Addison Planning & Zoning approves new zoning map after rejecting dedicated park-zone proposal

The Addison Planning and Zoning Commission on July 15 approved a rezoning map that applies new districts created under the town's Unified Development Code (UDC), which the City Council adopted on March 25, 2025 and which takes effect Sept. 1. The decision came after commissioners defeated a motion to add dedicated park zoning categories and after residents raised concerns about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and "smallplexes" near single-family areas.

Leslie Knight, director of development and neighborhood services, told the commission the UDC process began in October 2018 and was re-noticed for this hearing after a procedural vote-count confusion at the June meeting. "This project kicked off in 2018," she said, and staff recommended adopting the proposed zoning map to limit nonconformity and align parcels to compatible districts. Knight estimated that reopening the code to add park-specific districts would take roughly "8 to 10 months" and cost "probably at least $50,000 to $60,000," including consultant fees and additional public engagement.

Knight emphasized that parkland in Addison is protected by multiple legal layers. "A referendum would be required to sell or dispose of parkland," she said, noting the town charter and state law require public notice, hearings and voter approval before parkland could be sold…