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Thayne council considers new AR-3 zone to allow apartment complexes
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Thayne Town Council discussed proposed changes to Title 10 to create an AR-3 zoning category that would allow apartment complexes; the council asked the town attorney to review legal limits on restricting apartments on Main Street and on main-floor units.
The Thayne Town Council on Jan. 20 discussed proposed revisions to Title 10 of the Thayne Municipal Code that would create a new AR-3 zone permitting apartment complexes and restructure residential zoning into AR-1, AR-2 and AR-3 categories. Mayor Devin Simpson led the review and said the council should proceed cautiously.
Councilman Joe Heward proposed adding language that would allow apartment complexes under council approval in certain commercial areas; he also suggested exploring restrictions on allowing apartment complexes along Main Street (U.S. 89), including banning main-floor apartments on that corridor. Mayor Simpson said such wording could carry a risk of appearing to show favoritism to particular developers and asked the town attorney to examine what the town can legally require or prohibit. "I will work with Town Attorney Kevin Voyles and will report at the next meeting," Simpson said.
The discussion did not culminate in a vote; council members asked staff and legal counsel to research whether local restrictions on apartment location and main-floor dwelling units on Main Street would be enforceable. The council will revisit the Title 10 amendments after legal review and staff recommendations.
Why it matters: The proposed code changes would alter where multiunit housing can be built in Thayne and could affect the supply of commercial land available to businesses along Main Street. Any legal limits the town can impose — for example, restricting main-floor apartments on U.S. 89 — would shape future development decisions.
Next steps: Town staff will work with the town attorney to return recommended language and legal guidance at a future council meeting; no ordinance was adopted on Jan. 20.
