Clarksburg planning commission adopts rezoning to R‑1 to address parking, safety concerns

The Clarksburg Planning and Zoning Commission voted to adopt proposed zoning‑map amendments to reclassify certain residential areas as R‑1 (single‑family) in a move officials said is intended to reduce on‑street parking pressure and address safety problems tied to unregulated multiunit conversions.

Jason, who presented the proposal, said the city is trying “to get some of these smaller residential areas into an R‑1 zoning” because many older lots average about 40 feet wide, while a standard parking space is about 20 by 9 feet. "If you throw a multiunit building into that same structure, that adds two more cars, so that increases the parking in front of neighboring property," he said.

The commission and staff tied the rezoning to the city’s comprehensive plan and said the change is intended to add review checkpoints rather than remove existing housing. A presenter said the measure will allow the planning body and related authorities to work with rental owners to achieve code compliance: "It's not taking anything away, but this will give us a chance to work with existing rentals too to get them into compliance," one commissioner said.

Discussion focused on practical effects and safeguards. Commissioners asked whether responsible developers would research zoning before purchase and whether existing apartments would be forced to declassify. Staff responded that units already operating as apartments generally would not be affected unless there is a code violation or a change in ownership that triggers review. Expansions or conversions beyond an existing configuration would require approval; special exceptions may be permitted through the Board of Zoning Appeals, as noted in the R‑1 district description referenced by staff.

The commission discussed enforcement and data gaps. Jason said prior code‑enforcement work produced about 973 rental records, while county assessor classification lists suggest roughly 2,000 entries in the city’s two districts, indicating underreporting. Commissioners urged clarity that the rezoning would not be used punitively against small, home‑based businesses; staff said minor home occupations can still be allowed under R‑1 in appropriate circumstances.

Neighborhoods identified as most likely to face pressure from tight lots included Colonial Heights, Clay Street and Meigs Avenue; speakers noted the potential for greater parking and public‑safety impacts in those areas. Commissioners also cited past problems, including unpermitted duplex conversions and unsafe fire‑escape situations, as reasons the city should add review steps for conversions.

After discussion the commission made and seconded a motion to adopt the zoning map amendments to rezone residential areas to R‑1. The motion was approved by voice vote and recorded in the minutes as "Motion passed." Staff and commissioners said the rezoning preserves existing apartment units but limits future expansions without review and that anyone seeking to convert or expand a property would need to follow the city’s zoning and appeals processes.

Next steps: staff will forward the adopted amendments for any subsequent procedural requirements and works with related committees (including the LRA and the Board of Zoning Appeals) on implementation and outreach. Commissioners asked for legal clarification on the appeals/exception process as a follow up.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes of 01/14/2026 — motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye" and approved. (Action recorded at SEG 003–SEG 012) - Zoning map amendments to reclassify residential areas to R‑1 — motion passed on voice vote. (Action recorded at SEG 597–SEG 612) - Election of officers (chair: Mister Schaffer; vice chair discussed/Chris Mann referenced; secretary: Chris White) — nominations made and approved by voice vote. (Action recorded at SEG 674–SEG 718) - Adjournment — motion carried. (Action recorded at SEG 722–SEG 731)

The commission did not set specific numeric vote tallies in the transcript for the zoning motion; minutes record the outcome as passed. The commission requested follow‑up legal clarification on special exceptions and the Board of Zoning Appeals process.