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Planning Commission forwards zoning-code updates on infill sidewalk rules and townhouse definitions to City Council
Summary
The commission voted to send proposed amendments to Article 3.23.1 (sidewalk applicability for infill) and Article 12 (townhouse/rowhouse definitions) to City Council with a recommendation of approval; staff said the changes apply only to infill parcels and do not alter mandatory sidewalk requirements for new subdivisions.
The Russellville Planning Commission voted to forward zoning-code amendments—proposed changes to Article 3.23.1 (sidewalk applicability for infill development) and Article 12 (definitions for townhouse/rowhouse)—to the City Council with a recommendation of approval.
Staff explained the amendments were reviewed by the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) and advanced after the committee determined the changes align with the Reimagined Russellville 2040 comprehensive plan. The sidewalk update clarifies scenarios where residential infill developers must install sidewalks and allows flexibility when sidewalk installation would be redundant or cannot practicably connect to the street network; staff emphasized the change applies specifically to infill development and not to new subdivisions, which retain mandatory sidewalk requirements.
The Article 12 change revises the definitions for dwellings classified as townhouses or rowhouses to close a loophole that permitted multiplex developments to be classified as townhomes without properly subdividing individual units, staff said. Staff noted that graphics prepared by Miss Marchant were included in the packet to illustrate the sidewalk scenarios.
Commissioners discussed input received from the development community, including comments relayed by Mr. Garza, and said the amendments were refined through multiple LRPC meetings. A commissioner moved to forward the changes to City Council with a recommendation of approval; the motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The action sends the proposed code amendments to City Council for consideration; City Council will take the next steps under the municipal code for ordinance adoption.
