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Staff outlines zoning text amendment to allow duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes by CUP in R‑1
Summary
Planning staff told the Policy and Finance Committee that the planning commission recommended allowing duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes in single‑family (R‑1) districts by conditional use permit with new design/CUP guidelines; the item will likely go to the governing body in January.
Planning staff presented proposed text amendments Dec. 11 intended to allow duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes in single‑family residential (R‑1) districts through a conditional use permit (CUP) process and new CUP guidelines.
Dan, identified in the meeting as planning staff, said the planning commission began work in 2024 and conducted outreach, a Feb. 2025 survey and public hearings (including Sept. 15). He described an initial committee recommendation (duplexes by right; triplexes and quadplexes by CUP) that was revised after public feedback so that all those housing types would proceed by conditional use permit subject to new guidelines.
"That's not the point here," Dan said, describing the policy objective: "The point is to find some way to provide more housing in Topeka, more different types of housing in Topeka." Staff emphasized the change is intended to create another avenue for housing types beyond single‑family homes while using guidelines to limit concentration and reduce front‑yard paving and parking impacts.
The presentation outlined CUP guidelines and design goals to limit high concentrations of multi‑unit homes in a single neighborhood, apply design standards, and restrict excessive front‑yard parking. Dan said the planning commission considered but did not adopt neighborhood exclusions and included triplexes and quads in its recommendation.
Committee members discussed timing and public input. The Chair recommended offering citizens who wanted to speak another opportunity at the first Policy and Finance Committee meeting next year before the item goes to the governing body; Michelle urged pausing until next year given the holiday timing. Dan said staff expects to bring the text amendment to the governing body in January, where the governing body may approve, revise or reject it.
No formal action was taken by the committee on Dec. 11; staff and the planning commission will continue outreach and return to the governing body for a final decision.
