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Council advances zoning changes for Greek houses; Planning Commission recommended approval
Summary
Council accepted the Planning Commission’s 5–0 recommendation and advanced Ordinance 35-90 to second reading to update definitions and development standards for fraternity and sorority houses in RMI and RMU zoning districts.
The Stillwater City Council voted to accept a Planning Commission recommendation (5–0) and advanced an amendment to the Land Development Code that updates how fraternity and sorority houses are defined and regulated in Residential Multifamily Intermediate (RMI) and Residential Multifamily Urban (RMU) districts.
Henry Bewelheimer of Development Services explained key changes: moving the fraternity/sorority-house definition into use sections so the use can be listed in zoning districts; counting density by bed ("each 4 beds = 1 dwelling unit"); limiting the height of portions of buildings within 30 feet of single-family zoning to two stories; clarifying side-yard setbacks (15 feet where abutting single-family districts, 5 feet otherwise); and adding a landscaping requirement tied to linear frontage (one tree and 10 shrubs per 30 feet) with a Planning Commission adjustment for corner lots used in homecoming activities.
Planning Commission recommended approval on Jan. 27 by a 5–0 vote. Councilors moved to accept that recommendation and to advance Ordinance 35-90 to second reading; the motion passed 5–0.
The amendment aims to clarify how fraternities and sororities are treated under the code, preserve residential character near single-family neighborhoods and establish clear landscaping and appearance standards for new or converted houses.
What happens next: Ordinance 35-90 will return for a second reading with the Planning Commission–recommended landscaping language and other tracked edits for council review.
