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Clarkdale staff to start zoning district work in August, aims to broaden multifamily and middle‑housing options
Summary
Town staff told the advisory committee the zoning code update will move into district‑level work in August and seek to broaden where modular, middle‑housing and multifamily types are allowed; early and refined drafts will be provided ahead of the committee’s August meeting.
Town staff updated the Zoning Code Update Citizen Advisory Committee on next steps for the code revision at the July 24 meeting, saying district‑level work will begin in August and early drafts will be circulated to the committee.
A staff member told the committee, “In August, we're going to start looking at some of these zoning districts and talk about how we could address some of these issues with the zoning code,” and said the update will aim to expand allowances for modular homes, middle housing (duplex–quadplex) and multifamily where appropriate.
Why it matters: The zoning code determines what housing types can be built where. Staff said the current code emphasizes single‑family residential and that broadening permitted forms — and situating them in appropriate districts — is a necessary step to enable the kinds of housing the needs assessment identified.
Staff outlined a near‑term schedule: district‑level work in August, draft suggestions circulated in the weeks before the August meeting, and committee review of early and refined drafts to narrow focus. The committee discussed changing the August meeting date to accommodate members attending a League of Cities and Towns conference; staff said they would confirm room availability and aim for a mid‑August meeting (one member suggested Aug. 14).
The staff presentation emphasized tradeoffs and complexity: the code rewrite is a “heavy lift,” requiring attention to form‑based tools (design and overlay districts) that preserve Clarkdale’s character while allowing increased density in targeted locations. Staff also said draft zoning language will try to integrate middle housing types into traditional neighborhoods rather than isolating them in separate districts.
Committee members asked practical questions about buildable areas, financing scale for smaller projects, and how to engage developers and nonprofit partners. Staff said a meeting with the town zoning consultant is scheduled the week following the advisory meeting and that committee members will receive initial draft language with sufficient time to review rather than only last‑minute materials.
The committee did not adopt any code changes at the meeting; staff committed to circulate drafts and coordinate meeting scheduling ahead of the next session.
