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River Heights creates Senior-Citizen PUD zone, repeals RPUD language
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 4-2026 to create a Senior Citizen Planned Unit Development (SCPUD) zone replacing the existing RPUD provisions; the ordinance includes occupancy/height guidance, HOA seed funding and open-space appraisal clarifications.
After months of planning-commission work and prior council review, River Heights City Council adopted Ordinance 4-2026 on May 19, which establishes a Senior Citizen Planned Unit Development (SCPUD) zone and repeals the existing Residential PUD (RPUD) language.
Council and planning staff discussed several substantive edits: a clarification that buildings should have the appearance of a single story (allowing interior bonus rooms or limited bonus areas above garages), occupancy limits tied to family relationships and a clause requiring the applicant to endow a new HOA with funds equal to 10% of the development cost to operate and maintain common improvements during startup. Council also revised language addressing in-lieu substitutions for open-space requirements to require appraisals that reflect market values of land as developed, not the original land cost.
Council member discussion covered play- ground expectations for seniors’ developments (the code change did not ban playgrounds), backflow and irrigation-system meter/connection requirements, and stormwater planning for right-of-way areas. After discussion, council moved to adopt the ordinance (including repeal of Title 10, Chapter 10 RPUD) and passed the motion on a voice vote.
