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Council hears briefing on small‑scale infill infrastructure exemptions; item pulled for more study
Summary
City planners proposed exempting small infill projects (four units or fewer) from frontage infrastructure requirements in many areas. Council raised concerns about school walk routes, sidewalks and trees; staff offered director discretion and said the item can return for action in December.
City planning staff presented a briefing Nov. 18 proposing to exempt small‑scale residential infill (projects of four units or fewer in specified zones) from some frontage and infrastructure improvement requirements when the city has no planned transportation projects for that corridor.
Planner Matthew Chastain said the proposal would add a new code section (6.0.2045) to explain an exception that would relieve qualifying small projects from requirements such as curb/gutter, sidewalk, frontage storm drainage and certain utility improvements in areas where the city’s transportation improvement program (TIP) does not identify a future project. “All new residential development consisting of 4 or less units in the NRL and R2 zones will not require infrastructure improvements,” Chastain said.
Council members supported the intent to lower cost barriers for small infill development but raised practical concerns. Council member Larmer flagged that proposed exemptions could affect school walking routes and remove opportunities to build sidewalks and street trees. Staff responded that the proposal preserves a dedication requirement (right‑of‑way dedication) and retains director discretion to require ADA or safety‑related improvements; staff also said the map of required routes is not fixed and can change with future TIP updates.
Because of these outstanding questions, council postponed formal action and directed staff to return with additional information; staff suggested the item could come back for action at the December council meeting.
