Commission reviews zoning rewrite draft; considers attached single‑family and zero‑lot options

Director Wesley presented a multi‑chapter reorganization of Fountain Hills' zoning ordinance May 11, proposing use tables, consolidated development standards and a new 'attached single‑family' category to permit zero lot‑line ownership arrangements.

Wesley said the current ordinance dates to 1990 and has been amended piecemeal. The draft would group uses into categories, replace long lists with use tables, and relocate scattered development standards into consolidated sections. One substantive addition under consideration is an "attached single‑family" option that would allow ownership of the ground beneath individual attached units (zero lot line), with a proposed minimum individual lot width as narrow as 20 feet.

Commissioners generally welcomed the improved readability and the use‑table approach. Supporters said zero lot‑line ownership could aid entry‑level housing or allow long‑standing duplexes to be split into separately owned lots. Commissioner Corgan warned, however, that attached forms could be perceived as high density and might affect neighboring property values; others countered attached units can be high‑value and are used elsewhere in town.

Staff said details such as precise lot area calculations and separate tables for attached residences still need refinement and that additional chapters will return for public review. The commission directed staff to continue the rewrite process; no ordinance was adopted at this meeting.