Cody planning board recommends city council approve rezone for 1520 23rd Street

The Cody Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board voted on Nov. 20 to recommend that the City Council approve a rezone request by Flip LLC for 1520 23rd Street, changing the parcel from medium‑low density residential (R2) to medium‑high density residential (R3).

Planning staff introduced the application and said the lot is approximately 10,983.75 square feet and that the requested change would allow greater flexibility for future development. "This is a proposed rezone...the change would allow greater flexibility for future development of a lot," planning staff member Jenny said.

The applicant, who identified himself as Chase Whitlock, told the board he intends to keep the recently remodeled house on the street and add a duplex behind it with on‑site parking. "My intent is to keep the house that is currently remodeled, and I wanna put a duplex on the backside of the lot for 2 units that would be all contained within the property," Whitlock said.

A nearby property owner said they were not opposed but wanted a rendering and clearer information about whether the existing building would be removed. Jenny responded that a rendering is not required for a zone change and that specific building plans and setback compliance will be reviewed at the building permit stage.

Board members discussed how R2 and R3 standards apply to the lot. Staff explained that R2 typically requires 5,500 square feet for a single‑family dwelling and 10,000 square feet for a two‑family dwelling, while R3 lists 3,200 square feet for a detached single‑family dwelling and 4,000 square feet per dwelling unit for multi‑unit dwellings. Staff said the subject lot meets duplex thresholds but would not support a triplex under the 4,000 sq ft per unit interpretation. "If they are proposing a duplex, we're looking at that specific part of the rule...and they've met that," Jenny said.

Board member Ian moved to recommend council approval of the rezone and the motion received a second. After a brief question about total building size and how upstairs units affect developable area, the board voted to recommend approval. The chair declared the ayes carried after one member voiced a nay during roll call.

The recommendation means the issue will now go to the Cody City Council for final action. Planning staff emphasized that exact unit sizes, lot coverage and other technical standards will be verified when a building permit application is submitted.

The board closed the public hearing before the motion and then moved on to other business.