediately, staff said.
What changed: The amendment brings Goodyear’s zoning code into conformance with recently passed state requirements on middle‑housing and objective design standards and expands where ADUs are allowed near the Phoenix Goodyear Airport (subject to military airfield exclusions). The commission’s recommendation now goes to City Council on Dec. 15 for final action.
Sources: Presentation by Principal Planner Guadalupe Ortiz Cortez; commission vote to forward recommendation to City Council.
