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Tippecanoe APC committee eases lot-coverage rules for single-family zones, tables R1U/R3 changes
Summary
The Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission Ordinance & Bylaw Committee on May 6 approved higher lot-coverage limits for several single-family zones—including adding RE lots at 20% coverage with 60% vegetative cover—and delayed decisions on R1U and R3 pending further review.
The Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission Ordinance & Bylaw Committee on May 6 approved changes to building-coverage and vegetative-coverage standards aimed at allowing larger single-family homes without requiring rezoning or a variance. The committee voted to allow RE-zoned lots 20% building coverage with 60% vegetative coverage and set R1 and R1A to 45% building coverage and 25% vegetative coverage.
"We think including RE at 20% and 60% makes sense," said Steve Schreckengast of the Builders Association of Greater Lafayette, who urged the committee to expand revisions beyond conventional residential zones. APC Executive Director Ryan O'Gara told the committee that RE zones currently average about 4.4% lot coverage under existing development patterns.
The committee adopted the RE change on a motion from Gary Schroeder, seconded by Diana Luper, carried by unanimous voice vote. Schroeder also moved to set R1 and R1A at 45% building coverage and 25% vegetative coverage; Diana Luper seconded, and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Committee members discussed technical details and implications. Ryan O'Gara clarified that gravel driveways are treated as pervious cover while conventional paved driveways are impervious, and that those features are not deducted from green-space calculations under the proposed standards. Tom Murtaugh said the proposed increases would have allowed the Estridge Development to avoid rezoning to R3 to obtain needed coverage.
A related motion to change R1U and R3 to 45% building coverage and 25% vegetative coverage was introduced and initially recorded as carried, but committee members asked for more study. "I would like more time to research R1U standards," said Chad Spitznagle, West Lafayette Housing Director. After additional discussion, Gary Schroeder withdrew his motion and the committee tabled changes to R1U and R3 until the next meeting to investigate implications across U-zones.
What changed: RE zones were added to the proposed coverage revisions at 20% building coverage with 60% vegetative coverage; R1 and R1A were set to 45% building coverage and 25% vegetative coverage. What’s next: staff will review R1U and R3 standards and return with findings at a future meeting.
Action summary: motion to include RE lots at 20%/60% passed (mover Gary Schroeder; seconder Diana Luper). Motion to change R1 and R1A to 45%/25% passed (mover Gary Schroeder; seconder Diana Luper). A motion affecting R1U and R3 was withdrawn and the item tabled for further research.
The committee adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
