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Council advances code change to allow cottage‑style two‑family homes on smaller infill lots
Summary
Council passed first reading of an amendment to the development code to let cottage‑style two‑family homes be built on 6,000 sq ft lots in targeted R‑2 infill neighborhoods; planner and developer said the change supports affordable housing supply while design standards aim to preserve neighborhood character.
Planning staff presented a proposal to amend the development code to allow certain two‑family (cottage‑style) homes in R‑2 residential areas where older lots measure about 50 by 120 (roughly 6,000 sq ft). The amendment would lower the lot‑size threshold from 7,800 to 6,000 sq ft for qualifying infill projects that comply with walkable design guidelines and frontage standards intended to retain a single‑house appearance.
The planner said the change is specific to infill contexts and includes design limits on front garages and porch features; larger or denser developments would still require Planning and Zoning review. Council members asked about rental versus owner‑occupied outcomes, potential effects on property values, fire and building code compliance, and whether the change could spur concentrated duplex construction in inappropriate neighborhoods.
Tyler Casey, CEO of Pro X Property Management, testified that allowing smaller‑lot two‑unit homes increases housing supply and can deliver affordable, quality units priced to meet local needs. "A big component of delivering affordable housing is increasing supply," Casey said, adding that the type of units proposed (three‑ and four‑bedroom cottage‑style units) have rented for levels he described as affordable in comparable projects.
Council members emphasized the amendment is intended for limited infill areas where the housing type is already concentrated and that design standards will be enforced to maintain neighborhood character. The council voted 9–0 on first reading to advance the bill to second and third readings.
The change does not immediately alter building-code safety requirements; staff noted all projects must meet the 2018 IRC and applicable fire and building codes.
Next steps: the amendment will return for subsequent readings where the council will consider final adoption.
