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Saint John planners advance draft zoning updates setting density caps and revising tree list
Summary
The Saint John Plan Commission reviewed and prepared to advertise a second draft of Unified Development Ordinance updates that add maximum dwelling-unit caps (estate: 2/acre; suburban: 4/acre; general: 6/acre), remove disallowed tree species from the local list and tighten the vision-triangle definition ahead of a January public hearing.
The Saint John Plan Commission reviewed a second draft of updates to the town's Unified Development Ordinance on Dec. 3 and moved to post the draft for public feedback ahead of a January public hearing and a recommendation to the town council.
Planning staff said the draft adds maximum dwelling units per acre to residential zoning classifications, setting limits at no more than 2 dwelling units per acre for estate residential, no more than 4 for suburban and no more than 6 for general residential. "I have added maximum dwelling units per acre into that residential zoning classification, and it's going to be for that estate residential, no more than 2 dwelling units per acre. For suburban, no more than 4. And then for, general, no more than 6," said an unnamed planning staff member.
Staff said the 2- and 4-unit caps reflect densities the town has approved in prior developments and that suburban neighborhoods typically come in between about 2.6 and 3.2 units per acre. The proposed caps are framed as an upper limit to keep density tiers consistent across zoning categories.
The draft also contains an updated tree list that removes species now prohibited under Indiana DNR guidance; staff specifically cited the Bradford pear as an example of a tree to be removed. Staff said the town's prior list dated from 2009 and required modernization to align with current state guidance.
Another change tightens the definition of the vision triangle used in street and driveway sight-line calculations. Staff said that definition was previously ambiguous and in some cases allowed overly large vision-triangle areas; the clarified language was developed after reviewing contemporary standards and will be checked by the town engineer.
Town staff said they have posted the second draft on the town website and have asked the Clerk-Treasurer to include a notice in the municipal newsletter and on the town's Facebook page to broaden public visibility before the planning commission considers a request to advertise the draft for the January meeting.
If the commission votes to advertise the draft at its public meeting, the item is expected to go to the town council with a recommendation after the public hearing. The planning commission did not take a final policy vote during the study session.
The draft remains under technical review; staff said they will finalize the formatting requested by the town attorney and incorporate any further comments before the public meeting in January.
