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Planning commission recommends allowing attached single‑family dwellings by right in RM1 and RM2 districts
Summary
The commission voted to recommend that the city commission approve text amendments adding single‑family attached dwellings (townhouse style) as a permitted use in RM1 and RM2 districts and clarified separation and height standards for those units.
On March 12, 2026 the Lapeer City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the city commission adopt text amendments to Chapter 7 (Articles 4 and 13) to permit single‑family attached dwellings by right in RM1 and RM2 multiple‑family residential zoning districts.
Staff explained the change is part of the city’s Redevelopment Ready Communities work to add at least one new housing type permitted by right in zoning districts. The proposed language adds single‑family attached (townhouse) dwellings to the schedule of uses for RM1 and RM2 and establishes dimensional guidance: a minimum 50‑foot separation when building facades face one another and a 100‑foot separation when a street separates frontages; building heights will follow the applicable district height tables (e.g., R1/R2 25 ft, R3 35 ft).
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether existing developments (for example, older attached single‑family neighborhoods like Woodbridge) would be grandfathered; staff noted that existing developments would remain and that the text primarily governs new builds. The motion to recommend approval was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
The planning commission’s recommendation now advances to the city commission, which holds the final decision on ordinance amendments.
Quote: "This is essentially standard townhome development," a commissioner said during discussion when describing the new housing type.
