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City staff propose "off-the-shelf" preapproved infill plans to speed housing on vacant lots
Summary
Planning staff proposed a catalog of preapproved site plans for small infill lots to cut permitting time; commissioners supported expanding eligible zones and asked staff to resolve pricing, historic-district compatibility and procurement details before issuing an RFP.
Planning Director Kevin Freeman presented a proposal to create a catalog of preapproved site plans and designs that property owners or developers could select to accelerate permitting on small infill lots.
Freeman said staff's analysis found many vacant lots in R-3 and R-4 districts with consistent dimensions suitable for a limited menu of preapproved designs. The idea is that architects would submit designs for board review and, once accepted, those plans would be available to applicants for expedited planning and building review. "We're not saying you have to do this," Freeman said; the program would be optional and run through existing boards (historic preservation, planning) before a design is listed.
Commissioners generally supported the concept but asked staff to broaden eligible zoning categories, ensure multiple vendors to avoid monopoly pricing, consider whether the city could commission or buy certain standard designs to keep costs down, and limit compatibility with historic neighborhoods. The commission asked legal and purchasing staff to develop an RFP and report back with procurement, pricing and protective language.
