Staff recommends rezoning two Simpson Avenue parcels from R‑1 to RTZ; planning commission recommended approval

City planning staff led a detailed presentation on two separate first‑reading rezoning requests for parcels on Simpson Avenue to change zoning from R‑1 (single‑family) to RTZ (a zone designed for smaller single‑family footprints). The requests are recorded as Ordinance Nos. 25‑12‑96 and 25‑12‑97 and were previously advertised for public hearing on Nov. 18, 2025.

The planner explained that the immediate effect of the proposed rezoning is to allow three single‑family detached homes on parcels currently limited to two. Staff showed conceptual site plans and ran density exercises: one small bubble around the immediate parcels would see density move from about 5.1 to 5.4 dwelling units per acre, while a broader neighborhood buffer (Dayton Boulevard to Berkeley) would change from roughly 3.81 to 3.9 DU/acre. The planner emphasized that RTZ has an 8‑DU/acre cap and that these proposals remain well below that limit and would produce smaller building footprints than some by‑right R‑1 examples.

Staff said the planning commission reviewed both requests and recommended approval unanimously; commissioners asked clarifying questions about the density study method and neighborhood compatibility. No final ordinance votes were recorded during the work session; the items will return for further consideration per the commission’s ordinance reading schedule.