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River Heights Council adopts senior‑citizen PUD zone, limits height to single‑story appearance
Summary
The City Council approved Ordinance 4‑2026 to create a Senior Citizen Planned Unit Development (SCPUD) zone intended to enable senior housing while preserving single‑family neighborhood character, adopting occupancy, open space, parking and HOA requirements.
The River Heights City Council on May 19 adopted Ordinance 4‑2026 to create a Senior Citizen Planned Unit Development (SCPUD) zoning chapter intended to facilitate senior‑oriented housing while preserving neighborhood scale.
The Planning Commission and city engineer reviewed the draft ordinance. Commissioner Keenan Ryan told the council the commission had wanted to allow an attic/bonus space while preserving a single‑story appearance; the council and engineer reviewed height and lot‑size rules and minimum open‑space requirements. The final ordinance sets development standards including a maximum structure height of 35 feet but specifies an appearance limit of one story above grade, minimum open‑space at 20% of gross acreage, parking standards, and occupancy rules that require at least 80% of units have one resident age 55 or older.
Mayor Blake Wright and Commissioner Ryan clarified accessory‑dwelling‑unit rules: external ADUs are not allowed in the SCPUD due to lot-size and setback constraints. The ordinance also includes requirements for homeowners' associations or possible city acceptance of open space, mandatory CC&Rs, security of performance for phased improvements, and standards for irrigation, stormwater, and utilities.
Councilmember Chris Milbank moved to adopt Ordinance 4‑2026 and Councilmember Kandi Evans seconded; the motion passed with Evans, Malmstrom, Mathews, Milbank and Pitcher recorded as voting in favor. The ordinance replaces the city's prior RPUD provisions for the subject zoning and sets out developer submittal and HOA responsibilities moving forward.
