Troy planning commission recommends easing setbacks for detached accessory buildings

The Troy Planning Commission voted May 12 to recommend that City Council adopt Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment ZOTA 259, which would relax setback rules for detached accessory buildings in certain single‑family residential areas. Commissioner Fox made the motion to forward the amendment; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote.

Planner Saleem Junior told commissioners the amendment responds to a long‑running pattern of nonconforming lots in older neighborhoods. "We found 247 nonconforming parcels out of 352 in the study area," Saleem said, adding that a review of R1E parcels across the city found about 750 nonconforming lots by size or frontage. He said the change is intended to reduce the number of variance requests and simplify permitting for residents with existing detached garages and sheds.

No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. Commissioners asked staff how the city would notify affected property owners if the council adopts the amendment; Saleem said the legal notice requirement is publication in the newspaper and that the department can use its BSA online notice system to e‑mail residents who have contact information on file, but that an individual mail‑out would be a larger undertaking and would require staff authorization.

Commissioners also asked whether the proposal addresses accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Saleem said the amendment does not change the city’s ADU rules and that ADUs remain a separate policy discussion; staff offered to explore ADU policy if the commission requests it.

The motion forwarded a recommendation to amend Articles 7 and 14 of Chapter 39 as printed in ZOTA 259. The chair closed the public hearing and the motion carried on the commission vote. The item will proceed to Troy City Council for consideration.